Venerable Master Chin Kung

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name = Chin Kung


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img_capt = Master Chin Kung on the lecturing "Infinite Life Sutra", April, 2005
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birth_name = Hsu Yeh-hong
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birth_date = 1927
birth_place = Lujiang County, Anhui Province, China
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school = Pure Land Buddhism
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title = Venerable Master
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Venerable Master Chin Kung (淨空法師; pinyin: "Jing Kong Fa Shi") (b. 1927) is a Buddhist monk from the Mahayana tradition. He is the founder of the Amitabha Buddhist Society, an organization based on the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism.

He was born in Lujiang County, Anhui Province, China under the birth name of Hsu Yeh-hong (徐業鴻). He entered the monastic life in 1959, where he was ordained at Lintzi Temple at Yuanshan in Taipei, Taiwan. It was then that he received the name of Ching Kung, meaning "pure emptiness".

Chin Kung is well known for using modern technology to spread the Buddha's teachings. His lectures are recorded on audio, video tapes and CDs for wide distribution in many temples, including many Buddhist temples and centers where people can pick up books to distribute to other places.

He has sponsored the printing and the distribution of Buddhist texts worldwide, as well as portraits and pictures of various buddhas and bodhisattvas. All these items have been distributed free of charge.

In recent years, Chin Kung has emphasized the Infinite Life Sutra and the Pure Land cultivation method of Buddha recitation which is concerned mainly with the recitation of Amitabha Buddha's name.

Chin Kung was also the ordination master for the late actress Chen Xiaoxu.

Achievements

Chin Kung had worked categorically on Buddhist teachings to bridge gaps and reconcile misunderstandings between different faiths through interfaith visits and dialogues, especially in Asia and Australia. In recognition of his achievements, he has been bestowed several awards and honours.

In 2002, he was awarded an Honorary Professorship from the University of Queensland, Australia and an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University, Australia. In December 2003, he was awarded the Honorary Founding Patron of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia. In April 2004, he was awarded the Honorary Doctor Degree of University of Southern Queensland. He was then further granted the Honorary Doctor Degree of Syarif Hidayatullan State Islamic University, Jakarta Indonesia in June. In August, he was invited to present a paper at the 2004 Okayama Topia for International Contribution NGO Network Conference on the United Nations.

In June 2005, Chin Kung was appointed as a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II. [http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=9,1326,0,0,1,0 Australia's Highest Honour awarded to Master Chin Kung] ] . He was recognised for service to the Buddhist community in Queensland, particularly through the promotion of Buddhism and the fostering interfaith activities between diverse ethnic groups, and to the community through support for educational and health institutions.

References

External links

* [http://www.amtb.org Official site of the Amitabha Buddhist Society]
* [http://www.buddhistinformation.com/a_life_of_sincerity_and_respect.htm Master Chin Kung's biography]