BUDDHIST DELEGATION FROM TAIWAN VISITS GOLD MOUNTAIN

      On July 3, 1976, a delegation of Buddhists from Taiwan, headed by Great Master Hsing Yun()and Elder Master Chu Yun() arrived at San Francisco International Airport. The party of sixteen was warmly welcomed by members of the Sino-American Buddhist Association. Holding high gold and red banners bearing the names of eighty-eight Buddhas, and flags of welcoming the Gold Mountain assembly recited the Buddha's name as the delegation arrived, and then sang a newly composed song of welcome as they escorted the visitors to a specially reserved guest lounge. There, there was further welcome with speeches, songs, and formal bows to the Visiting delegation.

Above, a delegation of prominent Buddhists from Taiwan are greeted by members of the Sino-American Buddhist Association at the San Francisco International Airport. Great Master Hsing Yun an Elder Master Chu Yun headed the delegation.

      Songs sung in welcome included one composed by the Venerable Master Hsuan-hua with music by Bhikshuni Heng Yin. The Master's song goes:

STUDY BUDDHISM

A song by the Venerable Master Hsuan-hua

I’m really lucky

To study Buddhism.

Because last life

I planted good seeds

Now in this life

I’ve met good friends

And a good Knowing One

To teach me deep wisdom.

I wish that I could go

To Buddhahood real soon.

I hope so.

My Dharma friends and I together will go

To perfect Enlightenment.

The visiting delegation rode on the SABA float in the July 4th Bicentennial parade in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The bhikshunis of Fo Kuang Shan marched side by side with the bhikshunis of Gold Mountain, and laypersons from both communities rode in the Great Vehicle bus at the rear.

      Great Master Hsing Yun, founder and Abbot of Fo Kuang Shan. ("Buddha Light Mountain," a monastic complex) in Taiwan, gave several instructional talks during his visit at Gold Mountain Dhyana Monastery, and in a meeting to discuss the world-wide propagation of Buddhism he and Dharma Master Chu Yun  were in agreement in stressing that it is of primary importance for Asian

members of the Sangha to acquire fluent command of English in order to spread the orthodox teachings more effectively.

During the visitor's stay at Gold Mountain Monastery, nightly forums and Dhanna talks were held and opportunities were made available for everyone to share ideas about how to cooperate and unite the efforts of all Buddhists in order to disseminate the proper Dharma throughout the world.

Above, the Venerable Master Hsuan-hua and the Great Master Hsing-yun together offer instruction to the great assembly. During his visit the Great Master Hsing-yun consented to give nightly Dharma talks.

      The delegates also visited various other Bodhimandas in San Francisco, including the International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts where Bhikshuni Heng Yin outlined for them the method of translation used by the Buddhist Text Translation Society and answered questions. The Taiwan delegation and the Gold Mountain assembly boarded the "One Buddha Vehicle" (the capacious bus recently donated to the Association) and traveled North to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas for an overnight retreat. After a tour of the city, Dharma was spoken and much emphasis was placed upon the necessity for Buddhists all over the world to work together to insure the perpetuation and dissemination of the Buddhadharma. All enthusiastically agreed that the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is a Bodhimanda of such grand proportions that it is an ideal place to begin such a worldwide-united work for the Dharma. Plans were discussed or exchange programs with Buddha Light Mountain when Dharma Realm University opens at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the spring of 1977.

At the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas the visitors tour and discuss ways to develop the City into a worldwide Buddhist center.