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万佛圣城七周年纪念
The Seventh Anniversary of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas


圣城有今日的成就,乃是佛教徒经千辛万苦奋斗得来之成果。
The present accomplishments of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas result from the toil and efforts of Buddhist disciples in overcoming numerous hardships.
(一)佛法光临全世界
I. The Buddha's Teachings Spread Worldwide
万佛圣城成立已经七年,圣城有今日的成就,乃是佛教徒经千辛万苦奋斗得来之成果。其间不可思议的事迹,不胜枚举!眼见圣城目前一片蓬勃的生机,应从头说起:
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas has been in existence for seven years now. Its present accomplishments result from the toil and efforts of Buddhist disciples in overcoming numerous hardships. Countless miracles have occurred. Let us recount from the beginning how this flourishing City started.
二十余年前,上宣下化老和尚观察机缘成熟,乃毅然只身来美,把正法种子,散播在西半球肥沃的土地上。多年来勤奋开垦,含辛茹苦,竖正法幢,转大法轮。
Over twenty years ago, the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua saw that the conditions were ripe and traveled alone to America to sow the seeds of Proper Dharma in the fertile soil of the Western Hemisphere. Through the years he has arduously blazed new trails, enduring hardship in order to raise the banner of the Proper Dharma and turn the great wheel of Dharma.
一九六二年抵美时,在旧金山华埠成立“佛教讲堂”,自号“墓中僧”,韬光晦迹。一九六八年为西雅图大学生们开讲《楞严经》,成立“中美佛教总会”(法界佛教总会的前身)。随后,其它隶属本会之机构,如“金山圣寺”(一九七○年)、“国际译经学院”(一九七四年)、洛杉矶市“金轮圣寺”(一九七五年),曼都仙诺县深谷,达摩镇“万佛圣城”(一九七六年)、西雅图“达摩中心”(一九七六年)等正法道场,皆如雨后春笋,欣欣向荣,蓬勃发展,为未来佛教奠定稳固的基础。
Upon arriving in the United States in 1962, he founded the Buddhist Lecture Hall in San Francisco's Chinatown. He named himself "The Monk in the Grave" and lived in quiet anonymity. In 1968, the Master explained the Shurangama Sutra for students from the University of Washington in Seattle and founded the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association. In the years that followed, he founded various branches of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, including Gold Mountain Monastery (1970), the International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts (1972), Gold Wheel Monastery in Los Angeles (1975), the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Talmage, Mendocino County (1976), Bodhidharma Center in Seattle (1976), and others. Like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, these Way-places of Proper Dharma thrived and prospered, laying a stable foundation for Buddhism's future.
(二)义务教育,重整社会颓风
II. Promoting Free Education to Reform Social Trends
上人化人宗旨,是以出世的精神,作入世的事业。有鉴于举世道德颓靡,斯文扫地,师资不良,皆因教育失败。家长不关心儿童前途,任其发展,学校训导无方,不但不灌输道德思想,反而鼓励青少年尽做违背良心、伤天害理之行为,难怪形成社会里成千上万的流氓太保,杀人放火,贩毒奸贼,无恶不作。
In his transformation of people, the Venerable Master carries out worldly endeavors in a transcendental spirit. He sees the failure of education as the root cause for the decline of morals, the degradation of culture, and the poor quality of teaching. Parents allow children to do as they please, unconcerned for their futures. Schools are ineffective in educating and disciplining children. Instead of learning ethical values at school, children learn to ignore their consciences and violate natural principles. It's no wonder there are so many dropouts and juvenile delinquents who become involved in murder, arson, drug peddling, theft, and every conceivable crime.
上人纯以德行感化叛逆青年,改邪归正,甚至息灭帮派间之斗争,使社会安宁,默默帮助华人社会,厥功至伟!
Purely by means of his virtue, the Venerable Master has influenced rebellious young people to reform. He has even ended gang wars, bringing peace to society. He has quietly helped the overseas Chinese, creating tremendous merit.
上人一向热心教育,少年时在东北已办义学,蕴育精英。为拯救眼前教育沦亡之惨局,于一九八○年美国国庆节宣布,圣城所隶属之学校,一律免收学费,而积极提倡“敦品立德”之轨范,以正化民心,移风易俗。自从一九七五年首创育良小学,继而设立培德中学。小、中学是以男女分校上课,重礼节,讲孝悌,谆谆善诱,使青年人从善如流。育良小学以“孝”为宗旨,培德中学以“忠孝”为宗旨,而法界佛教大学则以“忠孝仁义”为宗旨。
The Master has long been committed to education. As a teenager in Manchuria, he started a free school for poor children. Wishing to rescue education from its present predicament, the Master announced on the Fourth of July in 1980 that the schools at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas would charge no tuition and would actively promote a model curriculum of ethical virtue and character so as to transform people's attitudes and reform social customs. Instilling Goodness Elementary was founded in 1975, followed by Developing Virtue Secondary School. In both schools, boys and girls study separately. Proper etiquette, filial piety, and fraternal respect are emphasized. Under skillful and patient instruction, young people behave virtuously as a matter of course. Instilling Goodness Elementary School focuses on the virtue of filial piety, while Developing Virtue Secondary School emphasizes service to society as well as filial piety. The aims of Dharma Realm Buddhist University are service, filial piety, humaneness, and justice.
世界的命运,掌握在青年人手里。苟不全心抚养栽培,后果不堪设想矣!故造就社会国家栋梁之材,为当务之急。本会所属各阶层之学府,旨在培育顶天立地、高风亮节的领袖人才,将来能广被群生,则人类幸甚!
The destiny of the world lies in the hands of young people. If we devote less than our full attention to their education, the consequences will be dire indeed! It is of critical importance to nurture young people who will be capable of leading and shaping society. The various educational institutions of this association aspire to foster outstanding future leaders of uncompromising integrity who will benefit all beings and bring blessings to humankind.
(三)人间福地,尘寰净土
III. A Pure Land of Blessings within the Mundane World
本会于一九七六年,购买万佛圣城,七年来默默耕耘,千魔不改,万魔不退,受尽各方面的排斥与攻击;尤其佛教之狮虫更加毁辱,唯恐天下不乱。然圣城面对诸多横逆,处之泰然,终于成为享誉国际的人间净土,卓然独立,耀人心目。
Since purchasing the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in 1976, the association has quietly persevered in its work, undaunted by setbacks. The City has been discriminated against and attacked, being slandered by those who rely on Buddhism for their livelihood. Having calmly withstood all adversities, the City is now recognized as an international "pure land on earth". It stands strong, independent, and shining in its splendor.
圣城位于旧金山以北一百一十五英里,面积为四百余英亩(包括妙觉山在内)。四边群山环抱,花草树木,应有尽有,如举世知名的大红木等。此外松柏翠竹,果树成行,相映成趣。城内有白鹤、孔雀、鹦鹉等,宣演微妙法音。梅花鹿、松鼠及各种飞禽走兽,点缀此人间圣境。城内巨型建筑物七十余栋,均以最高级材料建筑,可容纳二万住众。城内空气清新,瞻仰朝觐者,置身其间,往往陶然忘机,顿入不思议!
The City is located 115 miles north of San Francisco and covers more than 400 acres of land, including Wonderful Enlightenment Mountain. Surrounded by mountains, the City has all kinds of trees, flowers, and vegetation, such as the world-famous redwood, pine, cedar, bamboo, and rows of fruit trees. White cranes, peacocks, and other birds sing the wondrous sounds of Dharma. Spotted deer, squirrels, and other wild creatures populate the grounds. Over seventy large buildings, constructed with materials of the best quality, house up to twenty thousand residents. Breathing the fresh, clean air and taking in the lovely setting, it is easy to fall into a reverie.
(四)国际道场,建设辉煌独到
IV. An International Monastery of Imposing Architecture
圣城不断在筹建改良中,于一九八二年完成宏伟之三拱山门,能兼作讲台之用。目前的“万佛殿”,除四壁万佛庄严外,殿中则供奉高十八呎的千手千眼观世音菩萨圣像。此圣像灵验事迹,不胜枚举,诚心礼拜者,每求必应,心想事成。故有世界各国人士络绎不绝,接踵而至。
The City has undertaken numerous construction and renovation projects. The magnificent triple-arch front gate, which doubles as a lecture platform, was completed in 1982. The walls of the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas are adorned with ten thousand small Buddha statues, and an eighteen-foot-tall statue of the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Guanshiyin Bodhisattva stands in the front of the hall. Countless miracles are associated with this statue of the Bodhisattva. Those who pray sincerely before it never fail to gain a response. Thus this statue is visited by an endless stream of pilgrims from every nation.
又于一九八二年完成“琉璃金刚宝戒坛”,坛内四壁宝镜辉映,庄严宏伟叹未曾有。“五观堂”于已成立,乃最新款之建设,能容纳二千余人同时用斋。城内有“如来寺”、大“慈悲院”(男众)、大“喜舍院”(女众),及马鸣、龙树、师子等各大精舍。此外还有针炙诊所、综合医院(内有一百八十间病房)、难民救济会、世界宗教中心等建设。
The Vajra Jeweled Ordination Hall, also completed in 1982, is unique in its magnificent design, which includes interreflecting mirrors on four walls. The Five Contemplations Dining Hall, the most recent project to be completed, has a seating capacity of two thousand. Dormitories in the City include Tathagata Monastery, Great Compassion House (for men), Joyous Giving House (for women), Horse Whinney House, Dragon Tree House, and Lion House. In addition, the City as an acupuncture clinic, a general hospital with 180 rooms for patients, the Buddhist Council for the Rescue and Resettlement of Refugees, and a Center for World Religions.
现正积极筹建大雄宝殿。该殿高一百一十余呎,横三百三十呎,纵二百一十呎,可容纳万人同时礼佛。楼下是华严正法大讲堂,二楼为大雄宝殿。外形双迭飞檐,四面流水,磅礡壮观,将为西方规模最宏伟之佛殿。
Funds are currently being raised to build a Jeweled Hall of Great Heroes that will be 110 feet high, 330 feet long, and 210 feet wide. It will hold up to ten thousand worshippers at once. The first floor will be the Flower Adornment Proper Dharma Lecture Hall, and the second floor will be the Jeweled Hall of Great Heroes. The structure will have double eaves with the corners curving upwards and be surrounded by flowing water. It will be colossal and magnificent, the most splendid Buddha Hall in the West.
盖因美国为国际间之大国,故佛教兴起,必要有国际性水平之大型道场,始能将世界佛教领入灿烂辉煌之新阶段!
Since the United States is a great nation of the world, we must have a large, international monastery to lead world Buddhism into its next stage of splendid achievements!
(五)六大宗旨 大公无私
V. The Six Guiding Principles and Selfless Public Spirit
万佛圣城家风严峻,龙盘虎卧,缁素四众,皆杜绝攀缘,不事媚俗,不同流合污。上人从出家以来,抱定六大宗旨:“不争、不贪、不求、不自私、不自利、不妄语。”令其座下徒众,皆养成磊落昂藏,志行高洁的道风。所谓
Under the high standards of integrity of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the "dragons must coil up and the tigers must crouch down," so to speak. The members of the fourfold assembly avoid opportunism, flattery, and vulgar trends. As a monk, the Master has always lived by the Six Guidelines: not to fight, not to be greedy, not to seek, not to be selfish, not to pursue personal gain, and not to tell lies. As a result, his followers have developed uncompromising standards of integrity. The practitioners of our association take the following as their creed:
“冻死不攀缘,饿死不化缘,穷死不求缘;随缘不变,不变随缘,抱定我们三大宗旨。舍命为佛事,造命为本事,正命为僧事;即事明理,明理即事,推行祖师一脉心传。
” Freezing, we do not scheme. Starving, we do not beg. Dying of poverty, we ask for nothing. According with conditions, we do not change. Not changing, we accord with conditions. We adhere firmly to our three great principles. We renounce our lives to do the Buddha's work. We take the responsibility to mold our own destinies. We rectify our lives to fulfill the Sanghan's role. Encountering specific matters, we understand the principles. Understanding the principles, we apply them in specific matters. We carry on the single pulse of the Patriarchs' mind-transmission.
乃是本会修行人之座右铭。尽量革除时下急功近利、投机取巧、贪图快捷方式、不肯吃亏之流弊,而脚踏实地,真修实炼,养成“大拙”精神,献身佛教。上人教化众生,全凭忍耐功夫,尤其是西方任性惯了难调难伏之青年人,无不被其德行感化以至心悦诚服。徒弟若不听话,上人向彼叩头。就是以此超人至诚恳切之忍耐力,来摄受众生。
We try our best to avoid the utilitarian, opportunistic, and selfish attitudes common in this day and age. We strive to practice in an honest, down-to-earth fashion, devoting our lives to Buddhism with almost foolish sincerity. The Venerable Master uses nothing but patience to teach his disciples. Young Westerners in particular, who are used to listening to no one and having their own way, have been inspired to submit to him wholeheartedly. When his disciples fail to listen, the Master bows to them, using his superhuman sincerity and patience to gather in sentient beings.
(六)世界佛教放大光明
VI. World Buddhism Shines Resplendently
上人自来美二十余年,无非本着“一日不作,一日不食”的大无畏精神,处处以身作则,诲人不倦。
Since coming to the United States over twenty years ago, the Venerable Master has consistently embodied the courageous spirit of the maxim: "I shall not eat on any day that I have done no work." He always teaches by example and does not know the meaning of fatigue when it comes to instructing people.
现时座下出家众,包括华、美、义、越、马等国籍,皆是思想卓越,学问渊深,精严戒律,唯以正法为乐,不拉拢白衣,不交际权贵,来者不拒,往者不追,不受私人供养,一切财产归公家保管。如此振兴宗风,重整毗尼,实行“公共道场”之高蹈懿行。
His monastic disciples, who are of Chinese, American, British, Vietnamese, and Malaysian origins, are characterized by their outstanding ideals, profound erudition, and strict moral discipline. They delight only in the Proper Dharma and do not exploit the laity or curry favors from the rich and powerful. Neither turning away those who come nor pursuing those who leave the monastery, these disciples turn all donations over to the temple and receive no personal offerings. In this way, they hope to reform Buddhism, revive the Vinaya (moral discipline), and practice the lofty and virtuous conduct of a public monastery.
城中出家众,依照佛制,日中一食,夜不倒单,抖擞精神,为使正法永住。四众翻译经典,广办教育,念佛参禅,礼忏持咒,无不专心向上,为法忘躯。然却有佛教的癌病者,批评此非正法与中道,更讥为标奇立异,真不知彼等居心何在!
The monastics at the City observe the Buddha's regulations of eating only one meal a day and not lying down to sleep. They practice vigorously so as to perpetuate the Proper Dharma. The fourfold assembly is engaged in translating the Buddhist canon, providing education through the schools, reciting the Buddha's name, meditating, practicing repentance, and reciting mantras. In all of these, they advance single-mindedly, forgetting themselves for the sake of the Dharma. Yet there are detractors in Buddhism who criticize such practices as not according with the Proper Dharma and the Middle Way, and who accuse us of showing off. It is hard to fathom their intentions.
圣城钟灵毓秀,人文蔚起,才智之士,代不乏人。在末法时代,灼破重昏,照明寰宇,助佛扬化,绍隆三宝。所谓
In the City's auspicious environment, talented and learned individuals are not lacking. In this age of the Dharma's decline, they shine through the darkness to illuminate the universe, spreading the Buddha's teachings and perpetuating the Triple Jewel. It is said,
“无不从此法界流,无不还归此法界”,
There is nothing that does not flow forth from the Dharma Realm. There is nothing that does not return to the Dharma Realm.
此处乃是十方圣贤豪杰,荟萃之地也。今逢七周年庆祝大典,益加勇猛直前,誓与同仁共入无量光明解脱境界!
This is the place where sages, worthies, and heroes of the ten directions convene. On this occasion of the City's Seventh Anniversary Celebration, may we advance with vigor and enter the realm of infinitely bright liberation together.