Lessons from Master Hongyi’s Experiences with Impermanence for Death Education

Summary

The life of Chinese Buddhist monk Master Hongyi (1880–1942) demonstrates how transformative encounters with impermanence can guide contemporary death education. Drawing on historical records, personal writings, and accounts from his contemporaries, the paper traces his journey from grief and existential crisis to enlightened equanimity toward mortality. It examines how Buddhist practices helped him find meaning and liberation amid aging, illness, and dying. The proposed "Hongyi Model" integrates spiritual, psychological, and artistic dimensions of his approach into modern death education, suggesting that Buddhist teachings can foster authentic, meaningful engagement with mortality for educators, counselors, and end-of-life care professionals.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper explores the life and teachings of the renowned Chinese Buddhist monk Master Hongyi (1880–1942), focusing on his transformative encounters with impermanence and their relevance for contemporary death education. Drawing upon historical records, personal writings, and the accounts of his contemporaries, this study traces Master Hongyi’s profound spiritual journey from intense grief and existential crisis to enlightened equanimity in the face of mortality. It examines how his skillful application of Buddhist practices enabled him to find meaning, purpose, and liberation amidst the challenges of aging, illness, and dying. Through an in-depth analysis of Master Hongyi’s wisdom and lived experience, this paper proposes the “Hongyi Model”, an innovative paradigm for integrating the spiritual, psychological, and artistic dimensions of his approach into modern death education. The findings underscore the transformative potential of Buddhist teachings for fostering a more authentic, meaningful, and spiritually grounded engagement with mortality, offering valuable insights for educators, counselors, and healthcare professionals working in end-of-life care.