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The Belated Venerable Dharma Master Wude
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Founder and Founding Abbot of Ching Kwok Temple of Toronto, Mui Kwok Temple of Edmonton, and Yuen Kwok Temple of Montreal
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Co-Founder and Founding President of the Buddhist Education Foundation of Canada
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Member of the World Chinese Monastics Buddhist Propagation Committee
Venerable Wude was born in Vietnam. At the age of 20, he entered the sangha and received novice ordination, studying Chan meditation with Chan Master Ven. Weili. In 1972, Ven. Wude received his Full Ordination, becoming a Bhikkhu. He went on to receive Dharma transmission as successor of the 43rd generation of the lineage of the Seven-Pagoda Temple of the Linji School of Chan. After arriving in Canada in 1981, Ven. Wude continued ceaselessly with his Buddhist practice with the founding of three Buddhist temples and in promoting Buddhist Studies at the University of Toronto.
-Ven. Wude at Miaotong Temple receiving the Three-Platform Precepts Ordination.
In 1985, Ven. Wude established Tai Bay Buddhist Temple in Toronto. In 1990, Ven. Wude established Mui Kwok Temple in Edmonton. In 1992,Tai Bay Buddhist Temple was renamed as Ching Kwok Buddhist Temple and was relocated to a building of larger area, its present setting. As propagation of Buddhist activities continued, Ven. Wude’s lay Buddhist disciples grew in number, spreading across the Provinces of Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.
- Ven. Wude in the Tai Bay Temple’s Main Hall
- Ven. Wude in the CK Temple’s Main Hall, sometime after renovation.
In 1990, Ven. Wude established Mui Kwok Buddhist Temple in Edmonton.
In 2009, Ven. Wude was invited to accept the Abbotship of Daci Temple in Montreal, which eventually led to the establishment of Yuen Kwok Temple in 2013.
- Ven. Wude in the MK Temple’s Main Hall, sometime before renovation.
- Ven. Wude in the MK Temple’s Main Hall, sometime after renovation.
- Ven. Wude in the Daci Temple’s Main Hall, during Offering Ceremony for Buddhas & Devas.
- A group photo of Ven.Wude & Ms. Chris Ng at the fund-raising vegetarian banquet.
Ven. Wude also contributed immense efforts in promoting Buddhist Studies at the University of Toronto. In 2001, he co-founded the Buddhist Education Foundation of Canada (BEFC) with BEFC’s present President, Ms. Chris Ng, and was nominated by members of BEFC to be the Founding President. Under Ven. Wude’s guidance and unflinching determination, BEFC created programs in Buddhist Studies at the University of Toronto and continued to engage in annual fundraising activities to support these Buddhist Studies courses at the University.
Ven. Wude believed that practice of Buddhist teachings with exercise of filial piety, on a personal level, enables one to develop and purify one’s mind and elevate one’s morality, thus improving one’s character and on a social level, promotes well-being and stability in society.
Hence, he frequently organized group practices in Dharma services and Eight-Precept meditation retreats. He also organized Dharma talks and encouraged Buddhist disciples and non-Buddhist disciples alike to attend and participate.
Through Buddhist activities and events, Ven. Wude fostered and advanced the Buddhist teachings to embrace and harmonize it with Chinese and as well, Western cultures.