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上人，名安慈，字度輪，接虛雲老和尚法，嗣溈仰，法號宣化。
籍東北，誕於清末民初。年十九出家，廬墓為母守孝三年。
修禪定，習教觀，日一食，夜不臥，修種種梵行，行腳參方，親近虛雲老和尚及當代耆德。
一九四九年抵香港，成立佛教講堂等道場。
一九六二年攜正法西來，在美開演大乘經典數十部，陞座說法萬餘次，是在美國建立三寶的第一人。
歷年來，上人創辦法界佛教總會及所屬道場機構多處。
他教導東西善信，實踐佛法於日常生活；又訓練弟子翻譯經典、興辦教育，並督導法總所屬各道場之僧眾，成為真正行持佛法之僧團。
一九九五年六月七日，上人圓寂於美國洛杉磯，慧日遽殞，世人同悲；高僧示寂，風範猶存。
上人一生大公無私，他慈悲智慧的教化，已令無數人改過自新，走向清淨高尚的菩提大道。故特恭錄上人所作「長白乞士」偈，以為後人之道範。
長白乞士性憨直 助人利他唯恐遲
為法忘軀捐生命 應病與藥捨髓皮
願同十萬成一體 行盡虛空攝萬機
無去無來無現在 亦無南北與東西 |
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The Venerable Master Hsuan Hua was also known as An Tse and To Lun. The name Hsuan Hua was bestowed upon him after he received the transmission of the Wei Yang Lineage of the Chan School
from Venerable Elder Hsu Yun. Venerable Master Hua was born in Manchuria in the beginning of the last century.He left the home life
at the age of nineteen. After the death of his mother, he lived in a tiny thatched hut by her graveside for three years, as an act of
filial respect. During that time, he practiced meditation and studied the Buddha's teachings. Among his many practices were eating
only once a day at midday and never lying down to sleep.
He cultivated various practices of purity and traveled to study with various eminent and virtuous monks, such as the Venerable Elder Hsu
Yun. In 1948 the Master arrived in Hong Kong, where he founded the Buddhist Lecture Hall and other monasteries. In 1962 he brought the
Proper Dharma to America and the West, where he lectured extensively on the major works of the Mahayana Buddhist canon. Delivering more
than ten thousand lectures, he was the first person to establish the Triple Jewel in the United States.Over the years, the Master
established the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) and its numerous affiliated monasteries and centers. He taught both Western
and Asian disciples to apply the Dharma in daily life. He also taught disciples to translate the canon and set up educational
institutions, and he guided the Sangha members in DRBA monasteries to truly practice and uphold the Buddhadharma.
The Master passed into stillness on June 7, 1995, in Los Angeles, U.S.A., causing many people throughout the world to mourn the sudden
setting of the sun of wisdom. Although he has passed on, his lofty example will always be remembered. Throughout his life he worked
selflessly and vigorously to benefit the people of the world and all living beings. His wisdom and compassion inspired many to correct
their faults and lead wholesome lives. Here we include the Verse of the Mendicant of Chang Bai written by the Venerable Master to serve
as a model for all of us to emulate.
The Mendicant of Chang Bai was simple and honest in nature.
He was always eager to help people and benefit others.
Forgetting himself for the sake of the Dharma,
he was willing to sacrifice his life.
Bestowing medicines according to people's illnesses,
he offered his own marrow and skin.
His vow was to unite as one with millions of beings.
His practice pervaded space as he gathered in the myriad potentials,
Without regard for past, future, or present;
With no distinctions of north, south, east, or west. |
