A Letter to Dharma Protectors and Friends in 2017 Merit Times 2017 年 1 月 1 日 星期日 A Letter to Dharma Protectors and Friends in 2017 Dear Dharma protectors and friends, at Dajue Temple in August. The Venerable that they may have hope and a future. full ordination ceremony in Changzhou’s fundraised to complete the Sutra Repository, Auspicious greetings! Master has divided the book into the following Commencing in September, the first batch Tianning Temple, leader of the four major the “Dharma Gem.” Instead, they used Gazing at beautiful sceneries of life, in sections: of 32 students were accepted in the “Seeds monasteries in South Eastern China. their allowance, offerings received the blink of an eye, it is time once again to 1. Humanistic Lifestyle of the Buddha of Hope Project” instituted by the Fo Guang In September, the United from holding lectures and Dharma welcome a new year. As Fo Guang Shan 2. Core Concepts of Humanistic Buddhism Shan Foundation for Buddhist Culture & Association of Humanistic services, royalties issued from enters its 51st year, Venerable Master, though 3. Development of Buddhism in China Education, and began their studies at Pu-Men Buddhism, Chunghua organized a publications, as well as income still in recovery, has instructed that I present 4. Contemporary Development of Chinese High School. In Venerable Master’s meeting Cross-Strait exchange delegation, from the Water Drop Teahouses a report to the public, especially our devotees Buddhism with them, he shared that although from a poor with more than 180 monastics and and Venerable Master’s One-Stroke and friends, on what we have accomplished The purpose of this layout is to manifest family, he felt that he was a seed with potential. lay participants from temples across Calligraphy for its construction. over the past year as well as what the future the Buddha’s original intents of benefitting Because of his diligence, commitment, Taiwan. Led by Executive Deputy Now the infrastructure of the Triple development of Humanistic Buddhism will the world. Buddhism is a religion of the kindness, and willingness to develop good Abbot Venerable Hui Chuan, the Gem is completed. Within the first fifty be. human world. The Buddha was human, not affinities, this seed has grown to achieve delegation visited temples, including years of its founding, Fo Guang Shan This past year, Fo Guang Shan celebrated a god. Therefore, Buddhism is humanistic greatness today. Venerable Master encouraged Longquan Temple and Fayuan Temple has accomplished not only its construction, its 50th anniversary with much warmth, and does not rely on the power of deities. the youths that as young seeds, they should in Beijing, to exchange experiences but also successfully fostered talented diversity, and jubilance. To begin with, amidst Everyone should uphold the belief that we are strive to be the most “noble, outstanding, and on temple management and Dharma people who have become its foundation. anticipation and excitement, we held “Fo all buddhas ourselves, proudly say, “I am a virtuous.” propagation. They also visited Everyone’s collective efforts have Guang Shan: Retrospection” to celebrate the buddha,” and pursue a life of happiness built Poverty had kept Venerable Master from Buddhist colleges and participated in propagated the Dharma and Humanistic 50th year of our founding. The establishment on a foundation of self-growth by relying on formal education. Nevertheless, he remains the Cross-Strait Buddhist Education Buddhism across the five continents of the of Fo Guang Shan was only possible the self and the Dharma. both very diligent and knowledgeable. In May, Conference with numerous Buddhist College world. through the collaborative effort of millions of Fo Guang Shan’s cultural publication President Ku Yuen-kuang of National Pingtung representatives. At the trip’s conclusion, Progress over the next half century will devotees, benefactors, friends, and thousands division also had a fruitful year. In January, the University came to Fo Guang Shan to confer the delegation attended a forum at the State be guided by Venerable Master’s vision of a of temples, all working together in the spirit bi-monthly Humanistic Buddhism: Journal, upon him an honorary doctorate degree. In Bureau of Religious Affairs of the People ̕ s “Triple Gem Mountain,” as well as reflections of cooperation. From May 14th to 17th, we Arts and Culture was launched, comprising October, Dongbei University of Finance and Republic of China, and lastly the Humanistic on and adjustments to the initial organizational invited, as an expression of our gratitude, those both academic and literary papers suited for Economics in Mainland China invited him Buddhism Discussion Forum at Dajue Temple structure of Fo Guang Shan. Overall, the with an affinity with Fo Guang Shan to share a wider audience. Additionally, the English to be an emeritus professor. In December, the in Yixing. system is divided into the administrative unit their memories on learning and practicing edition of the 20-volume Encyclopedia of Chinese University of Hong Kong bestowed This exchange not only allowed those and specialized units. The administrative unit Buddhism. Buddhist Arts was published in May. Under onto him an honorary doctorate degree in from Mainland China to gain a better includes Dajue Temple and the “Triple Gem For the first three days of “Fo Guang Shan: the direction of Chief Editor Venerable Ru social science. Venerable Master has now understanding of Buddhism in Taiwan, but Mountain.” Retrospection,” speakers featured public Chang and Venerable You Heng, the editing obtained a total of 22 honorary doctorates. also encouraged unity and interaction amongst The “Buddha Gem Mountain” focuses figures (such as Wu Po-hsiung, Chen Chao- and layout design of the English edition was Learning requires self-motivation. Both the Buddhist organizations in Taiwan. Secretary- on cultural development and comprises: Fo long, Li Chi-mao, Charles H. C. Kao, Yang completed three years after the Chinese edition Buddhist concept of “self-awareness” and the General Venerable Chueh Pei, responsible Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Fo Guang Chao-hsiang, Lin Tsong-ming, Lai Wei- was published in 2013. Confucian “self-learning” are the most noble for organizing the exchange, expressed her Tripitaka Editing Committee, Fo Guang cheng, Chang Yia-chung, and Li Jui-teng) Furthermore, with the unceasing efforts of educational principles. Based on this spirit, gratitude to Venerable Master Hsing Yun for Cultural Enterprise, Gandha Samudra Culture and those who helped Venerable Master Venerables Man Ji, Yung Ben, Miao Shu, and we applied for the establishment of academic his guidance and pursuit of a new frontier. Company, Beautiful Life Television, the build Fo Guang Shan half a century ago. their teams, the forty-volume Yogacara Canon institutes in Mainland China. Currently, Fo Indeed, Venerable Master has diligently sowed Merit Times, and Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Notably, there was Hsiao Ting-shun who and the nineteen-volume Jataka Canon of the Guang Shan has four government-endorsed the seeds of Buddhism through building Headquarters. helped with construction, as well as Tai Pao- Fo Guang Buddhist Canon were published educational programs: the Yixing Yunhu affinities and fostering talents over the past The “Dharma Gem Mountain” promotes cheng who cooked at the Pilgrim’s Lodge for and launched in August and September Academy, Yangzhou Cultural Academy, decade. The future rests on Chinese youths education and involves: the Sutra Repository, over 40 years and is now retired at Fo Guang respectively. The Fo Guang Buddhist Canon Nanjing Jinling Academy, and Beijing to continue their cultivation, in order to Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, Tsung- Shan Senior Home. More than 50 speakers, contains a total of sixteen categories. The Guangzhong Academy. These programs focus eventually blossom and bear fruit. Lin University, educational institutions of all including Lin Chin-chi, Cheng Shih-yen, and Agama Canon was published in 1983, on the dual-cultivation of merits and wisdom, At the BLIA World Headquarters General levels worldwide, including all kindergartens, Chao Tsui-hui, selflessly gave decades of followed by the Pure Land Canon, Chan and equal emphasis on theory and practice. Conference in October, Venerable Master primary, and secondary schools. support, and are manifestations of diligent, Canon, Avatamsaka Canon, and Prajna Canon Venerable Master believes that “Buddhism gave a keynote speech on “Consensus The “Sangha Gem Mountain” encompasses aspiring bodhisattvas in our world. in subsequent years. So far, eight categories is indispensable to the revival of Chinese and Openness.” He encouraged all to seek different departments of Fo Guang Shan Of course, those who have contributed have been completed. Onwards, members of Culture,” and has faith that these undertakings consensus regarding Humanistic Buddhism Headquarters, as well as domestic and to Fo Guang Shan are not merely limited to of the Fo Guang Shan Order shall continue to will be beneficial to purifying the mind and and aspects including cross-sectarian respect, overseas branch temples. those mentioned above. We can only list a few dedicate themselves to illuminating the world inspiring morality. gender equality, valuing youths and fostering Specialized units include: Fo Guang Shan people as exemplary representatives as a token through the torch of prajna wisdom. Just as before, there were amiable and talents, and the heritage of faith. In conjunction, International University Consortium, Buddha’s of our sincere appreciation. We would like The power of words is infinite. Thus, continuous cultural exchanges between the Venerable Master also believes in openness, Light International Association, foundations, to thank everyone for helping to turn a page Venerable Master Hsing Yun has been Cross-Strait. In 2015, the head and body of such as that of monastery grounds, the mind, and other government registered entities. in our history and dedicating your merits to diligently writing to disseminate the Dharma.