On 25th May 2024, the Buddha’s Light International Association South Island held the Oceania Dharma Symposium, inviting Venerable Huihao, the Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Seoul, to give a talk on My Master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The event was attended live and online by over a hundred participants, including FGS NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin, the Minister in Charge of FGS Christchurch Venerable Juexi, BLIA members from the South and North Islands and members from various Oceania associations, who listened to Venerable Huihao recount his interactions with Venerable Master.
Venerable Huihao had aspired to become a monk since childhood. During a period of turmoil in Korean Buddhism, he came to Taiwan and was moved by the comprehensive educational system at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. At the age of 14, he entered the FGS Sramanera School. Recalling the challenge of learning Chinese at the time, he often struggled to understand Venerable Master’s teachings due to his accent. However, during a 53-day “International Arhat Full Ordination Ceremony” held at FGS Monastery, Venerable Huihao had the honour of serving as Venerable Master’s attendant and translator for the Korean monks participating in the ordination. Before the ceremony, Venerable Master gathered all the translators and wrote the content of his teachings on a whiteboard, which made Venerable Huihao feel the Master’s compassionate care for his disciples, and greatly boosted his confidence in his duties.
After completing his military service in Korea, Venerable Huihao meditated at the Meditation Hall for a year. He felt troubled by being frequently called on for translation assistance during this period. In understanding his disciple’s feelings, the Venerable Master enlightened him with the teaching that “Building Affinities is very Important,” which resolved his afflictions. With this understanding, Venerable Huihao joyfully formed good relationships with distinguished guests and scholars, accumulating the resources for his future Dharma propagation. Being close to Venerable Master Hsing Yun also taught him details about wheelchair pushing, making him more considerate in dealing with people. Venerable Master Hsing Yun constantly encouraged him to “surpass the blue and excel beyond the blue,” urging him to surpass the Master and himself. Despite not understanding this initially, he realised later that the Venerable Master wanted him to surpass not in ability, but in aspiration.
“Greatness does not require great wisdom but requires great aspiration.” Venerable Master Hsing Yun founded FGS Monastery at the age of 40, leading by example in emphasising the importance of serving the public. Venerable Master proudly sees his disciples inherit the aspiration and determination to illuminate the world in bringing happiness and peace to everyone. Furthermore, Venerable Master’s meticulous planning demonstrated compassion and enabled the disciples to stand firm and lead FGS forward despite his passing.
Venerable Huihao expressed that after 25 years of training, he is now assigned as the first non-Chinese Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, marking a significant milestone in the localisation of FGS’s Monastic Education. He believes that true transcendence is to provide people with good causes and conditions and to serve the public on the Bodhisattva path regardless of age.
Venerable Abbess Manshin expressed gratitude for Venerable Huihao’s sincere and wonderful speech, stating that only those with great courage and wisdom can recognize their mistakes, adjust immediately and undergo self-reformation to keep up with the team. BLIA South Island President Bernie SIEW stated that they would follow the teachings of the Venerable Master, diligently practicing in giving causes and conditions, and in forming good relationships with others.
The BLIA members from the North and South Islands thanked Venerable Huihao for his insightful speech. All attendees were deeply moved, inspired by the genuine interactions between the Master and disciple and gained a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Humanistic Buddhism.