Born in Texas, Venerable Hui Yong Shih enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1961 and was released in the year of 1969. He then spent most of his working career living in the United States.His formal Buddhism class training began in California in the year of 1995. Upon meeting with Venerable Master Hsing Yun he moved to Taiwan for further studies where he lived and worked primarily in the Meditation Hall and performed other administrative and support duties as well.
In February of 1998 he traveled to India and was fully ordained as a Bhikkhu in Bodhgaya, India. After some brief travel through Thailand and Nepal he then retuned to Taiwan.
In 1999 he was transferred to a New York State Temple. Since then he has done some international and national travel and mostly has lived in temples sponsored by the Chinese Communities and Culture as well as Korean and Zen Temples.
We are now very fortunate to have him in the Jade Buddha Temple here in Houston. Recently when asked what his plans for our English speaking group were, he stated that a new program for the first time visitors is one of his main concerns. He wants to write a personal email to new comers thanking them for their attendance in hopes that they will join us again. He wishes every one to know that Jade Buddha temple embraces all religions and mentioned his desire to invite leaders from other religious communities as guest for our Dharma discussions in hopes to make new comers feel welcomed.
He believes Buddhism in America is definitely on the rise as most people arrive looking for answers. Buddhism can compliment anyone’s religious beliefs and ease the process we go through in order to find the answers to many unanswered questions. He states people have to recognize that results are shown by actions.
His attraction to Buddhism began with his need to look inside himself. He refers to life as being “peeks and valleys”. During his ordination he realized there were issues that needed to be resolved as he felt tormented by his participation in the Vietnam War and how to let go. Buddhism has made him able to move on.
