Hong Kong's Buddhist leader Kok Kwong dies at the age of 95
Sik Kok Kwong was lauded for promoting his religion and organising charitable services, but also faced criticism over controversial comments
Sik Kok Kwong
1919-2014
The Buddhist community is mourning the loss of the city's leading monk, Sik Kok Kwong, who died yesterday aged 95.
Last year Kok Kwong received the Grand Bauhinia Medal - Hong Kong's highest award - for his contribution to society as president of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying expressed his "deepest condolences" to the relatives of Kok Kwong. "The Most Venerable Kok Kwong had made tremendous contributions in promoting Buddhism, providing charitable services and enhancing social harmony," he said in his statement.
Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing lauded his achievements in promoting Buddhism and his decades-long effort to persuade the government to declare Buddha's birthday a public holiday. In 1999, the eighth day of the fourth lunar month was made an official holiday.
Born in Liaoning province in 1919, Kok Kwong became a monk in Shanghai when he was nine and came to Hong Kong in 1939 after fleeing the Japanese.
While president of the city's leading Buddhist group, a position he held until his death, the association built hospitals, schools and provided various social services to the community.