|
NEWS
UPDATES
| 2003
Letter from Master Hsing Yun
|
 |
|
January 1, 2003 |
Dear
Dharma Protectors and Friends,
Happy
New Year! May you be blessed with a wondrous heart and an
auspicious New Year!
Time
flies! The morning after I bid year 2001 farewell, I spent the
first day of year 2002 making calls to Buddhist leaders in Taiwan,
both to wish them a happy New Year, and to invite them to go to
Xian Province, China, together, to escort and welcome the
Buddha’s Finger Relic to Taiwan. Earlier, I had received a
letter from the State Administration for Religious Affairs under
the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, informing
me of the basic principles: “Hsing Yun to make the initiation,
and be responsible for the united escorting and enshrining of the
relic at various sites. Safety is top priority.” For this
reason, I made hundreds of calls within two days to invite
Buddhist elders, young Bhiksus and Bhiksunis as well as lay
Buddhists to join in this auspicious event.
When
the Buddha’s Finger Relic arrived in Taiwan from the Xian Famen
Temple, more than fifty thousand
Buddhist followers filled the streets to
welcome this sacred ancient relic. In order to make it convenient
for them to pay respects to the Finger Relic, shrines were set up
in the National Taiwan University domed stadium, Sanxia County Jin
Guang Ming Temple, Taichung Stadium, and Nantou County Chung Tai
Chan Monastery. When the relic arrived in the Fo Guang Shan
monastery, over one million visitors poured in within only a few
days just to be close to it. On the last day, the farewell Dharma
service at the Kaohsiung Municipal Stadium attracted one hundred
thousand participants chanting the Buddha’s name from day till
dawn. The atmosphere was extremely touching and memorable. I could
even feel the unity of men and heaven, and of every person, along
with the Buddha and all sentient beings.
The
arrival of the Buddha’s Finger Relic in Taiwan not only united
Buddhist organizations in Taiwan; it also set a perfect example
for friendly exchange between the people of Taiwan and Mainland
China. As I look back to those days, even though it took ten years
to fulfill this dream, and a year of effort and preparation, this
historical event still had been very successful and worth every
effort.
After
escorting the Buddha’s Finger Relic back to China, I went on to
Malaysia and Singapore in April. There, I gave Dharma talks and
conducted Refuge Taking Ceremonies for thousands of Buddhists,
with many thanks to the hard work of BLIA Malaysia President Dr.
Lin Yet Li and BLIA-YAD Malaysia President Mr. Song in making
these grand events possible. After that I flew to Japan for
the 9th BLIA General Conference held in Tokyo, where I
gave a keynote speech on “Resolution and Development.” While
in Japan, I stayed at Motosu Temple, situated near the foot of Mt.
Fuji and next to Motosu Lake. It was springtime, and all kinds of
flowers blossomed and the view was magnificent, thus inspiring me
to compose the following verse:
Spring
plum blossoms and autumn maple leaves,
Snow
reflected by Mt. Fuji and the Five Fuji Lakes.
If
one be fortunate enough to visit Motosu,
Freedom,
liberation at wisdom will be at hand.”
During
these few months, I organized a series of seminars for the Fo
Guang Shan Bhiksus and Bhiksunis, as well as those preparing their
Ph.D. and Master’s Degrees at universities around the world.
There were also the International Buddha's Light Men's Fellowship
Conference, International Buddha's Light Women's Fellowship
Conference and the Asian Literature Conference. I truly hope that
Motosu Temple will share its beautiful and serene environment with
even more friends from the whole world.
During
summer, Ven. Dr. Yifa brought 43 Ph.D. and Master’s students
from Yale, Harvard and many other worldwide top universities, to
Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan for the International Buddhist Monastic
Life Program, where they experienced traditional monastic life.
This was truly another big step toward global Buddhism.
All
Fo Guang Shan branch temples in the world celebrate the Buddha’s
Birthday around the same time each year, therefore in a way;
millions of people would be celebrating this auspicious event
together. In particular, Ven. Yi Lai and Ven. Man Chien’s effort
in making this an annual event at Brisbane South Bank Piazza and
Sydney Darling Harbour have each attracted more than one hundred
thousand participants with special guests such as Lord Mayor Cr
Jim Soorley of Logan City among others. Even the Vatican sent
their congratulations for this Buddhist event, and their wish to
work with Buddhism in bringing about a world of morality.
Furthermore, when delegates gathered in Hungary for the 31st
Congress of the International Association for Religious Freedom,
Ven. Chueh Men was elected as one of the International Council
members. The world’s first Hospital Los Angeles Paraguay-China,
established by us has now been handed over to the management of
local Catholic associations. All of the above are evidence of the
globalization and localization of Buddhism and also
inter-religious harmony.
Fo
Guang Shan Tsung-ling University is celebrating her 40th
anniversary this year, and students of nationalities other than
Taiwan now make up 40 percent of the total number of students
studying at the University. Ben Won and few other students from
Ladakh have completed their studies last year and are now assigned
back to their homeland to serve at the Buddhist College of India.
With regards to the promotion of Buddhism, I strongly believe that
it should be done on an international basis, therefore Fo Guang
Shan has allocated Ven. Hui Cheng, Ven. Hui Zai, Ven. Hui Mu, Ven.
Chueh Wei, Ven. Miao Shi and Yi-ping Hou to Hsi Lai University,
USA to do Master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Furthermore, four men, who
are American nationals, are now at Hsi Lai Temple to experience
monastic life. The Online Buddhist College (www.ubou.org) has also
entered its final stages of planning and preparation. It carries
the hope of achieving the globalization and localization of
Buddhism in the near future.
Last
July, Hsi Lai University was granted Candidacy for Accreditation
by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges (WASC), marking
a stage of fruition for the first-ever university in the USA to be
established by a Chinese Buddhist organization. This is also a
glorious achievement for all Chinese people. On the other hand, Fo
Guang University and Nan Hua University in Taiwan were able to
fill all positions in each course with one hundred percent
enrolment last year. All of these are due to the generous
contributions of our benefactors through out the past years. Once
again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you.
I
have deep faith in the fact that the Buddha’s Light will shine
wide, and the Dharma stream will travel afar. While education is a
key factor, cultural endeavors must not be overlooked. My books
have now been translated into various languages for readers
throughout the world, for example, “Humble Table, Wise Fare –
Gifts for Life,” “Lotus in a Stream,” “Buddhism: Core
Ideas,” “Handing Down the Light,” “Cloud and Water,”
just to name a few. The books presented in different languages
have now become a part of the lives of many people worldwide.
Frankfurt
Book Fair 2003 displayed
my books in German, English, French, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese,
Spanish, Russian, and Sinhalese, and they have attracted interest
from the German publisher Schirner Verlag and Kreuz Corporation,
as well as Chinese publishing companies, such as White Horse
Corporation, to publish my books in their countries. It is my
great wish to make every possible contribution to enrich the
spiritual lives of all people throughout the world.
2002
marked the half-century mark for my endeavors in the promotion of
Buddhism. During this period, I have never stopped my annual
Dharma Talks at Taipei’s National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
and Hong Kong’s Hung Hum Stadium. It is not always easy to keep
ten thousand people’s attention for two hours if the talk is
always presented the same way each year. This year, I
decided to combine Dunhuang literature, singing, and Buddhist
chanting, together with a combination of traditional and the
modern to offer a feast of music and literature. Not only did the
audience praise this, it was also said to be innovative in the
history of Buddhist talks presentation. Furthermore, the number of
Humanistic Buddhism Study Groups has now grown to more than two
thousand chapters, showing us that the power of promoting Buddhist
culture is extremely great.
I
am now greatly aware of the importance that media plays in the
field of cultural promotion. In response to the pleading sounds
for better media in society, I instructed Ven. Yung Yun – chief
editor of Merit Times Newspaper - to initiate “An Ecological Day
for the Media.” This was an appeal to the Media to “Do Good
Things, Say Good Words, and Have a Good Heart,” and also “Say
No to Sex, Violence and Distortion.” The purpose of this
activity is to re-awaken the media’s ability for self-control,
and give back to society the purity that the audience once
enjoyed.
“Buddha’s
Light TV” was formally renamed “Beautiful Life TV” by Ven.
Tzu Jung (chairperson of BLTV) last October. In the future, BLTV
will focus on four major areas - youth, education, international
public welfare.” Together with Merit Times Newspaper, they will
work toward a true, good and beautiful world of communication
through the media.
Fo
Guang Shan Monastery, its branch temples and related departments
have won awards for outstanding Buddhist Monasteries for their
contribution in social education and welfare. Some of the winners
include Lan Yang Temple in Ilan, and Yue Guang Temple both in
eastern Taiwan and Yuan Fu Temple in Central Taiwan. BLIA, ROC
also won an award for outstanding social and professional
organization, its President, Mr. Wu Po-hsiung accepted the award
on behalf.
Jin
Guang Ming Temple in Sanxia, northern Taiwan, is now formally
inaugurated, and will act as an Institute of Buddhist Studies for
lay people. Nan Hua Temple in South Africa is also close to
completion, and it shall take up the key position for the
development of Buddhism in Africa. The Buddha’s Memorial Hall
project will be carried out after its groundbreaking ceremony this
January. Two world famous architects, Xuanchang
Guo from China and Sinotech
Engineering Consultants have contributed in the design to make
this both a religious and artistic masterpiece. Besides the above,
Fo Guang Shan has set up cultural and educational centers through
out Taiwan. Fu San Temple will be the Cultural and Educational
Center for central Taiwan, Nan Tai Temple for southern Taiwan, Nan
Ping Temple for Kaohsiung and Ping-tung areas, Dong Hua Temple for
eastern Taiwan, while Jin Guang Ming Temple will be the center for
Northern Taiwan. This cultural and educational network will offer
a vast ocean of Dharma for all Buddhists.
In
August, Fo Guang Shan’s Jade Buddha Building was partly damaged
in a fire. I am extremely grateful to everyone who offered help.
However, I would like to urge our devotees not to worry about
making any donations as your care and concern already provides
great strength for the renovation, which will be completed in no
time.
In
November, I visited Medan, Indonesia where, Ven. Zong Ju organized
my Dharma Talk and Refuge Taking Ceremony, which attracted and
audience and participants in the thousands. Furthermore, the
Governor of Sumatra – Mr.Tengku
Rizal Nurdin invited me to a banquet along with six other
religious leaders in Indonesia, his effort in establishing
fellowship between different religions was indeed very
heartwarming. The next stop after Indonesia was Malaysia, and with
the help of Datuk Hiew Ming-yong, we went on a nine-day trip
around South East Asia. The purpose of this trip was to donate
wheelchairs to charities or religious groups in Laos, Cambodia,
Myanmar, Vietnam and Singapore. The wheelchairs were co-sponsored
by the BLIA and Tsao Chung Gih Foundation. I also met with some
government officials and Buddhist leaders in these countries. Most
importantly, I was finally able to fulfill my forty-year long wish
to visit South East Asian countries.
Laos,
Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam are all communists’ countries, and
they are also countries where Buddhism is their major religion.
While most are proud owners of world heritage sites, their
people’s standard of living is still waiting for better times.
For example, the Shwedagon Paya in Myanmar, is the heart of Yangon,
yet, pilgrims dressed in simple clothes whose eyes reflect the
purest of human nature surround it. Seeing them praying to the
Buddha sincerely, what is joined in their palms seems to be their
wish for none other than family happiness and a peaceful life.
Another of Myanmar’s cities – Bagan, a vast city of spiritual
monuments is said to have once had almost 7000 monuments. After
years of warfare, there are only two thousand left today.
Known
as one of the Seven Forgotten Medieval Wonders of the World –
Angkor Wat in Cambodia, had taken more than thirty years to
construct. It is one of the most beautiful and mysterious
historical sites in the world, yet, years of war and the Pol Pot
Regime has almost left the country in ruins. Even up until today,
the country is still in a period of restoration. Some of its
people even have to survive by begging on the streets. The
atrocious history and sad scenes on the streets contrast greatly
with the majestic Angkor Wat.
While
visiting leaders of Buddhist organizations in these cities, I
discovered that most of them
require financial assistance. Except for Thailand, most other
Theravada countries require assistance to maintain operation of
their order. To support their everyday life already requires much
effort, let alone the cost for a complete education and proper
monastic training. I am deeply worried by the lack of talented
people to promote Buddhism.
One
place in particular was the Nagalaigu Monastery in Yangon,
situated within the monastery was also a Buddhist College, housing
up to two thousand novice monks and nuns. Their average age
is only twelve, and half had been orphaned by the war. The head
Master of the Buddhist College was very compassionate to take them
in and raise them. He is trying his best to offer them a
comfortable life and proper education. Looking at the innocent
eyes of these adorable children made me feel so moved, therefore I
immediately donated ten thousand US dollars to the Buddhist
College, hoping that it will contribute to a better future for
these children.
This
nine-day visit to South East Asia is a big step toward the
possible unity between the Southern and Northern Schools of
Buddhism. In the future, I will continue to encourage student
exchange, the establishment of language centers and so on, to help
with monastic training and the task of bringing Southern School
Buddhism further onto the international stage.
Last
year, I spoke of the Four Trends, “Equality between monastic and
lay Buddhists, Humanization of Buddhist Teachings, Reading for
Life, and Localization of Buddhist Monasteries.” This year, I
would like to suggest four new trends, “Systemization of the
Association’s Affairs, Unification of Beliefs, Art and
Literature for Activities, and Modernization of Application.”
With these four new trends, I hope that the BLIA will be complete
in its system, Buddha’s Light members will follow the spirit of
one teacher and one path in terms of their spiritual belief, Fo
Guang Shan’s activities will involve deeper cultural value, and
the promotion of Buddhism will adopt modern methods to suit
contemporary society. May this mutually encourage us throughout
this year!
Life
is full of impermanence and the years are getting shorter. The
clock of life will never pause for any length of time. With deep
and unshaken belief in Buddhism, any hardship in life can surely
be overcome. Even though everything the world experiences -
formation, existence, breakdown and emptiness, our intrinsic
Buddha nature will always offer a sense of purity and joy.
In this New Year, may everyone continue to strengthen their faith
in Buddhism, nurture a compassionate mind like that of the Buddha,
and continue their journey through the wide path of wisdom and
enlightenment.
Best
wishes to all. May you be blessed with a wondrous mind and a
joyful heart!
Yours in the Dharma,
Hsing
Yun
|
|
