萬佛聖城是新興的道場，可以說是佛教的發源地，又可說是佛教的歸源地。

The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is a new place for cultivation. You could say it’s the fountainhead of Buddhism, or the home base of Buddhism.

何以稱為佛教的發源地？因為佛教在這個世界上，已經到了末法時代，真正依教修行的人寥寥無幾，雖然掛名為佛教徒，但是所行所為和佛教完全相違背。所以佛教徒應該將佛教重新整頓，建立新佛教，令正法久住。萬佛聖城決心將佛教重新復興，所以說是佛教的發源地。

Why call it the fountainhead of Buddhism? Buddhism has reached the Dharma-ending Age and very few people truly cultivate in accord with the Buddha’s teaching. Although they call themselves Buddhists, their behavior goes against Buddha’s teachings in every way. Therefore, Buddhists ought to bring about a reform and build a new Buddhism in order to perpetuate the Proper Dharma in the world. The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is determined to revive Buddhism; hence it can be called the fountainhead of Buddhism.

又何以稱為佛教的歸原地？現在世界各地常發生毀佛焚經的慘痛現象，甚至有把寺廟改做工廠、娛樂場的情形。將清淨地變成污穢地，逼得出家人無處可歸；有的跑到山上，有的跑到海邊。住在山上的修行人，以野蔬為膳；住在海邊的修行人，以海草療飢。他們受盡種種折磨，而不改其志，專心修持，這種不屈不撓的精神，實在令人景仰。這些苦難的行者，如果願意來萬佛聖城修道的話，是絕對歡迎的。我們不但歡迎這些不幸之人，同時也歡迎世界各地真正的修行人，來聖城共同修行。

Why call it the home base of Buddhism? In the world today, there are many tragic instances of Buddha images and Sutras being burned. Sometimes temples are even converted into factories or recreational centers. Pure and holy places are desecrated, and monks and nuns are left with nowhere to stay. Some flee to the mountains; others go to live by the ocean. Cultivators living in the mountains survive on wild vegetables, while those living by the sea satisfy their hunger with seaweed. Despite all the trials and tribulations they go through, their resolve doesn’t waver and they remain devoted to their cultivation. Their indomitable spirit is truly admirable. Cultivators who have suffered so much are definitely welcome at the Sagely City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, if they wish to come. Not only do we welcome these unfortunate people, but we also invite true cultivators from all over the world to come to the Sagely City to cultivate together.

凡是誠心來聖城用功辦道者，一律歡迎，我們不分宗派、種族、國籍及門戶，一概一視同仁，平等待遇。萬佛聖城是人人平等，個個自由，它不是屬於某一人的，而是屬於全世界所有宗教徒的（包括天主教、基督教、道教、回教、猶太教等）和所有眾生的。這不是口號，而是真實的諾言。

Anyone who comes to the Sagely City with a sincere intent to practice the Way is welcome. Everyone here is treated equally regardless of his or her religion, race, nationality, and social status. Everyone at the Sagely City enjoys equality and freedom. The Sagely City does not belong to any one person; it belongs to the people of all the world’s religions (including Catholicism, Protestantism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, and so on) as well as to all living beings. This isn’t just empty talk. It’s an honest promise.

總之，無論什麼宗教徒，凡是發真心修行的人，萬佛聖城均表示歡迎。所以說萬佛聖城是佛教的歸原地。

Regardless of his or her religion, any person who is sincere about cultivating is welcome at the Sagely City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Thus we say the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is the home base of Buddhism.

一九八四年九月廿九日開示