On March 12, 2005, the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery and the Institute For World Religions celebrated its tenth anniversary. Nearly 200 guests, friends and staff attended; the program included the inauguration (kai guang) of the Amitabha Buddha stained glass windows, with Dharma Masters Heng Lai, Jin Yan and Xiyin hosting the ceremony. The program honored Prof. Huston Smith, who donated 600 volumes from his own library to start the Huston Smith Collection at the Institute For World Religions, and Prof. Henry Rosemont, mentor of Heng Sure and Martin Verhoeven, and long time friend of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association.

Prof. and Mrs. Y.C. Chiang were present to receive the appreciation of the community for their gift of the Monastery’s new doors. Crafted out of solid Walnut by Ben Loeser, the doors were dedicated by a stirring program of classical Chinese music played by the Monastery’s Chinese Orchestra, led by Prof. Agis Gan. Berkeley Monastery’s volunteers created a delicious vegetarian snack buffet to the delight of the attendees.

The gathering reunited the dozens of groups and teachers, both academic and religious, who take part in the Monastery’s larger community. Master Hsuan Hua’s vision of bringing the Dharma to the West has taken root in Berkeley, judging by the enthusiastic response of young and old friends alike.