On February 1, 1938,Venerable Master Hsing Yun was tonsured at Qi Xia Temple under Venerable Master Zhi Kai of Da Jue Temple, and given the names "Jin Chueh (to become awakened today)" and "Wu Che (thorough enlightenment)."
During his studies, he chanced upon the notion of "hsing yun tuan (nebula)" in a dictionary, which was defined as clouds of ancient, boundless compositions of interstellar material that existed before the universe was formed. Aspiring to illuminate the world, he named himself "Hsing Yun (star and cloud)."
In 1941, while receiving ordination, his skull was badly injured by burning incense that caused an indentation and memory loss. Not only was his memory
recovered, but he became smarter after diligent prostrations and prayers to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. In the fall of 1943, Venerable Master contracted malaria. When Venerable Master Zhi Kai sent him half a bowl of pickled vegetables, he was so deeply touched that he burst into tears and vowed to prop-
agate Buddhism in order to repay his master's kindness.
