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9月16日，金輪聖寺為預祝成立30週年，特別舉辦梁皇寶懺法會，並邀請恆實法師傳授幽冥戒，以祈求世界和平、人心安定。由於因緣殊勝難得，十方信眾踴躍參加，發心懺悔，以求罪障消除、增福延壽。同時金輪聖寺也邀請法界總會各道場的法師，前來共襄盛舉；共有29位法師，皆雲集於此梁皇寶懺盛會，以迴向有情，冥陽兩利。金輪寺一時佛光普照，真可謂「大放光明轉法輪」了。
三十週年，於金輪寺而言，意義非同尋常，因為金輪寺乃1976年上人於南加州最早建立的道場。當時由於洛杉磯居士的發心懇請，上人每月風雨無阻的，固定一次，或多次南駕洛杉磯為信眾說法或傳授皈依。後來信眾日多，於是在南帕沙迪那市的杭廷頓街5743號，購置小小的幼稚園，正式成立佛堂，命名為「金輪聖寺」。
次年1977年，恆實法師、恆朝法師兩位行者，為祈求世界和平，發心三步一拜，由新成立的金輪聖寺出發，歷時二年十個月，行經八百哩路，才抵達萬佛聖城，此乃西方佛教史上一大盛事。如今忽忽已過三十載，小小幼稚園規模般的金輪寺，也因法務日增，於1979年遷至鷹石市。不久居士日多，場地不敷使用，1982年移至第六街。後來因緣所致，於1989年底，再遷至洛杉磯高地公園58街的現址。
三十年後的今天，三步一拜的恆實法師再度來到金輪聖寺，主持梁皇寶懺法會，並傳授幽冥戒，為大眾開示說法。這彷彿又回到30年前，上人在洛杉磯為信眾開示道：「很多生以前，我們曾經同在一個法會上，我們當時發願要來這塊土地、到這個國家，來弘揚佛法；有些發願來作比丘、比丘尼，有些人發願作個護法居士；現在因緣成熟了，乘願再來，所以我們又聚在一起了！」
由於往昔的因緣，大家今日又在梁皇寶懺法會中相逢共修，來完成我們的願力；因此彼此的因緣都是很深的，三十年來，物換星移，恍若一場夢，如虛似幻，我們不過如上人所說的「在夢中大作佛事」而已。雖然人生如夢，但大眾的感受卻是真實的，世上沒有一件事情是可以超出因緣法的，所以說：「法不孤起，仗境方生；道不虛行，遇緣則應。」如今上人雖已示涅槃，但法輪卻依然轉著、轉著…。
為了籌備30週年預祝法會，金輪寺全體上下，通力合作，在法師的帶領下，打掃清理環境，將剛整修完成的金輪寺重新佈置整理得煥然一新；一入寺內，巍巍大殿，開敞明亮，莊嚴富麗，香花如雲，遍滿四方，令人心生法喜，連連稱歎！大眾沐浴在清淨的道場裡，專心拜懺，至誠又懇切！此次法會中擔任維那的良法師，慈悲柔軟的梵唱，配合著默契極佳的教法師，是如此清越悠揚；聞之莫不發菩提心，至誠禮懺，以祈求內心祥和，罪障消除。在良法師的帶領下，大眾莊嚴的佛號聲，如海潮般，此起彼落，一浪接一浪，縈繞著整個佛殿，久久不去，彷彿置身在一片音聲海中。白髮皤皤，年屆七旬、八旬的老居士們，亦隨著悠揚的梵唄聲，佝僂著背，緩緩地一佛一拜，不曾停歇，場面至為溫馨感人。
午齋期間，齋堂滿座，幾無虛席，大家安靜用齋，聆聽法師開示；持法師、是法師、慎法師、教法師等諸位法師，不顧疲累，為大眾開示說法，嚴肅中不失輕鬆活潑。在座中，伴著金輪寺成長的老佛友們，聽來倍感親切；新進的佛友們，也法喜充滿。
上人曾鼓勵金輪寺的弟子們，要以「金輪」兩字來修行，所謂「金」，就是「千魔不退，萬難不屈的堅固道心」；「輪」，就是「恆轉向前，永不退轉的菩提心」。上人要弟子們生生世世以「永不退轉的道心」來成佛。我們為感念師恩，惟有精進不懈，依教奉行；今日在梁皇寶懺法會中相逢，來日更要在蓮池海會中再相逢，願以此與大眾共勉之！阿彌陀佛！
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On September 16, 2005, in an advance celebration of Gold Wheel Monastery’s thirtieth anniversary, the Jeweled Repentance of Emperor Liang was held and the Precepts for the Deceased were transmitted. By means of these Dharma assemblies, we pray for world peace and harmony among humankind. Knowing how difficult it is to encounter such auspicious causes and conditions, devotees from the ten directions enthusiastically participated. Gold Wheel Monastery also invited Dharma Masters from the various monasteries of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) to come together for this great celebration. All together, there were twenty-nine Dharma Masters, plus a number of Dharma-protecting laity from the other DRBA monasteries, who came to Gold Wheel Monastery. Everyone sincerely bowed in repentance and transferred the merit to all sentient beings, benefiting both the living and those of the underworld. The Buddha’s light shone forth in Gold Wheel Monastery and it can truly be described as, “Greatly illuminating, Turning the Dharma Wheel.”
For Gold Wheel Monastery, the meaning and essence of the thirtieth anniversary surpasses ordinary events. Gold Wheel Monastery is the first monastery that Venerable Master Hsuan Hua established in Southern California in 1976. During that time, in response to sincere requests from laypeople in Los Angeles, the Venerable Master would travel down from Northern California at least once a month, rain or shine, to speak the Dharma for them or to transmit the Three Refuges. Later on, the number of faithful devotees grew. Hence, a small building located at 5743 Huntington Drive in South Pasadena was purchased and officially established as a Buddha Hall named ‘Gold Wheel Sagely Monastery’.
In 1977, praying for world peace, Dharma Master Sure and Dharma Master Chau resolved to go on a pilgrimage to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Starting from the newly established Gold Wheel Monastery, they embarked on a journey of Three-Steps-One-Bow that covered eight hundred miles, arriving at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas after two years and ten months. This is an important milestone in the history of Buddhism in the West that happened three decades ago. In 1979, Gold Wheel Monastery moved to Eagle Rock. As the numbers of laypeople increased, more space was needed. In 1982, Gold Wheel Monastery moved to Sixth Street. In 1989, as causes and conditions took their course, Gold Wheel Monastery once again moved, this time to Avenue 58 in Highland Park, where it is currently situated.
After three decades, Dharma Master Sure came to Gold Wheel Monastery to host the Jeweled Repentance of Emperor Liang, transmit the Precepts for the Deceased, and speak the Dharma. It is like going back to thirty years ago when the Venerable Master told the laypeople in Los Angeles, “We have been together in a Dharma assembly many lives past. During that time, we made the vow to come to this land, to this country, to propagate the Buddhadharma. Some made the vow to come as Bhikshus or Bhikshunis; some, as Dharma-protecting laity. Now, the causes and conditions have matured, so we are now transported by our vows to gather together in this assembly.” Due to causes and conditions from the past, we are now together in this Jeweled Repentance of Emperor Liang, practicing together, fulfilling the vows we made. Therefore, the causes and conditions that brought us together are profound. A lot has transpired within the course of thirty years. It passed by swiftly like a dream, like an illusion. In essence, we are doing exactly what the Venerable Master said – extensively carrying out the Buddha’s mission in our dreams. Although human life is like a dream, our senses feel so real. Everything in this world revolves around the dharma of causes and conditions. Hence, it is said: The dharma does not arise by itself, it is prompted by circumstance. The Way is not walked for no purpose; it responds according to conditions. Even though the Venerable Master has entered nirvana, the Dharma wheel nevertheless continues to turn on and on…
In preparation for this celebration, everyone in Gold Wheel Monastery worked together under the guidance of the Dharma Masters. The monastery was cleaned up and redecorated after the recent renovation. Upon setting foot inside it, one saw the beautifully adorned Buddha Hall. The fragrance of flowers wafted in all four directions. Everybody was filled with the joy of the Dharma. Bathed in the purity of the monastery, the assembly sincerely and singlemindedly bowed in repentance. Dharma Master Heng Liang’s gentle chanting, flowing with compassion, together with Dharma Master Heng Jiao’s harmonizing counterpart, inspired everyone to bring forth the resolve for Bodhi and sincerely repent in order to seek inner peace and the eradication of karmic obstacles. Led by Dharma Master Heng Liang, the splendid chanting of the entire assembly reverberated throughout the Buddha Hall, immersing everybody in an ocean of wondrous sounds. Even the elderly seventy and eighty year olds bowed and chanted, determined not to miss out. It was a touching scene.
At lunchtime, the dining hall was completely full. Everybody ate in silence and listened to Dharma talks given by Dharma Masters Heng Chih, Heng Shr, Heng Shen, Heng Jiao and many others. They displayed a serene composure and yet conveyed a sense of lightheartedness. The oldtimers of Gold Wheel Monastery listened with a warm sense of connection and newcomers were filled with the joy of Dharma as well.
The Venerable Master used to encourage his disciples in Gold Wheel Monastery to adopt these two words – Gold Wheel – in their cultivation. ‘Gold’ represents not retreating in the face of a thousand demons, not giving up when confronted by tens of thousands of difficulties, bearing a steadfast resolve for the Way. ‘Wheel’ refers to the Bodhi resolve constantly turning and going forward, never falling back. The Venerable Master wanted his disciples to have a non-retreating resolve for the Way in life after life until they become Buddhas. In gratitude to our Venerable Master, we must follow his teaching and advance with vigor. At present, we see each other in the Dharma assembly of the Jeweled Repentance of Emperor Liang. In the future, we hope to see each other in the Sea-vast Assembly of Lotus Pools. This is my wish and exhortation to everybody. Amitofo!
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