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Notice: GCCB is closed on the 25th December 2009 & the 1st January 2010 |
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Location: Geneva Conference Centre of Buddhism |
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Location: Geneva Conference Centre of Buddhism |
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Buddha Memorial Hall |
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A thousand years in one moment; One moment in
a thousand years. |
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1998 - 2007 For decades, Venerable Master Hsing Yun has been planning to establish a center that would perpetually propagate Buddhist culture and art. Due to the auspicious inheritance of the Buddha's tooth relic, Venerable Master Hsing Yun started building plans for the Buddha Memorial Center in 1998, and obtained great support from the Kaohsiung County Magistrate, Mr. Yang Chiu-hsing. Once completed, the Buddha Memorial Center will encompass approximately forty hectares and include the Central Complex, the Memorial Plaza, and Vulture Peak. The Central Complex will house both the main exhibition area and the Buddha Tooth Relic Shrine. It will be surrounded by four stupas that symbolize the Four Noble Truths. In front of the Central Complex will stand eight Chinese-style pagodas, which signify the Noble Eightfold Path. On Vulture Peak, a majestic Buddha statue will measure forty meters in height and reflect the Buddha's greatness and benevolence. The Memorial Plaza will be able to accommodate more than ten thousand people. 2008 - 2011 To be a part of the building of the Buddha Memorial Center is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is as significant to Taiwan as are the High Speed Rail and Mass Rapid Transit systems built by the government. What is different is that rail and mass rapid transit systems fulfill infrastructural needs of society, but the Buddha Memorial Hall will fulfill spiritual needs of the people. The Hall incorporates both traditional and modern Chinese features, as well as international elements, which will enable people from all walks of life to deeply appreciate the profound spiritual nature of Buddhist education, culture, and art. It is sure to bring harmony to Taiwan and facilitate a sense of compassion, wisdom, and peace in the world. In the years to come, the Buddha Memorial Hall will become a spiritual focal point for many in the world. To enable more people to participate in realizing this rare event, we have organized the One Million Heart Sutras in the Buddha Program. We would like to invite you to be one of the million people to make a transcription of the Heart Sutra, which, together with all the other copies, will be enshrined in the Buddha statue of the Buddha Memorial Hall with the hope of creating world peace, increasing harmony and happiness throughout the land, and helping to realize each person's dreams. Information about the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra The sutra was translated from Sanskrit to Chinese by Venerable Master Xuanzang (602-664 CE) during the Tang Dynasty. Prajnaparamita is a transliteration of a Sanskrit term. Prajna means the wisdom that enables people to contemplate and to transcend worldly defilements. Paramita means perfection. Through the perfection of wisdom, it is possible to overcome and dispel all suffering. The Heart Sutra was expounded by the Buddha. The Chinese version of this sutra contains two hundred and sixty characters. It covers the essential teachings of the Buddha and contains the essence of the prajna sutras. It is a key sutra in the Buddhist canon and a guide for all sentient beings. It is also the most popular sutra chanted for blessings and for the transfer of merits to the deceased. Why Transcribe a Sutra? Transcribing a sutra is a way to meditate on the Buddhist scriptures expounded by Sakyamuni Buddha. Among all forms of practice, this is a very easy and immediate method of cultivation. In the past, scribes transcribed sutras in order to make the teachings accessible and to do research. In addition, it is also a way of enhancing personal practice and cultivation. People can also transfer merits accumulated through transcribing a sutra to their family, friends, and other sentient beings as a way to help settle their minds and bodies. Therefore, the merit of transcribing the sutra is immeasurable. To properly transcribe a sutra, one is required to settle one's mind. Compared with chanting a sutra, copying a sutra is much more helpful in centering one’s mind and increasing one's focus. When the mind is focused on transcribing a sutra, one forgets attachments, and therefore experiences a purification of body, speech, and mind. This is why copying a sutra is so meritorious. The Merits and Benefits of Transcribing a Sutra 1. To cultivate the mind and body To succeed in walking the path to nirvana, we need to start by cultivating our bodies. While transcribing a sutra, we need to sit upright, which is the first step in cultivating ourselves. We then calm our minds to cultivate moral character. Next, while transcribing the sutra and contemplating its meaning, we are able to cultivate our temperament and enhance our spiritual authenticity, virtue, and beauty. By means of focusing on the sutra while copying it, we can get rid of delusion and cultivate our right thought. 2. To delve into the Buddhist canon Transcribing a sutra enables us to immerse ourselves in the Buddhist canon and realize the Buddha's compassion and wisdom. As long as we are focused on the Buddhist scripture, our minds and bodies will be carefree. Transcribing a sutra on a long-term basis leads to the diminishing of our defilements. 3. To cultivate the mind of gratitude and joyful giving Every day, most of us are so busy making a living that we often forget to show our gratitude to the Buddha. While transcribing a sutra, we can think of the Buddha's benevolence and virtue, which will enhance our feelings of gratitude and will cultivate an increased capacity for embracing others. To be considerate of others is really to be considerate of ourselves. This is the same as when we donate money, the donor is also the beneficiary as giving is more advantageous and rewarding than receiving. 4. To benefit others and oneself From the Buddhist perspective, while going about our daily lives, we should always be thinking good thoughts and making vows. When transcribing a sutra, one can vow to wish all sentient beings to be rid of delusions and vanity. The merit of copying the sutra can be transferred to past and present parents, relatives and friends, as well as to society at large. As long as we transcribe the sutra with correct understanding and right concentration, we can accumulate infinite merits. |
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