The celebration of the Buddha's birth on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month (May 22 this year) is a very special day for Buddhists. Devotees from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, and Canada who came especially for this event, as well as those who remained at the conclusion of the Jeweled Repentance before Ten Thousand Buddhas, convened in the Buddha Hall to celebrate. Reciting the True Words for Bathing the Buddha, "Nan di sha di sha seng qie suo he," the assembly walked in lines to the site for bathing the Buddha, where they poured fragrant chandana water over the baby Buddha statue, symbolically cleansing their own inherent natures. As Bhikshuni Heng Liang Shi said, "We can bathe the Buddha every day, thereby purifying ourselves and growing in our Dharma bodies and wisdom lives and increasing our thoughts of kindness, compassion, joy, and giving."

During the luncheon, Mayor Jim Matson of Ukiah said that he came to attend the event with genuine sincerity, for his two sons are studying at the Boys School and his daughter graduated from the Girls School at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. The Mayor professed his deep faith in the education at the City, which his children will remember forever.

During his closing speech, the Abbot, Heng Lyu Shi, said, "We respect the Buddha for his compassion and wisdom. Compassion means not contending or getting mad. Wisdom means not being greedy or indulging in desire."

After the ceremony for ending the meal, the Boys School students performed the Lion Dance for the guests. The Buddha's Birth­day Celebration ended amidst enthusiastic applause.

Before the luncheon began on the Buddha's Birthday, a very special ceremony was held in the Five Contemplations Dining Hall at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas--the Commencement Exercises for the young novice monks. Guo Wei Shi, Guo Zhi Shi, and Qin Shuo Shi graduated from Developing Virtue High School. Guo Ding Shi and Qin Dao Shi advanced from junior high school to high school. Sixteen-year-old Guo Ying Shi and fifteen-year-old Guo Zhan Shi passed the California High School Proficiency Examination. The more than one thousand guests who came to celebrate the Buddha's birthday shared in the happiness of the young novices. Dharma Master Heng Sure handed out the diplomas and certificates.

These young novices whose heads the Venerable Master had personally shaved in 1993 (accepting them into the Sangha) have grown into active young men. In addition to leaving home and cultivating during these six years. they have also been completing their basic elementary and high school education. The seeds planted by the Master are sprouting and growing before our very eyes. the fourfold assembly has long anticipated this day, and everyone was elated.

Seeing the failure of education around the world, with students pursuing fame and profit, the Venerable Master resolutely established schools and classes to promote virtue-based education in every Way-place. Dharma Master Heng Sure said, "We hope that in the future when we ask students why they study, they will say, 'I want to enter the monastic life in order to propagate the Buddhadharma and pass on the torch of Buddha's wisdom. That way I can benefit the world.' That is the day we are looking forward to."

During the weekend of May 29-30, nearly 100 current students, faculty and alumni from Instilling Goddness and Developing Virtue Schools and other DRBA community members convened at the City of the Dharma Realm in West Sacramento for the first Dharma Realm Buddhist Youth Conference. The aim of the conference, which coincided with Cherishing Youth Day, was to open a dialogue among the various groups of people who have been part of the CTTB (City of Ten Thousand Buddhas) community. Discussions workshop, and activities focused on discovering the meaning of being a Buddhist in today's society, sharing experiences both at CTTB and beyond, and creating the Dharma Realm Buddhist Youth group to support today's young people, beginning with those in our own school or associated with DRBA. The conference was definitely a successful beginning, a stepping stone towards a brighter future for all youth.

Time is like water, flowing without cease. The time came again for graduation at Developing Virtue High School. The Boys School and Girl School held their Commencement Exercises on June 3 and 4, respectively. Four students graduated from the Boys School: Tony Wang, James Lan, William Chen, and Edwin Li. James Lan graduated early due to outstanding academic achievement, and Edwin received a California High School Proficiency Certificate. Five students graduated from the Girls School: Chee-lim Boh, Cathy Kuan, Violet Asfour (also graduating early), Qin Xiu Shi, and Guo Fang Shi. The graduates were accepted to colleges such as U.C. (University of California) Santa Clara and University of Washington. They will be entering a new stage of their lives.