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City of 10,000 Buddhas in My Eyes
From the December 1996 issue of Vajra Bodhi Sea
By Joseph Hsun, age 12Many people have the impression that the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) is a pure place for cultivation. If one lives here for a certain period, all of one’s regrets, afflictions, and troubles will surely disappear. Well, I say that not only is it a good place for cultivation, it is also a perfect place for study. It is easy to learn in such a pure place. The elementary and secondary schools in CTTB are also established upon the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua’s Six Great Guidelines: not contending, not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not pursuing personal benefits, and not telling lies. These Six Guidelines aim at helping young people develop good character and becoming virtuous leaders in the future. The Six Guidelines are deeply engraved into each student’s heart, providing them the chance to become good and talented people.
Moreover, the verdant trees and colorful flowers at the CTTB are such a pleasant sight. The gentle rolling hills are the perfect place for fitness exercises. This reminds me of the skill of meditation. Meditation is a fundamental way to train a person’s patience. It disciplines and tempers both the body and mind.
Many of the residents of the City agree with me that CTTB is a pure, holy place for self-cultivation as well as a fine place for children to grow up. The Venerable Master Hua, with great toil, founded the City to bless all those who wish to devote themselves to cultivation. We should ask ourselves: Do we truly do things in accordance with his principles and rules?
Everywhere you look in the City, you see happiness and smiles, instead of gloom and worry. People grow and mature in a happy environment. Under the protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and the Master, all difficulties find their solutions and all things can get done smoothly sooner or later.
So the CTTB in my opinion is a pure, beautiful, and blessed place. To mischievous children however, it may seem a tough place to live, but that very difficulty can act like a good medicine to cure their bad habits.
