Master Hong Yi (1880-1942), originally named Li Shutong, was a versatile artist who made outstanding achievements in drama, music, poetry, painting and calligraphy. After he became a monk in 1918, he also contributed to several important Buddhist works.

During the 24 years that Master Hong Yi was a monk, he practiced Buddhism in southern Fujian for 14 years, forging an indissoluble bound with Quanzhou.