Venerable Master Hsu Yun we believe was born in 1839 in Guanzhou Prefecture and died at Zhen Ru monastery in 1959 at the ripe old age of 120 years. Born Chuan Chou (Quan Zhou), in Fukien (Fujian) province.His family name was Xiao. The story of Hsu Yun in many ways is the story of modern Chinese Buddhism.

At age 13 Hsu Yun felt a karmic link to Buddhism and the Sangha, his aspirations however were discourage by his father. Hsu Yun loved Buddhist books and disliked classical Chinese literature. He left home at 19. Eventually, against his fathers wishes the Master was ordained  in 1859 in Gu Shan Monastery on Mount Gu by Master Mialo-lian. He was given the darma name Ku Yen. In his 56th year he achieved final awakening at Kao Min Su in Yang Chou (Yang Zhou). Thereafter began revival and teaching work.

For, four years the master held various jobs in Gu Shan Monastery. At times the donations were divided up among the monks - the Master never accepted any part of the donations. Each day the Master had only one mug of rice gruel - by his own choice. In 1867 the Master decided to do a solitary retreat for 3 years. During this period he had only pine needles and green blades of grass to eat and mountain water to drink. His eyes became bright and piercing so that those who saw him took him for a mountain spirit and quickly left.

Later the master abandoned this type of hardship practice and studied the Dharma and Chan with Master Yong Jing. He was a dharma successor of all five Chan schools; a major reformer in the Chinese Buddhist Revival (1900-50). 

Master Hsu Yun practiced both Chan and Pure Land. The Master believed Pure Land to be equally effective as Chan as a method of self cultivation. This is not unusual in Chinese Buddhism - in fact it was and still is the norm. Chinese Buddhism for the most part transcends sectarian differences. A monastery often offered various schools teachings. There is very little hierarchy,  most temples and monasteries are independent. This is in marked contrast to the Japanese style where temples and monasteries belong to a extensive hierarchy with acceptable doctrine spelled out in detail. In China people were free to mix and match various forms of Buddhism to suit their own needs.

Though a monk for 101 years he always felt the dharma was with-in reach of lay people. The Master throughout his long career traveled through much of China and even South East Asia. He transmitted the Precepts, gave dharma talks and lectured on the sutras to monks and lay people alike.

Hsu Yun was responsible for rebuilding or restoring a score of China's Buddhist sites. These included famous temples such as Nan Hua where the Sixth Patriarch (Hui Neng) had stayed, Yunmen and Zhen-ru monasteries. The Master was largely responsible for retrieving Buddhism from a abysmal decline. Even though he rose to a lofty stature he was forever humble and for the most part managed to stay out of the politics of his era. His only belongings were his old robe, bowl,  a poncho and a spade. His last years were spent in a Cow Shed at Zhen-Ru monastery even though he could have all the comforts of the world in the monastery itself.

Several memorials have been erected to honor the Master; a stupa and a memorial hall at Nan Hua Monastery in China. In Hong Kong there is a memorial altar at the Buddhist Lecture Hall located in suite A on the 11th floor, at 31 Wong Nei Chung Rd. The master traveled in Malaysia and Thailand, and taught the King of Thailand.