Yaling Chu, Associate Professor at Shijiazhuang College, Visiting Scholar at the Center for Buddhist Studies, will present a lecture titled "The Idea, History, and Influence of Master Jinghui’s Living Chan in Contemporary Chinese Buddhism."
This talk focuses on the famous founder of Living Chan 生活禪, Master Jinghui 淨慧法師 (1933-2013), and his Buddhist thought and practice. First, the talk introduces the biography of the late Master Jinghui, who was abbot of Bailin Chan Monastery 柏林禪寺, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, Ninth and tenth Members of the CPPCC (Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) National Committee, President of The Buddhist Association of Hebei Province. Master Jinghui established a systematic theory of Living Chan, and founded Living Chan magazine. During his life time, he revived about twenty temples in north China, including the famous Bailin Chan Monastery in Hebei Province. In addition, Master Jinghui initiated the Summer Camp of Living Chan 生活禪夏令營 at Bailin Chan Monastery in 1993, which has become an annual event ever since and has great influence in China and aboard. As the Buddhist scholar Wei Dedong comments, the Summer Camp not only opens the door to the Buddhist Youth and social elite, but also promotes Buddhism as an essential spiritual resource for China’s modernization.
The presentation is part of the UA Center for Buddhist Studies spring 2018 Pu Yin Buddhist Studies Lecture Series. All lectures are presented in English and open to the public. The series is sponsored by the Pu Yin Educational Center.
