CTTB's Mountain Gate...
The Main Entrance Gate of Three Arches
On the main entrance to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, a gate of three arches, the words “The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas” are engraved at the top in the center. “Tathagata Monastery” is engraved on the left and “Dharma Realm Buddhist University” is engraved on the right. The first line of the engraved matching couplet says, “The Flower Adornment Dharma Assembly, the Shurangama Platform, and the Forty-two Hands and Eyes establish the Heavens and the Earth.”
The second line says, “The World Honored Ones of Wonderful Enlightenment and the Bodhisattvas of Equal Enlightenment, with a billion transformation bodies, can turn oceans into mountains.” On the other side of the gate, “Teaching and Protecting All Nations” is inscribed in the center, “Educating for Outstanding Abilities” is on the left, and “Adorning with Dharma and Precepts” is on the right. The first line of an engraved matching couplet says, “With kindness and compassion, cross over all. Those who believe will be saved. Bring forth the Bodhi mind and advance with courage and vigor to perfect the Right Enlightenment.” The second line says, “With joy and compassion, cultivate together. Those who worship will obtain blessings. Make firm vows and practice patience and Dhyana-concentration to awaken to the true teaching.”
THE AVATAMSAKA SUTRA:
WHEN I SEE A STRAIGHT ROAD,
I VOW THAT LIVING BEINGS
WILL BECOME PROPER AND STRAIGHT IN THEIR MINDS, AND BE WITHOUT FLATTERY OR DECEIT.
A large Buddhist monastic commmunity...
Composed by Venerable Master Hua on May 12, 1978
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas proclaims the Proper Dharma
Now and in the future, never stopping.
Sweet dew water flows from the spring of Bodhi.
Dragon-tree Forest is covered with clouds of Prajna.
White cranes and deer are influenced by example.
Blackbirds and kalavinkas sing in harmony.
This is the refuge for the living beings of the Dharma Realm.
The Great Means Expansive Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra.
As you enter, please drive slowly and tread mindfully...
Composed by Venerable Master Hua on May 20, 1978
Emptiness and existence are non-dual: this is the mystery of all mysteries.
Carefully ponder the meaning within this.
Living beings have been asleep for limitless eons;
Buddhas awaken in the space of an instant.
Draw near to wise teachers, and cultivate the Proper Dharma.
Stay away from nonbelievers [icchantikas],
and eliminate unwholesome desires.
With the great power of patience, you reach the other shore (Paramita).
Unmoved by the eight winds, you are at Wonderful Enlightenment Mountain.
COUPLET ON THE MOUNTAIN GATE
OF THE CITY OF TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS
Composed by the Venerable Master Hua on May 4, 1980
The expansive scope of the Flower Adornment,
the Shurangama’s entire platform,
and the Forty-two Hands and Eyes
pinion the heavens and secure the earth.
The World Honored Ones with wonderful enlightenment,
Equal Enlightenment Bodhisattvas,
and hundreds of billions of transformation bodies
take seas and turn them into mountains.
Venerable Master Hsuan Hua:
City of Ten Thousand Buddhas was formally established in 1976.
Later, both the Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s statue and the opening the-
eye ceremony, as well as Dharma Realm Buddhist University’s grand
opening were held on November 4, 1979. Three years after that, the grand
opening ceremony for the three-arched main mountain gate, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall, and Five Contemplations Hall were held on October 30, 1982.
Mountain Gate at the City of 10,000 Buddhas
by
Venerable Master Hsuan Hua
As ten thousand Buddhas draw near,
The Dharma wheel turns constantly.
Extensively saving the masses by proclaiming the proper teaching
So that auspicious clouds and beautiful mists enhance the four seas.
While many sages surround and protect us,
The ship of kindness transforms all,
Guiding beings of all species to certify to Bodhi.
As ancient stars and the bright moon illumine a thousand regions.
This unique sanctuary is packed with scenic themes for your camera and canvas, your inspiration and contemplation…
Composed by Venerable Master Hua on April 20, 1978
The three thousand great thousand worlds
arise in a single thought.
When the great manifests within the small,
another world is reached.
As the breeze blows through Ukiah, fragrant flowers smile.
When it rains in Talmage, moistened plants rejoice.
With boundless joy and giving, bring benefit to the multitudes.
With vows of kindness and compassion, alleviate suffering and bestow happiness.
The constant changes of the land are speaking the great Dharma.
Wonderful Enlightenment Mountain wells forth from the earth.
COUPLET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN GATE
OF THE CITY OF TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS
Composed by the Venerable Master Hua on May 4, 1980
Kindness and compassion universally take beings across─
those who have faith will get saved.
Bring forth the Bodhi resolve
and with courage and vigor perfect Proper Enlightenment.
Joy and giving together cultivated─
those who worship will be blessed.
Make firm vows
and by means of patience and samadhi awaken to genuine truth.
The gentle deer is shy and easily frightened away, a reminder that we need to approach all life with gentleness and kindness…
Venerable Master Hsuan Hua:
In the West, the Buddhadharma radiates a bright light of dawn
As in the East, it rescues beings and bestows long life and health;
If you can awaken to your basic identity, your unborn being,
On the spot you ascend together to Ten Thousand Buddhas’ Land.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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