Venerable Master, Dharma Masters, teachers, guests, and students:
Amitabha!

Today I am honored to represent the parents of the graduates in expressing our gratitude to the Venerable Master, the Dharma Masters, and all the teachers.

First, I feel that our children have special blessings that enable them to study in the schools that the Venerable Master has put so much effort into establishing and to have been able to complete their studies and graduate.

Not only have the students gained the knowledge needed to enter higher institutes of learning, they have, more importantly, been able to improve their Chinese skills and to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese ethics, history, and culture. Even more important, they have been able to learn Buddhism and meditation and have gained deep insight into how to conduct themselves in daily life. They will be able to use what they have learned here throughout their lives.

Perhaps you students don’t feel anything special right now, but after you leave the Sagely City, you will gradually come to appreciate what you have learned here as you attend universities, as you conduct your affairs in daily life, and, in the future, as you pursue your chosen professions. You will come to realize what a good foundation you have established during your years at the Sagely City.

Especially in dealing with people and handling situations, I believe you will be more patient, more willing to accept others, and more capable of distinguishing principles and specifics. For this you should all feel grateful to the Venerable Master, the Dharma Masters, and all your teachers who have spent so much time and energy in helping you progress and succeed. Once again, I represent all parents in expressing our deep appreciation to all of you for all you have done.

Second, I want to say that although these graduates will leave the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, we parents will continue to encourage and guide them, once they enter universities, to not only vigorously seek knowledge but to also accord with conditions in doing all they can to explain Buddhist principles to their fellow university students and to set up Buddhist groups in order to enable even more people to recognize the Buddhadharma.

If such opportunities arise, I firmly believe that we parents will support them; and at that time I hope all you Dharma Masters and teachers will also instruct and aid them.

It is most difficult for us that just prior to this graduation, the Venerable Master passed away. I believe that the Venerable Master’s substance and nature neither come nor go and that his vows pervade the world. The Elder Master is always at all times and in all places guiding us. I hope you students will be able to carry the spirit of the Venerable Master’s teaching to all corners of the world. At every opportunity I hope you will return to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to pay respects to your teachers and elders and to encourage the younger students. Everyone should keep in touch, remain in harmony, unite and work together, and pursue your chosen courses with optimism!

Further I hope you will all turn your grief into strength, strike up your spirits, unite your hearts and help each other and strive to continue the Venerable Master’s work for Buddhism. May you all help the vows that he guided his life by to continue to grow and prosper. As disciples, this is a responsibility we should all try to fulfill and this is also the most beneficial way to commemorate the Venerable Master.

I also hope all you students are proud of Developing Virtue School and that you will make Developing Virtue School proud of you in the future.

Finally, we parents have no way to express our gratitude. I wish all of you good health, peace of mind, and long life.

Amitabha!

◆教育就是要往下紮根Education must be solidly rooted．