In 1917, Yuanying was elected Venerable Master of the Buddhist Association of Ningbo, he establish two schools to promote the development of local education project.

In 1928, the Nationalist government issued the "Administrative Regulations of Religious Temples", an Anti - Buddhism Movement swept over the country.

On July 7, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident broke out, Yuanying organized an ambulance corps for to serve the Nationalists.

In the autumn of 1939, Yuanying returned to Shanghai and settled at Yuanming Lecture Room (圓明講堂), he was soon arrested by the Japanese military police corps, he was mistreated and tortured.

[2][3] After the establishment of the Communist State in 1951, Yuanying attended the Asia and Pacific Regional Peace Conference in Beijing.

In 1953, Hsu Yun formed the Buddhist Association of China at Kuang Chi (Extensive Aid) Monastery, Yuanying was elected its first Venerable Master.