万佛圣城是新兴的道场，可以说是佛教的发源地，又可说是佛教的归源地。

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.

何以称为佛教的发源地？因为佛教在这个世界上，已经到了末法时代，真正依教修行的人寥寥无几，虽然挂名为佛教徒，但是所行所为和佛教完全相违背。所以佛教徒应该将佛教重新整顿，建立新佛教，令正法久住。万佛圣城决心将佛教重新复兴，所以说是佛教的发源地。

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.

又何以称为佛教的归原地？现在世界各地常发生毁佛焚经的惨痛现象，甚至有把寺庙改做工厂、娱乐场的情形。将清净地变成污秽地，逼得出家人无处可归；有的跑到山上，有的跑到海边。住在山上的修行人，以野蔬为膳；住在海边的修行人，以海草疗饥。他们受尽种种折磨，而不改其志，专心修持，这种不屈不挠的精神，实在令人景仰。这些苦难的行者，如果愿意来万佛圣城修道的话，是绝对欢迎的。我们不但欢迎这些不幸之人，同时也欢迎世界各地真正的修行人，来圣城共同修行。

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.

凡是诚心来圣城用功办道者，一律欢迎，我们不分宗派、种族、国籍及门户，一概一视同仁，平等待遇。万佛圣城是人人平等，个个自由，它不是属于某一人的，而是属于全世界所有宗教徒的（包括天主教、基督教、道教、回教、犹太教等）和所有众生的。这不是口号，而是真实的诺言。

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.

总之，无论什么宗教徒，凡是发真心修行的人，万佛圣城均表示欢迎。所以说万佛圣城是佛教的归原地。

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开示