Memorial Hall of Master Hongyi

Memorial Hall of Master Hongyi

The Memorial Hall of Master Hongyi is located in Zunshe Court within Kaiyuan Temple in Licheng District. It displays historical materials, photographs, works, and calligraphy from the last 14 years of the life of Master Hongyi (Li Shutong), one of the pioneers of China’s New Culture Movement and a renowned Buddhist monk of modern times, during his time in Quanzhou. After his passing, Master Hongyi’s remains were interred on Qingyuan Mountain in Quanzhou and at Hupao Temple in Hangzhou.

Master Hongyi (1880–1942), whose secular name was Li Shutong, was born in Tianjin to a family from Pingxi, Zhejiang. He was an art educator and a venerated Buddhist monk. Known as “a literary genius whose twenty writings stunned the nation,” Master Hongyi was extraordinarily talented, excelling in poetry, ci poetry, calligraphy, painting, seal carving, music, drama, and literature. He pioneered many trends across various cultural and artistic fields. His calligraphy reached the realm of “unadorned simplicity, naturally formed as if by heaven.” Cultural figures such as Lu Xun and Guo Moruo took pride in owning a calligraphic work by the master. He was also the first person to introduce Western music to China, and his composition “Farewell Song” has become a timeless classic sung for decades. Additionally, he was the first instructor in China’s art circles to introduce figure drawing using live models.

His exceptional artistic achievements nurtured notable cultural figures such as painter Feng Zikai and musician Liu Zhiping. After living a vibrant youth, Master Hongyi became a monk in 1918 at Hupao Temple in Hangzhou, embracing a life of austere devotion to Buddhism and rigorous study of monastic discipline. He is revered by Buddhist disciples as the 11th patriarch of the Vinaya School. Master Hongyi’s life was filled with legendary elements—he is a quintessential figure who transitioned from dazzling brilliance to serene simplicity. Master Taixu once composed a verse for him: “With teachings to seal the heart, with discipline to refine the body, inner and outer purity, the seed of enlightenment.” Mr. Zhao Puchu commented on the master’s life: “Infinite wonders to feast the world’s eyes, a full moon shining bright at the heart of the sky.”

Opening Hours

8:00 – 17:30

Location

No. 176 West Street, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province (Zunshe Court, Kaiyuan Temple)