- Joined
- Jul 11, 2008
- Messages
- 2,501
- Points
- 0
Taiwanese mourn Buddhist master Sheng-yen
Feb 9, 2009
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Thousands of Taiwanese continued to mourn the death of Zen Buddhist Master Sheng-yen on Tuesday, as followers prepared for the respected monk's ashes to be scattered in the woods beside his sanctuary.
Sheng-yen died of kidney failure Feb. 3 at the age of 80. He had served as abbott of the Nung Chan Monastery before establishing a Buddhist sanctuary in Dharma Drum Mountain in Chinshan in suburban Taipei in 1989.
His body was cremated Sunday after monks sounded a gigantic bell inscribed with Buddhist scriptures at the Dharma Drum Mountain. Eight monks then carried Sheng-yen's body — covered by golden sheets in a hearse_ down a winding mountain road lined with followers, solemnly clapping their hands.
Sheng-yen was venerated for his teachings of mercy, simple life and fulfillment of one's duties. "Face up with the difficult situation, overcome it and then put it aside to have a peace of mind," he had said.
In keeping with such philosophy, the Dharma Drum Mountain sanctuary has banned practices deemed superstitious but commonly adopted by other Taiwanese temples, such as the burning of incense sticks and paper money dedicated to ghosts.
Since his death, followers in black suits or ceremonial gowns have streamed in and out of the sanctuary with offerings of flowers in mass prayers, and many others were doing simple prayers at home.
The master's ashes will be scattered in the woods next to the sanctuary on Sunday, following his wish to replace elaborate burials, followers said.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i71zqMe2DNgkoZaxHtWV-FC2qqnwD968E5I82
Who is Sheng-yen? Click the following link to get a glimpse...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheng-yen
Feb 9, 2009
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Thousands of Taiwanese continued to mourn the death of Zen Buddhist Master Sheng-yen on Tuesday, as followers prepared for the respected monk's ashes to be scattered in the woods beside his sanctuary.
Sheng-yen died of kidney failure Feb. 3 at the age of 80. He had served as abbott of the Nung Chan Monastery before establishing a Buddhist sanctuary in Dharma Drum Mountain in Chinshan in suburban Taipei in 1989.
His body was cremated Sunday after monks sounded a gigantic bell inscribed with Buddhist scriptures at the Dharma Drum Mountain. Eight monks then carried Sheng-yen's body — covered by golden sheets in a hearse_ down a winding mountain road lined with followers, solemnly clapping their hands.
Sheng-yen was venerated for his teachings of mercy, simple life and fulfillment of one's duties. "Face up with the difficult situation, overcome it and then put it aside to have a peace of mind," he had said.
In keeping with such philosophy, the Dharma Drum Mountain sanctuary has banned practices deemed superstitious but commonly adopted by other Taiwanese temples, such as the burning of incense sticks and paper money dedicated to ghosts.
Since his death, followers in black suits or ceremonial gowns have streamed in and out of the sanctuary with offerings of flowers in mass prayers, and many others were doing simple prayers at home.
The master's ashes will be scattered in the woods next to the sanctuary on Sunday, following his wish to replace elaborate burials, followers said.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i71zqMe2DNgkoZaxHtWV-FC2qqnwD968E5I82
Who is Sheng-yen? Click the following link to get a glimpse...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheng-yen