NEWS FROM THE DHARMA REALM

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ARRIVAL OF 
THE VENERABLE DHAMMANANDA

By Venerable Abbot Hua upon 
the arrival of Ven. Dhammananda
from Malaysia for the Opening
at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, 
1979.

The reason for the strife among countries in the world is due to a lack of understanding between self and others, or the mischief of selfishness behind the scenes. The mutual bickering among religions occurs because of the habit of deprecating others and praising self, of blindly adhering to one's own creed and being intolerant of others. Moreover, every religion itself is torn up by internal factions, each setting up their own sects. Pitted like water against fire, they battle and struggle among themselves, leading to religious wars, killing, and slaying without stop.

      This is a great pain in the heart a fatal illness. Today the Dharma Master has come to America. Your mission is heavy and your path is far. Within Buddhism, let Southern and Northern traditions become one, let both East and West be transformed, so that together we can advance towards the Buddha's goal, and realize the Buddha's original aim. Then humankind will rejoice, and living beings will be glad. The verse says:

Attached to South, attached to North, attached to East and West.

Confused within the confused, this is really pitiful.

The Buddha spoke Dharma for healing illness,

Yet those who study Dhyana become sidetracked.

Prune and till the mind ground, leave behind false thoughts.

Nurture the heaven of nature, guard the mani pearl.

Until one day, the realization suddenly dawns,

That unity is the only real foundation.