My OperaMaster Sheng Yen Passes Away February 3, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009 9:53:22 AM
Master Sheng Yen Dies at age 78.
I wonder how his disciples, devotees and followers are handling the news of his death.
I find myself thinking about the other eminent teachers and spiritual leaders who are getting up there in age, for instance, the Dalai Lama who apparently has been going through a bout of health crises click here for more, Thich Nat Hanh, founder of The Community of Inter-being, born October 11, 1926 and Sangarakshita, founder of FWBO just one year older than Thay, not to mention Ajahn Sumedho who is just a few years younger than Master Sheng Yen.
I don't think it's completely unreasonable to ponder upon what will happen after they die and wonder whether their school/branch of Buddhism will survive the difficulties that occur naturally after the founder or main leader dies. Who will carry their vision? who will take on the role of spiritual head of that given community? and who will be there to provide a safe space to weather the troubles that come from succession.
One of the characteristics that I find refreshing and appealing in life is the paradoxical dynamism created by high acheivers who remain utterly humble and modest.
Here's an excerpt taken from the article in The Taiwan News:
"Master Sheng Yen received many awards from different governments in recognition of his humanitarian, cultural, and academic contributions. In August 2000, he was one of the keynote speakers in the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held in the United Nations.
He was the author of some 90 books in Chinese and over a dozen books in English. Some of his books have been translated into more than 12 languages, including French, German, Japanese, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
In spite of his achievements, Master Sheng Yen maintained his usual humbleness, insisting that he was just an ordinary person living a monastic life."
I wonder how his disciples, devotees and followers are handling the news of his death.
I find myself thinking about the other eminent teachers and spiritual leaders who are getting up there in age, for instance, the Dalai Lama who apparently has been going through a bout of health crises click here for more, Thich Nat Hanh, founder of The Community of Inter-being, born October 11, 1926 and Sangarakshita, founder of FWBO just one year older than Thay, not to mention Ajahn Sumedho who is just a few years younger than Master Sheng Yen.
I don't think it's completely unreasonable to ponder upon what will happen after they die and wonder whether their school/branch of Buddhism will survive the difficulties that occur naturally after the founder or main leader dies. Who will carry their vision? who will take on the role of spiritual head of that given community? and who will be there to provide a safe space to weather the troubles that come from succession.
One of the characteristics that I find refreshing and appealing in life is the paradoxical dynamism created by high acheivers who remain utterly humble and modest.
Here's an excerpt taken from the article in The Taiwan News:
"Master Sheng Yen received many awards from different governments in recognition of his humanitarian, cultural, and academic contributions. In August 2000, he was one of the keynote speakers in the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held in the United Nations.
He was the author of some 90 books in Chinese and over a dozen books in English. Some of his books have been translated into more than 12 languages, including French, German, Japanese, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
In spite of his achievements, Master Sheng Yen maintained his usual humbleness, insisting that he was just an ordinary person living a monastic life."
