Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
August 25, 2023

Half a year after the passing of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan(FGS), all the Elder venerables and nine members of the Board of Directors of Fo Guang Shan on February 5th followed the ancient tradition of monasticism and modern democratic decisions, unanimously elected Most Venerable Hsin Bau, the incumbent Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, as the "Refuge Master." on August 8th. Most Venerable Hsin Bau now becomes the representative to host the ceremony of Tonsure and Ordination, and the Sila Upadhyaya of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, following in the footsteps of Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

Most Venerable Hsin Ting, the Retired Abbot of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) and current Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Thaihua Temple, expressed that Most Venerable Hsin Bau is a distinguished Abbot of FGS and deserves congratulations.

In Buddhism, the term "Refuge" means "rely and stay." It refers to relying on individuals with virtue and strength, following them to learn the Dharma and not easily departing from their guidance.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau now becomes the representative to host the ceremony of Tonsure and Ordination of FGS. photo／The Life News Agency

The announcement from the Board of Directors states that "in the future, those who aspire to become monastics and follow the monastic path at Fo Guang Shan will rely on, learn from, and propagate the teachings of Humanistic Buddhism promoted by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Most Venerable Hsin Bau possesses both virtue and learning, making him highly suitable to assume the role of 'Refuge Master,' representing FGS to host the ceremony of Tonsure and Ordination, and the Sila Upadhyaya. Throughout his lifetime, he will hold this honorable position to perform the tonsure ceremony for aspiring monastics and grant certification to those entering the monastic path."

Most Venerable Hsin Bau humbly stated, "This achievement is thanks to Venerable Master Hsing Yun and the devotees. I will continue to learn."

Following in the footsteps of Venerable Master Hsing Yun(right), Most Venerable Hsin Bau is elected as the "Refuge Master." photo／The Life News Agency

Fo Guang Shan's system of inheritance is very well established. Venerable Master Hsing Yun founded Fo Guang Shan in 1967 and served as the first abbot. He stepped down in 1985. Venerable Master Hsing Yun's disciple, Most Venerable Hsin Ping held abbacy for the fourth term. Subsequent abbots serve for four years per term. Most Venerable Hsin Ting served for the fifth and sixth terms, followed by Most Venerable Hsin Pei who served for the seventh and eighth terms. Most Venerable Hsin Bau then assumed abbacy for the ninth and tenth term, serving up until present day.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau was born in 1964 in Taichung, Taiwan. In 1986, he was ordained as a monk by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. He belongs to the 49th generation descendent of the Linji Lineage. He has served as a staff member at IBPS-Deer Park and Vancouver I.B.P.S and as the Curator of the Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery. Starting in 2004, he served as the abbot of the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple for 8 years, and in 2013, he assumed the role of abbot at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau humbly stated that his achievement is thanks to Venerable Master Hsing Yun. photo／The Life News Agency

Po Hsiung Wu, the Honorary President of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) R.O.C., expressed that Most Venerable Hsin Bau possesses compassion, humility, steadiness, integrity, profound learning, and global perspective, he is bound to inherit Venerable Master Hsing Yun's aspirations and further expand the great vow of "Dharma Water Forever Flows on the Five Continents."

The Board of Directors is the highest decision-making body of Fo Guang Shan, following the guiding principles set by Venerable Master Hsing Yun to promote Humanistic Buddhism and lead the community towards its goals and objectives.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun once said, "Fo Guang members are not individuals; they are a collective entity. The collective entity consists of Fo Guang Shan Order, BLIA, the monastic and lay assemblies, and those connected with Fo Guang Shan. They are all referred to as 'Fo Guang member'." He then advised on how to be a true "Fo Guang member": first, Fo Guang members should accomplish by collective effort; secondly, Fo Guang members should believe in doing only what is in accord with Buddhism; thirdly, Fo Guang members should recognize the spirit of leadership by system; fourthly, Fo Guang members should abide by the principle of relying on nothing but the Dharma.