Venerable Long Gen ( Chinese: 隆根长老) (1921-2011) was a key monastic figure in the Singapore Buddhist community.

Early life

Venerable Long Gen, a revered figure in the realm of Chinese Buddhism, was born in the picturesque Jiangsu province of China in the year 1921. His spiritual journey commenced at an extraordinarily young age, as he embarked on the path to enlightenment by becoming a Buddhist monk at the tender age of 10. It was at the venerable Mount Bao Hua in the historic city of Nanjing where his commitment to the monastic life took a profound turn. At the age of 22 he underwent formal ordination, marking the commencement of his lifelong dedication to Buddhism. The mid-20th century brought about a period of immense change and turmoil in China's history. In 1949, amidst the sweeping social and political transformations, Venerable Long Gen made the challenging decision to leave his hometown of Wuchang. Driven by his unwavering devotion to his spiritual calling, he embarked on a journey that would take him to the southern cities of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. While details of his activities during this period remain largely hidden, his presence in these bustling urban centers undoubtedly played a crucial role in the propagation of Buddhist teachings and practices. Furthermore, the year 1956 witnessed another significant chapter in Venerable Long Gen's life, as he made a notable visit to the island of Taiwan. His pilgrimage to Taiwan held immense symbolic importance, as it facilitated cultural and spiritual exchanges between Chinese Buddhist communities on the mainland and the vibrant Buddhist communities of Taiwan. Though precise records of this visit are scarce, it is widely acknowledged as a testament to his commitment to fostering unity and understanding among Buddhists across geographical and political boundaries. Throughout his life, Venerable Long Gen's unwavering commitment to Buddhism and his tireless efforts to promote its teachings left an unerasable mark on the spiritual landscape of China and beyond. His journey from a small village in Jiangsu to becoming a revered Buddhist monk traversing diverse regions is a testament to his dedication to the path of enlightenment and his role in connecting the rich tapestry of Chinese Buddhist traditions.

Achievements In South East Asia

When Ven Long Gen was in

Penang Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...

in 1960 propagating Buddhism, he also began the publication of Buddhist collateral in Malaysia and Singapore. Thereafter in 1964, Venerable Long Gen stayed settled down in Singapore, gradually relocating the

Nanyang Buddhist Bookstore Nanyang is the romanization of two common Chinese place names. It may refer to: Written as 南洋 (Southern Ocean) * Nanyang (region), a Chinese term denoting the Southeast Asian lands surrounding the South China Sea ;China * Nanyang Fleet, Qing ...

from Penang to Singapore. In November 1973, Venerable Long Gen was appointed as the Abbot of

Leng Foong Prajna Temple Leng may refer to: * Leng (surname) (冷), a Chinese surname * Leng (plateau), a fictional plateau Mans leng styll. {{disambiguation ...

. He also participated in the

Singapore Buddhist Federation Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borderi ...

since 1984 before taking on the leadership of Buddhist Federation in July 1994.Venerable Long Gen
He died in 2011, aged 91.

References

Singaporean religious leaders Singaporean Buddhist monks 1921 births 2011 deaths {{Buddhism-bio-stub

Early life

Achievements In South East Asia

See also

References