news from the dharma realm

I. Ceremonies at the West Gate.

A. Raising the Buddhist Flag by Venerable Dhammananda Nakyana Thera, the Chief High Priest of Buddhism in Malaysia, and the Venerable Dharma Master Wei Seng, who is a Senior and Elder Dharma Master here in the United States. One of these Dharma Masters is from Shri Lanka, the other is Chinese from Manchuria, representing the union of the two major groups in Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.

B. Raising of the Flag of Dharma Realm Buddhist University by Supervisor DeMolino from Mendocino County who is representing the County at this Opening, and Supervisor of the County of San Francisco, Carol Ruth Silver, a Founding Trustee of Dharma Realm Buddhist University.

C. Speeches by dignitaries:

1. Blessing by Dharma Master Dhammananda:

Venerable Dharma Masters, honored guests, dear devotees: we are assembled here today to perform the most important religious service. According to the Buddha immediately after his enlightenment he uttered these words:

I have opened the gate to

immortality. Those who have

ears please pay attention

devoutly. Give us your confidence,

in order to find out

peace, happiness, and salvation.

Today we are going to open the gate to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas for the devotees who have confidence to cultivate their way of life, to live in this world as cultured, civilized, understanding, devout, religious, harmless people. When we look at the world today, we are not very happy. The behavior of humankind has gone so far it is uncontrolable. It is due to lack of understanding, lack of tolerance, lack of patience, due to misunderstanding and ignorance. A religious institute like Dharma Realm Buddhist University is opened to open the eyes of those who are blind in this world, who can not see a thing in proper perspective.

I hope this Buddhist institute can contribute a lot to educate the people all over the world. The governments and the religious, these two must work together to bring up humankind and to bring about peace here in this world. Otherwise, government alone is unable to control humankind, and religion alone is unable to bring up to cultivate their character and mentality. If government and religion join together hand and hand, we will be able to see a peaceful and happy, prosperous, contented nation. Therefore, on the behalf of the Buddhist community, we pray and hope that this country will prosper and may peace and happiness prevail among the citizens here in this country through this Buddhist institution. May the blessing of the Triple Jewel be upon you. May you all find peace and happiness. Thank you very much.

2. California State Assemblyman Douglas Bosco:

Venerable Dhammananda and guests, it is my great privilege on the behalf of the people of the state of California to welcome all of you today. Particularly we are honored to welcome those of you who have travelled many miles, some of you from other countries and far off places in the world, and we are most honored to have you as our guests in California today as you join in the celebration of this most wonderful occasion.

As we raised the flag a little while ago, the different flags symbolize to me the great diversity that we have in our country. Many people have made their way here to our shores from different parts of the world and they all bring their cultures, their religions, and their strengths. It has always been my belief that it is this diversity which will be our ultimate salvation and which is always our greatest combined strength. We are like a ship with many, many water-tight compartments, that can make its way through terrible storms and great adversity and yet stay afloat, because we have welcomed and always continue to welcome the diversity of all the world's people. Certainly this outpost now of Buddhism on our own continent is a symbol of this diversity. We are honored and proud to welcome this old and most revered religion, because to us it is a new challenge, a new excitement to learn the teachings and the great humanness of this religion. We welcome it; we welcome you. We know that for many years to come this place here will be a source of strength and hope for all the people of this country and the people of the world.

3. Venerable Dharma Master Wei Seng:

Good men and women of faith, on this occasion of the opening of Dharma Realm Buddhist University and the opening of the light on Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, I am honored to say a few words. "Dharma Realm" is a Buddhist technical term. There is a saying in Buddhism:

What has no beginning and no end,

No inside and no outside,

Is called the Dharma Realm.

The Dharma Realm:

Vertically exhausts the

three boundaries of time,

Horizontally pervades

the ten directions.

If someone in the university can accomplish the Bodhisattva Way, then that person's scope extends not just through the United States but through the entire world; not just this world, but the worlds of this direction and other directions, reaching everywhere. The relationships are very complex. Anyone who cultivates the Bodhisattva Way can do this, and so we should support and maintain this University. If you can help Dharma Realm Buddhist University, you will have inconceivable merit and virtue.

4. Dharma Master Yin Hai from Los Angeles:

Dharma brothers and sisters, fellow cultivators of the Way, today we are very pleased to attend the ceremony for the opening of Dharma Realm Buddhist University and the opening of the light on Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva. As most of you know, Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva is the Bodhisattva of great kindness and great compassion. Today there have arisen many problems in the world, and we hope that Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva with great kindness and great compassion will protect everyone in mind and body and cause them to develop in the same way. For we believe in the Buddhadharma and admire the great kindness and great compassion of Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva, and so we should embody these great qualities in our own persons. That way we can become true disciples of the Buddha. I hope that you will all receive the great kindness and great compassion of Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva.