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2004年4月4日，萬佛城的住眾和柏克萊世界宗教研究院來的四眾弟子卅多人齊集做第二次法界佛教大學（法大）未來展望的討論。二月份的會議之後，法大做了一份問卷調查設計，以便瞭解大眾對 目前法大運作看法以及建議。僧俗二眾共計填寫47份；此外由法界佛教青年會的成員口頭採訪聖城的人也有好幾位。受訪問者都明確認知法大宗旨是：
「法大之目標是要將佛教道理普及大眾，影響高等教育做深遠改革，影響社會移風易俗。法大師生手攜手，對於整個教育及學習過程--不只在知識的領域，也在精神與道德層面上，共同來加以改良；所稟之目標則是以真善之原則為學問追求之前導。所以，法大的每一位學生都應在日常生活中力求做到大公無私，恬適寧靜，智慧兼備。正因人人久受物欲追求積習之束縛，導致現代社會充滿煩惱，危機四伏，每個人都應下點苦功，將自性解脫出來。在大學受教育，並不是為學問而求學問，為得一技之長而求一技之長，而是要以己所學所長來為全人類服務。大學畢業後，學生們雖然各奔前程，但是幾年大學教育之薰陶，已幫他們奠定了一個平安勤勉又明慧之生命的堅實基礎；有這樣一個基礎，便能幫著化導人心，利益世界。」
4月4日會議，首先是近廣師和朗蘇珊報告問卷調查的結果，佛青的尹達偉則做口頭採訪的初步的反應報告。得到結論是：上人對法大宏大的眼光應予維持和得到幫助；對佛學研究與修持、佛學教育、翻譯與語言研習等課程應予特別的關切與幫助。佛青會採訪組成員報告在訪問過程中所得到正面的意見，並且他們將繼續這份工作，訪問更多的人士。
與會大眾一致認同要繼續填表工作或接受口頭訪問以便蒐集資料。在兩次會議中、訪問和問卷調查中，都顯示出我們以積極的精神修改缺失的決心，誠實地討論法大面臨的問題。下午分組進行腦力激盪，集思廣益下年度應採取的步驟，以便目前法大好的表現能持續以及為圓滿法大任務，課程有待加強的部份。
最後推舉出四眾各兩位代表成立課程規劃八人小組，為法大開課建言。
緊接著，萬佛城又發出一份問卷給城內住眾，針對個人對法大秋季課程的需要提出建議，並在四月七日晚間召開四眾會議，當晚發言踴躍，中西方人士都提供很多寶貴的意見。法大的教職員也在4月12日舉行午餐會議，針對暑假與秋季班課程，再一次綜合討論。
此次有關法大的討論會議 ，大眾反應之熱烈出人意料，法總四眾弟子充份表現出積極遵循上人辦校的精神，期使上人宏大的抱負能早日實現的使命感。工作雖然艱鉅，相信在課程規劃小組分析綜合各方意見後，必能為校方提供理想的課程計劃，為法大美好的未來與正法的住世奠定更堅固的基礎。
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On April 4, 2004, more than 30 people from the fourfold assembly from the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) and the Institute for World Religions in Berkeley came together for the second of a series of meetings about the future of Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU). Since the February meeting, a survey had been created to determine how well DRBU is currently functioning and how it might be improved. Forty-seven written surveys were completed by members of the Sangha and laypeople. In addition a number of oral interviews were conducted at CTTB by members of Dharma Realm Buddhist Youth (DRBY). In these surveys and interviews, respondents were asked to consider the following excerpt from the 1979-81 DRBU catalog which provides a guiding vision for DRBU:
[The purpose of the University] is to bring the principles of the Buddha’s teachings to a wide range of people, and to inspire profound change in higher education and in society at large. At Dharma Realm Buddhist University, students and faculty work together to reform the process of teaching and learning so that the process is not only intellectual but spiritual and moral. Their aim is that the work of scholarship is guided by the principles of goodness. Therefore, each student at the University strives to act with unselfishness, equanimity, and wisdom in his or her daily life. Each works to free his or her nature from the habits of materialism and self-seeking which afflict and endanger modern society. The skills and knowledge gained in academic disciplines are seen not as ends in themselves but as tools to be used in the service of humanity. In this way, whatever walk of life students follow after graduation, their years of study will have provided them a firm basis for peaceful, vigorous, and intelligent lives which will be of transforming benefit to the world.
At the April 4 meeting, Shramanerika Jin Gwang and long time lay disciple Susan Rounds reported on the results of the written surveys, and DRBY member David Yin summarized the results of the oral interviews. There was general agreement that the Venerable Master’s great vision for DRBU should be maintained and supported, and that programs in Buddhist Study and Practice, Buddhist Education, and Translation and Language Study should receive special attention and support. The members of the DRBY interviewing team reported on the positive results of the interview process and their willingness to continue interviewing other members of DRBA in the near future.
It was agreed at the meeting that we will continue to gather information by encouraging more people to complete written surveys and/or to participate in oral interviews. In both meetings, and in the interviews and surveys, the problems in DRBU were frankly discussed in a positive spirit of determination to correct what is lacking. In the afternoon, small groups met to brainstorm what steps could be taken in the next year to continue the good work that DRBU is doing and to strengthen and enhance programs that fulfill DRBU’s mission.
Immediately after was another survey for CTTB residents regarding their personal preference for DRBU fall semester classes. On the evening of April 7, a meeting of the fourfold assembly was held in order to get oral feedback quickly. People spoke enthusiastically; westerners and Chinese contributed valuable ideas. DRBU faculty members had a lunch meeting on April 12, discussing their summer program and fall courses. Participants brought up ideas and suggestions. Discussions lasted for over five hours.
This round of feedback for DRBU was unexpectedly enthusiastic. The fourfold disciples of DRBA made every effort to emulate the Venerable Master’s spirit in establishing schools, hoping to bring his vast vision into reality. It is obvious that our determination is gaining momentum. The task is tough, but we’re sure that the core curriculum team’s analysis and summary of everyone’s needs will provide helpful input to DRBU, which will bring about a solid foundation for the university’s bright future and for the proper Dharma to reside in the world.
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