Wan-Tsick Buddhist Temple in Honolulu

Wan Tsick Buddhist Temple's Libray

Wan-Tsick Buddhist Temple of Honolulu（檀香山幻跡佛堂） traces its roots to Wan-Tsick Temple in Hong Kong, which was established by Ven. Foyin（佛瑩法師）. Ven. Foyin was a respected pediatrician and obstetrician before she joined the Sangha community. In the process of diagnosing patients, she read the Avatamsaka Sutra （楞嚴經）by chance and was inspired to seek full enlightenment. In spite of worldly honor and an exalted career, she decided to take the robe in order to practice the Buddha taught and share the benefiting for all sentient beings. She became a Buddhist nun under the famous master Ven. Xuyun (虛云老和尚) and received full ordination at Nanhua Chan Temple （南華禪寺） in mainland China. The name of Wan-Tsick Temple in Hong Kong was established by Ven. Foyin is a female temple. The “Wan-Tsick” means "Illusory Traces". Ven. Foyin practiced Ch'an meanwhile studied Vinaya thoroughly and wrote commentaries on the Dharmagupta Bhiksunipratimoksa(四分比丘尼戒本註解) and The Essence of Vinaya Manual(毗尼日用切要解). She also analyzed and illustrated the principle of the eight consciousness in her work A Commentary on the Verses of the Norms of the Eight Consciousness （八識規矩頌註解）. In addition, her book on the principles of nutrition called Research on Nutrition for Vegetarians（素食營養之研究） was published although it is incomplete due to her passing away. Ven. Foyin died at the age of 63, in 1970. In addition during her lifetime she also delivered lectures on Dharma in Taiwan, Hawaii, and asked her disciple Ven. Wanyan to come to Hawaii to spread the Buddhism.

Ven. Wanyan came to Honolulu in 1977. In 1983, she and Ven. Wan-hoi decided to set up a temple in Honolulu and moved all Buddhist texts, Buddha images, and Master Foyin's belongings from Wan Tsick Buddhist Temple in Hong Kong to Hawaii for safely preserving those Dharma treasures. By this motive, a temple was established in Makiki and named Wan-Tsick to commemorate Ven. Foyin and the source of their tradition. Then Ven. Wanyan set up a Buddhist lecture program and published a monthly journal for followers. In 1991, the property was relocated at the corner of University and Oahu Avenues. In order to follow the Ven. Foyin’s foot steps, a Buddhist library was created next to the main hall in the Temple, collected more than a thousand volumes and numerous audiovisual materials. The collection consists mainly of books in Chinese with some in English. Visitors are requested to call and make an appointment before visiting. Although Wan-Tsick Buddhist Temple in Honolulu is a branch of the temple in Hong Kong, it is run independently.
Ven. Wanyan has taught Buddhism at Kuan-yin Buddhist Temple for more than ten years. Her lectures mainly based on the Buddhist doctrines of the Pure Land School in Mandarin and Weekly Pure Land services are held every Saturday afternoon. Previously, similar service in Cantonese was held on Sunday morning but has been discontinued for the time being. The majority of the congregation are Chinese, both young and middle aged employed in various occupations. Ven. Wanyan has devoted her life to spread Buddhism. At the same time, she practices compassionate spirit as her master Ven. Fatyin to benefit human beings is through education, literature and charity. It is hoped that these activities will have a positive impact on human culture and society, helping to preserve the Triple Gems for all time and bringing benefit to all sentient beings.