“Home again.” Those were the words uttered upon arrival at the Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple. It is a sentiment that resonates even today as we stand before this humble yet deeply spiritual place. The Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple isn’t just a building. It is a sanctuary that has evolved through time and trials.
Let’s journey back to 1930. Venerable Yin Hui founded the Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple near Kuala Lumpur’s old airport. That is the present Sungai Besi Air Force Base.
During the Japanese occupation, the original temple site was taken over. In exchange, the temple received the land where it stands today on Jalan Raja Bot. Imagine the temple’s relocation in 1945. It was a move into the heart of a bustling area. Hawker stalls and heavy traffic surrounded it. Despite the chaos, the Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple stood firm. It became a lotus flower blooming from the dirt of the world.
Throughout its history, esteemed abbots from Taiwan have guided the Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple. Among them were Reverend Tzu Hang, Venerable Jing Zong, Venerable Siu Jing, and Reverend Hsing Yun. In 1986, Reverend Guang Yu became abbot. He initiated a project to rebuild the temple.
Two years later, in 1988, Reverend Guang Yu entrusted his disciple Venerable Chuan Wen. He put him in charge of the temple’s affairs and the rebuilding efforts. The new building’s construction concluded in 1996.
Venerable Chuan Wen began practicing Zen in 1998 under Zen Master Seung Sahn’s guidance. Seung Sahn founded the International Kwan Um School of Zen. The Kwan Um School of Zen teaches to keep a don’t know mind. It encourages everyone to help all beings realize their innate compassion and wisdom. Zen Master Seung Sahn appointed Zen Master Dae Bong as the Zen guiding teacher of the Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple.
Following Reverend Guang Yu’s passing in 2006, Venerable Chuan Wen became the abbot. Today, under Venerable Chuan Wen’s leadership, three nuns and dedicated lay disciples manage the temple’s affairs. They carry out various dharma propagation works. Their devotion aligns with the temple’s mission. They seek the wisdom of the Buddha Dhamma. They actualize the great compassionate vows of all Bodhisattvas.
The Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple offers many activities. These cater to different age groups and interests. There are Dhamma Classes for Children, Youths, and Adults. Weekly sitting meditation sessions take place on Wednesdays. A Great Dharani chanting group meets weekly on Fridays. The Xing Yuan Study Group combines life re-engineering with tea sessions. A Sunday Chanting Group also convenes regularly. The temple’s library opens weekly for its members. Special events include meditation retreats and traditional prayer sessions.
In fact, the Abbot was on record to say: Strange that although we don’t know each other, we feel immediately so close perhaps we’ve been Dharma friends for many lifetimes.
As you leave the Hoeh Beng Buddhist Temple, consider the lotus. Like this temple, may you bloom with compassion. May you embody wisdom amidst life’s chaos. Remember the echoes of ancient teachings and the warmth of a welcoming community. Carry the spirit of Hoeh Beng with you. Let it guide your path toward enlightenment and peace.