Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) Memorial Photographic Library
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0081
Master Xu Yun Movie Book (50th Anniversary Edition). A video compilation - one of many examples - of 'still' photographs of Master Xu Yun extant on 'Baidu' the Chinese-language internet prevalent throughout Mainland China. As far as I am aware, Master Xu Yun was never filmed when he was alive, although a 'coloured' photograph was apparently taken of him during his visit to Guangzhou in 1947.
虛雲老和尚影譜(圓寂50週年紀念版)
虛雲老和尚影譜(圓寂50週年紀念版)
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0082
Master Xu Yun visited Shanghai many times, and when he did so in 1952, he was 113-years-old! He was invited to host a 49-day land and water purification ritual at the 'Jade Buddha' (玉佛 - Yu Fu) Ch'an Temple - during which thousands of people took refuge in the Buddha! Master Xu Yun, through his wise and compassionate nature, forged a very deep bond with the people of Shanghai! This particular photograph shows the 'Shanghai Buddhist Pure Karma (净业 - Jing Ye) Society' enthusiastically welcoming Master Xu Yun!
虚云老和尚曾多次造访上海,尤其是1952年,113岁高龄的虚云老和尚应邀来沪,在上海玉佛禅寺主持为期49天的水陆法会,法会期间上千人皈依,与上海结下深厚因缘。图为1952年,上海佛教净业社欢迎虚云老和尚莅临开示。
虚云老和尚曾多次造访上海,尤其是1952年,113岁高龄的虚云老和尚应邀来沪,在上海玉佛禅寺主持为期49天的水陆法会,法会期间上千人皈依,与上海结下深厚因缘。图为1952年,上海佛教净业社欢迎虚云老和尚莅临开示。
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0083
This photograph is dated to the 7.8.1953 and features a sitting Master Xu Yun who is around 114-years-old! This group photograph was taken at the 'Great Forest' (大林 - Da Lin) Temple situated on Mount Lu (庐山 - Lu Shan) in Central China. Master Yancheng (演成) is first from right. Master Kuandu (宽度) is second from right. Master Wukue (无可) is first from left whilst Master Jiequan (戒全) is second from left.
1953年8月7日,虚云老和尚与演成(右一)、宽度(右二)、无可(左一)、戒全(左二)等法师于庐山大林寺合影。
1953年8月7日,虚云老和尚与演成(右一)、宽度(右二)、无可(左一)、戒全(左二)等法师于庐山大林寺合影。
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0084
During his 108th year of age (c. 1947-1948), Master Xu Yun was photographed with his apprentices and disciples. Master Xu Yun transmitted the Vinaya Discipline Precepts during the Spring of 1946-1947 at the Yunmen Temple in Guangdong before travelling around the Guangzhou area visiting numerous temples and encouraging the practice of the Dharma. In the Winter of 1946 Master Xu Yun's Senior Disciple - Guan Ben - passed away. During the Spring of 1947-1948 transmitted the Vinaya Discipline Precepts - before leaving for a visit to the Chinese Buddhist community in the British Colony of Hong Kong. He then returned to Yunmen Temple to encourage the rebuilding.
虚云法师108岁时与徒弟徒孙合影。
虚云法师108岁时与徒弟徒孙合影。
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0085
This photograph featuring Master Xu Yun was taken on the 8.9.1953. This is a group picture taken at the Nengren ('能仁)' or 'Cultivating Benevolence' Temple situated in the JiuJiang area of Central Guangdong province. Despite being around 113-years-old he was still able to travel widely and teach the Dharma.
1953年9月8日,虚云在九江能仁寺与信众合影留念。
1953年9月8日,虚云在九江能仁寺与信众合影留念。
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0086
Ch'an originated in India and flourished in China. In order to promote traditional culture and improve spiritual self-cultivation and civilised living, the lay-people of Shanghai launched the "Hundred Years of Xu Yun" Picture Public Welfare Exhibition designed to cherish the memory of the Venerable Old Master, spread authentic Chinese Ch'an, and purify the hearts and minds of the everyone living within society. The picture was taken in 1957 on Yunju Mountain - when Master Xu Yun was already 118-years-old. Master Xu Yun is standing with Master Dazhong (大众) to his left - and Master Shaoyun (绍云) to his right.
禅源于印度而盛于中国,为了弘扬传统文化、提升精神文明,上海众居士发起“百年虚云”图片公益展,以缅怀虚老、传扬禅学、净化社会人心。图为1957年,虚云老和尚118岁时,与大众法师摄于云居山,右一为绍云法师。
禅源于印度而盛于中国,为了弘扬传统文化、提升精神文明,上海众居士发起“百年虚云”图片公益展,以缅怀虚老、传扬禅学、净化社会人心。图为1957年,虚云老和尚118岁时,与大众法师摄于云居山,右一为绍云法师。
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0087
Master Xu Yun always led by example. Furthermore, he protected and upheld the principles of 'education' and 'protection' of the nation! He would never ask anyone to do anything he could not or would not do! Even when he was 116-years-old, he would walk out to the kilns and start the process of heating the ovens, making the bricks and 'cooking' the finished product! These bricks were then used to reconstruct the 'Zhenru' (真如) Ch'an Temple situated on Mount Yunju in Jiangxi province. This is a kiln on Mount Yunju designed and constructed by Master Xu Yun.
虚云老和尚一生护国护教,历坐十五个道场,修葺大小道场数百所。图为1955年,116岁高龄的虚云老和尚带领僧众自建瓦窑、烧制砖瓦,重建真如禅寺。
虚云老和尚一生护国护教,历坐十五个道场,修葺大小道场数百所。图为1955年,116岁高龄的虚云老和尚带领僧众自建瓦窑、烧制砖瓦,重建真如禅寺。
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0088
Although the 'Head Monk' of the Zhenru (真如) Ch'an Temple situated upon Mount Yunju (云居) in Jiangxi province, Master Xu Yun refused to take-up residence in the purpose-built room reserved for one of such a status. Nevertheless, such a room was a fairly simple and austere affair allowing the designated 'Head Monk' a private space for meditation and Sutra-study, as well as the inevitable paper-work that developed from such a position. Not so well-known is the fact that Master Xu Yun maintained the Ch'an Letter Writing Tradition which he emphasised as a means to help ordinary people in their Ch'an mind (and body) development from 'afar' to to wherever they happened to live. China's postal service was thousands of years old by this time and very well-established. Chinese postmen and women were used to finding hermits and recluses living within, around and atop the remote areas of China! Many of Xu Yun's monastic disciples started communicating with Xu Yun through the written-word when still children. However, out of a sense of humility, Master Xu Yun would choose instead to live in an old 'cow-shed' situated on the temple-grounds. This is referred as a 'thatched' hut (茅蓬 - Mao Peng) within many Chinese texts and is featured in these two photographs - considered by many as a 'talisman' of very special physical significance and spiritual power. Indeed, during 1990, the Venerable Old Monk 'Yi Cheng' (一诚) (and former disciple of Master Xu Yun) sponsored the old 'cow-shed' being converted into the 'Xu Yun Memorial Hall' (虚云纪念堂 - Xu Yun Ji Nian Tang)
1955年,虚云老和尚与信众于云居山茅蓬前合影。虚老所住之茅蓬现已改为虚云纪念堂,由一诚长老于1990年修建。
1955年,虚云老和尚与信众于云居山茅蓬前合影。虚老所住之茅蓬现已改为虚云纪念堂,由一诚长老于1990年修建。
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0089
During October 1952, Master Xu Yun visited the 'Guangji' (广济) Temple in Beijing - where he sat for a photograph with international Buddhist friends! This was Master Xu Yun's 133th year of life and his autobiography suggests that he left Wuchang on the 28th day of the seventh month and resumed his journey North to Beijing at the behest of the government. He originally stayed at Guanghua Temple when arriving in Beijing - but so many people turned-up to show their respect that he had to relocate to the Guangji Temple. Master Xu Yun would go on to re-establish the Chinese Buddhist Association!
1952年10月,虚云和尚与国际佛教朋侪在北京广济寺合影
1952年10月,虚云和尚与国际佛教朋侪在北京广济寺合影
ICBI LIBRARY NUMBER: 0090
The Venerable old Monk Xu Yun sits in meditation with his eyes open, featured in the second edition of "Jue You Qing Bimonthly" (Enlightened Wisdom Generates Compassionate Action) No. 159-160 combined issue published on April 1st, 1946. Master Xu Yun was around 106-years-old when his photograph was published, however, when it was actually taken is another matter. His haitsyle looks similar to a 1926 picture taken at the Yunqi Temple. Master Xu Yun is already missing the ring-finger from his left-hand. In his 58th year of life (1897/98), Master Xu Yun travelled to the Ashoka Monastery situated in Zhejiang province, with the intention of burning-off his left ring-finger out of respect for his mother who died giving birth to him.
虚云老和尚坐禅法相,见1946年4月1日出版的《觉有情半月刊》第159-160期合刊第2版
虚云老和尚坐禅法相,见1946年4月1日出版的《觉有情半月刊》第159-160期合刊第2版