在一九七六年和一九八一年相繼成立的育良小學與培德中學，位於北加州第一座佛教大叢林萬佛聖城內，為當代高僧上宣下化老和尚生前所創辦。
老和尚十八歲時即在中國東北家鄉興辦義學，免費教導村中兒童讀書識字，學習做人的根本道理；赴美弘法利生時，除推動佛經翻譯大業之外，更不忘以教育來挽救人類浩劫的理想，積極創辦學校，從事百年樹人之教育大計。
「孝悌」，是育良小學最重要的德目。小朋友們從學校指定必讀的教材《弟子規》上學習「父母呼，應勿緩；父母命，行勿懶……」這些為現代人所忽略的基本孝道。這些教材經常成為學生們在慶典時背誦表演之用，更是學生們演出話劇的最佳素材。《弟子規》、《三字經》的內容就在潛移默化中，一點一滴地灌輸到孩子們的心靈深處。
「忠孝」，是培德中學德育的中心，不僅強調孝順父母、恭敬師長、友愛手足，更要恪盡義務，忠於國家，進而造福人群；以德育為基礎，男女分校，使學生們得以專心課業。培德中學歷年畢業生，已陸續進入麻省理工學院及史丹福、柏克萊加大等大學深造。
在影視電玩充斥暴力色情的今日社會，育良小學、培德中學仍得以大力提倡德育，為學生提供心靈淨土，原因之一是擁有一批不計名利的義務教師，為學生們立下最佳典範。這些義務教師有純粹因喜歡萬佛聖城的清幽環境，又對教育工作有興趣；更有些人則一心嚮往修行生活，因此一面在聖城隨眾修行，一面加入作育英才的義務教師行列。這些義務教師們來自美國各州、亞洲各地區，乃至歐洲的英國、芬蘭等地，各以所學傾囊相授，幫助年輕學子奠定品德及學識基礎。
育良小學與培德中學熱誠歡迎有志擔任義務教師的人士前來任教，無論中文、英文、數學、理化、史地、體育、美勞、音樂、工藝等各方面的教師，以及協助學校行政聯繫等工作的人士，都可發揮所長，共同為培育正直有為的青年而努力。聯絡電話與電郵如下： |
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Instilling Goodness Elementary School and Developing Virtue Secondary School were founded by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) in 1976 and 1981 respectively. At the age of eighteen, the Venerable Master opened a free school in his village in Manchuria, northern China, teaching the village children to read and develop good character. After coming to the United States to propagate the Dharma, the Master not only initiated the translation of the Buddhist canon, but devoted himself to education so as to save humanity from disaster. He actively founded schools in order to carry out long term educational goals.
The primary goal of Instilling Goodness Elementary School is to teach filiality (respect and gratitude towards parents) and fraternal respect. Students learn by heart "The Standards for Students,
When your mother or father is calling,
Do not be slow to respond.
When your parents tell you to do something,
Do not be lazy or sulky.
These basic principles of filiality are neglected by people nowadays. CTTB students often recite these ancient texts at annual celebrations or perform skits to illustrate their principles. In the process, students gradually absorb the spirit of "The Standards for Students" or "The Three Character Classic" and are transformed by it.
The main moral focus of Developing Virtue Secondary School is to teach service and filiality. Students are encouraged to love, honor, and obey their parents; respect their teachers and elders; care for their siblings and peers; and commit themselves to serving their country and working for the betterment of humanity. The ethics-based curriculum and the policy of separate schooling for boys and girls allow students to concentrate fully upon their studies. Over the years, graduates of Developing Virtue Secondary School have been accepted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley, and other universities. i
In today's society, where movies, television, video games, and the Internet are filled with violence and sexual overtones, Instilling Goodness Elementary School and Developing Virtue Secondary School staunchly promote virtue-based education, enabling students to discover inner peace and purity. This is due in part to the school's faculty of volunteer teachers, whose disinterest in personal gain and fame make them the best models for students. Some of the volunteer teachers choose to work at the City simply because they love the pure, serene environment and have an interest in education; others volunteer as teachers on the side while taking part in the daily ceremonies and religious activities. These volunteers come from other states in the United States, various Asian countries, and even European countries such as England and Finland. They impart their own experience and expertise, helping students develop a firm foundation in both virtue and knowledge.
Instilling Goodness Elementary School and Developing Virtue Secondary School welcomes applications from volunteers interested in teaching children from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade in subjects such as Chinese, English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Fine and Applied Arts, Music, etc., as well as those interested in administrative, secretarial, or counseling positions. For the Fall 2001, we are seeking a preschool director and a teacher for K-lst grade or 2nd- 3rd grades. For further information, please contact the schools directly: |
