Venerable Wu Ming (悟明)was born in Henan province, Shang Shui county in 1911 as Li Jun Ying (李俊英). His father Cheng Ran Gong (成然公) was a businessman. His mother’s surname was Liu. When he was 14, he renounced and became a monastic in Guanyin Pavilion (觀音閣) in Hubei province, Zhuxi county under tonsure master Venerable Li Neng Jing (禮能靜). Thereafter, he took on the Dharma names of Ren En (仁恩) and Wu Ming (悟明). At 20, he received full ordination at Guiyuan monastery (歸元寺)in Hubei province; at 33, he became the 47th generation dharma heir in the lineage of Linji at Liu Yun monastery (留雲禪寺)in Shanghai; at 39, he came to Taiwan with the Kuomingtang government; at 102, he passed away in Hai Ming Monastery (海明禪寺) in Shulin District(樹林)on the 19th day of the sixth lunar month in 2011, the day the Bodhisattva Guanyin became a bodhisattva.
As per his instructions, his disciples placed him in a jar upon his death. Out of respect for him, they also built a stupa at his final resting place in Ming Yuan shrine in Hai Ming Monastery (海明寺明園紀念堂) where he continues to spread the Dharma soundlessly. Venerable Wu Ming’s compassion and his compassionate vow are a testament to the bodhisattva’s vow of “The physical body being gone but the dharma body still exists”.
Venerable Wu Ming founded Hai Ming Buddhist College (海明佛學院), Hsuan Chuang Research Centre(玄奘學術研究院)and Hsuan Chuang University(玄奘大學), as well as built up various affiliated temples under Hai Ming Monastery. He was also the 11th and 12th president of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China (中國佛教會), the 5th and 6th president of the World Buddhist Sangha Council (世界佛教僧伽會) and the president of the Life Philosophy Council(人生哲學會).
Throughout his life, his practice method was the Guanyin practice method(觀音法門)and reciting the Great Compassion Mantra. His teachings spread from Taiwan to China and to the West. He focused on the Three Non-outflows ie. precepts, samadhi and wisdom which bring the practitioner to realise his Buddha nature. He walked the talk and spent his lifetime teaching us the realisation of the Guanyin practice method.
The Guanyin practice method can get rid of vexations and various kinds of illnesses. This method is simple and easy to practice. No matter whether one is walking, standing, sitting or sleeping, one can practice this method. For example, one can verbally recite the Bodhisattva Guanyin’s name or recite the Great Compassion Mantra 88 times; physically, one can do prostrations (the Great Compassion Repentance dharma service); mentally, one can visualise the Bodhisattva Guanyin’s compassionate countenance. After practice, the practitioner can transform the three poisons of greed, aversion and ignorance into prajña wisdom. This transformation is akin to blooming flowers emanating their fragrance everywhere, bringing peace to the practitioner. At the same time, the effects spill over to the people around who also benefit from the dharma practice. Venerable Wu Ming’s Guanyin practice method is practical and people feel its benefits. It inspires the good root in people’s heart and those who hear this dharma are at ease. This is the reason for researching on Venerable Wu Ming’s realisation of the Guanyin practice method. This thesis w