Shen Ming Si, the 45th Patriarch of Chinese Tien Tai School Master Shen Ming was born in Liau-Lin Providence in 1905, and began his monastic education in Harrbin at Ji-Ler Monastery in 1917 at the age of 12. He remained there until he obtained his full ordination from Ln-Yen Monastery, Yin-Kou city in 1920. In 1984, Master was elected to the abbot of Great Enlightenment Temple, New-York City, and Chuang Yen Monastery, New York State. From 1992. Master was elected to the President of the Buddhist Association of the United States where he served until retirement in 1998.