Kavanagh Joins Buddhist Association Honoring the Life & Legacy of Abbot Shi Xiu Jue

On Friday, October 15, 2021, Senator Kavanagh joined the Puzhao Temple of the Buddhist Association of New York for a memorial ceremony to celebrate and remember the life of the late founder of the Temple and the Association, Abbot Shi Xiu Jue.

Abbot Xiu Jue was a strong guiding force in the Buddhist community in New York where he served for many years as a mentor to new monks and nuns. His impact spread well beyond the Buddhist community, as his generous spirit and dedication to community work touched the lives of many New Yorkers, particularly in Chinatown. He was born on August 15, 1944 in the Fujian Province of China, and ordained as a monk in Linyang Temple on June 19, 1979, before immigrating to the United States in 1983 as part of the first generation of monks to do so. After settling in New York City, Abbot Xiu Jue founded the Buddhist Association of New York and the Puzhao Temple in 1989, and through these organizations worked to serve his community and continue to share his Buddhist faith. After a lifetime of service, Abbot Xiu Jue passed away on October 1, 2021.

The memorial ceremony was widely attended by leaders and members of the Buddhist community, elected officials, and other New Yorkers who came to honor Abbot Xiu Jue. As reported by the Sing Tao Daily, mourners and euologizers praised Abbot Xiu Jue’s advocacy of American Buddhism, promotion of Buddhist exchange between the United States and China, and contributions to the community at large.

Buddhist monasteries and organizations from other parts of the United States and around the country sent their blessings, and many of their leaders and Abbot Xiu Jue’s disciples attended in-person to pay their respects. Elected officials and community leaders, including Senator Brian Kavanagh, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association President Justin Yu attended as well.

Senator Kavanagh spoke about the valuable contributions Abbot Xiu Jue made to the Buddhist and Chinatown communities and to all of New York, and presented the Venerable Ming Yan Guo with a proclamation from the New York State Senate.

The ceremony, which was held at the Boe Fook Funeral Home in Chinatown, served as a fitting tribute to the impressive life and legacy of Abbot Shi Xue Jue. May he rest in peace.

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