Sik Kok Kwong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Venerable The HonourableKok Kwong GBM GBS |
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| Religion | Buddhism |
| Lineage | Tiantai |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Born | 16 May 1919 Haicheng, Liaoning, Republic of China |
| Died | 16 November 2014 (aged 95) Happy Valley, Hong Kong |
| Religious career | |
| Teacher | Yuanying (Ordination master) Baojing (lineage master) |
| Sik Kok Kwong | |||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 釋覺光 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 释觉光 | ||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Shì Juéguāng | ||||||||||||
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Sik Kok Kwong was a very respected Buddhist monk from Hong Kong. He lived from 1919 to 2014. He was known for his leadership and for helping many people. The name 'Sik' is a special title for Buddhist monks. 'Kok Kwong' means 'Awakening of Light,' which was his spiritual name. He was the first leader of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association. He also held important roles in other Buddhist groups and advised the Hong Kong government.
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Early Life of a Monk
Sik Kok Kwong was born Gu Chenghai in Haicheng, China. Even as a young boy, he was very interested in Buddhism. When he was just nine years old, he decided to become a monk. This happened at Haihui Temple in Shanghai in 1928.
Two years later, he met a very important monk named Venerable Yuanying. This monk was the leader of Tiantong Temple. There, Kok Kwong received special training and a new spiritual name, Jueguang. This name is pronounced Kok Kwong in Cantonese. It means "Awakening of Light."
In 1939, Kok Kwong learned from another great teacher, Master Baojing. Through Baojing, he became a 46th generation leader of the Tiantai Buddhist tradition. Soon after, he moved to Hong Kong because of the Japanese invasion of China.
Making a Difference in Hong Kong
As a senior monk, Kok Kwong helped set up many Buddhist temples in Hong Kong. He became the leader of several temples. In 1945, he and other important monks started the Hong Kong Buddhist Association.
Kok Kwong later became the permanent president of this association in 1966. Under his leadership, many schools were built. These included the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies in 1945. Wong Fung Ling College and Wong Cheuk Um Primary School opened in 1956. The Kok Kwong Secondary School was founded in 1979. He also helped establish hospitals, cemeteries, and social services for people in need.
In his later years, Kok Kwong suggested creating the World Buddhist Forum. This idea came about in 2004. It gained support from Buddhist communities in countries like Japan and South Korea. He also led two tours of sacred relics of the Buddha. These tours happened in 1999 and 2003.
Working with the Government
Kok Kwong also had an impact on the government in Hong Kong. After Hong Kong was returned to China, he became an adviser to the government. He often supported the Hong Kong government.
For example, in an interview in 2004, he asked Buddhists in Hong Kong to be happy with the government. He also suggested they not join protests. Kok Kwong was also known for his connection with a very rich businessman, Li Ka-shing. Li Ka-shing's family helped pay for the Tsz Shan Monastery. In 2013, Kok Kwong received a special award, the Grand Bauhinia Medal. This was for his many years of helping the public.
His Passing
In 2014, after being ill for a long time, Sik Kok Kwong passed away. He was 95 years old. Many government officials shared their sadness when they heard the news.
