Upon the passing of the Most Venerable Dharma Master
Hsuan Hua, I would like to express my sincere
condolences to all his Buddhist followers.

The Holyman was an inspiration to all who knew him,
to all who followed his teachings. His good works, his
helping others made him a true “Point of Light.”

He was a truly compassionate man, and he will be
sorely missed.

Respectfully submitted,

15 June 1995

The Sangha
City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Talmage, California

From the community of monasteries under the direction of Venerable Ajahn Sumedho--Amaravati, Cittaviveka, Ratanagiri, Devon Vihare, Dhammapala, Santacittarama, Bodhinyanarama─we send our greetings and respects to the Sangha of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Gold Mountain Monastery and all their branches and Way-places. We ask to participate in the cultivation of Dharma around the passing away of Venerable Tripitika Master Hsuan Hua; we make an offering of our practice in respect to his great example. And in the spirit of Sangha, we wish to inform you of that participation.

Many of us treasure our meetings with the Venerable Master and his disciples; others may well regret that they did not have the opportunity to see him in person. Although the teachings are preserved in books, the presence of his practice-example is irreplaceable. We feel that it is now the Sangha who must carry that example onwards and we wish you the strength, the clarity and resolve to fulfill this aim.

In Dharma, on behalf of our communities,

Venerable Ajahn Sumedho
Thiradhammo Bhikkhu
Viradhammo Bhikkhu
Sucitto Bhikkhu
Munindo Bhikkhu
Thanavaro Bhikkhu
Vajiro Bhikkhu
Subbato Bhikkhu

To the Administration Office
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
U.S.A.

All Great Dharma Masters:

I was very shocked to learn about the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua’s departure from this world. As a disciple, I wept and was stricken with grief. The Venerable Master lost his father at a very young age, and then he sat by his mother’s grave for three years. When he was about twenty years old, he left the home-life. After he received instructions from his Bright-eyed Teacher, he practiced the austerities of taking one meal a day and not lying down to sleep until he departed from this world. He was a monk for over sixty years, and I have known him for forty-eight years. His Precept years were fifty years. He stayed in San Francisco and single-mindedly cultivated the Buddhas’ practices of the Four Purities. He established Way-places for thirty years, lecturing on Sutras and saving living beings, accomplishing great merit. This is not something that ordinary people could do.

Although the Venerable Master is gone, there is still work to be done. Based on my friendship with the Venerable Master for over forty years, and despite my ignorance, I wish to make the following suggestions for you to consider:

1. Do not change the rules or schedules in any of the Way-places, but follow the Venerable Master’s teachings and vigorously cultivate. Don’t let grief overwhelm you.

2. Establish a harmonious Sangha community to protect the Dharma according to instructions. Following his teachings, cooperate with and trust each other in order to protect the Proper Dharma, to propagate Buddhism, and to promote world peace.

3. There should be a seven-week Dharma Assembly in memory of the Venerable Master. People can take turns reciting the Buddha’s name without letting the recitation stop.

4. Continue the elementary schools, the high schools, and Dharma Realm Buddhist University, and the Translation Institute. Do a good job to follow the intentions set forth by our Compassionate Teacher. Do not go against the Teacher’s purport.

Disciple Zhi Can weeps and bows in shame
June 14, 1995

June 27, 1995
Mr. John B. Tsu
c/o D.R. Buddhist Association
City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Talmage, California 95841-0217

Dear Mr. Tsu:
This is to inform you that, upon a motion made by Supervisor Mabel Teng, the Board of Supervisors adjourned its regular meeting of June 26, 1995, out of respect to the memory of Venerable Master Hsuan Hua.

The members of the Board, with a profound sense of civic and personal loss, are conscious of the many fine qualities of heart and mind which distinguished and brought justifiable appreciation to Venerable Master Hua.

The Supervisors realize that mere words can mean so little to you at a time such as this, but they do want you and the members of your family to know of their deep sympathy and heartfelt condolence.

John L. Taylor
Clerk of the Board
[Board of Supervisors, City and County of San Francisco]

June 30, 1995
Honorable John B. Tsu
D.R. Buddhist Association

Dear Honorable Tsu:

I would like to offer my sincerest condolences on the passing of the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua. I would be honored to serve as a member of the Memorial Service Committee for the Holyman.

I also want to let you know that upon my request, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors adjourned its regular meeting of June 26, 1995, out of respect to the memory of the Venerable Master. Attached is a letter of condolence from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Sincerely yours,

Supervisor Mabel Teng
[Board of Supervisors, City and County of San Francisco]

June 17, 1995

Members of the Sangha
City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Talmage, California

Dear Friends,

This morning I shared with you as respect and honor was given to Master Hua in his final return to the residence at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. I also wanted to add my words of respect to the many memorials shortly to be received during this period of mourning.

There are few in the community surrounding the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas who have any idea of the very great impact the Venerable Master on the world. I am certain that my understanding is limited, but it has been informed by several years of enriching contact as I have been a frequent visitor and guest at the City.

The Master’s imperative vision of making the sacred texts of Buddhism available to the Western world has resulted in much deeper understanding among people of diverse faiths and in the academic community where the practice of Buddhism could be seen to complement the investigation of texts. In all of these things, the vision has been made tangible by the continuing work of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and its diverse service to the world.

As a teacher of World Religions, I continue to appreciate the companionship of those who are seeking truth with integrity and dignity. As a Christian, I have appreciated the counsel and example of Master Hua to affirm in each person the freedom to pursue an authentic spiritual path. I have experienced this affirmation in both my academic and my religious pursuits through every contact with the Dharma Realm Buddhist University, and the community of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

I share with you a small portion of the sense of loss. I also share a confident sense of the importance of completing a work so well begun. I extend to you my deepest sympathy and my warmest hope that Master Hua’s vision may be made more complete in the tasks that lie ahead.

Sincerely,

Thomas F. MacMillan, Ed.D.
Faculty Member, Philosophy
Mendocino College

6.19.95

Dear Terry

Every person who met the Venerable Master was transformed, some greatly, some in small ways. Without attachment he was pleased to have a great institution built up around him. But he also rejoiced that the sun rose in the morning and that a child received lessons

Sincerely,
Carol Ruth Silver

To the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association of the USA:

We were all shocked to receive the unfortunate news that the Venerable Master Hua has completed the stillness, and we are extremely grieved.

We will forever remember the Venerable Master’s concern for the Buddhist affairs of Jining. We will always remember the Venerable Master’s support for the educational activities of Jining. We will always remember the lofty example the Venerable Master set with his fervent patriotism and his enthusiasm for the cause of world peace.

We wish to express our most sincere condolence to all Dharma Masters and lay members of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association.

Overseas Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Jining
June 12, 1995

Dear Dr. Epstein:

The news of the Elder Dharma Master came. I was very shocked, because I never expected this. Right now, I have a serious illness, and I may not be able to come at this time. May I trouble you to explain this to the Sangha and Laity. Give my regards to your wife, as well.

Cheng Xi
June 16, 1995