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A YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD OF THE LIFE OF VENERABLE MASTER HUA
AND THE ACTIVITIES OF DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION
The Venerable Master Hua selflessly gave everything he had to Buddhism. Devoid of any thought of self, he established the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association in the United States to extensively propagate the Dharma for the benefit of living beings. In order to train his disciples, he often allowed them to organize and manage events on their own. After the Venerable Master's arrival in America, the events of his life were closely tied to the activities of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, and so they will be listed together from here on.
1962-1968. Age: 45-51
He lectured on the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra, the Vajra Sutra, the Heart Sutra, the Song of Enlightenment by Great Master Yongjia, the Book of Changes, the Sixth Patriarch's Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra, and the Amitabha Sutra.
1968. Age: 51
In June, at the Buddhist Lecture Hall in San Francisco, he began a 96-day Study and Practice Summer Session for students and faculty from the University of Washington in Seattle, during which he lectured on the Shurangama Sutra, as often as four times a day by the end. After the session was over, many of the participants remained in San Francisco to study under the Venerable Master. Five Americans left the home-life under him, marking the beginning of the Sangha in the history of American Buddhism.
In November, he began lecturing on the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra, the Earth Store Sutra, and the Vajra Sutra.
1969. Age: 52
He lectured on the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra and Verses Without A Stand, the Chapter on the "Conduct and Vows of Universal Worthy" (Avatamsaka Sutra), the Sixth Patriarch's Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra, the Great Compassion Heart Dharani Sutra, and the Amitabha Sutra.
The five American left-home disciples went to Keelung, Taiwan and received full ordination at Haihui Monastery.
1970. Age: 53
He lectured on the Shastra on the Door to Understanding the Hundred Dharmas.
He founded Gold Mountain Monastery in San Francisco (Fifteenth Street address)
He held the Hundred Day Chan Session (November 15– February 20, 1971), during which he gave Chan instruc tional talks and lectured on the Records of High Sanghans.He founded Vajra Bodhi Sea, a monthly journal of orthodox Buddhism.
1971. Age: 54
He lectured on the Shastra of the Awakening of Faith in Mahayana, the Sutra of Divining Good and Evil Karma, the Preface to the Flower Adornment Sutra Prologue, and the Flower Adornment Sutra Prologue.
1972. Age: 55
He began lecturing on The Ten Dharma Realms Are Not Beyond A Single Thought, the Flower Adornment Sutra, and the Bodhi Seal of the Patriarchs.
On September 22, Gold Mountain Monastery completed the first Threefold Ordination Ceremony of a Thousand Buddhas.
1973. Age: 56
He founded the Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts.
He founded Instilling Goodness Elementary Schools (Boys' School and Girls' School) at the Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts in San Francisco.
American left-home disciples Heng Ju and Heng Yo began a Three Steps One Bow pilgrimage from San Francisco to Gold Summit Monastery in Seattle to pray for world peace. This was the first Three Steps One Bow pilgrimage in the history of American Buddhism.
1974. Age: 57
He founded the Bodhidharma Center in Seattle.
He lectured on the Sutra in Forty-two Sections Spoken by the Buddha and the Essentials of the Shramanera Vinaya and Rules of Deportment.
He purchased the site of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) in northern California.
(November 20 anuary 12, 1975) Upon invitation he led a delegation to propagate the Dharma in Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, and other places.
1975. Age: 58
He founded Gold Wheel Monastery (old location) in Los Angeles.
He lectured on the Chapter of the "Perfect Penetration of Great Strength Bodhisattva" and on the Nature of Medicinal Herbs.1976. Age: 59
On August 30, the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas completed the second Threefold Ordination Ceremony of a Thousand Buddhas.
He founded Developing Virtue Secondary Schools (Boys' School and Girls' School) and Dharma Realm Buddhist University
1977. age: 60
On May 7 American left-home disciples Heng Sure and Heng Chau began a Three Steps One Bow pilgrimage from Gold Wheel Monastery in Los Angeles to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in northern California to pray for world peace.
In November, Paul Cardinal Yubin led a religious delegation to visit the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
1978. Age: 61
From July 30 September 27, he led the first Asian Delegation of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and Dharma Realm Buddhist University, in response to invitations from Buddhists in Southeast Asia, on a tour of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong to propagate the Dharma. During a twelve-day nationwide tour of Malaysia, over 6000 people took refuge with the Triple Jewel, an unprecedented number in Malaysian Dharma propagation.
From December 10–17 the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas held a memorial service for Paul Cardinal Yubin, Honorary Trustee of Dharma Realm Buddhist University, for San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, and for the souls of all disaster victims in the Dharma Realm. Sutras were recited for seven days on their behalf.
He lectured on the Earth Store Sutra.1979. Age: 62
Instilling Goodness Elementary School moved to CTTB.
On March 14 during a dialogue with Quentin Kopp, member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the Venerable Master predicted that Communism would disappear in ten years.
On October 28 the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas completed the third Threefold Ordination Ceremony.
On November 4:
1. Inauguration held for CTTB's Thousand-handed, Thousand-Eyed Guanshiyin Bodhisattva statue
2. Opening ceremony for Dharma Realm Buddhist University
3. Completion of nine year lecture series on the great Sutra of the Dharma Realm--the Flower Adornment Sutra
4. American left-home disciples Heng Sure and Heng Chau completed their Three Steps One Bow pilgrimage
He lectured on Exhortation to Bring Forth the Resolve forBodhi, the Shurangama Mantra with Verses and Commentary, and the Sutra of the Buddha's Final Teaching.
1980. Age: 63
He lectured on the Earth Store Sutra.
1980-1986. Age: 63-69
He established the Buddhist Council for the Rescue and Resettlement of Refugees, a non-profit social welfare organization authorized by the American government to rescue and resettle Vietnamese and other Indo-Chinese refugees, giving them vocational counseling and English training.
1981. Age: 64
In December he attended the Third World Sangha Conference (Taipei, Taiwan).
From November 29 to December 29 he led the Second Asian Delegation of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and Dharma Realm Buddhist University on a tour of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia to propagate the Dharma.
He delivered lectures at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Davis, the University of Oregon, and San Francisco State University.
He lectured on the "Pure Conduct" Chapter.
1982. Age: 65
On October 24 the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas completed the fourth Threefold Ordination Ceremony.
On October 31 CTTB held a large Dharma Assembly commemorating the completion and inauguration of the gate of three arches at the entrance, the Jewelled Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and the Five Contemplations Dining Hall. It was attended by several thousand people from the United States and several hundred devotees from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other countries.
He established the Sangha and Laity Training Programs.
1983. Age: 66
On January 2 Gold Wheel Monastery held its opening ceremony and the jade Buddha emitted light, an auspicious sign.
He began lecturing on Medicine Master Sutra, the Nirvana Sutra, and the Analects.
The CTTB began the annual tradition of bowing the Jewelled Repentance before Ten Thousand Buddhas prior to the Festival for Bathing the Buddha (Buddha's Birthday). From November to January of 1984 he sent his disciples on the Third International Delegation of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and Dharma Realm Buddhist University to visit Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, India, Germany, Austria, France, and England.
1984. Age: 67
He founded Gold Summit Monastery in Seattle (old location) and Gold Buddha Monastery in Vancouver, Canada.
On May 27 Dharma Realm Buddhist University held its First Commencement Exercises.
He lectured on the Chapter of the "Perfect Penetration of Great Strength Bodhisattva."
1985. Age: 68
He lectured on the Song of Enlightenment by Great Master Yong Jia, Reflections in Water and Mirrors, and the Essay on the Exhortation to Bring Forth the Bodhi Resolve.
1986. Age: 69
Gold Mountain Monastery moved to a new location in San Francisco's Chinatown. The Dharma Realm Buddhist Books Distribution Association was founded in Taiwan.
From July 4–6 the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas held its Tenth Anniversary Celebration.On July 6 the Sangha and Laity Training Programs held their First Commencement Exercises.
He founded Avatamsaka Monastery in Calgary, Canada.
1987. Age: 70
On January 29 Gold Mountain Monastery held an inauguration ceremony for its three Buddha images.
On May 22 the anniversary of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva, Gold Summit Monastery held an inauguration ceremony for images of Universal Worthy, Manjushri, Weituo, and Qielan Bodhisattvas.
On May 10 the anniversary of Manjushri Bodhisattva, Gold Buddha Monastery held an inauguration ceremony for images of Manjushri and Universal Worthy Bodhisattvas. In July he attended and delivered speeches at various symposia on education and philosophy in New York, Texas, and the U.S. West Coast.
From July 18–24 he hosted the Water, Land, and Air Ceremony and invited nearly 100 Sangha members from mainland China to attend. In the history of Chinese Buddhism, this was the Buddhist event with the greatest number of participants coming from the farthest distances. Several thousand people from this country and abroad attended.
In August he hosted the Conference of United World Religions, inviting representatives of Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, and Taoism to gather and discuss current pressing social issues related to ethics, science and technology, religion, education, the family, and so on. In August he was a guest lecturer at the Buddhist-Christian Conference held at the University of California at Berkeley, speaking on "Meditation and Prayer."
1988. Age: 71
On April 6 California Secretary of State March Fong Eu visited Gold Mountain Monastery.
He gave lectures at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver: "The Force of Great Learning," "Confucianism and Human Roots," "An Ancient Chinese Method in Modern Times," "In Search of Great Wisdom and Harmony."On August 20 the Second Commencement Exercises of Dharma Realm Buddhist University and the Sangha and Laity Training Programs were held.
August 28 he hosted a conference on religion, ethics, science, education, and philosophy: "Tapping the Potential for Wisdom Inherent in Humankind."
On September 10 the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas held an inauguration ceremony for the image of Earth Store Bodhisattva and an Earth Store Bodhisattva Celebration.
In December he led the Third International Propagation Delegation of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and Dharma Realm Buddhist University to Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong at the invitation of major Buddhist monasteries. He conducted a Dharma Assembly for Protecting the Nation and Quelling Disasters and other Dharma propagation activities. He also founded the Proper Dharma Buddhist Academy in Taiwan.
1989. Age: 72
He delivered lectures at various universities in America and abroad on "Major Events and Changes in China in the Past Century."
In January he was a special guest of President George Bush at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. He was the only Oriental representative at a National Prayer Meeting.
In March he delivered a Dharma lecture at the Washington Buddhist Association.
In March he gave lectures at the Quaker Center for Study and Meditation in Philadelphia on "Renewal of Virtue" and "Virtue in Action" and hosted discussions on the common bonds concerning Buddhism, Confucianism, and Quakerism.On April 1 Father John Rogers, Lecturer in Religious Studies at Humboldt State University (HSU), brought several dozen HSU students on a field trip to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas as part of their course in Comparative Religion. Since then, Father Rogers has organized field trips to CTTB every semester.
In April he lectured at the University of Oregon on "Buddhism--The Perspective of Wisdom."
In April he lectured at the University of British Columbia on "Fundamental Moral Obligations," "Buddhist Ethics," "Human Foundations and Filial Respect," "Remolding Your Life," and "Harmonious Family Life."
In July he lectured at the University of Hawaii on "Contribution of Ancient Wisdom to Modern Education," "100 Years of Change: China in the Twentieth Century," "The Chinese Vision of the Way and Its Virtue."
From July 15ugust 5 the Dharma Realm Buddhist University held an Intensive Seminar and Practicum on Ethics.
On August 10 he participated in "A Christian-Buddhist Dialogue" with a professor of the Department of Religious Studies of Humboldt State University.
On September 2 the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas completed the Fifth Threefold Ordination Ceremony.
On September 9 he gave lectures at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on "How to Improve Current Educational Trends" and "Major Events and Changes in China in the Past Century."
From September 10–11 he gave lectures at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) on "Buddhism and Life: Some Basic Issues" and "Interrelationships Between World Religions."
From September 17–19 he gave lectures at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver) on "Our Responsibilities to Society, Our Country, and the World," "The Fundamental Aspect of Technology," "Shaping Your Own Destiny--A Buddhist Approach," "Proper Goals and Development for Today's Youth," and "The Buddhist Theory of Cause and Effect."
From October 9 ovember 3, he led the Fourth International Propagation Delegation of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and Dharma Realm Buddhist University to Taiwan, where he hosted the Guanyin Great Compassion Dharma Assembly for Protecting the Nation and Quelling Disasters. During that time there was a great earthquake in San Francisco, confirming the Venerable Master's words, "As long as I am in San Francisco, I will not allow an earthquake to occur in San Francisco."
On November 4 an inauguration celebration was held for the image of Medicine Master Thus Come One Who Quells Disasters and Lengthens Life at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
On November 9 and 11, he lectured on "What is the Basis of Education?" and held a Workshop on Meditation and Buddhist Practice.
From November 30ecember 3 he delivered lectures in Austin, Texas.
Dharma Realm Monastery was founded in Liugui, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.