by Chloe Moore
The Xiang Yun Temple in Austin represents one of the numerous divisions of the Fo Guang Shan Temple Buddhist Order, which was established by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. At Xiang Yun Temple, individuals from all walks of life are invited to delve into the diverse facets of Buddhism. Whether it be through engaging in Prayer Service or practicing Meditation, attending the (free) Clinic, or participating in Tai Chi / Kung Fu classes, its aim is to enhance and enrich your life.
Humanistic Buddhism
Humanistic Buddhism can be traced back to the Linji school of Chán Buddhism, a prominent Chinese Buddhist sect associated with Bodhidharma. This particular school places great emphasis on the attainment of Buddhahood through the enlightenment of one’s own mind. The founder of Humanistic Buddhism, Linji Yixuan, was trained by the Chán master Huángbò Xīyùn, but attained kensho, or Buddha nature, while discussing Huángbò’s teaching methods with the reclusive monk Dàyú. When Linji returned to Huángbò to continue his training after awakening he was tested and found to have mastered Chán. Chán Buddhism saw its prominence in Song China (960-1279) and is known to have spread to Japan as the Rinzai school as well as influenced the nine mountain schools of Korean Seon.
Fo Guang Shan (FGS)
Fo Guang Shan, also known as “Buddha’s Light Mountain,” is a Taiwanese monastic order and international Chinese Mahayana Buddhist organization. The Venerable Master Hsing Yun established this organization in Taiwan in 1967, with a focus on teaching and practicing Humanistic Buddhism. Hsing Yun was widely admired as a proponent of Humanistic Buddhism and a highly influential figure in the realm of modern Taiwanese Buddhism. He held great popularity, commonly acknowledged as one of the esteemed “Four Heavenly Kings” of Taiwanese Buddhism, alongside his fellow contemporaries: Master Sheng-yen of Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Cheng Yen of Tzu Chi, and Master Wei Chueh of Chung Tai Shan.
The first Fo Guang Shan Monastery was erected in Dashu Township, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan in 1967. It became the headquarters of the Fo Guang Shan international organization and one of the most prominent, important, and largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. It is also home to the 4th largest Buddha Statue in the world.
Since its establishment in 1967, it has undergone a remarkable transformation from a bamboo forest atop a mountain to become Taiwan’s largest Buddhist monastery. Master Hsing Yun’s leadership has been instrumental in fostering the unwavering dedication of more than 1,000 monastics, as well as garnering the enthusiastic support of numerous lay devotees. Together, they have tirelessly worked towards instilling confidence, spreading joy, nurturing hope, and providing invaluable service to countless individuals. At present, Fo Guang Shan boasts an impressive network of over 200 branch temples worldwide, all dedicated to the noble mission of promoting Humanistic Buddhism and establishing a Pure Land here on earth.
In May of 1997, Fo Guang Shan made the decision to close its doors to the general public in order to create a more secluded environment in which the monastics could engage in their practices. Towards the end of 2000, President Chen Shui-bian and officials from Kaohsiung paid a visit to Fo Guang Shan, conveying the desires of their constituents for the monastery to reopen its mountain gate. After careful deliberation, Fo Guang Shan ultimately chose to partially reopen the monastery, granting the public access to a Pure Land setting where they can pursue their Buddhist practices.
The Fo Guang Shan order has gained recognition for its endeavors in modernizing Chinese Buddhism and has achieved fame for its utilization of technology. Their temples are frequently equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Additionally, they have established various affiliated colleges, including Fo Guang University in Taiwan and the University of the West in the United States. These institutions provide undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both Buddhist Studies and secular disciplines.
The Xiang Yun Temple in Austin
Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the esteemed founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, arrived in Austin on September 10, 1994, to preside over the momentous groundbreaking ceremony for the Xiang Yun Temple. The construction commenced in October 1995 and reached its completion in January 2000. On June 19, 1998, Venerable Master Hsing Yun bestowed the name “Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple” upon this revered sanctuary. But what is the significance behind this specific name?
Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple is located on the scenic Capital of Texas Highway. The temple is surrounded by rolling hills covered by evergreen cedars that fill the air year round with a woody, citrus scent. Because of its location, the temple is also often submerged in a cloud-like fog. Therefore, the temple was named Xiang (fragrance) Yun (cloud), a play on the sensual experience one has at the temple. “The name also takes on the meaning of the clouds that are above the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas when their presence is honored.”
Dharma teachings
At the Xiang Yun Temple, the Dharma teachings follow the traditional trajectory of the FGS North America Humanistic Buddhism Courses. These were founded by Hsing Yun and are based on his notions on reading and knowledge:
“Purpose of reading: Read to be a better person,
Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Read to understand reasons, Read to see causes and conditions,
Read to understand that very heart.”
Hsing Yun never received any formal education. However, the books he read served as his education. He understands that “in order to become a better person, one needs to start reading”. Without reading, one cannot comprehend the reasons behind things. Without understanding reasons, one cannot strive to become a better person. He, therefore, encouraged everyone to cultivate the habit of reading.
With this belief, Hsing Yun established “to nurture talents through education” as one of the objectives when he founded Fo Guang Shan. Hsing Yun’s intention was for every Buddhist to engage in reading, as it has the power to enhance our energy, transform our temperament, and guide us towards developing a correct perspective. By doing so, our world will become a Pure Land.
It is the Temple’s belief that beginners can experience the simplicity and wonders of Buddhism through Dharma classes. And even advanced learners can take away something new from attending classes, re-accessing their understanding of Buddhism, practice with guidance and understanding, and actualize the Dharma in their daily life. The temple also welcomes casual learners, who wish to learn various arts and crafts to diversify and widen the panorama of their lives.
PRactice
The Xiang Yun Temple is actively involved in various undertakings such as education, culture, charity, healthcare, and other life-saving initiatives. Fo Guang Buddhists have inherited the teachings of Buddha, follow the traditions and ethics of their great masters, and strive to bring happiness and well-being to future generations. They embody the Bodhisattva spirit of compassion, wisdom, and willingness, and aim to promote compassion and assistance through cultural and educational efforts. Their philosophy emphasizes the integration of group and self relationships, while their practice is centered on cultivating peace and happiness in the world. With the four spirits of “giving people confidence, giving people joy, giving people hope, and providing people convenience” they aspire to uplift the hearts of all sentient beings and guide them towards enlightenment. The classes offered at the Xiang Yun Temple range from Dharma study to martial arts. These classes partially fund the temple, alongside donations collected at festivals and given freely by the community. The temple, however, does offer a free health clinic for members, providing easy access to possibly life-saving care.
Community
The community at Xiang Yun Temple is mostly made up by Asian American Buddhists. However, the temple, being in Austin, has many members that have no Asian heritage, from white members to African Americans. In the traditional binary viewpoint of American Buddhism, the temple would be considered more immigrant than convert, but they promote American interest in their practices and beliefs. While meditation is not practiced in English and many of their writing is done in traditional Chinese, they offer weekly English Dharma Services, most martial arts and culture classes in English and, because many non-members come, their celebrations are hosted in English. They also feature performers of different ethnicities and welcome Austin residents to join in the festivities.
The members of the Xiang Yun Temple are part of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) in Austin. The BLIA is an international non-government organization composed of monastic and laypeople who enact Humanistic Buddhism, which is committed to equality, respect for others, and social progress. BLIA Austin is dedicated to improving the health, safety, education, and economic stability of individuals, while also empowering them to overcome adversity and take charge of their own future.
Bibliography
“FGS Xiang Yun Temple.” IBPS Austin – Fo Guang Shan Xiang Shan Temple. Accessed December 2, 2023. https://www.ibps-austin.org/en/index.php.
“Fo Guang Shan.” Fo Guang Shan monastery worldwide web. Accessed December 2, 2023. https://www.fgs.org.tw/en/.
“Foguang Hub.” FoGuang Hub. Accessed December 1, 2023. https://sites.google.com/ibps.org/fgs-north-america-humanistic-b.
Hershock, Peter. “Chan Buddhism.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, March 2, 2019. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/buddhism-chan/.
“Hsing Yun .” Hsingyun.org. Accessed December 1, 2023. https://hsingyun.org/index.php.
“Humanistic Buddhism.” FoGuangPedia, April 29, 2021. https://foguangpedia.org/blog-post/humanistic-buddhism/.
“Linji School.” Wikipedia, December 1, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linji_school.