Dharma Meeting between Urban Monasteries: President of PRC Buddhist Association Tours Baoyun Monastery
On the morning of April 22nd, 2016, Ven. Xue-Cheng (學誠和尚), the President of the Buddhist Association of People’s Republic of China and the Abbot of Beijing Longquan Monastery (北京龍泉寺), and other distinguished guests were traveling to Taichung. Along the way they paid a visit to Baoyun Monastery, Dharma Drum Mountain’s central educational center in Taiwan. The visiting monastics were recieved by Dharma Drum Mountain Abbot President Ven. Guo-Dong (果東方丈) and the Director of Baoyun Monastery, Ven. Guo-Li (果理法師), who served as guides as their guests came to understand the educational program of Dharma Drum Mountain's urban monasteries and experienced the Dharma ethos therein.
The disciples at Baoyun Monastery were engaged in the practice of chanting Buddha’s name when Ven. Xue-Cheng and the other guests arrived. After the usual Dharma practice, the Abbot President led the Sangha assembly and hundreds of lay practitioners in welcoming their distinguished guests in Grand Buddha Hall. Ven. Xue-Cheng was invited to give a Dharma talk and bless to the participants with favorable conditions of Dharma.
“Baoyuan Monastery is situated at center of Taichung to promote Buddhist activities and spirituality, engaging in various meditative practices for the benefit of society. Ultimately this is the embodiment of Buddhist compassion," Ven. Xue-Cheng expressed. "All of this can be accomplished because of Ven. Master Sheng-Yen’s efforts and endeavors over the years, as well as all of his followers’ support." He was very thankful for the warm greetings from Dharma Drum Mountain and was very moved. He admired the steady development of Buddhism in Taiwan and the valuable contributions of hardworking senior venerables.
Afterward, the Abbot President escorted Ven. Xue-Cheng and the visiting guests on a tour of Baoyun Monastery. Beginning at the gate, they paid tribute in sequence to the statue of the Welcoming Guanyin Bodhisattva, next the statue of Buddha in Grand Hall, and the statue of the Wish Fulfilling Guanyin Bodhisattva. Also, they visited the Dharma Drum Mountain History Hall and an exhibition of Master Sheng-Yen’s calligraphy. The guests, who had already visited the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan District New Taipei City, expressed their praise for the monastery, saying that the Dharma teaching and the spirit of DDM are carried on and spread by the earnest efforts made there. After a pleasant and edifying visit, all gathered expressed their appreciation for DDM’s urban monasteries and the service they provide to the city residents.
Text contributed by Ms. Chen, Mei-Chuan (陳玫娟)
Translated by Kate Wan-chi Huang (黃婉琪)
Edited by Matthew Stoia