Hsuan Hua

Hsuan Hua (1918–1995) was a prominent Chinese Chan Buddhist monk who played a pivotal role in introducing Chinese Buddhism to the United States in the latter half of the 20th century. Known to his Western disciples as Master Hua, he was born Bai Yushu (or Bai Yuxi) in Shuangcheng County, China, and displayed a deep spiritual inclination from a young age, practicing filial piety through extensive bowing and following his mother's vegetarianism and recitation of Amitābha's name.

By the age of nineteen, he had become a monastic, taking the Dharma name An Tzu. His early life was marked by rigorous study of Confucian classics and Buddhist sutras, as well as engagement in charitable organizations. He also pursued studies in traditional Chinese medicine, astrology, and other schools of thought, demonstrating a broad intellectual curiosity.

Bringing Buddhism to the West

In 1959, Hsuan Hua began his mission to bring Chinese Buddhism to the West, instructing his disciples in America to establish the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association. He traveled to Australia in 1961 and then to the United States in 1962, with the explicit aim of nurturing a new generation of Buddhist practitioners and leaders. He settled in San Francisco, where he founded a lecture hall, attracting many young Americans interested in meditation and Buddhist teachings. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he undertook a 35-day fasting period to pray for world peace.

A significant development occurred in 1968 with the Shurangama Study and Practice Summer Session, which led to the first full ordinations of young Americans under his guidance. Hsuan Hua lectured extensively on Mahayana sutras, including the Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Amitabha Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra, and Shurangama Sutra. He established the Buddhist Text Translation Society in 1970, which has since translated and published numerous Buddhist scriptures and his own commentaries in English and other languages.

Bridging Traditions and Legacy

Hsuan Hua also sought to unite the Theravada and Mahayana traditions, traveling to Southeast Asia in his youth and later advocating for a unified approach to Buddhism. He hosted major Buddhist rituals, such as the Water, Land, and Air Repentance Dharma Assembly, in North America for the first time and worked to bring the complete Chinese Buddhist canon to the United States. His efforts in establishing the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah, California, provided a substantial monastic center for Buddhist practice and education.

Hsuan Hua passed away on June 7, 1995, at the age of 77. His funeral was attended by thousands of followers from around the world, and his ashes were scattered over the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. His teachings and the institutions he founded continue to be a vital part of Buddhism in the West, with initiatives like Dharma Radio and the Master Hua's Oral History Project ensuring his legacy and teachings remain accessible.