萬佛城金剛菩提海 Vajra Bodhi Sea

金剛菩提海:首頁主目錄本期目錄

Vajra Bodhi Sea: HomeMain IndexIssue Index

法界音

 

News from the Dharma Realm

培德學校舉行男、女生畢業典禮
Developing Virtue School Holds Boys’ and Girls’ Commencement Ceremonies

六月九日星期三風和日麗,下午四點鐘,家長、老師和從遠方來的親友們齊坐在培德女中後園巨大的樹蔭下,參加今年的畢業典禮。維荷文博士致詞時對女同學說,他的祖母一定會為她們驕傲,因為在當年她是唯一的畢業女生。陳玉梅是畢業生王慧娟的母親,她指出自己之所以把子女送來就讀,完全是因為學校指定〈弟子規〉為必讀功課。接著十幾位校友列隊上台分享她們畢業後的經驗,也鼓勵同學們於畢業後要常常回到母校。

小學五位、初中三位畢業生接獲畢業證書。六位高中畢業生則相繼致詞感謝自己的家人、師長,和同學。其中王慧娟引用羅勃福斯特的詩句:「在黃色森林分出的兩條岔路,我選擇了一條捷徑。」自幼一直與母親同住在聖城的吳星燁,以「戴鋼絲牙套」來形容中學生活裡的規矩,上大學則有如戴固持套,雖然不舒服、不自在,可是她明白為要成就將來,有賴當下的忍耐,也對老師保證她會記得忠實地戴著所學的「道德規矩」套。吳星燁將上加州柏克萊大學、吳冠君山腳學院、陳思潔三藩市市立學院、許敘儂加州散塔庫魯斯大學、王慧娟紐約市哥倫比亞大學和桑妮雅沙加勉度大學。

六月十日星期四培德男校在道源堂舉辦畢業典禮,校長巴思帝克盛讚畢業生林堯暐所製作的畢業紀念冊,也宣佈任教廿五年的皮特森老師將榮退。方丈恆律法師和茱莉雅老師也分別鼓勵畢業生將來要對社會盡力貢獻己力,並做國家的棟樑。校友陳頌恩則叮嚀畢業同學勿忘〈弟子規〉並記住學過的做人品德。所有畢業生都一一向家人、師長與同學致上最深的感謝。阿拜亞並脫下畢業袍,露出機車騎士服,以此勸勉大家「勿以封面定奪一本書的內容」。五位畢業生明行師、劉政邑上華盛頓大學、阿拜亞三藩市大學、迪克斯特聖瑪麗學院、林堯暐散塔羅莎社區學院。恭喜他們!


On the sunny afternoon of Wednesday, June 9, parents, teachers, relatives and friends from afar sat in the shade of the giant sycamore trees behind Developing Virtue Girls’ School’s, to watch this year’s Commencement Ceremony. The keynote speaker, Dr. Martin Verhoeven, told the girls about how proud his grandmother would be of them, as she was one of the only girls to graduate in her time. Ms. Chen Yu-mei, the mother of graduate Huei Ong, said that she had brought her children to this school because of its core curriculum of Standards for Students. Then a dozen DVGS alumnae paraded onstage and shared their experiences after graduating as well as urging graduates to always come back to the school.

Five sixth grade graduates and three eighth grade graduates received their Certificates of Promotion. Then six graduating seniors delivered speeches expressing gratitude to their family, teachers, fellow students and friends. Huei Ong quoted the last line from Robert Frost’s poem saying, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less traveled by.” Shirley Wu, who has lived at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas with her mother, compared her life here to “wearing braces” due to the many rules and restrictions. Going to college is like the next stage of “wearing a retainer,” and she assured her teachers that she would faithfully remember to wear it (i.e. to follow the rules and virtues she had learned). Shirley Wu is going on to UC Berkeley, Chris Liu to Foothill College, Penny Shih-Chieh Chen to the City College of San Francisco, Jordan Hsu-Nung Hsu to UC Santa Cruz, Huei Chean Ong to Columbia University in New York City, and Sonia Vazquez to Sacramento State University.

On Thursday evening, June 10, Developing Virtue Boys’ School held its Commencement Ceremony in Daoyuan Hall. The Principal, Mr. Bostick spoke about the new transformation of this year’s school yearbook created by a graduate, Yao-Wei Lim. He also announced the retirement of Mr. Randall Peterson, who has taught at the school for 25 years. The Abbot, DM Lyu and teacher Ms. Julia Misri encouraged graduates to try their best to contribute to society and be pillars of the nation. One alumnus, Wayne Chen, urged the graduates not to forget the Standards for Students and to always remember the virtue they have learned.

The graduates expressed gratitude to their families, teachers, coaches, fellow students and friends. Abhaya Misri thanked his grandmother who came all the way from New York City for his graduation. While on stage, he changed from his graduation gown to his motorcycle jacket and said that he was still the same person, so “Never judge a book by its cover.”

There were five graduates: Ming Heng Shr, Mark Cheng-Yi Liu who is going to the University of Washington, Abhaya Misri who is attending the University of San Francisco, Dexter Cheng who is attending St. Mary’s College (Moraga), and Yao-Wei Lim who is going to Santa Rosa Junior College. Congratulations!

黑心素食含動物成份駭人聽聞
Shocking News that “Vegetarian” Food Contains Animal Ingredients

編輯部 親芳 英譯
By Editor English translation by Chin Fang

佛陀教導弟子應該愛護所有眾生,鼓勵信徒長養慈悲心戒殺吃素。沒想到在六月中爆發出臺灣製造的素料裡含有動物成份。素食界的黑心業者,唯利是圖,多數口味重,又涮羊肉汁又灌魚漿的,層層內幕,一言難盡,駭人聽聞。

「二、三年前臺灣屏東有位信眾的媽媽經醫院診斷大腦泡棉化,疑似吃了牛肉罹患狂牛症。全家沒人相信,因為媽媽吃素2、30年,完全不沾葷!最後發現,極有可能是素火腿出問題!」

「關懷生命協會最近送檢21種傳統市售加工素料食品,衛生署藥物食品檢驗局赫然發現其中15種攙雜動物成分,比例高達七成,吃驚之際再主動抽檢市售素料,發現部分素料也攙雜動物成分。」
(請參閱中國時報 陳世財2004年六月十日臺北報導)

此消息一經披露,震怒世界各地素食者,在魔強法弱的今天,使人護戒防不勝防,爾後大家若避免人工素料,而多吃天然蔬菜、水果與五穀雜糧,不貪口味,居士也真正護法,慎選供養,如此當能免難。


The Buddha taught his disciples to cherish all living beings and encouraged them to refrain killing and take vegetarian food to nurture their compassion. Who would have imagined that in June the news would break out that “vegetarian” food contained animal ingredients? The manufacturers of imitation meat are only concerned with their own profit. The heavy flavors of their imitation meat come from lamb or fish. There are countless inside stories of what goes on behind the scenes. The following paragraphs are quoted from an article in the June 10, 2004 issue of China Times, written by Shi-Chai Chen Taipei:

“Two or three years ago in Pindong, Taiwan, the mother of a Buddhist believer was diagnosed with symptoms of mad cow disease. No one in the family could believe the doctor because the mother had been vegetarian for 20 to 30 years. She had never touched meat! Finally, they discovered that the problem was the vegetarian ham she had been eating.”

“The Association for Protecting Life recently submitted 21 samples of imitation meat gathered from the traditional open market for inspection. The National Health Administration’s Food and Drug Inspection Department was surprised to discover that 15 of the 21 samples contained animal ingredients. The rate of failure is as high as 70%. After this surprise, the government proactively sampled more “vegetarian” products from the supermarkets and discovered that some of those samples were also mixed with animal products.”

Vegetarians all over the world were startled and furious after this news was released. In this day and age when the demons are strong and the Dharma is weak, it is so difficult to guard one’s precepts. If from now on, everyone refrains from choosing processed vegetarian food and selects natural vegetables, fruits and grains, without caring about the flavor; if the laity can really protect the Dharma by carefully selecting offerings, disasters can certainly be avoided.

法總僧伽舉行上半年年會
DRBA Sangha Holds Semi-Annual Meeting

小民 文
By XIAO MIN

2004年六月十一日法總僧伽在萬佛聖城道源堂舉行上半年年會,上午會議從7:30開始,討論未來妙覺聖寺僧眾寮房的設計,設計公司派員參與說明,經過僧眾討論,最後三讀通過議決。下午會議由1:00進行到下午4:00,討論僧團事務。其中女眾協調會正式發表三位新增委員名單:恆信師、恆猷師與恆音師。今年下半年法總僧伽年會將於十一月十一日召開。


On June 11, 2004, at Daoyuan Hall of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association Sangha conducted its semi-annual meeting for the first half of 2004. The morning meeting started at 7:30 a.m. with a discussion of the plan for Sangha housing at the future International Institute of Philosophy & Ethics, facilitated by the designer from the architectural firm HOK (Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum). At the afternoon meeting, which lasted from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., several Sangha issues were discussed and the addition of three new members (Bhikshunis Heng Syin, Heng You, and Heng Yin) to the Women’s Coordinating Committee was reconfirmed. The next DRBA Sangha Meeting will be on November 11, 2004.

全球宗教聯合會議在萬佛聖城開會
United Religions Initiative’s Global Council Convenes at CTTB

比丘恆實師 文 蓮花心 中譯
By Rev. Heng Sure Chinese translation by Lotus Heart

來自十七個國家,代表十五種宗教的五十位代表於2004年五月二日至六日假萬佛聖城舉行宗教聯合會全球年會。位於三藩市的宗教聯合會是個世界宗教聯合組織,此次會議主題為推動全球各宗教之間的和平與平息宗教性的暴力之各項努力的策劃方案。主持全球會議以便推動宗教間的溝通與了解,這亦是萬佛聖城使命之一。

宗教聯合的希望故事

五月四日星期二晚上在萬佛聖城的道源堂,四眾應邀參加「友誼的驚喜--宗教聯合的希望故事」分享。瑜伽鎮上來自多種宗教的人士也出席,以便了解宗教聯合會的工作,當晚吸引了三百多人參加。萬佛聖城方丈恆律法師以精美紀念品致贈佳賓。

恆實法師身為宗教聯合會全球會議的佛教代表,首先以幻燈片介紹法界佛教總會歷年來的宗教聯合活動和將來主持類似會議的妙覺聖寺的工程計劃。觀眾接著聆聽多位宗教聯合會代表講述有關其信仰或人生經驗的感人故事。來自埃及開羅的蘇非回教徒穆罕默得談到他之所以逐漸瞭解伊斯蘭教是得利於為盲眼的老師高聲讀誦經文的結果。來自馬勞依的喬艾斯,是位基督教電臺的主持人,形容在她家鄉突破宗教隔閡的方法。來自南加州的天主教作家林道凱暢談她在世界各地接觸各種宗教信仰的經驗。來自肯亞耐諾比的翰莫德是位Bahi教徒頗有感觸地談及他在依朗的童年,他所遭遇的宗教迫害,包含母親受禁錮,父親與叔叔在獄中逝世。他來參加宗教聯合因為他深信再也不該有人因為個人的信仰而受到歧視或折磨。來自阿根廷布依諾斯艾利斯的瑪麗亞形容她對萬佛聖城內學校的欣賞,解釋她曾經在阿根廷的學校教過宗教課,她知道這裡的孩子明辨是非,覺得佛寺的教育制度非常自在。

宗教聯合會是什麼?

基於宗教間缺乏日常與長久持續的合作,加州主教派主教與恩典大教堂的宗教領袖威廉史溫牧師於1993年在三藩市創立了宗教聯合會。它發展迅速,目前已有三萬五千以上來自世界上五十個國家的宗教和原住民的信仰的會員。該組織提供前所未有的宗教間的對話,以便解決宗教間因差異或敵對而引發的緊張和混亂。

宗教聯合會的核心是以各地自組而成的單位為基本與全球結合,這些同心圓的成員以負責任的行動團結一致面對國際上經濟、環境、政治、社會的挑戰,以宗教信仰上的智慧與價值來容受消化。同心圓至少必須由七人組成,至少要包括不同的三個宗教、靈修或原住民的信仰。受到最近企業專家對組織設計的想法所影響,宗教聯合會不分階級、草根性的組織結構證明極端成功,能夠幫助世界各地人士克服宗教方面的差異和意見的衝突,並且採取極有意義的步驟以達到和平。

史溫主教解釋道:「宗教聯合會是由各地的地方人士在對立的信仰、文化,與種族間建立新關係。每個社會都需要和平與安全。除非宗教人士願意討論出彼此互惠互動的新管道,否則沒有任何社會能享有和平與安全。」

萬佛城創辦人宣公上人把佛法帶到美國之初時,宗教對話是一項優先的工作;萬佛城第一次主要的宗教聚會是在1987年,瑜伽鎮牧師與教育家--已故的邁克米倫教授、負責漢堡大學紐曼中心並擔任哲學教授的已故羅傑斯神父當時都在參加者內。


Fifty delegates from fifteen religious traditions and from seventeen countries gathered at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas May 2-6, 2004 for the annual Global Council meeting of the United Religions Initiative (URI). The URI is a San Francisco based, global interfaith organization. The topic of the meeting was strategic planning around URI’s ongoing efforts to create global peace among religions and to end religiously motivated violence. In hosting the Global Council, the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas furthers one of its missions, to foster interfaith dialogue and understanding.

Interfaith Stories of Hope

On Tuesday evening, May 4, in the Confucius Hall at the CTTB, the public was invited to a program entitled “The Surprise of Friendship: Interfaith Stories of Hope.” Guests from the many religious denominations in the Ukiah Valley joined with the residents of the CTTB to meet the members URI’s Global Council and to learn more about the work of the URI. Over 300 people attended the program. Bhikshu Heng Lyu, the Abbot of the CTTB welcomed the guests with gift packets that included wrist rosaries and a photo view book of the Buddhist Center.

Rev. Heng Sure, Ph.D., himself a URI Global Councillor representing Buddhism, began the program with a slide show documenting the history of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association’s activities in Interfaith, including the plans for the International Institute for Philosophy and Ethics the purpose of which will be to host similar conferences in the future. The audience listened to moving stories from URI delegates. Mohammed Mossad, a Sufi Muslim from Cairo, Egypt, spoke about his gradual transformation in understanding of Islam as a result of reading sacred texts aloud for a blind teacher. Joyce N’Goma, a Christian radio show host from Malawi, described her method for breaking through religious sectarianism in her hometown. Kay Lindal, a Catholic author from Laguna Nigel, Southern California commented on her experiences in Interfaith around the world. Hamed Ehsani, a Bah’ai from Nairobi, Kenya spoke movingly of his childhood in Iran, and the religious persecution he encountered, including the imprisonment of his mother and the death in prison of his father and uncle. He came to interfaith because of his determination that nobody should ever again be discriminated again or made to suffer because of their beliefs. Maria Crespo from Buenos Aires, Argentina described her appreciation of the schools at the CTTB, and explained that she teaches Catechism classes in a school in Argentina, and she recognizes children who know right from wrong, and felt at home in the education system at the Buddhist center.

What Is the URI?

The URI was founded in 1993 in San Francisco by Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, Episcopal Bishop of California and religious head of Grace Cathedral, in response to the lack of daily and enduring cooperation between religions. The URI has grown rapidly and now has over 35,000 actively participating members from all the worlds’ religions and indigenous faith traditions in 50 countries around the world. The organization provides a forum for unprecedented interfaith dialogue to counteract the growing tensions and turmoil, often fueled by religious differences and rivalries.

At the heart of URI are self-organizing groups that are locally rooted and globally connected. Members of these Cooperation Circles unite in responsible actions to bring the wisdom and values of their spiritual beliefs to bear on the economic, environmental, political and social challenges facing the international community. The Cooperation Circles must have at least seven members and include people from at least three different religions, spiritual expressions or indigenous traditions. Influenced by the latest thinking of business experts in organizational design, the URI’s non-hierarchical, inclusive grassroots structure has proven highly successful in enabling groups of people worldwide to overcome theological differences—and often conflicting opinions—and take radically significant steps for peace.

Bishop Swing explains, “The United Religions Initiative is a global commitment by local people everywhere to create new kinds of relationships among people of opposing faiths, cultures and ethnicities. Every society wants peace and security. No society will enjoy peace and security unless its peoples of faith discuss fresh ways of interacting and common goals that benefit all.”

The Founder of the CTTB, Master Hsuan Hua, made interfaith dialogue a priority in his introduction of Buddhism to America. The first major religious gathering at the CTTB was held in 1987, and brought together leaders and spokespersons from Mendocino and Humboldt County, including the late Rev. Tom MacMillan, Ukiah Baptist minister and educator, and the late Fr. John Rogers, head of the Newman Center and Professor of Philosophy at Humboldt State University, among others.

精湛的素食與學校訪視

五天中宗教領導者一直討論計畫明年在漢城舉行的世界大會。許多代表對於聖城的君康餐廳提供多種品味的素食既驚喜更讚不絕口。星期二育良與培德男女校辦了一個「認一位世界顧問」活動,每個學生選擇訪問一位宗教人士。學生預先研究這位人士的國家和宗教背景資料,然後當面請問各種問題也分享自己在佛教學校的經驗。結果學生與聯合宗教會的成員都表示這項活動非常有啟發性。

宗教間尋獲和諧

宗教聯合會的執行董事也是主教派牧師的查爾斯解說在萬佛聖城舉辦這項會議的意義:「基督教神學家孔翰斯說宗教之間若沒有和平,國與國之間就沒有和平可言。宗教之間若不溝通,就不可能有和平。今天,在宗教上我們已向和平邁步,我相信若是世上有更多人知道這個美麗城區的和平精神和這裡慈善的佛教朋友,那世界必會更和平。」

宗教聯合會的資訊請見網址www.uri.org.

 

Vegetarian Food, School Visits Highlighted

The religious leaders spent five days discussing business and making plans for the next Global Assembly in Seoul, Korea, in 2005. Many of the representatives expressed their pleasure and surprise at the variety and the flavor of the vegetarian food served at the CTTB’s Jun Kang restaurant. On Tuesday the boys and girls of Instilling Goodness and Cultivating Virtue Schools on campus at the CTTB convened a program called “Adopt A Global Councillor,” in which students selected one from among the fifty religious visitors to talk to. They studied the country of origin and the religion of the guests and then met face to face, to ask questions and to share about their experience in a Buddhist-sponsored school. Both the students and the URI members expressed their enjoyment with the opportunity to learn about each other’s experiences and points of view.

Peace Among Religions Sought

Charles Gibbs, Executive Director of the URI and a Reverend Canon of the Episcopal Church, explained the significance of the meeting at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He said, “Catholic theologian Hans Kung said that there can be no peace among nations until there is peace among religions. And there can be no peace among religions until there is dialogue among religions. Today we have taken steps towards peace among religions and I believe that if the peaceful spirit of this beautiful campus and these graceful, generous Buddhists friends can become better known in the world, then we can expect a more peaceful world as well.

More about United Religions Initiative can be found at www.uri.org.

無盡的感懷與禮敬
--上人涅槃九週年法會紀實
Infinite Commemoration and Worship
—A Report on the Ninth Anniversary of the Venerable Master Hua’s Nirvana

仁德 文與譯
By Ren De

紀念宣公上人涅槃九週年大法會,於2004年六月廿七日在萬佛聖城舉行,四眾弟子近千五百人由各地趕來參加。

六月廿六日晚間,在大帳篷內觀看1988年上人率團亞洲弘法,於新加坡的開示,上人親切的慈容,自在的態度與深入淺出的開示,令未曾見過上人面的有機會聞其聲、識其人,許多思念上人的弟子也重溫了幾許往昔親近他老人家的回憶。

六月廿七日清晨五點,兩位男居士陳威宏與荷西參加沙彌先修班開訓典禮,為未來荷擔如來家業邁進了一步。男眾想成為萬佛城沙彌先修班的學員應具備的條件:在道場擔任義工半年並受持五戒,有誠心修行。受八戒經過半年先修班的適應期,接著可受沙彌十戒,一年後若通過考核,可登壇受戒成為正式比丘。

七點迎著朝陽,大眾前往未來的妙覺聖寺所在地巡禮,方丈律法師向大家介紹預定的建築設計位置及其未來的功能,恆實法師則表示為了完成這項艱鉅的工程,大家都需要有特別誠心,以便未來不論在環境、法律、和工程作業上都能圓滿無有違逆。以如此的誠懇祈願,在場的每個人齊聲恭誦大悲神咒,迴向所願圓滿成就。

接下來大眾回到大帳篷舉行紀念大典,包括禮拜宣公上人、繞舍利塔和佛前千人大傳供。午齋時,因為人多,大、小齋堂不敷使用,在道源堂也首度預設食檯,才能容納全體與會者。恆實法師首先開示萬佛城有許多方面特色,例如「食不語」,希望所有的佛友能體會聖城的家風,來訪時能由寧靜中獲得法益。


On June 27, the fourfold assembly of about fifteen hundred disciples came from all directions to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to commemorate the Ninth Anniversary of the Venerable Master Hua’s Nirvana.

On the evening on June 26, people watched a video of the Venerable Master giving a Dharma talk in Singapore when he led a delegation to Asia in 1988. They saw the Venerable Master’s compassionate appearance, carefree manner and his profound talk. Those who had never met the Master had a chance to hear his voice and get to know him. Many disciples renewed their memories of drawing near to the Master in the old days.

At 5 a.m. on June 27, two laymen, Wei-Hung Chen and Jose Gomez were initiated into the Male Novice Training Program, taking a first step in their resolve to do the Buddha’s work. Laymen who wish to attend this program must volunteer for six months at a DRBA branch monastery, receive and observe the Five for six months, and demonstrate sincerity in cultivation. After six months’ preparation and upholding the Eight Precepts as a trainee, one may receive the Ten Precepts for Novice Monks. After one year, if one passes the evaluation, one may be ordained as a Bhikshu.

At 7:00 a.m., facing the rising sun, the assembly went to the future site of the Institute for International Philosophy & Ethics. The Abbot, DM Lyu explained the locations and functions for the different buildings. DM Sure told everyone that their special sincerity was needed to ensure that the project would be completed successfully in accord with all the environmental, legal or construction code requirements. With such sincere prayers, everyone there respectfully recited the Great Compassion Mantra in unison and dedicated the merit and virtue to the fulfillment of all wishes.

The assembly then returned to the big tent to begin the ceremony for commemorating the Venerable Master’s nirvana, which included bowing to the Venerable Master, circumambulating the sharira stupa at No Words Hall, and the passing of offerings by about twelve hundred people. At lunch, the crowd was so large that they filled both dining halls and even, for the first time, used tables prepared in advance in Daoyuan Hall. DM Sure gave the first Dharma talk. He pointed out there are many special features at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, for instance eating silently. He hoped that all friends in Dharma could experience the cultivation style at the City and attain the benefit of Dharma during their visit.

恆持法師接著表示,在紀念上人的這一天,如果寫封信給上人,她的報告會從翻譯經典工作開始,目前《華嚴經》已有多本新書出版,同時我們的行銷網也擴大,在有名的Barnes & Nobles書店內,讀者也可見到上人的書籍。教育是上人非常重視的一項工作,我們的高中學校剛經過美西院校協會會長的評鑑,得到優良的評價。法界佛教大學也受到美加神學院協會的承認而有聯屬關係。上人重視僧團的建立與發展,他注重戒律,推行佛制的搭衣與日中一食。我們弟子了解僧團在美國紮根的重要性,上午男眾又增加兩位新血受預備訓練,秋季時也會有女眾出家。上人一生各處奔波為人講法,法總近年來又增加了好幾處道場,法輪接續常轉不已。更重要的是目前妙覺聖寺已經獲得政府完全的同意,這項工程計畫再不會有任何官方的障礙了,明年即可開工。

方丈恆律法師對大眾致歉,因為齋堂跼促,致使取食緩慢。建設一個大型道場有迫不容緩,為上人早就預知,未來的齋堂將是目前的三倍大。我們建設這個大道場以便將來做各種利益眾生的事。成佛要利生,利生為成佛。上人為利益眾生的精神就是永遠不休息,希望大家紀念上人,要發揚上人的精神與志願,同時來共同關懷妙覺聖寺的工程,使它早日順利完成!

午後有三皈五戒的儀式,參加者特別踴躍使得延生堂也爆滿。瞻仰上人舍利,午後排隊人潮依舊綿長,無言堂開放時間也因此延長至三點鐘。

歲月消逝,沒有消磨人們對上人的懷念,上人對時弊的針砭、對我輩的諄諄告誡言猶在耳,正法的薪傳有賴眾弟子繼續努力以赴,但願能學得上人「流血汗不休息」的精神--維護聖教的不衰,令眾生離苦得樂!

 

DM Chih expressed that if she had to write to the Venerable Master on that day in memory of him, she would start with sutra translation. Right now there are several new books of the Flower Adornment Sutra published. Our distribution scope has enlarged and if people go to Barnes & Nobles [a popular bookstore], they will be able to purchase the Venerable Master’s books. Education is one of the Venerable Master’s important works. Our Developing Virtue Secondary School had a very positive accreditation visit from the Director of WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges). Dharma Realm Buddhist University has now formally become an Affiliate of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The Master emphasized establishing and developing the Sangha, upholding the precepts, advocated wearing the precept sash at all times and taking one meal a day. As his disciples, we understand the importance of having the Sangha take root in this country. Just this morning two men joined the pre-monastic training; in Fall there will be women leaving home life too. The Venerable Master tirelessly spoke Dharma at many places throughout his life. Recently the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association acquired several more monasteries, and the Dharma wheel continues to turn unceasingly. More importantly, the permit for the Institute for International Philosophy & Ethics has been vested, and there won’t be any more political obstacles in the way. Construction will start next year.

The Abbot, DM Lyu apologized to the assembly for the limited space in the Dining Hall, which made people wait longer to get food. The Venerable Master had long ago foreseen the need for a new, large-scale Way-place. In the future the Dining Hall will be three times the size of the current one. For the sake of benefiting sentient beings in many ways, we’ll build a big Institute. To become a Buddha, one must benefit sentient beings; we benefit sentient beings in order to become Buddhas. The Venerable Master’s spirit to benefit sentient beings will never rest. In order to commemorate the Venerable Master, the Abbot hoped that everyone would propagate the Master’s spirit and aspirations, as well as helping to make sure that the IIP&E project will soon be realized!

After lunch, numerous people crowded into the Long Life Hall to attend the ceremony for transmitting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. A long line of people waited to behold the Venerable Master’s sharira at No Words Hall, so the open hours were extended to 3:00 p.m.

Years have passed, yet memories of the Venerable Master have not diminished. His admonitions about the mistakes in society and earnest exhortations still ring in our ears. The transmission of the orthodox Dharma relies on his disciples continuing to do their best. May we learn and embody his spirit of “shedding blood and sweat and not pausing to rest” so that the sagely teaching will not decline and sentient beings may leave suffering and attain bliss!

▲Top

法界佛教總會Dharma Realm Buddhist Association │ © Vajra Bodhi Sea