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Master's Letter to Dharma Protectors and Friends 2011

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Master's Letter to Dharma Protectors and Friends 2011 Master’s Letter to Dharma Protectors and Friends 2011 Dear Dharma Protectors and Friends, An auspicious new spring to you all! As another year draws to a close, a new year springs about. With the earth deducing from the principle that all phenomena are impermanent, it means there is a new atmosphere. We can give up the old and change to the new, but also reflect on the past and look forward to the future. Last year was another busy year. There were days when I took an afternoon flight to Nanjing after having just visited the Buddha Memorial Center construction site in the morning. On other days, I would be on a flight to Hong Kong before the calligraphy I wrote in the morning even had time to dry up. My disciples told me that last year, I gave about 120 invited talks, had about 150 batches of visitors, and did around 30 interviews on television, radio broadcast stations, and by the media. In addition to invited events, I attended over one hundred activities such as lessons for my disciples, construction meetings, Dharma services, meetings, discussions of Chan over a vegetarian meal, and Refuge Taking and Five Precepts Ceremonies. I also wrote for the Merit Times Daily News column everyday, gave unscheduled talks, wrote articles, and went in and out of airports numerous times. With the encouragement of people from around the world, I received five awards including a Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa from the University of Hong Kong. I often say, “I am only one person, one life, and one heart.” It is not that I could not refuse, but that I could not bear to let sentient beings suffer. As a monk, “doing only what the Buddha does” is what the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Order abides by, and a principle which my disciples and Buddha’s Light members around the world follow. Speaking of the Buddha Memorial Center, I visited the site whenever I had time in Fo Guang Shan. My disciples were amused by me visiting the site thrice a day or even a hundred times, and still not tire of it. This is a sacred Buddhist site that gathers the contribution from “thousands of temples and millions of people” in order to complete. After ten years of planning, two years of rushed construction, the plan is to have it completed by the end of this year. To celebrate this grand event, during the first to fifth of the Chinese New Year, we will once again organize the Underground Palace Treasures Enshrinement Ceremony, entombing artifacts of this time period underground for later generations to see. Also to celebrate the Republic of China’s Centennial, the Council of Cultural Affairs has decided to co-organize an Interfaith Centennial Celebration – Praying for Love and Peace Concert. We welcome all of you to participate in this event! Last year, my One-Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition was displayed in Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Yilan, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. After the exhibition at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei, curator Cheng Nai-wen hung the calligraphy of “Give Others Confidence, Give Others Joy, Give Others Hope, Give Others Convenience” inside the Main Hall. It is the first Buddhist art and cultural exhibition inside the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, the United Nations in Vienna, and Albertina Museum in Vienna. I am 85 years old this year. Having been at many exhibitions and seen my calligraphy being exhibited, I feel I don’t deserve it. I feel fortunate that it is not disliked by others. Last year, we also exhibited them in the National Museum of History in Taipei, and Tianjin, Xi’an, and Jiangxi in Mainland China. I cannot be like the Arhat Who Bares his Heart Open and use supernatural power to give my heart to everyone. It is not my calligraphy or me you should look at, but at my heart. On another note, do not even look at my heart, but see the Dharma in the writings. I realize that amongst those who have brought my calligraphy home, some sought the Dharma through the writings; some treated it as an heirloom for their children; some joyfully took it as a way to financially support the Venerable Master Hsing Yun Public Education Trust Fund and make affinities. In order not to disappoint everyone’s kind intentions, I put effort into writing them. No matter where I travel, One-Stroke Calligraphy is my daily task. In this, I hope to contribute my part to social welfare. Last year, Venerable Master Hsing Yun Public Education Trust Fund organized the Tenth Power Teacher Award to award outstanding teachers in creating better education quality. Also the Second Hsing Yun’s Award for Contribution to True, Good, and Beautiful News was organized to encourage the media to seek the ‘truth’ and exalt ‘good’ happenings in order to create a ‘beautiful’ society and change the environment that is full of offenses. But I am grateful that during the award ceremony, there were media from the cross-Straits, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Usually, they would be fighting for news and struggling to make the front page, but on that day, all were harmonious. They vowed to strive for clean media. The Public Trust Fund has also planned the Three Good Deeds Family, Three Good Deeds School, and literature awards to encourage everyone to take on the mission of making a purified society happen sooner. In terms of environmental preservation, the earth’s condition has continued to worsen year after year. Last April, I invited Professor Charles Kao, Ms. Sisy Chen, Ms. Allison Eun Joo Yi, Consultant at the International Department of Norsk Energi, and Environmental Protection Administration Minister Stephen Shen to attend An International Forum on Ecological Awareness: How Nations Take Stewardship of the Commons. “Earth Rescue Operation” planned by Fo Guang Shan and filmed by Phoenix Satellite Television was nominated as People’s Choice Award at the 2010 International Media Excellence Awards in England. Organized by the Association for International Broadcasting, the program won over CNN, BBC, and other television programs in “Best Coverage of Climate Change.” In October, I set the theme “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation” for the 2010 Buddha’s Light International Association General Conference. As Buddha’s Light members we should be proactive in environmental and spiritual preservation. As long as everyone has the heart and vow to use their strength, the earth’s worsening conditions will decrease. Let us turn the 21st century into a beautiful time of mental and physical preservation. Compared to previous year’s natural disasters, last year was a time of recovery. Unfortunately, some serious natural disasters still occurred. In April, Yushu in Qinghai, China was struck by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. Nearly all the houses were destroyed. When the news came, I wrote “A Prayer for the Yushu Earthquake in Qinghai,” having thought of the number of people who were grieving over the loss of family members or sinking in fear. Thus, I initiated branch temples around the globe and Buddha’s Light members to pray for the deceased and survivors of the quake during morning and evening chanting services. In August, a Hong Kong tour group was held hostage in Manila, Philippines. BLIA Philippines Chapter members and FGS Mabuhay Temple immediately began organizing visits to various hospitals to bring solace to the victims. They also went to the scene to pray for the victims who were killed. A thousand people attended the Dharma service including Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Philippine government officials, and a representative from Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry who thanked Buddha’s Light members for responding to the cries of suffering in such a short time. In September, Typhoon Fanapi struck Kaohsiung in Taiwan, causing serious flooding. Then on October 22, Typhoon Megi hit Su-ao Township in Yilan County, Taiwan. FGS Compassion Foundation, Nan Ping Temple, Lanyang Temple, Ren Ai Senior Citizens Home and Buddha’s Light members immediately rushed into the disaster area to console the victims. With Ren Ai Senior Citizens Home as a relief center for taking care of victims, Buddha’s Light members handed out large amounts of meal boxes. We are unwilling to see more disaster occurring; however, I am grateful that Buddha’s Light members around the world are so proactive. It is good to have you! In regards to education and culture, there is some good news. The Centre for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism co-established by FGS Foundation for Buddhist Education & Culture with Chinese University of Hong Kong, has started a second five-year contract. The Institute of Chinese Cultural Studies was established by Nanjing University to spread traditional Chinese culture. Out of happiness, I donated my royalties of thirty million dollars (NT) to build the Buddha’s Light Building. In addition, the Australian government gave permission to Nan Tien Institute to start enrolling students for the master’s program in February of this year. FGS also continued to foster many talents through training programs for media communication, administrative secretaries, Buddhist text editors, aesthetics, hospitality, social welfare, and the Srimala Institute. Last year was the 20th anniversary of the University of the West. Professor Wu Chin-shun who was previously Vice-president of the National Sun Yat-sen University, became president of the University of the West. Under the efforts of president Chen Miao-sheng, construction of Nanhua University’s gymnasium commenced. The professors and students will soon have access to an indoor activity center. At the 10th anniversary of Fo Guang University, besides thanking former president Weng Cheng-I for his efforts in promoting the school’s administration, we are honored to have former Minister of Education Yang Chao-xiang as the new university president.
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