On the sunny afternoon of Wednesday, June 9, parents, teachers, relatives and friends from afar sat in the shade of the giant sycamore trees behind Developing Virtue Girls’ School’s, to watch this year’s Commencement Ceremony. The keynote speaker, Dr. Martin Verhoeven, told the girls about how proud his grandmother would be of them, as she was one of the only girls to graduate in her time. Ms. Chen Yu-mei, the mother of graduate Huei Ong, said that she had brought her children to this school because of its core curriculum of Standards for Students. Then a dozen DVGS alumnae paraded onstage and shared their experiences after graduating as well as urging graduates to always come back to the school.

Five sixth grade graduates and three eighth grade graduates received their Certificates of Promotion. Then six graduating seniors delivered speeches expressing gratitude to their family, teachers, fellow students and friends. Huei Ong quoted the last line from Robert Frost’s poem saying, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less traveled by.” Shirley Wu, who has lived at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas with her mother, compared her life here to “wearing braces” due to the many rules and restrictions. Going to college is like the next stage of “wearing a retainer,” and she assured her teachers that she would faithfully remember to wear it (i.e. to follow the rules and virtues she had learned). Shirley Wu is going on to UC Berkeley, Chris Liu to Foothill College, Penny Shih-Chieh Chen to the City College of San Francisco, Jordan Hsu-Nung Hsu to UC Santa Cruz, Huei Chean Ong to Columbia University in New York City, and Sonia Vazquez to Sacramento State University.

On Thursday evening, June 10, Developing Virtue Boys’ School held its Commencement Ceremony in Daoyuan Hall. The Principal, Mr. Bostick spoke about the new transformation of this year’s school yearbook created by a graduate, Yao-Wei Lim. He also announced the retirement of Mr. Randall Peterson, who has taught at the school for 25 years. The Abbot, DM Lyu and teacher Ms. Julia Misri encouraged graduates to try their best to contribute to society and be pillars of the nation. One alumnus, Wayne Chen, urged the graduates not to forget the Standards for Students and to always remember the virtue they have learned.

The graduates expressed gratitude to their families, teachers, coaches, fellow students and friends. Abhaya Misri thanked his grandmother who came all the way from New York City for his graduation. While on stage, he changed from his graduation gown to his motorcycle jacket and said that he was still the same person, so “Never judge a book by its cover.”

There were five graduates: Ming Heng Shr, Mark Cheng-Yi Liu who is going to the University of Washington, Abhaya Misri who is attending the University of San Francisco, Dexter Cheng who is attending St. Mary’s College (Moraga), and Yao-Wei Lim who is going to Santa Rosa Junior College. Congratulations!

The Buddha taught his disciples to cherish all living beings and encouraged them to refrain killing and take vegetarian food to nurture their compassion. Who would have imagined that in June the news would break out that “vegetarian” food contained animal ingredients? The manufacturers of imitation meat are only concerned with their own profit. The heavy flavors of their imitation meat come from lamb or fish. There are countless inside stories of what goes on behind the scenes. The following paragraphs are quoted from an article in the June 10, 2004 issue of China Times, written by Shi-Chai Chen Taipei:

“Two or three years ago in Pindong, Taiwan, the mother of a Buddhist believer was diagnosed with symptoms of mad cow disease. No one in the family could believe the doctor because the mother had been vegetarian for 20 to 30 years. She had never touched meat! Finally, they discovered that the problem was the vegetarian ham she had been eating.”

“The Association for Protecting Life recently submitted 21 samples of imitation meat gathered from the traditional open market for inspection. The National Health Administration’s Food and Drug Inspection Department was surprised to discover that 15 of the 21 samples contained animal ingredients. The rate of failure is as high as 70%. After this surprise, the government proactively sampled more “vegetarian” products from the supermarkets and discovered that some of those samples were also mixed with animal products.”

Vegetarians all over the world were startled and furious after this news was released. In this day and age when the demons are strong and the Dharma is weak, it is so difficult to guard one’s precepts. If from now on, everyone refrains from choosing processed vegetarian food and selects natural vegetables, fruits and grains, without caring about the flavor; if the laity can really protect the Dharma by carefully selecting offerings, disasters can certainly be avoided.

On June 11, 2004, at Daoyuan Hall of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association Sangha conducted its semi-annual meeting for the first half of 2004. The morning meeting started at 7:30 a.m. with a discussion of the plan for Sangha housing at the future International Institute of Philosophy & Ethics, facilitated by the designer from the architectural firm HOK (Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum). At the afternoon meeting, which lasted from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., several Sangha issues were discussed and the addition of three new members (Bhikshunis Heng Syin, Heng You, and Heng Yin) to the Women’s Coordinating Committee was reconfirmed. The next DRBA Sangha Meeting will be on November 11, 2004.

Fifty delegates from fifteen religious traditions and from seventeen countries gathered at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas May 2-6, 2004 for the annual Global Council meeting of the United Religions Initiative (URI). The URI is a San Francisco based, global interfaith organization. The topic of the meeting was strategic planning around URI’s ongoing efforts to create global peace among religions and to end religiously motivated violence. In hosting the Global Council, the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas furthers one of its missions, to foster interfaith dialogue and understanding.

Interfaith Stories of Hope

On Tuesday evening, May 4, in the Confucius Hall at the CTTB, the public was invited to a program entitled “The Surprise of Friendship: Interfaith Stories of Hope.” Guests from the many religious denominations in the Ukiah Valley joined with the residents of the CTTB to meet the members URI’s Global Council and to learn more about the work of the URI. Over 300 people attended the program. Bhikshu Heng Lyu, the Abbot of the CTTB welcomed the guests with gift packets that included wrist rosaries and a photo view book of the Buddhist Center.

Rev. Heng Sure, Ph.D., himself a URI Global Councillor representing Buddhism, began the program with a slide show documenting the history of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association’s activities in Interfaith, including the plans for the International Institute for Philosophy and Ethics the purpose of which will be to host similar conferences in the future. The audience listened to moving stories from URI delegates. Mohammed Mossad, a Sufi Muslim from Cairo, Egypt, spoke about his gradual transformation in understanding of Islam as a result of reading sacred texts aloud for a blind teacher. Joyce N’Goma, a Christian radio show host from Malawi, described her method for breaking through religious sectarianism in her hometown. Kay Lindal, a Catholic author from Laguna Nigel, Southern California commented on her experiences in Interfaith around the world. Hamed Ehsani, a Bah’ai from Nairobi, Kenya spoke movingly of his childhood in Iran, and the religious persecution he encountered, including the imprisonment of his mother and the death in prison of his father and uncle. He came to interfaith because of his determination that nobody should ever again be discriminated again or made to suffer because of their beliefs. Maria Crespo from Buenos Aires, Argentina described her appreciation of the schools at the CTTB, and explained that she teaches Catechism classes in a school in Argentina, and she recognizes children who know right from wrong, and felt at home in the education system at the Buddhist center.

What Is the URI?

The URI was founded in 1993 in San Francisco by Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, Episcopal Bishop of California and religious head of Grace Cathedral, in response to the lack of daily and enduring cooperation between religions. The URI has grown rapidly and now has over 35,000 actively participating members from all the worlds’ religions and indigenous faith traditions in 50 countries around the world. The organization provides a forum for unprecedented interfaith dialogue to counteract the growing tensions and turmoil, often fueled by religious differences and rivalries.

At the heart of URI are self-organizing groups that are locally rooted and globally connected. Members of these Cooperation Circles unite in responsible actions to bring the wisdom and values of their spiritual beliefs to bear on the economic, environmental, political and social challenges facing the international community. The Cooperation Circles must have at least seven members and include people from at least three different religions, spiritual expressions or indigenous traditions. Influenced by the latest thinking of business experts in organizational design, the URI’s non-hierarchical, inclusive grassroots structure has proven highly successful in enabling groups of people worldwide to overcome theological differences—and often conflicting opinions—and take radically significant steps for peace.

Bishop Swing explains, “The United Religions Initiative is a global commitment by local people everywhere to create new kinds of relationships among people of opposing faiths, cultures and ethnicities. Every society wants peace and security. No society will enjoy peace and security unless its peoples of faith discuss fresh ways of interacting and common goals that benefit all.”

The Founder of the CTTB, Master Hsuan Hua, made interfaith dialogue a priority in his introduction of Buddhism to America. The first major religious gathering at the CTTB was held in 1987, and brought together leaders and spokespersons from Mendocino and Humboldt County, including the late Rev. Tom MacMillan, Ukiah Baptist minister and educator, and the late Fr. John Rogers, head of the Newman Center and Professor of Philosophy at Humboldt State University, among others.

Vegetarian Food, School Visits Highlighted

The religious leaders spent five days discussing business and making plans for the next Global Assembly in Seoul, Korea, in 2005. Many of the representatives expressed their pleasure and surprise at the variety and the flavor of the vegetarian food served at the CTTB’s Jun Kang restaurant. On Tuesday the boys and girls of Instilling Goodness and Cultivating Virtue Schools on campus at the CTTB convened a program called “Adopt A Global Councillor,” in which students selected one from among the fifty religious visitors to talk to. They studied the country of origin and the religion of the guests and then met face to face, to ask questions and to share about their experience in a Buddhist-sponsored school. Both the students and the URI members expressed their enjoyment with the opportunity to learn about each other’s experiences and points of view.

Peace Among Religions Sought

Charles Gibbs, Executive Director of the URI and a Reverend Canon of the Episcopal Church, explained the significance of the meeting at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He said, “Catholic theologian Hans Kung said that there can be no peace among nations until there is peace among religions. And there can be no peace among religions until there is dialogue among religions. Today we have taken steps towards peace among religions and I believe that if the peaceful spirit of this beautiful campus and these graceful, generous Buddhists friends can become better known in the world, then we can expect a more peaceful world as well.

More about United Religions Initiative can be found at www.uri.org.

On June 27, the fourfold assembly of about fifteen hundred disciples came from all directions to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to commemorate the Ninth Anniversary of the Venerable Master Hua’s Nirvana.

On the evening on June 26, people watched a video of the Venerable Master giving a Dharma talk in Singapore when he led a delegation to Asia in 1988. They saw the Venerable Master’s compassionate appearance, carefree manner and his profound talk. Those who had never met the Master had a chance to hear his voice and get to know him. Many disciples renewed their memories of drawing near to the Master in the old days.

At 5 a.m. on June 27, two laymen, Wei-Hung Chen and Jose Gomez were initiated into the Male Novice Training Program, taking a first step in their resolve to do the Buddha’s work. Laymen who wish to attend this program must volunteer for six months at a DRBA branch monastery, receive and observe the Five for six months, and demonstrate sincerity in cultivation. After six months’ preparation and upholding the Eight Precepts as a trainee, one may receive the Ten Precepts for Novice Monks. After one year, if one passes the evaluation, one may be ordained as a Bhikshu.

At 7:00 a.m., facing the rising sun, the assembly went to the future site of the Institute for International Philosophy & Ethics. The Abbot, DM Lyu explained the locations and functions for the different buildings. DM Sure told everyone that their special sincerity was needed to ensure that the project would be completed successfully in accord with all the environmental, legal or construction code requirements. With such sincere prayers, everyone there respectfully recited the Great Compassion Mantra in unison and dedicated the merit and virtue to the fulfillment of all wishes.

The assembly then returned to the big tent to begin the ceremony for commemorating the Venerable Master’s nirvana, which included bowing to the Venerable Master, circumambulating the sharira stupa at No Words Hall, and the passing of offerings by about twelve hundred people. At lunch, the crowd was so large that they filled both dining halls and even, for the first time, used tables prepared in advance in Daoyuan Hall. DM Sure gave the first Dharma talk. He pointed out there are many special features at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, for instance eating silently. He hoped that all friends in Dharma could experience the cultivation style at the City and attain the benefit of Dharma during their visit.

DM Chih expressed that if she had to write to the Venerable Master on that day in memory of him, she would start with sutra translation. Right now there are several new books of the Flower Adornment Sutra published. Our distribution scope has enlarged and if people go to Barnes & Nobles [a popular bookstore], they will be able to purchase the Venerable Master’s books. Education is one of the Venerable Master’s important works. Our Developing Virtue Secondary School had a very positive accreditation visit from the Director of WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges). Dharma Realm Buddhist University has now formally become an Affiliate of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The Master emphasized establishing and developing the Sangha, upholding the precepts, advocated wearing the precept sash at all times and taking one meal a day. As his disciples, we understand the importance of having the Sangha take root in this country. Just this morning two men joined the pre-monastic training; in Fall there will be women leaving home life too. The Venerable Master tirelessly spoke Dharma at many places throughout his life. Recently the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association acquired several more monasteries, and the Dharma wheel continues to turn unceasingly. More importantly, the permit for the Institute for International Philosophy & Ethics has been vested, and there won’t be any more political obstacles in the way. Construction will start next year.

The Abbot, DM Lyu apologized to the assembly for the limited space in the Dining Hall, which made people wait longer to get food. The Venerable Master had long ago foreseen the need for a new, large-scale Way-place. In the future the Dining Hall will be three times the size of the current one. For the sake of benefiting sentient beings in many ways, we’ll build a big Institute. To become a Buddha, one must benefit sentient beings; we benefit sentient beings in order to become Buddhas. The Venerable Master’s spirit to benefit sentient beings will never rest. In order to commemorate the Venerable Master, the Abbot hoped that everyone would propagate the Master’s spirit and aspirations, as well as helping to make sure that the IIP&E project will soon be realized!

After lunch, numerous people crowded into the Long Life Hall to attend the ceremony for transmitting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. A long line of people waited to behold the Venerable Master’s sharira at No Words Hall, so the open hours were extended to 3:00 p.m.

Years have passed, yet memories of the Venerable Master have not diminished. His admonitions about the mistakes in society and earnest exhortations still ring in our ears. The transmission of the orthodox Dharma relies on his disciples continuing to do their best. May we learn and embody his spirit of “shedding blood and sweat and not pausing to rest” so that the sagely teaching will not decline and sentient beings may leave suffering and attain bliss!