法界佛教總會僧眾於10月27日假萬佛聖城道源堂正式召開第一屆僧團大會，這次是繼2003年6月11日和18日兩天籌組會議以來，再次僧眾的大聚會，各分支道場的比丘、比丘尼、沙彌、和沙彌尼僧眾或親臨與會或以「會議電話」同步參加。這次會議由方丈恆律法師為大會主席，所有提案在佛制一白三羯磨方式下進行，完成幾項重要決議。
在僧眾了解和共識後表決通過僧團大會程序草案。
此次大會得到僧眾共識，發言踴躍，每項議題都經慎重討論，大家一致肯定此次會議的重要性，並決定每年召開二次大會。律法師表示他理想中的僧團是民主性的，希望透過選賢與能，可達到天下為公的理想。自從法總六月首次開僧伽會議到四個月後的今天，法總已做許多改變。大家應該一起努力，腳踏實地的逐步向前進。他認為僧團事務須大家共同關心，法總僧團男女二眾間的溝通應該再加強，希望透過僧伽的和合與振興，令正法永住。
繼六月僧伽會議召開後，在今年七月起萬佛城全體僧眾通過更改半月半月菩薩戒布薩方式，現在為男女眾一起讀戒，並於其後有半小時僧眾會議討論，人人公開發言，大家有機會貢獻個人的力量，關心愛護萬佛城。同時為能有效加強萬佛聖城男女僧眾間的溝通，如來寺法師與喜捨院部門執事法師從9/28日開始每週召開萬佛城發展會議，以公平客觀的方式協調事務，共同努力以利今後的發展。在十月份祖師殿也設置意見箱，由法師們明快處理或協調各方的請願與建議。
在上人涅槃八年後，僧眾與居士都欣見這些開明民主的作風。經過這幾個月的努力，大家群策群力下，透過理性溝通，相信未來的聖城的行政組織會日趨健全化；而四眾開誠佈公和合辦事，無形中帶給大家一股奮發圖強的力量，這都是重振道風的好徵兆，希望未來的2004年我們全體會更好！
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On October 27, at Daoyuan Hall in
the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB), the Sangha
of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA)
officially convened the 1st Annual Sangha Meeting,
the second great gathering of DRBA Sangha since the
preliminary Sangha meetings held at CTTB on June 11
and 18, 2003. Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, Shramaneras and
Shramanerikas from DRBA branch monasteries either
came in person or participated via conference call.
The Abbot of CTTB, Dharma Master Lyu, chaired the
meetings. Following the Sangha method of threefold
announcements to pass motions, several important
resolutions were made.
The draft procedures for
Sangha Meetings were approved through harmonious
consensus within the Sangha.
There were four vacancies for
Sangha Directors for 2004: Two vacancies were
available to Bhikshus and two to Bhikshunis. The
Sangha elected Bhikshus Jin Chan and Jin Pei and
Bhikshunis Heng Syin and Heng Mao as new Sangha
Directors to the DRBA Board.
The term and procedures for the
election and removal of Sangha Directors of DRBA
were also approved.
During the Sangha Meeting, the
Sangha reached consensus in many areas, engaged in
vigorous discussion and considered every issue
carefully. The members of the Sangha all reaffirm
the importance of the meeting and agreed that the
DRBA Sangha shall meet at least twice a year. DM Lyu
commented that to him, the ideal Sangha involves
democracy and selecting people based on their
abilities for the public good. He believes that in
the short four months since the preliminary DRBA
Sangha meeting in June, there have been many
positive changes. Everyone needs to work together as
we proceed on solid footing and at a reasonable
pace. He feels that everyone should be concerned
about Sangha affairs, and that there should be more
communication between the two assemblies of the
Sangha. May the Sangha's harmony and development
perpetuate the Proper Dharma in the world.
After the DRBA Sangha meeting in
June, all members of the CTTB Sangha (both men and
women) agreed to recite the Bodhisattva Precepts
together every half month, beginning in July. After
the recitation, the CTTB Sangha meets for half an
hour so every Sangha member has an opportunity to
contribute his/her opinions to support and improve
the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. This has improved
the communication between the men's side and the
women's side. Since September 28, managers from Tathagata Monastery and Joyous Giving House have
held a weekly CTTB Development Meeting to coordinate
matters in a fair and objective manner for the sake
of the future development. In October, a suggestion
box was placed in the Patriarchs Hall to quickly
process and facilitate requests and suggestions.
Eight years after the Venerable
Master entered nirvana, the Sangha and laity are
delighted to see democratic management in the
monastery. With everyone's hard work and genuine
effort, things have improved in many ways. Through
rational communication, the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas’administration will surely become well
organized in the future. The sincere and open
cooperation of the fourfold assembly generates a
rejuvenating energy. These are signs of rebuilding
the traditions of the Way. May 2004 be a better and
brighter year for us!
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