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Eminent Sangha

Venerable Jing Xin (1920 - 2020)

Biography

Venerable Jing Xin's missions of his life endeavoured the spreading of Dharma, educating the Sangha, developing culture and supporting charities as well as the overall welfare for the society.

 

Venerable Jing Xin also took on multiple roles such as the Minister of Buddhist Federation (Kaoshiung, Taiwan), Minister of Buddhist Federation (Taiwan Province), Minister of Buddhist Federation (China), Head of World Chinese Sangha Society, Minister of Religions Society (China), Religion and Peace Society (Republic of China), Consultant to Government's policies and Principal to Chulalongkorn University (Taiwan Branch).

 

With great passion in propagating Dharma, Venerable Jing Xin launched a Dharma program, called "The Voice of Awareness" in 1964 at the Feng Ming broadcast centre stationed in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. The very same program was later launched in other areas of Taiwan. As an effort to spread Dharma through the channel of television, he also took charge of a Dharma program, called "Bright World" which was managed by the China Buddhist Federation in the past 26 years ago.

 

Venerable Jing Xin is well-respected, influential and held highly prestigious by Taiwan and other Buddhist Communities around the world.

Accompanying Artefact

Artefact Description

Rides on an elephant, holding a lotus flower with a sutra atop the blossom. In many Japanese and Chinese temples she is also found in the Trinity with Sakyamuni Buddha and Wen-Shu Pusa (Manjusri).

Historical Background

In the last chapter of the Lotus Sutra, one of the principal Buddhist texts, the great Bodhisattva Samantabhadra is described advancing to earth, riding on a six-tusked elephant, and proclaiming himself protector of the faithful.

 

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is one of the three safes of the Avatamasaka realm and is also known as the "King of Great Vows." He is also known as "Samantabhadra Sattva;" "Samantabhdra Mahasattva;" "Samantabhadra Tathagata;" and "the One of Unviersal Good."

 

He is the attendant to Vairocana Buddha and performs as a Vajra Sattva in assisting the Buddha and protecting the Dharma.

 

In China, the worship of Bodhisattva Samatabhadra developed at Mount Emei in Sichuan province, which began to develop in Early Tang.

 

According to the Avatamsaka sutra, Buddha Shakyamuni stated that Samantabhadra Bodhisattva made ten great vows in his path to full Buddhahood2pg70:

 

  1. To pay homage and respect to all Buddhas.

  2. To praise the Thus Come One-Tathagata.

  3. To make abundant offerings. (e.g. give generously)

  4. To repent misdeeds and evil karmas.

  5. To rejoice in others' merits and virtues.

  6. To request the Buddhas to continue teaching.

  7. To request the Buddhas to remain in the world.

  8. To follow the teachings of the Buddhas always.

  9. To accommodate and benefit all living beings.

  10. To transfer all merits and virtues to benefit all beings.

 

The ten vows have become a common practice in East Asian Buddhism, particularly the tenth vow, with many Buddhists traditionally dedicating their merit and good works to all beings during Buddhist liturgies.

Bibliography:

  1. Xingyun, Hsing Yun, Infinite Compassion, Endless Wisdom: The Practice of the Bodhisattva Path, 2009, ISBN: 9781932293364 1932293361

  2. Upasika Chihmann, The Vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra Stutra,

  3. 中國佛教, 2006, Volume 50, Issues 1-4

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