In April 2015, Venerable Master Hsing Yun began publishing a series of messages under the name “pinseng” (貧僧), not only as a response to the recent Tzu Chi controversy, but also to share his life experiences as a Buddhist monk who had achieved perhaps the greatest and unprecedented accomplishments in the history of Buddhism while leading a humble life. Despite an almost complete loss of sight, Venerable Master was nevertheless able to complete forty messages within a short three months by narrating them and having his secretaries scribe it down. The overwhelming responses to these messages not only came from a Chinese following, but also an English speaking audience who somehow managed to understand the main ideas behind them. Consequently, an English translation of the book Pinseng Youhua Yao Shuo (Hear Me Out: Messages from a Humble Monk) became highly anticipated.

However, the task of translation is not daunting but also time-consuming; translators at the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism were concerned that readers’ interest may fade if they had to wait all forty messages were translated, edited, proofread, and then published while the Chinese community goes on to share, discuss, and even hold reading sessions on the book. Therefore, it was decided that the first fifteen translated messages will be published as a preview edition to ensure that Venerable Master’s English readers do not feel left out.

Hear Me Out: Messages from a Humble Monk — Preview Edition comprises twelve selected messages that are considered to be of higher interest to English readers such as topics on why the name “humble monk” is used, facts and rumors about the Buddha Museum, Fo Guang Shan’s development and worldwide spread, as well as Venerable Master’s personal experiences in spiritual cultivation, and his life of a Buddhist monk. In addition, three appendices of stories on Venerable Master’s reflection on his entire life, how Fo Guang Shan was built, and his yearning to find out where exactly Buddha is, all written in the form of long poems are included in the book for readers to get a glimpse into the mind of a humble monk.

In finding an English equivalent to the Chinese term “pinseng,” choices such as “poor monk,” “simple monk,” and “humble monk” were suggested. Certainly Venerable Master is never “poor” in spirit or character, while “simple” readers a better expression of the genuine and unsophisticated life of a ninety-year-old monk without denoting any sense of pride or arrogance. “Humble” on the other hand, maintains both the simplicity of his lifestyle and also an attitude that is modest without overly lowering oneself.

The next step is to complete translation of all forty messages of the book, comments and suggestions are welcome. We would also like to thank Venerable Huifeng, Joseph Heizman, Elizabeth Reitzell, Yang Xianxuan, and friends who have assisted in editing, proofreading, and the layout design of this book.