Venerable Shang Wenxiatong's Hardship in Founding the Monastery​

 

       Jing Loong Shan Wan Foh Shih Monastery was found under the leadership of Venerable Shang Wenxiatong, whose personal dharma name is Hongda, was born on September 16, 1950 (the 5th day of the 8th month in the chinese lunar calendar) in Malaysia to Chinese descent, with ancestral roots in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China. In 1977, Venerable Shang became a novice monk under the guidance of Venerable Shang Xing Xia Wu at Guangfu Buddhist Temple in Kuala Lumpur. In 1980, he traveled to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to receive the The Three-Tiered ordination of sramanera, Bhikshu and Bodhisattva Precepts at Longquan Buddhist temple. Later, he inherited the 52nd generation of the Dharma Lineage from Venerable Shang Bo Xia Yuan and the 53rd generation of the Dharma lineage of the Linji Chan School from Venerable Shang Jing Xia Xin in Taiwan.

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Speaking of his ordination, Venerable Shang has an interesting story. He began learning Buddhism and actively participating in Buddhist activites at the age of 25. he would do everything from cleaning Buddha statues early in the morning to cooking in the kitchen of the monatery. As the only child in his family, his mother opposed his decision to become a monk. However, when his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Venerable Shang accompanied a Dharma teacher to visit her in the hospital. His mother said to the teacher, "If my condition improves, I will let my son go with you wherever you go." Miraculously, after this, his mother's condition began to improve, and she no longer opposed his decision to become a monk. Despite being told by doctors that she had only six months to live, she lived for another four years after he became a monk.

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       Venerable Shang recalls that when he became a monk, there were very few monastics, and the public often misunderstood monks. Once, while taking a taxi in Johor Bahru, a driver, seeing his young age, curiously asked, "What made you decide to become a monk? Was it because of a broken heart?" Venerable Shang could only force a smile and remained silent. At that time, he had already made a grand vow to seek the Buddha's path and to guide others, aiming to change the general public's misconceptions about monks. The most immediate goal was to build a place for the community for collective Practice of Buddhism. Now, from the time of that silent smile to the current large-scale development of Jing Loong Shan Wan Foh Shih Monastery, Venerable Shang has implicity answered the curiosity of the taxi driver.

 

       Soon after ordaining, Venerable Shang went to Taiwan to receive full ordination and stayed at Yuanheng Monastery, where he spent years learning from the late Venerable Shang Chuanxiaxiao and the late Venerable Shange Kaixiazhen. After returning to Malaysia, he was brought to Jin Loong Mountain by a Dharma brother to take over the temple's management. At that time, Jing Loong Mountain was a small, simple building named Qingyun Mountain Guanyin Buddhist temple. On every holidays, a few devotees would come to the mountain to pay respects to the Buddha and volunteer work at the temple. They has to carry water, chop wood, and help with the cooking. The monastic community lived a humble and frugal life, and this hardworking spriti laid the foundation for the future flourishing of the monastery.

 

       In 1984, the first Fo Qi or Seven Day retreat was held, with Venerable Shang Chuanxiaxiao invited to lead the ceremony. To accommodate more people, a zinc roof shelter was set up. It was a hot day, and sitting under the zinc roof felt like being in an oven. However, the desire to promote the Buddha's teachings, and it further inspired the devotees to diligently continue their practices. As a result, this event attracted many local devotees, and the Fo Qi or Seven Day retreat has now been held for 34 sessions. At its peak, more than 200 participants attended.

 

Vision for Land Development

 

       Venerable Shang still vividly remembers the first time he came to the mountain. It was the night of the 16th day of the lunar calendar, with a full moon shining brightly. He walked up alone, and the moonlight poured down over the mountain, making it look like blooming lotus flowers. In the center stood a lotus platform, surrounded by tranquility, which filled his heart with joy. He wished to build a monastery here and made a vow under the bright moon to contribute to the development of Buddhism in Malaysia and purify society. "Where there is the Dharma, there is a way," he thought, and later, the landowner, a Sikh, decided to sell the pasture, making Venerable Shang's vision come true.

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