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比丘尼恆貴：………以下為上人1980年講話的錄音：
萬佛聖城是世界佛教的發源地，也是世界佛教的歸源地，意思怎樣呢？這是《華嚴經》講的：「無不從此法界流，無不還歸此法界」，所以一本散為萬殊，萬殊仍歸一本，萬佛城是作世界所有佛教徒、宗教徒，就包括耶穌教、猶太教、回教，所有的宗教都在這萬佛城，哪一個宗教，來者不拒，往者不追；誰願意來就來，誰願意走就走，所以為什麼要叫萬佛城？萬，就是多，數目的多萬佛城就是不怕多；那怕不怕少呢？也不怕少，所以一本散為萬殊，萬殊仍歸一本。
我們最近因為齋堂只能坐500人，有的時候人多就不夠用了，所以現在正要準備做一個齋堂，可以容納1000人。以前的那個地方500人，連藥師殿也包括在齋堂裡面，所以這兩個堂能坐1000人。我們再多一個可以坐2000人，因為萬佛城各處的人源源而來，將來地方小了，不夠用，所以現在，雖然說暫時還能夠用，但是我們為將來作著想，就不能不把它發揚光大，所以要做齋堂。
坐一千人的這個齋堂這都是小工程，我們最近要做一個「華嚴正法堂。」這華嚴正法堂面積是大約200呎 ×220呎，統統總起來是四萬多呎，準備坐得一萬人這麼一個大法堂。說我們現在沒有這麼多人；你等有這麼多人時再做，就來不及了。我們現在準備萬佛城將來有萬人聽法，萬人修行，所以在這，一切一切都要盡量發展。說法師你這麼發展，要經費呀，這經費又是不是要向我們這些居士化緣？
你放心好了，我從來就不化緣的；我說做什麼就做什麼，但是，是不化緣的，不要害怕被債拖累住。所以萬佛城要做的華嚴正法堂，這一個工程這麼大，還要做寶塔，還要做大雄寶殿，還要做一個放生池，萬佛城的工程無窮無盡的。所以這是在萬佛城開天闢地，工程都一天比一天多。你誰要是不怕立功立德，就在這裡擁護這個道場；你要怕嘛，就趕快逃之夭夭，趕快走。
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BHIKSHUNI HENG GWEI: ...The following is an excerpt from the Venerable Master's tapes, 1980:
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is the fountainhead of the world's Buddhism, as well as being the final refuge of the world's Buddhism. What does this mean? This is spoken in the
Flower Adornment Sutra:
Nothing does not flow forth from this Dharma Realm
Nothing does not return to this Dharma Realm.
A single root subdivides into ten thousand branches.
Ten thousand branches return to a single root.
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is a place for all Buddhists in the world, as well as all religious people, including Christians, Jews, Muslims, and followers of every religion. We will not turn away the adherents of any religion who come here, nor will we chase after anyone who leaves.
Anyone who wants to come may come, and anyone who wants to leave may leave. Why is this place called the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas? "Ten Thousand" symbolizes a lot - a large number. We are not afraid of there being a large number of people here. Are we afraid of there being a small number? No. That's why it's said,
A single root subdivides into ten thousand branches.
Ten thousand branches return to a single root.
Recently, since our dining hall has a seating capacity of 500, it is too small when we have a lot of people. Therefore, we are now preparing to build a dining hall that will hold 1000 people. Our original dining hall could seat 500, and the Medicine Master Hall could seat 500, for a total of 1000. Now, with the new addition, we'll be able to seat 2000 people. More and more people are coming to CTTB, and in the future there won't be enough space. That's why, although the space is adequate for the time being, we are planning for the future. We cannot fail to expand and develop it, so we are going to build this dining hall. This dining hall for 1000 people is still a small project. We are now planning to build a Flower Adornment Proper Dharma Hall. The area of the hall will be 200 feet by 220 feet, a total of over 40,000 square feet. It will seat 10,000 people and will be a great Dharma Hall.
You say, "We don't have that many people right now." If you wait till there are that many people to start building, it will be too late. We are now preparing for the time when there will be 10,000 people listening to the Dharma and cultivating at CTTB. That's why we must develop and expand quickly.
"Dharma Master, such expansion takes money. You're not going to ask for donations from us laypeople, are you?" Don't worry. I never ask for donations. I do whatever I say I'll do, but I never solicit contributions. Don't be afraid that you'll be stuck with the debts.
One of CTTB's projects is to build the Flower Adornment Hall of Proper Dharma, which will be huge. Other projects are to build a jeweled pagoda, a Jeweled Hall of Great Heroes, and a pool for liberating life. There are endless projects. CTTB is blazing new trails. Each day there are more projects. If you are not afraid to create merit and virtue, then you may stay and support the Way Place. If you are afraid, then you'd better leave right away!
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