Sustainable Peace In The Perfect Middle Way, Part II

Author: Nanren Shi

Chairman of The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation  

The perfect wisdom is a Buddhist terminology. In the chapter 4 of the Surangama Sutra, it is said:"

Thus Tathagata said that the basic natures of earth, water, fire, and wind are perfectly interfused,  pervade the Dharma Realm, and are tranquil and eternal. " The Tiantai and Huaya school of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism have more detailed teachings about the meanings and the applications of The Perfect Wisdom. The perfect  means fulfillment, fully fledged and fully attained. The perfect has nothing missed. If there is even minor missing , it wouldn't be the perfect.  Everybody wants a perfect life. For instance the perfect amount of wealth, a perfect career, a perfect family and more. When one's personality becomes fully developed without any impurity, we would call him or her a " perfect person ". Therefore, we all wish ourselves to become a fully developed perfect person.

Realizing The Perfect wisdom is the highest mind state in Buddhism, but not in the extreme way. All phenomenas are perfectly interfused and pervade in our universe, and of course also in the Dharma Realm. "The Perfect Nature of All Sentiment Beings have" is the original Buddhist concept of equality. Buddhism not only believes that all human beings are equal, but also believes that all sentient beings from all 10 spiritual realms are equal. Buddhists perceive rivers, mountains, earth are equal in its nature. If we can treat people in a perfectly reasonable way, people will complain less about us. Once we can treat all sentient beings equally, it is a phenomenon of perfect reality. Once we could perceive that all phenomenas are equally conditional existing, we would live in a perfect awakening world of tranquility ourselves.

The Buddhist methodology of entering the real world to benefit people has been observed since Buddha's time. Shakyamuni Buddha taught the perfect wisdom through his 1st Turning of Dharma Wheel, his teachings on the Vulture Peak Mountain and his parinirvana.  Since Buddhism was introduced to China, all Chinese enlightened ones emphasized the importance of The Perfect Wisdom in The Middle Way. Without extremist views ourselves in Buddhism, we  will properly teach and help people according to the demand of the people.

Sustainable Peace In The Perfect Middle Way, Part I

Author: Nanren Shi,

Chairman of The International Buddhist Federation 

Buddhist Pilgrim in Vaisali, India  

The Buddhist Forum is organized by Buddhist organizations from three countries: China, Canada and America, will be held in the Toronto University. It will be the milestone in world Buddhist history, and will be  a breakthrough event for Chinese Mahayana teaching and Chinese traditional culture to participate their roles in Northern America. A powerful country and nation must have same international influence  through its culture.

Buddhism has been in China for more than 2500 years. It's a very important component of Chinese culture.  Introducing the precious Chinese traditional culture---Chinese Mahayana Buddhism  to Northern America, and even the world, is a realistic step to fulfill the strategy of " The Belt and Road" and "Chinese Dream", are  initiated by Chinese leaders。 The success of three-country "Buddhist Forum"  will play an important role in further promoting both Chinese and Buddhist civilizations in Northern America. It also will present Buddhism on the world historical stage in a more positive and vigorous way.

The theme of the 1st " Buddhist Forum of China, Canada and America " is " Sustainable Peace in The Perfect Middle Way". This innovative theme was given by the chairman of Chinese Buddhist Association, Venerable Xuecheng Shi. My understanding for this theme has three parts.

1. It emphasizes the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
2. It emphasizes the Buddhist view of perfect middle way which see the world as one with the efforts of everyone. A peaceful world starts from me.
3. Sustainable peace is the long-term goal of the three country Buddhist forum, and also the wish of all world.

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhigaya, India 

Sustainable Peace In The Perfect Middle Way, Part I

Author: Nanren Shi,

Chairman of The International Buddhist Federation 

Buddhist Pilgrim in Vaisali, India  

The Buddhist Forum is organized by Buddhist organizations from three countries: China, Canada and America, will be held in the Toronto University. It will be the milestone in world Buddhist history, and will be  a breakthrough event for Chinese Mahayana teaching and Chinese traditional culture to participate their roles in Northern America. A powerful country and nation must have same international influence  through its culture.

Buddhism has been in China for more than 2500 years. It's a very important component of Chinese culture.  Introducing the precious Chinese traditional culture---Chinese Mahayana Buddhism  to Northern America, and even the world, is a realistic step to fulfill the strategy of " The Belt and Road" and "Chinese Dream", are  initiated by Chinese leaders。 The success of three-country "Buddhist Forum"  will play an important role in further promoting both Chinese and Buddhist civilizations in Northern America. It also will present Buddhism on the world historical stage in a more positive and vigorous way.

The theme of the 1st " Buddhist Forum of China, Canada and America " is " Sustainable Peace in The Perfect Middle Way". This innovative theme was given by the chairman of Chinese Buddhist Association, Venerable Xuecheng Shi. My understanding for this theme has three parts.

1. It emphasizes the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
2. It emphasizes the Buddhist view of perfect middle way which see the world as one with the efforts of everyone. A peaceful world starts from me.
3. Sustainable peace is the long-term goal of the three country Buddhist forum, and also the wish of all world.

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhigaya, India 

Little Monks from The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation Supported Monastery Sing in Buddhism

Little monks from Palyul Theckchen Ling monastery of Nepal, reciting Compassion Buddha's Mantra. The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation has been the long term sponsor of this monastery. 

Chairman Mr. Shi Visited Longquan Monastery of Beijing

April 2, 2017, Chairman of The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation visited Longquan Monastery in Beijing.  He had a pleasant meeting with Venerable Xuecheng Shi, the Abbot and the chairman of Chinese Buddhist Association.  

Mr. Shi (left) with the chairman of Chinese Buddhist Association, Venerable Xuecheng Shi

Mahayana Buddhism is a path available to people from all walks of life. It emphasizes the enlightenment of all beings and offers devotional path for lay people.  

In America, it's trending that more people are interested in Meditation. Mahayana Buddhism has long history of meditation practice since 2600 years ago. The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation created programs to meet the demands of people in America, including Prison Dharma Program, Living and Dying Education, Tea and Zen Tasting. 

Venerable Xuecheng Shi expressed his compassionate wishes for The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation and its social function in spreading Buddha's wisdom,practice and compassion. 

The president of the online Buddhist platform smarttemple.com also joined the meeting. 

For more information about our programs, please contact us at: huayanusa@gmail.com

Pilgrim to Zen Monastery

Chairman Mr. Nan Ren Shi and Program Director Ms. Pingping Huang paid a pilgrim visit to the famous Zen Monastery, Ling Shan Monastery, which located in Shantou of Guangdong province. 

The monastery was built up in Chinese Tang Dynasty since year  791. This Monastery practices Chinese Linji Zen School. Linji Zen school is one of the five sub lineages which were created by the students of the Chinese most popular Zen master, the Zen  Sixth patriarch Hui Neng.

The present Abbot of Ling Shan monastery is Venerable Yáo Yu Shi. He was one of the 1st graduates of Chinese Buddhist Academy, Ling Yan mountain school, after Chinese government opened its door.

The chairman of The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation Mr. Nanren Shi and Abbot Venerable Yáo Yu Shi were classmates in The Chinese Buddhist Academy, Ling Yan Mountain school. 

Venerable Yaoyu Shi offered a courtesy tour during Mr. Nanren Shi's visiting in Lingyan monastery. 

In the middle, Venerable Yáo Yu Shi, the Abbot of Ling Shan Monastery 

Indian style stupa was built up in Tang Dynasty.  

Shakyamuni's  relic was displayed in the museum of Ling Shan Monastery  

Shakyamuni's relic in Ling Shan Monastery  

Precious crystal statue of Avalokitesvara Buddhisattva from Tang Dynasty. 

Abbot Venerable Yáo Yu with an Tang Dynasty stone boat. 

Chairman of The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation offered own written Chinese calligraphy to the Abbot of Ling Shan Monastery Venerable Yáo Yu Shi.  

Chairman Attended Venerable Ming Xue Nirvana Ceremony

Chairman Mr. Shi said farewell to his teacher Venerable Ming Xue Shi in Ling Yan Monastery in Suzhou, China. Venerable Monk Ming Xue was ordained in 1948. He passed away at age of 93. 

Chairman Mr. Shi with Venerable Xing Xue in Ling Yan Mountain at the time Mr. Shi was a teacher in Ling Yan Buddhist University.  

Thousands people from all over the world came to say goodbye to Venerable Ming Xue

Classmates of Ling Yan Buddhist University met after more than 30 years during Puja.