On December 9, the 2014 Yunlin and Shengrong Scholarship Award Ceremony was held at the auditorium in the teaching building of the Buddhist Academy of China at Fayuan Temple in Beijing. Chairman of the Buddhist Association of Hangzhou and Abbot of Lingyin Temple Venerable Master Guangquan awarded the scholarships to the students of the Buddhist Academy of China and addressed the audience on behalf of Hangzhou Yunlin Charitable Foundation. Those who were present at the ceremony included Vice Deans of the Buddhist Academy of China Zhang Hourong and Master Xiangxue, Vice Director of Academic Affairs of the Buddhist Academy of China Master Guangru, Monastic Manager of Lingyin Temple Master Yankong, Master Yiguang, and Master Miaohong. Vice Director of Academic Affairs of the Buddhist Academy of China Master Rongxing presided over the awarding ceremony.

Venerable Master Guangquan awarded the scholarship to the student representative Master Miaojie on behalf of Yunlin Charitable Foundation. He enlightened the students at the ceremony that the number of graduate students from the Buddhist Academy of China is relatively too small compared with China’s population of 1.4 billion and that China’s Buddhist community should be more aware of the lack of Buddhist talents in broadcasting Buddhism considering the rapid development of other religions. Network technology has provided new means to broadcast Buddhism, he added, but it is a double-edged sword in that it might also become easier to broadcast negative information about Buddhism and have an adverse impact on Buddhism. To turn the situation around, excellent Buddhist monks are in great demand. Venerable Master Guangquan expressed his hope that students of the academy should study hard and shoulder the responsibility of broadcasting Buddhism after they graduate.

Vice Dean of the Buddhist Academy of China Zhang Hourong and prizewinner representatives all gave a thank you speech at the ceremony, expressing their gratitude to Lingyin Temple and Shengrong Corporation for their support for the Buddhist Academy of China. Venerable Abbot Guangquan of Lingyin Temple dedicates himself to the broadcasting of Buddhism and Buddhism exchanges. He has helped donate funds to buy books for the library and to set up scholarships for teaching staff and students, and to support the development of the Buddhist Academy of China. This has greatly encouraged and supported the teaching staff and students of the academy, who would act in accordance with the academy motto of ＂always repaying the kindness＂ by improving the education quality and displaying the vigor and vitality of the new Buddhist generation.

Lastly, the scholarship award ceremony came to a successful close in the melody of Song of the Triple Gem (San Bao Ge).

2014 Yunlin and Shengrong Scholarship Award Ceremony

Venerable Master Guangquan awarding the scholarship to the student prizewinner

Vice Dean of the Buddhist Academy of China Master Xiangxue presenting a gift

The scholarship award ceremony coming to a successful close in the melody of Song of the Triple Gem

Venerable Master Guangquan enlightening the audience