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“The waters of a thousand rivers reflect the moon.” To people who have seen the Master or simply heard his name, the Master's individualized teachings and compassionate acceptance of all beings equally are like the bright moonlight reflected in the waters of their minds. Although the Venerable Master entered Nirvana eleven years ago, we still deeply feel his kindness and meritorious virtue in this world.
Invitation: Since the Venerable Master has given us all so very much, we sincerely invite every individual who has received the benefit of the Venerable Master’s Dharma to contribute his (her) effort to join in the work of compiling the biography. By making the Venerable Master’s teachings and the stories of his effort to propagate Buddhism available throughout the world, we hope many generations later, people will still be able to learn from the Venerable Master’s virtuous conduct. In this way, we hope to repay the Venerable Master’s profound kindness.
Prior to the writing of the first American edition of volume one of the Venerable Master's biography in 1973, the Venerable Master said that if the disciples didn't do the work correctly, there would be problems in the future. He also instructed that a formal Committee for Publication of the Venerable Master's biography be established. The members of that committee included all of his close disciples—both Sangha and laypeople, and also other important people who had drawn near to him.
With this precedent in mind, this summer the DRBA Board of Directors authorized the formation of the “Committee for the Publication of the Venerable Master's Official Biography.” This committee will oversee all activities within DRBA related to the Venerable Master's biography and will develop guidelines for access to the Venerable Master's archives by those who are not affiliated with DRBA. It will also encourage those, both within DRBA and without, who have been engaged in biographical work about the Venerable Master, or who are presently so engaged, to work within the framework of the committee.
As interest in the Venerable Master grows, both in Asia and the West, the primary task of the Committee will be to produce biographical materials that are both historically accurate and true to the spirit of the Venerable Master's Dharma. The Committee hopes that an initial version— in Chinese, English, and bilingual formats—of an official biography can be completed very quickly. Such an undertaking will require the hard work and cooperation of a dedicated group of volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering, before Oct. 31 please obtain and fill out a “Volunteer Application Form,” ask a Manager from a DRBA branch monastery to add his/her recommendation and signature to the from, and email the form to: Shifu-bio@drba.org or fax to Fax No: (408) 923-1064, or mail it directly to:
BTTS-Chinese (Gold Sage Monastery), 11455 Clayton Road
San Jose, CA 95127 USA
The Committee for the Publication of the Venerable Master’s Official Biography will reply to you before Nov. 10.
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