Profile of Venerable Master Chin Kung AM
During his lifetime, Venerable Master Chin Kung AM (1927-2022) had many accomplishments. He founded and was the president of the Pure Land Learning College Association Inc. (PLLCA). He was the President of The Hong Kong Buddhist Education Foundation. His honours included Permanent Honorary President of The Association of Master Chin Kung’s Friends at UNESCO and the Director of the Academy of Sinology at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
He was awarded an honourary doctorate and appointed an honourary professor by Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia and the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He was conferred an honourary doctorate by the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia; the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Indonesia; and The University of Wales Trinity Saint David, UK.
Master was appointed a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He was awarded an Honorary Citizenship of both the city of Dallas and the state of Texas and an Honourary Citizen of Toowoomba, Australia.
Master Chin Kung dedicated sixty-two years of his life to lecturing on the Buddhadharma and sutras. Master was invited to participate in numerous interfaith forums and summits to speak on the importance of education by UNESCO and many other international organizations.
Educational Philosophy
Master Chin Kung devoted his life to advocating the teachings of the Buddha and traditional Chinese culture. Such teachings on morality and virtues emphasize compassion, respect and wisdom. Furthermore, there is a strong focus on filial piety, fraternal love, loyalty, trustworthiness, benevolence, love, harmony and equality. Master believed that a life guided by these values will lead to a stable and harmonious world.
Master's teachings promoted the learning of traditional culture. He believed that learning should begin at a young age, thus building a strong foundation for a virtuous character. Master Chin Kung’s aspiration to propagate this moral education concept reflects the ancient Chinese education system. This system educated the child as soon as they begin to walk and talk and continues until university.
Filial piety and respect for parents, teachers and elders was the foundation. The primary education focused on learning how to be a virtuous person. The six years of study taught children to be gentle, kind, respectful, thrifty and patient.
During secondary education, students learnt how to conduct themselves as they applied the principles taught in the first six years of study.
In tertiary education, teachings emphasized the importance of being a responsible, trustworthy and dependable citizen who lived a fulfilling and balanced life to bring peace to the world.