Hsin Pei

Hsin Pei is the seventh and current abbot and director of Fo Guang Shan, a Buddhist monastery and worldwide charity and religious organization, founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Hsin Pei succeeded Venerable Hsin Ting in 2005. According to Fo Guang Shan's order of precedence, Hsin Pei is the second highest monastic in the order, and is second in line to the position of Head Teacher. He is a forty-ninth of the Linji Chan school.

Venerable Hsin Pei was born in Penghu in a rural Buddhist family. At a very young age, Hsin Pei already exhibited the qualities of kindness, compassion and tranquility. In 1990, he was fully ordained as a monk under the watchful guidance of then Fo Guang Shan abbot Master Hsing Yun and was given the Dharma name Hui Han .

Prior to his election as abbot, Hsin Pei was in charge of discipline action at Bei Hai Buddhist College as well as administration at the Male Buddhist University. He was also the assistant director of the Chán Center and well-versed in the tradition of every precept ceremony and the rules and regulations of the monastery. He has many times assumed the post of presiding in precept ceremonies and short-term monastic retreats.

Hsin Pei is often described in the order as modest in conduct, showing self disciplinary skills and adherence to the precepts. Because of his young age, he is often seen as a role model to younger generation of Buddhists, guiding and helping younger monastics and laity.

He also excels in the chanting of Buddhist music and often has led the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastic Choir to perform on the world stage and has won many high praises. In recent years, Hsin Pei has reached new heights with his performances in the "Sounds of the Ganges River", an album of Buddhist chanting recorded by the Fo Guang Shan monastic choir.