Venerable Long Gen gracing the opening ceremony of Tzu Chi Singapore’s premise, Jing Si Hall, in October 2005. (Photo by Ong Yao Hui)
On 15 Jun afternoon, Venerable Long Gen, who formerly led the Singapore Buddhist Federation and the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
The coffin sealing ritual was performed at 2pm on 16 Jun at the Leng Foong Prajna Temple and the wake service lasted for ten days with visitors streaming in and out to pay their last respects to the Venerable.
Venerable Long Gen was born in 1921 in Jiangsu province of China. He renounced lay life at the age of 10 and received ordination at Mount Bao Hua in Nanjing at the age of 22. In 1949, he left Wuchang to Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and in 1956 from Hong Kong to Taiwan. Besides propagation of Dharma, when Venerable Long Gen was in Penang in 1960, he began the publication of Buddhist collateral in Malaysia and Singapore.
In 1964, Venerable Long Gen stayed in Ling Feng Pu Ti School, Singapore, and gradually relocated the Nanyang Buddhist bookstore from Penang to Singapore. Thereafter, he settled down in Singapore.
With unwavering determination, Venerable Long Gen was devoted to promote Buddhist culture extensively especially in Singapore and Malaysia. In November 1973, Venerable Long Gen was appointed as the Abbot of Leng Foong Prajna Temple and continued to propagate the Dharma for the liberation of all sentient beings.
The Venerable also undertook his duties in the Singapore Buddhist Federation for numerous years. In 1984, when he headed the general affairs department, Venerable Long Gen dynamically implemented a series of promotion for developing Buddhism such as organizing of Dharma classes and seminars, publications and etc.
In July 1994, Venerable Long Gen took on the Abbotship of Buddhist Federation. He was well respected with his tireless contributions towards the general benefits of society.
His 61-year dedication to the Buddhist world explains why devotees and Buddhist representatives from Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, USA and other regional territories all came to pay respect to him upon learning about his departure.
Gratitude to the Venerable
Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore Branch)’s deep affinity with the Venerable dated back to many years ago when the Venerable was invited to host and witness the groundbreaking and opening ceremony of Tzu Chi’s branch office at Pasir Ris. Apart from participating in the Foundation’s two important milestones, the Venerable was also very concerned about its development in Singapore.
Venerable Chuan Xian, the incumbent abbot of Leng Foong Prajna Temple, respects Tzu Chi’s founder, Master Cheng Yen, very much. Thanks to his support and introduction, Tzu Chi Singapore was able to invite 88 dharma masters from various local monasteries to grace its first ever outdoor Buddha Day Ceremony on 8 May. Their presence made it a sanctified occasion to remember.
With the purpose of engaging Tzu Chi members as well as in recognition of the volunteers’ mobility, Venerable Chuan Xian enlisted Tzu Chi’s help for guest reception and maintaining order at Venerable Long Gen’s wake and cremation ceremonies.
The Foundation gladly accepted the request and after a detailed discussion with Venerable Chuan Xian, the Foundation mustered close to 100 volunteers to assist in the reception and ushering tasks during the Venerable’s wake in the weekend of 18 and19 Jun as well as 23 Jun.
The Ceremony for Passing Offerings
On 24 Jun, close to 180 Tzu Chi commissioners, Tzu Cheng Faith Corps and uniformed volunteers were present to help usher the mourners during the funeral and cremation.
A Ceremony for Passing Offerings was first held in the morning with 18 highly respected elders and abbots of Chinese Buddhism reciting Buddha’s name and passing offerings hand to hand in prayer for the late Venerable.
A public memorial service followed after the ceremony. Among the attending dharma family was Venerable Chuan Xian, Venerable Xian Xiang of Tse Tho Aum Temple, Venerable Xu Guang who is the abbot of Guang Ji Temple which Venerable Long Gen took his ordination, and the Venerable’s birth brother, Lu Chun Rong, and his wife.
“Do return soon”
Venerable Xian Xiang, the Venerable’s only disciple, described her late teacher as someone who stood for “peace and lifelong learning”.
Venerable Xin Xiang, who became the Venerable’s disciple since age 14, said that the Venerable began losing his appetite in the last two weeks before he passed away; he got weaker by the day as he had been eating lesser but “his mind was unusually clear and his memory was good”.
Venerable Xin Xiang said that the Venerable seemed to be able to predict his own departure as he began mentioning about funeral arrangements during the last two weeks and even told her not to be sad thrice.
On 14 Jun, Venerable Rong Ling, who is from Hong Kong, came to visit the Venerable. The two had met in Shanghai and were classmates in a Buddhist school more than 60 years ago. As if sensing his old friend was around, the Venerable weakly opened his right eye and gazed at him.
Shortly after, under the company and solemn chanting of his disciples, the Venerable breathed his last breath.
In her early years, Venerable Hui Li, the abbess of Taiwan’s Miaoyun Lanruo Temple, used to be under the tutelage of Venerable Long Gen in learning Buddhist chanting of prayers. To Venerable Hui Li, Venerable Long Gen was a multi-talented and erudite master who greatly contributed to the circulation of Buddhist materials in Singapore and Malaysia.
Venerable Hui Li remembered bringing her disciples to Singapore two years ago to celebrate Venerable Long Gen’s 90th birthday. “He was a polite and warm Master, and he’s always concerned about the cultivation of our younger monastic members. Losing him is akin to losing a great mentor of the Buddhist community. We hope he will return to this world soon.”
The spirit remains
After the public memorial service, Venerable Liao Zhong, President of the World Buddhist Sangha Council, announced the commencement of the funeral. The sending off contingent comprised of more than 1000 monastic members, disciples, and devotees began lining up and recited Buddha’s name while they slowly walked the Venerable’s casket toward the Tse Tho Aum Temple at Sin Ming Road.
When Venerable Long Gen’s close friend, Venerable Fa Zong, 97, instructed the commencement of the cremation, many devotees could not hold back their tears while they bid farewell to their spiritual teacher.
A halo of light was spotted around the sun that morning, as if symbolizing the noble character and the rich life of the Venerable. Although the Venerable 's flesh body was cremated, his spirit will remain forever in the hearts of all Buddhist disciples, including Tzu Chi volunteers.
The Ceremony for Passing Offerings at Leng Foong Prajna Temple was graced by 18 highly respected elders and abbots. (Photo by Hoh Hoong Koan)
Tzu Chi volunteers greeting and welcoming monastic leaders who came from all over the world to pay respect to the Venerable. (Photo by Law Sook Fong)
Tzu Chi commissioners respectfully escorting the dharma masters in the funeral procession. (Photo by Hoh Hoong Koan)
The sending off contingent walking towards Tse Tho Aum Temple where the cremation ceremony would be held. (Photo by Hoh Hoong Koan)
Tzu Chi volunteers clasped their palms together while they recited Buddha’s name in the funeral procession. (Photo by Law Sook Fong)
The contingent paying their last respect to the Venerable before the cremation begins. (Photo by Hoh Hoong Koan)
Venerable Xian Xiang, Venerable Long Gen’s only disciple, was in deep grief at the passing of her Master. (Photo by Law Sook Fong)
Venerable Hui Li, the abbot of Taiwan’s Miaoyun Lanruo Temple, thinks that the Venerable had made significant contribution to the circulation of Buddhist materials in Singapore and Malaysia. (Photo by Law Sook Fong)
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