What is your review of Master Hsing Yun ?

PremaSagar

As a teacher of the dharma and his "Humanistic Buddhism" philosophy
From something I've read online I'm getting the impression that he's saying monks don't have to be celibate which I don't agree with.
I remember him best from his photo of giving Pope John Paul II a crystal Kuan Yin statue.

Dakini

Could you post a link so we can read about what he says? Maybe teachers don't necessarily have to be celibate, but in Taiwan's Ch'an tradition, I'm pretty sure that monks life a renunciate life. I like the Humanistic Buddhism. You're talking about Fo Guang Shan, right? Or are there other groups that come under Humanistic Buddhism, too?

Some Zen and Tibetan traditions allow marriage. I hear that one of the schools of Zen allows "monks" to live as householders.

Patr

Someone who travels first class and count many celebrities among his flock.

- sounds familiar?

Fo Guang was so rich that the Taiwanese Govt opened an investigation into its finances. Think thats what prompted him to step down as abbot, didnt follow up on that as not really interested.

PremaSagar

Dang, I can't find much on him except for his Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hsing_Yun
And an entry about him on Buddhanet: http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/hsing_yun.htm

I'm just curious if someone can verify if he's a valid teacher. One thing that stands out as a red flag is


"In 1996, Master Hsing Yun's main Fo Guang Shan branch temple in the United States, Hsi Lai Temple, became embroiled in a high-profile controversy involving the 1996 presidential campaign, where Master Hsing Yun and two other nuns who swore a life of poverty donated $1000 during a campaign booster for Vice President Al Gore."

http://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/08/18/blitzer.nuns/
http://templeofreason.org/cyclopedia/Hsing_Yun.htm

Dakini said:

Could you post a link so we can read about what he says? Maybe teachers don't necessarily have to be celibate, but in Taiwan's Ch'an tradition, I'm pretty sure that monks life a renunciate life. I like the Humanistic Buddhism. You're talking about Fo Guang Shan, right? Or are there other groups that come under Humanistic Buddhism, too?

Some Zen and Tibetan traditions allow marriage. I hear that one of the schools of Zen allows "monks" to live as householders.

seeker242

Don't know him personally but from what I've seen, I don't see any reason to think he's not a valid teacher. He's a dharma transmitted Rinzai master. Political fundraising fumbles aside, from what I've read of them, I see no reason to believe there was any ill intent involved. Ignorance of American laws sure, but ill intent, not really.

Sile

Michael Turton has an in-depth piece on the curious life and politics of Master Hsing Yun here:

http://michaelturton.blogspot.com/2009/03/china-calms-taiwan-with-buddhism.html

Metallica

Please do not make up stories about Venearble Master Hsing Yun. He would NEVER say anything like that. If you actually bothered to look at the practice of Fo Guang Shan before posting on the internet gossips you have heard you will see that Fo Guang Shan has a very structured Sangha where they follow all the required Vinayas.

As for people talking about how rich Fo Guang Shan is... well, what is the problem? It just means the organisation is successful in invigirating Buddhism for the modern world, hence gaining many devotees and donations.

And please do not make up slanderous stories about why Master Hsing Yun stepped down as Abbot, he stepped down to ensure Democracy.

Cinorjer

I don't see us making up slanderous stories here, but talking about the stories that are available and wondering if they're accurate. You have more immediate information? I'd love to hear it. Do you know or have you been taught by the Ven. Master? What did his teaching consist of?

Metallica

judge for yourself ese

http://blpusa.com/category/buddhism-in-every-step/page/5

Sile

I don't think the stories have to be made up, @Metallica; most of what has been mentioned here was reported in the Taipei Times - for example, Master Hsing Yun's statements that the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands belong to China, that there are no Taiwanese in Taiwan and Taiwanese are all Chinese, that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China, that Tibetans in exile should be loyal to the People's Republic of China, and that all (non)Taiwanese should vote for the KMT party.

Metallica

I highly suppor those comments. They are wise words that will improve the relationship before Taiwan and China, hence allowing more people in China to benefit from Buddhism in the coming future.

I was referring to claiming Master Hsing Yun saying monks don't have to be celibate and complaints of FGS's money etc.

Sile

Hong Kong weighs in.

Metallica

Wise words, Venerable Master Hsing Yun has done way more for China Taiwan relations and modern Buddhism than all the haters around the world.

Cinorjer

So we in the USA are used to charismatic Christian Evangelical ministers who insist on dabbling in politics, but find it strange that a Buddhist leader does the same thing? It takes all types and people are people everywhere.

As far as him saying he thinks celebacy should not be required, I suppose people have their set opinions about monks and sex. Myself, I'd rather they openly acknowledge celebacy is no longer required but the precepts remain in force about abuse of sex, instead of sneaking around and doing it. Kwan Um Zen no longer requires celebacy to teach in the sangha, and the heads of the order are more like married ministers. I know some people will never get past that ideal that enlightenment requires a pure mind devoid of all worldly desires like sex. In this case, the Eastern cultures seem to have moved on and are more liberal than the Western Buddhists. The Japanese would not think it strange at all. Probably the heavy influence of Tibetan Buddhism in our view of what a monk should be like.

Daozen

The guy seems like a Party puppet.