Hsin Pei - Monastic Life

Monastic Life

Prior to his election as abbot, Hsin Pei was in charge of discipline action at Fo Guang Shan's main Bei Hai Buddhist College, as well as administration at the Male Buddhist University at the main monastery in Kao Hsiung County in southern Taiwan. He was also the assistant director of the Fo Guang Shan Chán Center, his elder brother Ven Hui Jih having formerly been in charge of practice there. He is very well-versed in the tradition of Chinese Buddhist precept ceremonies, from the five precepts, the eight one-day fasting precepts, short-term monastic retreats, and full ordination ceremonies. As the former Discipline Officer (Ch: 糾察 Jiucha) of the monastery, he is expert in all the rules and regulations of the monastery. He has many times assumed the post of presiding in precept ceremonies and short-term monastic retreats.

Hsin Pei is often described in the order as modest in conduct, showing self disciplinary skills and adherence to the precepts. Because of his young age, he is often seen as a role model to younger generation of Buddhists, guiding and helping younger monastics and laity. He also excels in the chanting of Buddhist music and often has led the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastic Choir to perform on the world stage and has won many high praises. In recent years, Hsin Pei has reached new heights with his performances in the "Sounds of the Yellow River", an album of Buddhist chanting recorded by the Fo Guang Shan monastic choir. This Buddhist liturgical music has become some of the standards for modern Chinese liturgy worldwide.