Traveling to the Other Shore (Buddha's Stories on the Six Perfections)

Founder of the Fo Gaung Shan (Buddha’s Light Mountain) Buddhist Order and the Buddha’s Light International Association, Venerable Master Hsing Yun has dedicated his life to teaching Humanistic Buddhism, Which seeks realize spiritual cultivation in everyday living.

Master Hsing Yun is the 48th Patriarch of the Linji chan School. Born in Jiangsu Province, China in 1927, he was tonsured under Venerable Master Zhikai at the age of Twelve and became a novice monk at Qixia Vinaya College. He was fully ordained in 1941 following years of strict monastic training . when he left Jiaoshan Buddhist college at the age of twenty, he had studied for almost ten years in a monastery.

Due to the civil war in china, Master Hsing Yun moved to Taiwan in 1949 where he undertook the revitalization of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism .He began fulfilling his vow to promote the Dharma by starting chanting groups , student and youth groups, and other civic-minded organizations with Leiyin Temple in Ilan as his base . Since the Founding of Fo Guang Sann monastery in Kaohsiung in 1967, more than two hundred temples have been established world wide . His Lai Temple , the Symbolic torch of the dharma spreading to the west, was built in 1988 near Los Angeles.

Master Hsing Yun has been guiding Buddhism on a course of modernization by Buddhist values into education, cultural activities, charity, and religious practice. To achieve these ends, he travels all over the world, giving lectures and actively engaging in religious dialogue. The Fo Guang Shan organization also oversees sixteen Buddhist colleges and four universities , one of which is the Universities, one of which is the University of the West in Rosemead , California.

I order to understand the content of a religion and deter mine whether it is relevant and applicable to our daily live we must first get to know its founder. Can the founder be historically verified? Are the character and wisdom of the founder, as exemplified in his teachings, perfect and without flaws? Is every action worthy of respect and emulation? Is His nature completely purified? With proper belief and practice, can his teachings truly direct the Average human beings to liberation from the suffering of Life?

These question cannot be ignored, because the reason for believing in a religion should not be to merely seek momentary assurance of the spirit, and temporary comfort of the mind. The Ultimate goal is to liberate ourselves from the cycle of birth, old age, sickness and death, and to attain happiness. Therefore, before ewe confirm our belief in a particular religion, considering these various factors is important.

Sakyamuni Buddha , the founder of Buddhism , was born on the eight day of the fourth lunar month , around B.C.E. He was born in India , one of the four sites of ancient civilization. These facts are well documented in history . Thus, we should not view the Buddha as an imaginary person or god who suddenly appeared and disappeared without a trace. In addition to These facts, we also have knowledge of his parents and the many years of hardship he underwent in his civilisation before becoming the Buddha – an enlightened one. These facts are commonly recognized by academics and theologians worldwide.

Sakyamuni Buddha was born, raised, and enlightened in this world. In this human realm, he is he light of wisdom in the long dark night and a lifeboat in the light of wisdom in the long dark night and a lifeboat in the endless sea of suffering. His character has reached the perfect state and his nature has been thoroughly purified. He is free of the bondage of all worldly afflictions and has transcended the suffering of life and death. while he has alive, he taught for over forty years , elucidating the way of liberation and showing us the path. The Dharma is filled with great wisdom and enlightenment , teaching is how to transcend suffering , attain happiness and ultimately enlightenment.

After through and continued study of the Buddha’s teachings, we will find that Buddhism is are religion to believe in,, a discipline to study , and a practice to be put into action . Although Buddhism can be found all over the world, it is unfortunately that some dharma teachers emphasize theory and neglect he day –today practice that is true spirit of the Buddha’s teachings. Sakyamuni Buddha is the most appropriate and exemplary model for all of u s as we develop our belief in this most complete and profound religion. When we can promulgate the spirit of the Buddha to enlighten and liberate all beings, including ourselves, then we can indeed earn the respect of others and yield beautiful and beautiful results.