In memory of the Most Venerable Wing Sing

The Most Venerable Wing Sing, a highly respected figure in the Buddhist community and in our society, passed away on May 6 this year. I am much saddened by his passing and would like to extend my deepest condolences to his disciples and the Buddhist community.

I know that the Buddhist community regards his passing as a kind of "Buddhist service"－Buddhism's education for life. Today, I attended the memorial and praising ceremony for the Most Venerable Wing Sing. To me, it was a Buddhist service through which I learnt about his determination to pursue asceticism and his spirit of sacrificing for Buddhism during his entire life.

The Most Venerable Wing Sing advocated the concept of "humanistic Buddhism" throughout his lifetime. He applied the Buddha's "mercy and wisdom" philosophy to social welfare and education services. He was on the board of directors of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association for more than 50 years, and made tremendous contributions to the community by actively promoting Buddhist charities and social services. Through the Hong Kong Bodhi Siksa Society and Western Monastery, the Most Venerable Wing Sing established Bodhi Siksa kindergartens across the territory, founded the Hong Kong Bodhi Siksa Society Limited Care and Attention Home for the Aged, Tung Lum Buddhist Aged Home, Bodhi Siksa Buddhist College, Buddhist Vassar College and Buddhist Vassar Chinese Medical College. He also co-founded Hong Kong Buddhist College with other Buddhist masters and sponsored the building of dozens of schools in the Mainland. The Most Venerable Wing Sing dedicated himself to Buddhism and promoted elderly care and education services with all his heart. I truly admire his devotion and selflessness.

The Most Venerable Wing Sing had lived in Hong Kong for more than seven decades. My wife and I had the honour of making his acquaintance. We were deeply impressed by his humility and benevolence. Now that he is gone, we can never learn from his wisdom again. Nevertheless, he will always be remembered and respected by all for preaching Buddhist virtues, for his true faith and perseverance, as well as his selfless dedication to Buddhism and to the society.

May 12, 2016