Yin Shun
Zhang Luqin was born on the 5th of April 1906 in a village within Zhejiang Province. The Qing Dynasty had just ended when he entered the world. Eleven days after his birth, the infant fell critically ill and nearly died. His parents watched him struggle with this sudden sickness. They named him Zhang Luqin at that time.
He began formal schooling at age seven. During his early studies, he stumbled upon the subject of immortality. This topic fascinated the young boy deeply. His parents found his interest unusual for someone so young. They required him to teach at other schools instead of studying alone.
Zhang turned his attention toward Confucianism and Taoism next. Neither philosophy satisfied his deep spiritual yearning. Christianity briefly aroused his interest as well. He studied Christian doctrine for two years but could not commit himself fully. One day while searching for reading material, he encountered the words "the Buddha Dharma".
These words sparked immediate spiritual interest in his heart. Zhang zealously looked for anything related to Buddhism from that moment forward. He abandoned his previous searches for truth elsewhere.
In 1930, Zhang applied to a Buddhist college located in Beijing. He traveled many days from his home with high hopes for acceptance. He arrived too late for admission into the program.
While pondering where he might go next, Zhang thought of Tiantong Temple. He then went to Mount Putuo where he met a young man named Wang. Both searched for an abode where they could study the Buddha Dharma together. They eventually found a small place with a well-cultivated abbot.
The elder monk referred Zhang and Wang to another location called Fuzhun Monastery. This monastery sat less than half a mile from their current position. The two hurried to reach this new destination quickly.
On the 11th of October 1930, Master Qingnian shaved Zhang Luqin's head. The abbot gave him the Dharma name Yin Shun at that ceremony. This marked his official entry into monastic life within the Three Treatise school tradition.
Yin Shun developed Humanistic Buddhism as a modern interpretation of traditional teachings. His research helped bring forth this ideal among Chinese Buddhist society. Many practitioners studied and upheld this philosophy today.
He advocated for the One Vehicle perspective as the ultimate universal view of Buddhahood. This approach included all schools of Buddha Dharma under one umbrella. It encompassed both the Five Vehicles and the Three Vehicles within Mahayana meaning.
His work regenerated interest in the long-ignored Agamas texts among Chinese Buddhists. Scholars like Bhikkhu Bodhi echoed these ideas in American Theravadin circles. Yin Shun integrated all Buddhist schools under the single vehicle ideal throughout his writings.
This philosophy became a leading mainstream Buddhist path studied by many followers. He emphasized practical application over abstract theory in his daily teaching.
Master Yin Shun served as mentor to Cheng Yen who founded the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation. He also taught several other prominent monastics including Sheng-yen of Dharma Drum Mountain. Hsing Yun of Fo Guang Shan received instruction from him as well.
These students became active in humanitarian aid, social work, environmentalism, and academic research. They shaped contemporary Taiwanese Buddhism through their shared training with Yin Shun. The master influenced many leading Buddhist figures across modern Taiwan.
In February 1963, a thirty-two-day novitiate was held in Taipei for monks and nuns. A young female devotee from Hualien county failed initial registration that day. Master Yin Shun recalled meeting her personally during this event.
He told the young woman that their karmic relationship was very special. As a nun she must always be committed to Buddhism and all living beings. He quickly gave her the Buddhist name Cheng Yen before the hour ended.
In the summer of 1979, Master Yin Shun visited Hualien on the island. Living in this beautiful but undeveloped part of the region, Cheng Yen spoke about building a hospital. She wanted high-quality medical care for people in eastern Taiwan where few facilities existed.
Seeing his disciple's resolution put his mind at ease regarding the project. With this conversation, the hospital construction project officially began. Although Cheng Yen faced many insurmountable difficulties later, Master Yin Shun supported her efforts.
He transferred virtually all monetary offerings made by his followers directly to the hospital fund. The sum accumulated throughout those years proved truly sizable for such an undertaking.
On the 4th of June 2005, Yin Shun died after suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis complications since 1954. He passed away in Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital at age ninety-nine. His funeral lasted eight days as Tzu Chi joined other Buddhist organizations in mourning.
Taiwanese President
Chen Shui-bian attended the services along with ROC Premier Frank Hsieh. Several monastics from around the world predominantly from the United States also participated. Monastics who were disciples including Cheng Yen led the Tzu Chi delegation through the ceremonies.
His ashes and portrait were placed inside a hall alongside remains of other monastic alumni on the 10th of June. Over fifty works in Chinese Mandarin covered many thousands of pages across his career. These writings remain in process of translation into English today.
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Common questions
When was Zhang Luqin born and what name did he take as a monk?
Zhang Luqin was born on the 5th of April 1906 in Zhejiang Province. He received the Dharma name Yin Shun on the 11th of October 1930 during his ordination ceremony at Fuzhun Monastery.
What is Humanistic Buddhism according to Master Yin Shun?
Humanistic Buddhism is a modern interpretation of traditional teachings developed by Yin Shun that emphasizes practical application over abstract theory. This philosophy integrates all Buddhist schools under the single vehicle ideal while regenerating interest in Agamas texts among Chinese Buddhists.
How did Yin Shun influence the founding of Tzu Chi Charity Foundation?
Master Yin Shun mentored Cheng Yen who founded the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation after meeting her during a novitiate in February 1963. He supported her hospital construction project in Hualien by transferring virtually all monetary offerings from his followers directly to the fund.
Where and when did Yin Shun die and how old was he?
Yin Shun died on the 4th of June 2005 at age ninety-nine in Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital following complications from pulmonary tuberculosis since 1954. His funeral lasted eight days with participation from Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian and ROC Premier Frank Hsieh.