THE 86-year-old master of Humanistic Buddhism, Hsing Yun, preaches a modern, practical Buddhism for daily life, focusing on simple issues of the real world, rather than how to leave the world behind.

He believes that a little bit of enlightenment can be gained every day, advocates vegetarian eating as an "art of life," and says it's important to do good deeds, speak good words and think good thoughts. There's too much greed and jealousy in the modern world and that leads to discontent, he observes.

Founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order in Taiwan, the famous monk travels the world, spreading his message about how to live unselfishly and be happy.

A group of journalists recently met him in a tea room at Dajue Temple in the mountains of Yixing City, Jiangsu Province. Destroyed in the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), it was rebuilt in 2005 and today is part of a well-established monastery preaching what is also called Humanitarian Buddhism, or Socially Engaged Buddhism.

The master, clad in a yellow robe, walked slowly into the room, leaning on a walking stick. Everyone rose. "Has everyone had lunch?" he asked in a thick Yangzhou accent. Everyone nodded. "Okay," he said, using the little English he knows. Smiling, he sat down and began to talk in a down-to-earth way, using vivid, sometimes amusing stories to illustrate his points about real-world Buddhism. He is known for affable, witty, non-lectures that captivate his audience. He gladly answers questions.

"It is difficult to become fully enlightened, but it is possible to seek small satori (comprehensions, enlightenments) every day," he told the gathering. "I am trying to understand some truths and principles on a daily basis and to accumulate those satori throughout my life," the master said.

In other words, he tries to live like a bodhisattva, energetic, enlightened, compassionate and connected.

Born in 1927 in Jiangsu Province, with the given name Li Guoshen, he became a monk at the age of 12 at Dajue Temple and is now the 48th generation lineage holder of the Linji Chan (Rinzai Zen) school. He learned from Master Zhi Kai.

In 1949, he left Yixing for Taiwan, where he continued his work, founding the Fo Guang Shan order promoting Humanitarian Buddhism. Today it is the island's largest religious and humanitarian organization.

In the 1980s, he started returning to the mainland from time to time. He is still based in Taiwan.

A speaker and writer, he is famous in international Buddhist associations, building and promoting modern monasteries, universities, schools, Buddhist institutes around the world, as well as a range of social services.

A Mahayana Buddhist, he promotes dialogue within Buddhism, among sects and with other faiths.

Vegetarian diet nurtures mercy

One of his major themes is the value of a vegetarian lifestyle. Master Hsing Yun returned to Dajue Temple on this trip to promote vegetarian culture.

The famous International Vegetarian Expo was held in Yixing in April, attended by tens of thousands of vegetarians from around the world. In May it was held in Yangzhou, the master's hometown.

It (the expo) is a communication through food, Master Hsing Yun told the gathering. Going vegetarian has nothing to do with one's beliefs, he said, adding that in Buddhism there are no requirements to become vegetarian. What people need to obey are "The Five Precepts," he said, listing them: no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no reckless speech and no intoxicants.

He noted that vegetarian culture was advocated by Confucius himself who said, "One would rather see them alive than stand to watch how they die. And if one hears their screams, one is not able to bear eating them as a meal. This is why a kingly person would rather stay away from the kitchen."

"Religion is one's lifetime beliefs and going vegetarian is a life habit that benefits individuals and the environment," Master Hsing Yun said.

He cited the example of animals. "Cows, horses, camels and elephants are all vegetarian and all have great endurance. Today's young people always complain that they lack energy. They want to rest. I think they eat too much meat," the master joked.

"I'm 86 years old and still feel energetic. Where does my energy and strength come from? I think I benefit from a long-term vegetarian diet," he said.

Vegetarian living is also "an art of life," he said. "It shows mercy to all life."

Some ways of eating flesh are especially harmful. Sometimes he sees parents and children on outings when they catch fish and crabs in a pond. "They laugh while their children tear the animals apart while they are still alive. This kind of behavior means the children will show no respect to life or cherish it. This leads to not respecting other people when they grow up, even nurturing criminal behavior in the future."

In daily life, a vegetarian diet can help nurture mercy and respect for life, he said.

Humanistic Buddhism

What is Humanistic Buddhism? As Master Hsing Yun puts it "everything that Buddha said, that people want, everything that is pure, innocent and peaceful is Humanistic Buddhism."

Though considered a master, Hsing Yun acts like a humble monk. His speeches are sometimes visionary but always focus on the real, modern world.

He is one of the leaders of modern reformation of Buddhism, making it more open and accessible, using modern languages (not just Sanskrit and ancient texts), building modern monasteries, universities, Buddhist colleges and schools around the world. He also promotes television stations, libraries, publishing houses, Buddhist art galleries, tea rooms, free mobile medical clinics, homes for needy children, high schools and retirement homes. All represent the Buddhist principles and message of doing good and helping others through public service.

All of these are promoted by his Fo Guang Shan International Buddhist Order.

Master Hsing Yun has won not only praise, but has also come in for some criticism from more conservative Buddhists. They argue that he has departed too far from the Buddha's teachings of the importance of individual enlightenment, meditation, spirituality and the insignificance of the material world.

The master appears indifferent, saying Humanistic Buddhism should bring people confidence, joy, hope and convenience.

He once said: "People should try to win credit for oneself, should have no anger, should say 'okay' more than 'no.' Being touched shows mercy, illness may become good medicine, we'd rather lose everything than mercy. Criticism may become encouragement."

The master recently underwent major heart surgery and his sight is affected by diabetes. Asked if he's afraid of death, he replies, "Pain is what I am afraid of."

At Dajue Temple, the master talked about the pressure and stress in modern life.

He cites the example of a parent seeing a child with a jar stuffed with candy, so much that one piece cannot be removed. Finally the jar must be broken. "This is greed," he said.

"Today people become unhappy because other people earn a fortune. This is jealousy and it makes people discontent," he said.

"A smart person thinks of everything in a good way and tries for a happy mood, so in this way a happy life continues. A fool always thinks in a negative way, which in the end leads to a miserable and troubled life."

People make their own heaven and hell, he observed. Whether people are religious or not, behaving like a good person is vital.

"What is important is doing good deeds, speaking good words, thinking good thoughts and cultivating a sense of propriety, justice, honesty and honor," the monk said.

At the end of the interview, one of the disciples performed a song from Huangmei Opera:.

"Flowers are for spring and the full moon is for autumn, a cool breeze is in summer and snow is for winter. If there is no worry in my heart, this is a good time in the world."

Master Hsing Yun listened and smiled.