First we would like to express our gratitude to the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) for accepting LBA, giving us a Way-place of Proper Dharma in Louisiana and Dharma Masters to guide us in our cultivation. Prior to December 1990, there were no orthodox monasteries in the vicinity; we had to drive six hours to the nearest temple in Texas. A few beginners felt that the Buddha’s teachings were so wonderful and yet lamented that so few people had the opportunity to study it because it was not widely available. In order to make it easier for people to study the Dharma, under the guidance of some Dharma Masters we established a Buddhist association and gathered at a layperson’s house regularly to recite sutras and mantras.

In the summer of 1991, we received a box of DRBA’s books and cassette tapes. The Venerable Master explained profound teachings in a simple manner, helping us in our study of Buddhism. We were delighted. These Dharma jewels changed our way of thinking and helped us to understand what the true teachings of Buddhism are, how to make offerings to the Triple Jewel, how to cultivate and how to uphold the precepts. Every year, people would go to the Sagely City to learn how to do the chanting and rituals and how to follow the Six Great Principles. Slowly, the Venerable Master’s disciples grew in number and became a strong force.

At that time we all wished to have a Way-place, so once a week we gathered together and recited the Shurangama Mantra. One year later the conditions become ripe. We noticed a little church that we liked, but a Hindu Society and a Greek Society had already been eyeing it. This little church was very conveniently located and had parking spaces. We all felt that the Venerable Master was helping us, and that the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma protectors were blessing us. In October 1999, we successfully purchased this little church. We did the morning and evening recitations as well as listening to Sutras in the evenings just like at the Sagely City, except that there was no Dharma Master to lead us. In November the same year we joyfully requested Dharma from DRBA and asked for Dharma Masters to staff our place. However, since the Proper Dharma is not easy to obtain, we had to go through many trials. As we had our temple first and no Dharma Master, we endured many years of tests. A Dharma Master from Taiwan offered $1 million to buy LBA. We also had Dharma Masters telling us that we are just laity and cannot perform the work of the Sangha. They said that we were not conducting things properly. What worried us most was the payment. Two weeks before we were to purchase this temple, we still didn’t have enough money to pay the first installment. Pressure came from all directions. The original founders of this Buddhist Association had mostly left. Some had moved away, while others had gone to the Sagely City. Only two or three people were left. We were very worried as to whether we could hold on till the day DRBA Sangha members took over. I relied on the Master’s saying, “Everything is a test,” and gritted my teeth, not worrying about what the future would bring. Although there were not many people left, we were extremely faithful in reciting the Earth Store Sutra, bowing to the Venerable Master, and praying to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Finally we passed the test: Gold Dharma Monastery came into being and in February 2003 Dharma Masters from DRBA came to manage the monastery.

We are extremely grateful to have a group of very sincere cultivators who work very well together. When there are things to be done to support the Association, everybody happily rushes in, contributing their money and services, completely self-motivated and taking the initiative, fearing only that there are few opportunities for them to create merit and virtue. Even little kids are eager to do work and help out. When there is a Dharma assembly, urgent family matters are set aside. Some even put their businesses aside to put their full effort into the Dharma assembly. I recall one year when Dharma Masters from DRBA came to Louisiana. Children rushed to the airport to offer flowers. Upon seeing people dressed in yellow, they shouted, “They’re here! They’re here! [meaning the Dharma Masters]” Everybody enjoyed a jolly good laugh when it turned out to be a false alarm. Since people have great faith in the Venerable Master, many have seen the Master floating in space meditating or sitting on clouds; some have seen the Master walk out from his photo. Others, while circumambulating the Buddhas, have seen the Master in the middle of the Buddha Hall bestowing blessings. The Venerable Master used to tell us, “To have vows is to have affinity; however great one’s vow is, it will evoke an affinity of equal size.” Let us continue to work hard, so that the Proper Dharma will dwell in the world, the faithful in the ten directions will gather like clouds, and the Dharma will prosper at Gold Dharma Monastery. Amitabha!