Dharma Realm Buddhist University

City of Ten Thousand Buddhas

January 2 5, 1979

January 25, 1979

Venerable Dharma Master
Thich Huyen-Vi, Ph.D.
Please read this with compassion,

I am aware that in my own person I have no great strength, but I don't like to be selfish by doing things for myself. I always consider that other people are better than I am, because everything I do is really Stupid; the reason for this is that I do the things that others don't like to do.

Nevertheless, I still think that in the whole world, I am number one, the first. First in what? First in stupidity. I am so busy all day long every day, but I 'never finish anything! This is the behavior of an ant, busy all day long working and never accomplishing anything—first in stupidity is the ant.

I have another first. First in what? First in greed. Like the mosquito, I drink others' blood and give people a lot of trouble, but personally think that this is happiness. This is the behavior of the mosquito, the first in greed.

I have still another first. First in what? First in anger. Like the bee, I fly everywhere stinging people and giving them pain, and I just think that this is my job. This is the behavior of the bee, first in anger. But this is how I used to be. Now I've changed and really try my best to be without selfishness, greed, anger, and stupidity, and in making the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas I do so on behalf of all Buddhists, all people, and all living beings.

Dharma Realm Buddhist University is now two years old. As yet we still don't have approval to issue student visas, so foreign students overseas can't come yet.  But soon, this year, perhaps in the springtime, we will receive approval.

I would like you to join Dharma Realm Buddhist University as an Honorary Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the University. If you think that this would be agreeable to you, I would like you to accept the appointment. But if you don't find this agreeable, then please forget it.

Peace in the Way Hsuan Hua

Association Bouddhique Linh-so'n

(World Fellowship of Buddhists Regional Cntr.)

France February 4, 1979

Most Venerable Dharma Master Hsuan Hua,

I shall not attempt such a succinct and poetic expression of mood and depth of com­passion as your words convey, yet I too have the same heartfelt wish and echo your senti­ments entirely.

To create a European University on the scale of Dharma Realm is, at present, out of the question. However, I do think a Paris Buddhist Research Institute is pos­sible, in the not too distant future.

I appreciate and readily accept your offer of appointment as Honorary Trustee on the Board of Trustees at the Dharma Realm University, and I will be glad to as­sist in whatever capacity is feasible. Please do write again soon and let me know of your ideas.

I remain grateful for your kind and thoughtful communication, with respects,

Yours in the Dharma,

Ven. Thich Huyen Vi.