[Commentary] On February 5th, Master Hsing Yun, the founding patriarch of Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan and the founder of the International Buddha's Light Association, passed away peacefully at the age of 96.
According to the memories of Master Hsing Yun's disciples, although the master has been ill for many years, his heart is always free.
[Concurrent] Disciple of Master Xingyun
On February 5th, at 5:00 pm on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar, (Master Hsing Yun) passed away peacefully amid the sound of our disciples chanting Buddha's name.
We also asked our master how we should face it when we are old and sick. The master told us a sentence that moved us very much. He said that I am not sick, but that it is not convenient for me to move around. , My heart is free and unrestrained, I am very happy, I regard illness as a friend.
He often told us that he said that I would use my life to bless everyone, and wish each of you to be happy, safe and healthy.
[Explanation] Master Hsing Yun, commonly known as Li Guoshen, was born in Jiangdu, Jiangsu Province in August 1927. He became a monk at Qixia Temple in Nanjing at the age of 12. He graduated from Jiaoshan Buddhist Academy in 1947. He moved to Taiwan in 1949. He founded Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung in 1967.
[Explanation] Master Hsing Yun was also committed to promoting cross-strait exchanges during his lifetime, and donated dozens of Foguang Middle and Primary Schools and Foguang Hospitals in the mainland.
In recent years, he has revived the ancestral court Dajue Temple in Yixing, mainland China, donated to build the Chinese Academy Museum, Yangzhou Jianzhen Library, Nanjing University Foguang Building, established the Yangzhou Forum, and actively promoted cultural education to promote cross-strait harmony.
[Concurrent] Master Hsing Yun
Many cultural stunts and dramas from mainland China come to Taiwan for performances, or cultural relics come to Taiwan for exhibition, so the people in Taiwan will also feel that Chinese culture is great, Chinese culture has a history and connotation, so that people on both sides of the strait can understand it like this , which increases friendship.
Come and go, come and go, in the end who comes and who goes, and who goes and who doesn't know, this peace will naturally succeed.
[Explanation] Regarding cross-strait relations, Xingyun once said that he opposed "Taiwan independence" because he was born in troubled times and felt sorry for the suffering of the people. Therefore, he advocated cross-strait peace. Because the consequences of the war were unimaginable, brothers and sisters of the Chinese nation all Should unite.
[Concurrent] Master Hsing Yun
We are now on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Five fingers become a fist, and the fist has power. I think this power, the power of unity and cooperation, is the Chinese dream.
[Explanation] Master Xingyun also believes that "a family on both sides of the strait" is rooted in the blood and cannot be separated at any time.
[Concurrent] Master Hsing Yun
I just thought that the two sides of the strait are family members. Although the sea is far away, it can't cut off the blood and blood of the compatriots on both sides of the strait.
I hope that our brothers and sisters of the Chinese nation will not distinguish between you and me, and do not oppose each other. We will cherish each other and tolerate each other. Even if there are differences, those who are different will put aside their differences and seek common ground in differences.
[Explanation] Master Hsing Yun is open-minded about life and death. He made a will in advance at the age of 85. His personal property has been donated to the public welfare trust education fund. The assets belonging to Fo Guang Shan are not his. Accumulate family accumulation.
In his will, he expressed gratitude that although he encountered various trials in the great era in his life, he felt very happy in life and enjoyed suffering, poverty, struggle, and emptiness.
Liu Shijiong reports from Beijing
Responsible editor: [Bian Liqun]