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法界佛教總會十八位會員，月前接受美國總統布希的邀请，前往華府，參加今（九二）年四月二十八日的總統餐宴。
布希總統是在四年前，以雷根的副總統身份參選總統。在舊金山普茨茅斯廣場進行大選活動時，受到宣化上人的歡迎。這次布希總統邀请上人一行前往白宮，正是回應四年前的首次會面。
當時是一九八八年九月十四日，華裔領袖聚集在舊金山普茨茅斯廣場，歡迎時任副總統的布希。宣化上人以華裔頷袖發言人的身份對群眾講話：
「我們住在美國，應该選出一位最聪明、有大智慧、大公無私、不偏不倚的總統。身為總統應該以身作則，不爭、不貪、不求、不自私、不自利、不妄語。符合这些條件的人，就是最夠資格的總統。」
布希先生記得這次的接觸，並邀请上人參加總統晚宴。上人率領的法界佛教總會代表團由比丘、比丘尼、與來自馬來西亞、香港、台灣、越南、新加坡、中國大陸、加拿大等地的居士，再加上法界總會在舊金山、柏林根國際譯經學院、萬佛聖城等地的會員共同組成。
被問及為什麼有這麼多佛教人士参加共和黨餐會？法界佛教代表團團員回答：「首先，我們是應邀而來。其次，佛教徒關心國家的福祉。一個安定的國家才能普遍為各宗教帶來福祉。特別的是，我們正從事教育的重建改造，要將有益的傳統美德，灌輸給年輕人，所以我們前來發表聲明。」
「佛教是一種主流宗教，政府安定時，宗教才能興盛。安定的政府為民眾帶來福利、提供服務。我們感到有責任支持政府、使政府安定，則所有的人民共蒙其惠。如此一來，一切好人的利益均將藉此而向前推進。」
有人置評道：「我從來不知道佛教徒是共和黨人。」
佛教徒回答：「我們無黨無派，但是既然我們共飲這塊土地的水，食用這塊土地所結的果實，我們也共享它治理體系的自由，這一切使我們自然而然地為美國的最佳利益而努力。我們認為佛教徒以其正知正見、正確的努力，足以為國家以及全世界付出貢獻。來此參加餐會，正說明了我們的參與。我們並不限於支持、效忠於單一政黨，我們要運用我們的自由，為大家共同面臨的問題，提供新的解決方式，使這個國家能夠長治久安、成為適宜居住的樂土。我們促成利益全民，包括共和黨人、民主黨人、獨立黨派人土，以及所有政治派別的朋友、鄰居。」
四月二十八日早上，法界佛教總會代表團的團員在美國首府參加各式各樣的特別活動。
美國國會參眾兩院的領袖，由參議院多數黨領袖、堪薩斯州的參議員羅伯杜爾，以及參議員羅伯密契爾，共同在國會餐廳請大家吃早點。萬佛聖城法界大學美籍教授易象乾博土、與洛杉磯的林醫師共同代表法界佛教總會，前往參加早宴。
接著，杜爾參議員在舊的參院圖書館住持接待儀式。比丘恆來及居士胡公浩參加了這場有三十位國會領袖參加的小型聚會，同這些國會領袖交談，並跟參議員們合照留念。
比丘尼恆貴、法界佛教總會董事黃可泰、洛杉磯黃明祿醫師、女居士康蘿莎則前往美國副總統丹奎爾及夫人瑪莉琳的官邸，參加午宴。美國副總統的官邸位於海軍天文台基地。
比丘恆實、女居士吳胡果項、居士果勒、與黃果林則拜訪白宮，聽布希總統的演講，並與總統暨夫人握手，簡短交談。
四月二十八日晚間，參加總統晚宴的十八名上人弟子都到齊了。除了前述諸位之外，還有比丘尼恆通、法界大學亞洲區校長何伯超，女居士鄭碧華及古國英等人。另外，嚴新教授也自紐約搭機前來會合。
當天傍晚六時正，法界佛教總會代表團抵達華府會議中心，參加雞尾酒會。比丘與比丘尼分別穿著橘紅色及黃色的袈裟；居士們則以晚禮服盛裝與會。雞尾酒會之後是晚宴，大家聽取了晚會主席貝克奎爾與總統本人的演講。
特別來賓－－美國教育部副部長大衛克恩偕夫人來到佛教徒桌前。宣化上人與這位副部長就美國教育現況交換意見。
「您說，今天在這個世界上，有什麼地方教得好年輕人？」上人問道：「我知道這是很少有人說的，但我敢說別人不敢說的話，這個世界的德教育已經在破產邊緣，孩子們在學校學的不是如何做好人，而是學抽煙、性、反抗父母。他們在學校所學到的是，要儘快學會最賺錢的謀生技能，以及過著最富裕、最自我放縱的生活方式。孩子們從小就學著如何爭取最高薪資。
另外一點是，坦白說，美國各學校對兒童的影響遠不及電視對兒童的教育。我並不完全嚴厲責怪電視，它畢竟給我們帶來一些好處，但是，我們讓電視成為學校教育孩子的最主要工具，卻是大錯特錯。」
克恩先生回答道：「我雖然百分之百同意您對於學校教育危機的看法，不過，我不盡然同意您所說的教育系統完全破產。這套系統雖然失敗，但我們只消將它整修。」
上人繼續說：「當課堂上將宗教當作禁忌、避而不談時，所有的價值也同時成為禁忌。我們不須教小朋友宗教，但是，如果兒童連如何做個堂堂正正的人，以及做個負責公民的基本標準都無法在課堂上聽到的話，一旦離開學校後，肯定再沒有機會聽得到了。傳統的美德：孝、愛、忠、誠、禮、義、廉、恥都沒有人教了。寶貴的求學歲月只成了訓練人將來光會追求消費的樂趣。」
副教育部長克恩問：「我可不可以請問，上人對於這種情況有什麼對治的建議嗎？」
「治療這個國家教育毛病的最好良藥，事實上，就是一劑妙藥，可以解決全世界年輕人的問題：那就是『孝悌』。如果能夠以身作則教導學生，從開始就要聽父母的話，尊敬師長，那麼我們現在面臨的危險情況，有大部分根本不會出現。重要的是，如果我們不教會小孩子孝順的價值，那麼任何其他的解決方法都是治標不治本，不能對症下藥。對於這個問題，我的解決辦法是，以身作則，教導所有美德的基礎，孝順。」
克恩先生說：「我非常感謝您的明眼觀察，我一回到辦公室，就會寄給您我的一本書『贏得頭腦競賽』，以及一份總統談及公元二千年教育的說明。希望能夠儘快再見到您，好詳細談論這個問題。」
法界佛教大學美洲區校長道格拉斯包爾斯與季爾斯夫婦交換意見，討論如何是最好的方式，將日用倫常因果的道理，介紹到教室裡。我們生活是經驗的累積，而非如在舞台上，要靠專門技術來解決問題。在西方，道德在傳統上，是與宗教息息相關的。因此當科學向基本的宗教理念挑戰時，道德觀念也殃及魚池成為眾矢之的。這種關係，實為不幸。因為在佛教來說，因果律是世俗的真理，亦是宇宙的真理。
“如是因如是果”，此原理是超越時間的，小孩若能受教此理，長大成人後，必能做事負責，敢做敢當。這不是一個宗教的問題。依佛陀教義，道德就是科學。學校應提供如何面對人生的主要基礎，而不是灌輸更多專業知識及技能，以為如此便能在道德的決擇上，找出一條方便快速的捷徑。
隆爾德易伯斯天教授，向季爾斯夫人介紹了育良小學及培德中學。這些佛教學校，教學生打坐素食，教學重點不在神學，而在如何啟發智慧，及將其運用於日常生活中。
晚餐後，上人在白宮參加亞裔領袖的簡報，在會上，白宮官員聽取亞裔領袖的建言，來解決美國多種族社會的挑戰。
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Eighteen members of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association accepted an invitation from George Bush, the President of the United States, to attend the President's Dinner on April 28,1992 in Washington, D.C.
The invitation came from the President, in response to his first meeting with the Ven. Abbot four years ago, who greeted him at Portsmouth Square in San Francisco, while Mr. Bush was campaigning as Reagan's Vice-President.
On September 14, 1988, the Ven. Abbot spoke these words to the crowd at Portsmouth Square as a spokesman for community leaders who had gathered to greet the Vice President:
"We are living in America, and we should elect a President who is the most intelligent and who has the greatest wisdom; one who is public-spirited and unselfish; one who is fair and unprejudiced. Someone who is President should serve as a model, and not fight, should not be greedy, should not seek, should not be selfish,. should not pursue personal advantage, and should not lie. Someone who can meet these conditions is the best qualified person to be President."
Mr. Bush remembered the meeting and invited the Ven. Abbot to attend the President's Dinner this Spring in Washington, D.C. The Ven. Abbot accepted the invitation, and led a delegation from DRBA which included monks, nuns, and laypeople from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, China and Canada, as well as members from San Francisco, the International Translation Institute, in Burlingame, California, and the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas In Ukiah.
When asked why so many Buddhists came to the Republican gala, members of the delegation answered, "First of all, we were invited. Second of all, Buddhists are concerned with the well-being of our nation. A stable country fosters the well-being of religions in general. In particular, we are engaged in building and reforming education, which should instill wholesome moral virtues in young people. So we come to make that statement."
"Buddhism is a mainstream religion. Religion can flourish when the government is sound. Good government enhances the benefits and services it renders to its citizens. We feel a responsibility to make the government sound, and to support it, and thereby benefit all peoples. And in that way the interests of all good people are advanced."
Someone made the comment, "I didn't know Buddhists were Republicans."
The Buddhists replied, "We aspire to benefit all people, and that includes Republicans, Democrats, Independents, friends and neighbors of all political persuasions. Politically, we are non-partisan. But since we drink the water and eat the fruits of this land, and since we enjoy the freedom of its governing systems, this involves us automatically in working for the best interests of America. We feel that Buddhists can contribute to the nation and the world by representing right views and right efforts. Our presence here states that involvement. We don't limit our membership or our work to a single party, we want to exercise our freedom to offer new solutions to the problems that we share with all peoples, so that this country can be peaceful, fruitful, and a good place to live."
On the morning of April 28, the members of the delegation took part in a variety of special events in the Nation's capital.
The leaders of the two houses of Congress, led by Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole of Kansas, and Senator Robert Michel, held a breakfast in the Congressional dining room. Dr. Ronald Epstein of CITB and Dr. Randy Lum, of Los Angeles represented DRBA.
Senator Dole then hosted a reception in the Old Senate Library. Bhikshu Heng Lai and Upasaka Howard Hu joined the small group of thirty Congressional leaders, took part in the conversation, and posed for a photograph with the Senator.
Bhikshuni Heng Guei, DRBA trustee Hector Wong, Dr. Huang Ming Lu of Los Angeles, and Upasika Rosaline Kang from Singapore went for a luncheon with Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife Marilyn, at their residence on the grounds of the Naval Observatory.
Bhikshu Heng Sure, Upasika Helen Woo, Doug Powers, and Huang Gwo Ling visited the White House, where they heard the President's address, shook hands, and spoke briefly with the President and Mrs. Bush.
On the evening of the 28th, the group of eighteen disciples, including Bhikshuni Heng Tung, Chancellor Ho Bai Chau, Upasika Anne Biihwa Cheng, Upasika Vinnie Ko, and Prof. Yan Xin, went to the President's dinner.
At six p.m. the delegation went to the Convention Center for a cocktail gathering, the monks and nuns wearing yellow and orange robes, everyone else in tuxedoes and dinner dresses. The group then went to dinner in the Convention Center and listened to speeches by Chairman of the dinner, Howard Baker Jr., Vice President Quayle, and President Bush.
A special guest from the Department of Education, Deputy Secretary David Kearns and his wife Shirley, joined the Buddhists' table. The Ven. Abbot exchanged viewpoints with Secretary Kearns on the current situation of education in America.
"In the world right now where would you say people are doing an excellent job of educating the young?" asked the Abbot. "I know this will be an unpopular comment to make, but I often say what others dare not say, and that is, that education in the world is on the brink of going morally bankrupt. What children learn in schools any more is not how to become a good person, but how to smoke, how to have sex, and how to disobey their parents. The message they hear in school is learn as quickly as possible whatever skill will bring you the highest pay and the most affluent, self-indulgent lifestyle.' The lesson we teach our children from the start is how to fight for the highest salary".
"Another dangerous situation is that frankly speaking, the schools' influence on children in America cannot compare with the education they get from the television. I don't want to condemn television outright, it does bring us some advantages, but we have made a disastrous error by giving the television the primary job of educating our children."
Mr. Kearns replied, "Although I agree with you one hundred percent about the crisis facing our schools, I wouldn't go quite so far as to say that the system is completely bankrupt. The system has failed, and we simply have to fix it."
The Ven. Abbot replied, "Yes, but stop-gap measures won't do the job. We need to isolate and deal with the problem at the roots. The problem is a lack of moral values! When religion was made a taboo subject in the classroom, the teaching of any values whatsoever was discredited at the same time. We needn't teach religion to youngsters, but if children don't ever hear about the basic standards for being a decent person and a responsible citizen in the classroom, they certainly won't get a chance to learn it once they leave school. The classical virtues: filial respect, fraternity, service to the country, integrity, propriety, righteousness, incorruptibility, and a sense of shame are simply not being taught any longer. This reduces the vital, valuable years of primary education to nothing more than a training ground for consumers, pawns, and pleasure seekers."
Deputy Secretary Kearns asked, "Might I ask what methods the Ven. Abbot suggests for remedying the situation?"
"As I explained at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris two years ago, the best medicine for the ills of the world's educational crisis is, in fact, a wonder drug that has the power to solve the problems of the entire world's youth: it is called filial respect and brotherhood. If children were taught by example, right from the start, to listen to their parents and to respect their teachers and elders, then the majority of these dangerous situations that we face now would never even arise.
The point is, if we don't teach our children to value their filial duties to their parents, then any other solution will be only a superficial remedy, and ultimately futile, since it won't get to the heart of things, or cure the problem at the root. My solution to the problem is to build an educational curriculum that teaches by example a foundation in moral virtues, which begins with filial respect."
Mr. Kearns said, "Well I am grateful for your enlightening observations, and when I return to my office I will send you a copy of my book, called
Winning the Brain Race and also a copy of the President's statement on
Education 2000. I look forward to meeting with you again soon for a more detailed discussion on this topic."
Dharma Realm Buddhist Unversity's Chancellor for the Americas, Douglas Powers, also exchanged views with Mr. and Mrs. Kearns, regarding the best way to introduce the fundamental principle of cause and effect into the classroom on a meaningful, daily basis. "We live our lives as a series of experiences, not as a stage where we apply technical expertise to solve problems. Morality has traditionally been connected with religion in the West, and thus it came under fire when science challenged our fundamental theological concepts. This was an unfortunate liason, because causation, in the Buddhist sense, is a secular truth, a universal verity: "If you do this, that inevitably follows." An individual who is educated in this timeless principle can become an adult who takes responsibility for the actions of his or her lifetime. It's not a religious question. Morality, as the Buddha teaches it, is a science. Our schools should provide this basic preparation for dealing with human life, instead of teaching us that more technical knowledge, or more expertise will give us a quick and easy way out of our moral dilemmas."
Prof. Ron Epstein described for Mrs. Kearns some aspects of the Buddhist elementary and secondary schools, that include meditation, a vegetarian diet, and an emphasis not on theology, but on investigating principles of wisdom and how they apply to daily life.
Following the dinner, the Ven. Abbot attended a briefing at the White House on Asian Leadership, where the President's staff asked for suggestions and advice from the Asian Community leaders in solving the challenges to America's multi-ethnic society.
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