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加州漢堡州立大學學生七十四人與天主教私立舊金山大學學生十二人，於九月二十六日（週五）晚間前往萬佛城參訪、學習，共同探討生命的意義，以一個週末的時間嘗試佛教徒的清修生活，並與城內佛教徒交換意見。
漢堡大學宗教研究系自十餘年前起，每年定期帶領學生往訪萬佛聖城，藉此機會讓不同宗教的教徒互相溝通交換意見。由於這項參訪活動深受學生好評，自四年前起，由每年舉辦一次改為每年二次。每次報名的學生人數不斷地增加。這次有七十四名漢堡大學學生前往萬佛城參訪，打破歷年紀錄。帶隊的宗教學教學教授比爾·赫布雷克滋邁爾（Bill Herbrechtsmeier）對東方思想深感興趣，本身也習太極拳。
舊金山大學（University of San Fran-cisco）是天主教教會所辦的大學。今年第一次舉辦參訪萬佛聖城的活動，由該校神學教授大衛·拜特斯東（David Bat-stone）率團前往。拜特斯東教授表示，以後將繼續舉辦參訪萬佛聖城之旅。
萬佛聖城的多位出家眾，在家眾以及聖城老友基督教牧師、曼都仙諾市立學院教授湯姆‧麥克米倫博士一同和這群來訪的青年學子座談。學生們的問題無奇不有，諸如：「死亡是不是開悟？」「為甚麼比丘尼比比丘戒律多？」「為甚麼出家人要剃光頭？」「如果人人都入了涅槃，或開悟了，這個世界還會在嗎？」……等等。作答的人也妙語如珠，氣氛融洽。湯姆‧麥米倫牧師今秋起在法界佛教大學教授「比較宗教學」課程。
希望老師們人人以身作則，凊廉自許，
把所懷的抱負和智慧教給下一代，不爭薪水，不罷工。
宣公上人 |
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On the evening of Friday, September 26, 74 students from Humboldt State University and 12 students from the University of San Francisco (a private Catholic university) came to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to explore the meaning of life, experience the life of a Buddhist practitioner for a weekend, and exchange views with the residents of the City.
For over ten years, the Religious Studies Department of Humboldt State University (HSU) has held fieldtrips to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, fostering the opportunity for those of different religious beliefs to exchange views. Given the wide popularity of the program, four years ago HSU began to sponsor these trips twice a year. The number of students per trip has risen steadily. This time, a record high of 74 students came from HSU. They were led by Bill Herbrechtsmeier, Professor of Religious Studies, who has a deep interest in Oriental philosophy and also practices tai qi quan.
This is the first time the University of San Francisco, a Catholic-sponsored university, has organized a visit to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Students came with David Batstone, Professor of Theology, who indicated that he would like to plan more trips to the City in the future.
Several Sangha members and laypepople who live at the City, as well as Dr. Tom Macmillan, an old friend of the City who is a Baptist minister and a faculty member of Mendocino College, took part in various discussions with the students. Students’ questions included: “Is death enlightenment?” “Why do Bhikshunis (nuns) have more precepts than Bhikshus (monks)? “Why do monks and nuns shave their heads?” “If everyone enters Nirvana or gets enlightened, will the world still exist?” The answers were just as wonderful, and the discussions were carried out in a harmonious fashion. Dr. Macmillan is teaching a course on Comparative Religions at Dharma Realm Buddhist University this fall.
I hope every teacher will be a good model of integrity who does not go on strike for the sake of salary, but will pass his or her aspirations and wisdom on to the next generation.
Venerable Master Hua |
