一九七八年上人到馬來西亞時， 我有幸拜見並皈依；七九年初次參訪萬佛聖城，後來又陸續來過多次。我之所以能學習佛法都是拜上人的慈悲，與他為眾生弘揚佛法不休息之賜。幾十年來上人和他的出家弟子一直是我修行上的明燈，使我感激不盡。九〇年隨上人訪問歐洲，在法國時聆聽上人一席話，知道他要在各處建立道場來弘揚佛法於世界的胸懷，也因此使我想到在澳洲可以設立一個分支道場。
我常去澳洲，知道那裡缺少中國寺廟。因為要幫助上人完成他的心願，所以我就開始找地。九一年有一塊地，五十三英畝，但計劃書呈遞給黃金海岸市政府被駁回，嚴格的條件使那裡不可能當道場。我繼續尋找，九六年時發現目前廿二英畝的這塊地，四個月內買得，向市政府申請重新分區也批准了，建築物計劃與環境報告申請後也獲准。
計劃案提出後幾個月，東南亞因為九七年香港回歸而受到嚴重的經濟危機衝擊；我的股票受到證券市場和房地產嚴重崩盤，一夜之間財產淨值剩下不到原來的十分之一。財物的危機使我受到考驗，當時真擔心不能完成我建道場的心願。儘管如此，我還是極力祈求觀音菩薩加被。
在把澳洲的幾個產權賣了，又靠朋友與佛友的大力相助，我們朝著實踐上人的抱負努力，縮小原定的計劃案，並開始興建。現在很高興能向各位報告，我們已經完成了一個道場的基本規模。今年四月萬佛聖城的法師蒞臨講法時，有許多新加坡和馬來西亞的人士與信眾前來聆聽法音。七月間恆佐法師、恆緣法師光臨時，我們把道場無條件獻給法總，道場的規模相信將來會再擴充。
自從七八年遇到上人後，他善巧方便的指導改變了我的人生，使我在這物質世界中看見了更高的人生價值。我真誠盼望澳洲分支道場的建立，能使無量無邊的有情聽聞正法，並且也改變他們的價值觀與生活方式，希望他們也能在上人教導下獲益。若沒有法，我至今還迷失在苦海中呢！
藉此機會，我要感謝在達成心願前，面臨考驗與種種困難時，所有支持我的朋友，特別感謝恆實法師的建議與鼓勵。最後，對諸佛菩薩和上人的指引，我永遠感恩。阿彌陀佛!
(請看封底照片。) |
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In 1978, I was fortunate enough to meet our Venerable Master when he came to Malaysia. I also took refuge with him then. 1979 marked my first visit to CTTB and I have made numerous visits since. It was due to the compassion of our Venerable Master and his unceasing efforts in spreading the Buddhadharma to all beings that I had the opportunity to learn Buddhism. Through all these years, the Venerable Master and his left-home disciples served as a beacon—a guiding light—for my humble and modest cultivation, for which I am ever grateful. In 1990 I was part of an entourage which followed the Master to Europe. While having a conversation with the Master in France, I learned about the Master's vision to spread the Buddhadharma throughout the world by establishing monasteries in various parts of the world. It was the knowledge of this vision that prompted me to think about Australia as a potential location for a branch of CTTB.
I visit Australia often and realized that there was a shortage of monasteries in the Mahayana Chinese tradition. In my resolve to help the Master realize his vision, I started my search for a suitable piece of land. In 1991 I found a 53- acre piece of land. However, after we submitted a plan to the Gold Coast City Council, the restrictive conditions they set made it unfeasible to develop this plot of land as a monastery. I set forth to look for an alternative site and found the present 22-acre lot in 1996. Within four months, we were able to purchase the land, apply to the Council for rezoning, and obtain approval from the City Council. Building plans and environmental reports were subsequently submit ted and approved.
In the months following the proposal, Southeast Asia was hit by a severe economic crisis towards the end of 1997. My stocks and shares were badly affected by the crash of the stock and property market and almost overnight, my personal net worth was reduced to about ten percent of its pre-crash value. This financial crisis was a severe ordeal for me, and I was extremely worried that I might not fulfill my vow of building the monastery. Despite this setback, I remained focused and drew strength by praying earnestly to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
I sold the various properties that I had in Australia and together with the help and generous support of friends and fellow Buddhists, we continued to work towards the Master's vision. The original plan was scaled down and building began. I am now pleased to report that we have made a modest start with the completion of the basic facilities and amenities. Since April this year we have had nuns and monks from CTTB visit the place to give Dharma lectures. These lectures were attended and well-received by both locals and well-wishers from Singapore and Malaysia.
In July this year, with the visit of Reverend Heng Tso and Reverend Heng Yuen, I handed over the monastery to DRBA without any conditions and I am sure that the place will scale new heights in times to come.
Since I met the Master in 1978, his expedient teaching and guidance have influenced me to change my ways and lifestyle for the better. I have also learned the higher values of life in this material world. I sincerely hope that by establishing this branch of CTTB in Australia, many people as well as sentient beings will hear the proper Dharma and be able to similarly change their values and lifestyle. I wish for them to experience the benefits of the Master's teachings, without which I would still be lost in this samsaric ocean.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all my friends who supported me during the trials and tribulations that I experienced while pursuing the fulfillment of my vows. In particular, I am grateful to Reverend Heng Sure for his advice and words of encouragement. Finally, I would also like to say that I am, and will always be grateful to the Buddhas, the Bodhisattvas, and the Venerable Master for showing me the way. Amitabha!
(Please see photos on back cover.) |
