佛心寺位处于美国中部的奥克拉荷马州，由于导师 上惟下觉大和尚不舍一众生的慈悲愿力，道场建筑自二○○四下半年开始整修，并接引有缘的西方人士或从台湾、中国或越南等地的移民及留学生。今年欣逢奥克拉荷马州建州一百周年，在大众启请下，佛心寺于五月五日举行洒净暨佛像升座开光大典，恭请中台禅寺住持见灯和尚主法，并传授三皈依。
五月五日当天，美国多家分院的法师、护法善信及社会贤达约一百五十人莅临会场。上午九时半，洒净开光大典在庄严的佛号声中揭开序幕，由苏景齐居士代表执香案，迎请中台禅寺住持见灯和尚主法。为了方便与会的英文人士了解法会所有过程，每一支香都有英文翻译。
主法和尚于法会期间开示大众：“虽然地有东西南北，人有男女老幼，但每个人共同追寻的目标是一致的，那就是‘万事如意’。如何才能达到这个目标呢？可从下列三个层次观察：
第一、物质层面——开门七件事：柴米油盐酱醋茶等日常生活所需不虞匮乏。
第二、精神层面——知识教育提升，参与艺术及休闲生活。
第三、道德心灵层面——心灵达到圆满平和，这已涵盖上述两个层面。当掌握心灵，就掌握了全部的生活。
佛法的重点，就是引导大众契悟本心本性，这念心不需向外祈求，本来就具足。虽然每个人都有常住真心，但为什么许多人会认为生活不如意？这就是不认识本体及作用的差别。
一切事物都会变化，这是无常的。任何事情也都符合因果法则，我们希望有如意的人生，美好的结果，就需修善积福，让这念心起善的作用。而观察能见能闻的这念心不会因时空而改变，这就了解本质，体会正知正见的智慧。佛陀是福德及智慧圆满的觉者，如果大众都能修福修慧，达到百分之百，就能成佛。
中台禅寺在全世界设立将近一百零八间道场，于美国已有五处，并持续增加中。道场的成立就是帮助大众净化身心，圆满生命的开展及呈现。当自己精进用功，并带动亲朋好友一起来修善积福，世界和平即可早日实现。”
法会结束之后，为庆祝这殊胜的日子，许多居士发心节目表演。首先是各级禅修班及华语班学员学员，以英文演出“佛陀诞生的故事”舞台剧。为让戏剧更加传神，在服装道具及音乐方面，大量采用印度风格。这一出近十五位演员的戏剧引发极大的震憾及回响，这都是所有参与人员共同发心的成果。接下来是佛曲演唱及散文朗读，让大众在欢喜的气氛中体会佛法的活泼及中国文字之美。
法会圆满成功之背后都是三宝护佑及大众的护持，在这一个半月的筹备期间，护法居士参与各项准备工作，希望从台湾、美国各州及当地来参加法会的人士，更加认识佛心寺的发展近况。特别感谢 Grand House，梁遵燕大德及各级禅修班学员发心成就此次殊胜的法会，也感恩 Old Time Buffet, New China Restaurant, Taj Indian Cuisine及护法居士赞助素食餐点。
“佛心含摄一切法，禅水普润三千界。”佛心寺秉持导师 上惟下觉大和尚的慈悲愿力，将动静一如的禅法传播于奥克拉荷马州，并促进中西文化交流。希望这片土地上的有缘众生，都能透过佛法的修持，进而烦恼永断，成就菩提道果。
Buddha Mind Monastery is located in Oklahoma, a state in the middle of United States. As the Grand Master Ven. Wei Chueh has great compassionate vows to liberate all sentient beings from suffering, the Buddha Mind Monastery was established in 2004. American practitioners, immigrants and students from Taiwan, China or Vietnam who were interested in Buddhism came to the monastery. Coinciding with the centennial of Oklahoma, dharma practitioners invited the Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Ven. Master Jian-Deng to preside the Grand Opening Purification and Consecration Ceremony (GOPCC) on May 5. Soon after, there was also a Ceremony of Transmitting Three Refuges.
On May 5, approximately one hundred and fifty people including Masters from various Zen Centers in the United States, honorable guests and dharma supporters joined the ceremony. At 9:30am, GOPCC began with chanting the Buddha name. Representative, Ms.De Lang, held the incense tray to receive the Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Ven. Master Jian-Deng. All the proceedings were in English translations.
During his dharma talk in the ceremony, Ven. Master Jian-Deng said,“Although there are east, west, north and south in a place; there are men, women, old and young ages for human, we all have a common ultimate goal, i.e.‘to hope for things to happen as one wishes. ’How do we attain this goal? We can assess this goal through the following three aspects:
First, from material aspect; we have sufficient daily food to sustain us, such as firewood, rice, cooking oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea. Second, from spiritual aspect; we are able to increase our knowledge and education levels, join artistic and leisure activities. Third, from moralistic mind aspect; the mind is fully peaceful. This level includes the other two levels. When people know their minds, they are in charge of their lives.”
Ven. Master Jian-Deng continued,“The essence of Buddhism is to help people recognize their true mind. This present mind is innate. You don't have to search from outside. Although everyone has their Buddha nature, why are people unhappy with their lives? That is because they don't know the difference between the true nature and functionality.
All things change; they are impermanent. Everything follows the principles of dependent origination, the laws of causality. If we wish our dreams come true or see good results, we need to cultivate good merits and increase our blessings. We should let our minds function in a good and constructive way.
If we pay attention, we notice that the ability of the mind to see and hear remains constant and unchanged. If you understand this true nature, you will have the wisdom of right view. Buddha is the awakened one, highest in merits and wisdom. If sentient beings keep on practicing until one hundred percent, they will become Buddha.
There are almost one hundred and eight Zen Centers from Chung Tai Chan Monastery around the world. Five are in the United States and keep on increasing. The goal of Zen Center is to help people purify their minds and lead a better life. When you practice diligently and encourage families and friends to cultivate merits and increase blessings, peace in the world will come true.”
After the ceremony, in order to celebrate this auspicious day, dharma practitioners performed three shows. First was the English drama named“The Story of Buddha's Birthday,”which was played by fifteen students from the Meditation and Mandarin Learning classes. In order to fit into the historical context, Indian costumes and Indian music were utilized. This drama was very successful and lots of audiences were moved by it. Next two items were Buddhist hymns singing and Chinese prose reading. Everyone felt the joy of Buddhism and the beauty of Chinese characters.
Under the blessings of the Triple Gem（Buddha, Dharma and Sangha）and everyone's support, the GOPCC was very successful. During the fourty-five days of preparation, many dharma supporters were deeply involved. They hoped the honorable guests from Taiwan or from other cities would learn more about Buddha Mind Monastery. We appreciated Grand House, Ms.Tinny Chang and everyone's help very much. Besides, Old Time Buffet, New China Restaurant, Taj Indian Cuisine and many dharma supporters have helped cooked delicious vegetarian meals for this great event. Thanks a lot.
“The Buddha mind includes all the dharmas, the water of Zen flows three thousand realms. ”Masters of Buddha Mind Monastery follow the great compassionate vow of Ven. Wei Chueh. They propagate Zen methods to Oklahoma and promote the connection between the east and west cultures. We hope that the sentient beings in this land, through Buddhism practice, will be free from vexations and reap bodhi fruits.
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| 机场欢迎 Welcome in the Will Roger airport |
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| 洒净 Purification Ceremony |
主法和尚于法会期间开示大众：“虽然地有东西南北，人有男女老幼，但每个人共同追寻的目标是一致的，那就是‘万事如意’。如何才能达到这个目标呢？可从下列三个层次观察：
第一、物质层面——开门七件事：柴米油盐酱醋茶等日常生活所需不虞匮乏。
第二、精神层面——知识教育提升，参与艺术及休闲生活。
第三、道德心灵层面——心灵达到圆满平和，这已涵盖上述两个层面。当掌握心灵，就掌握了全部的生活。
佛法的重点，就是引导大众契悟本心本性，这念心不需向外祈求，本来就具足。虽然每个人都有常住真心，但为什么许多人会认为生活不如意？这就是不认识本体及作用的差别。
一切事物都会变化，这是无常的。任何事情也都符合因果法则，我们希望有如意的人生，美好的结果，就需修善积福，让这念心起善的作用。而观察能见能闻的这念心不会因时空而改变，这就了解本质，体会正知正见的智慧。佛陀是福德及智慧圆满的觉者，如果大众都能修福修慧，达到百分之百，就能成佛。
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见灯和尚与全体演员合影 Ven. Master Jian-Deng and all the acters and actresses. |
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英文戏剧 English Drama |
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佛曲带动唱 Songs of Buddhism |
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散文朗读 Reading Chinese prose |
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金刚护法组 Dharma Guardian Group |
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照客组 Reception Group |
法会结束之后，为庆祝这殊胜的日子，许多居士发心节目表演。首先是各级禅修班及华语班学员学员，以英文演出“佛陀诞生的故事”舞台剧。为让戏剧更加传神，在服装道具及音乐方面，大量采用印度风格。这一出近十五位演员的戏剧引发极大的震憾及回响，这都是所有参与人员共同发心的成果。接下来是佛曲演唱及散文朗读，让大众在欢喜的气氛中体会佛法的活泼及中国文字之美。
法会圆满成功之背后都是三宝护佑及大众的护持，在这一个半月的筹备期间，护法居士参与各项准备工作，希望从台湾、美国各州及当地来参加法会的人士，更加认识佛心寺的发展近况。特别感谢 Grand House，梁遵燕大德及各级禅修班学员发心成就此次殊胜的法会，也感恩 Old Time Buffet, New China Restaurant, Taj Indian Cuisine及护法居士赞助素食餐点。
“佛心含摄一切法，禅水普润三千界。”佛心寺秉持导师 上惟下觉大和尚的慈悲愿力，将动静一如的禅法传播于奥克拉荷马州，并促进中西文化交流。希望这片土地上的有缘众生，都能透过佛法的修持，进而烦恼永断，成就菩提道果。
Report of Grand Opening Purification and Consecration
Ceremony at Buddha Mind Monastery
Buddha Mind Monastery is located in Oklahoma, a state in the middle of United States. As the Grand Master Ven. Wei Chueh has great compassionate vows to liberate all sentient beings from suffering, the Buddha Mind Monastery was established in 2004. American practitioners, immigrants and students from Taiwan, China or Vietnam who were interested in Buddhism came to the monastery. Coinciding with the centennial of Oklahoma, dharma practitioners invited the Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Ven. Master Jian-Deng to preside the Grand Opening Purification and Consecration Ceremony (GOPCC) on May 5. Soon after, there was also a Ceremony of Transmitting Three Refuges.
On May 5, approximately one hundred and fifty people including Masters from various Zen Centers in the United States, honorable guests and dharma supporters joined the ceremony. At 9:30am, GOPCC began with chanting the Buddha name. Representative, Ms.De Lang, held the incense tray to receive the Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Ven. Master Jian-Deng. All the proceedings were in English translations.
During his dharma talk in the ceremony, Ven. Master Jian-Deng said,“Although there are east, west, north and south in a place; there are men, women, old and young ages for human, we all have a common ultimate goal, i.e.‘to hope for things to happen as one wishes. ’How do we attain this goal? We can assess this goal through the following three aspects:
First, from material aspect; we have sufficient daily food to sustain us, such as firewood, rice, cooking oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea. Second, from spiritual aspect; we are able to increase our knowledge and education levels, join artistic and leisure activities. Third, from moralistic mind aspect; the mind is fully peaceful. This level includes the other two levels. When people know their minds, they are in charge of their lives.”
Ven. Master Jian-Deng continued,“The essence of Buddhism is to help people recognize their true mind. This present mind is innate. You don't have to search from outside. Although everyone has their Buddha nature, why are people unhappy with their lives? That is because they don't know the difference between the true nature and functionality.
All things change; they are impermanent. Everything follows the principles of dependent origination, the laws of causality. If we wish our dreams come true or see good results, we need to cultivate good merits and increase our blessings. We should let our minds function in a good and constructive way.
If we pay attention, we notice that the ability of the mind to see and hear remains constant and unchanged. If you understand this true nature, you will have the wisdom of right view. Buddha is the awakened one, highest in merits and wisdom. If sentient beings keep on practicing until one hundred percent, they will become Buddha.
There are almost one hundred and eight Zen Centers from Chung Tai Chan Monastery around the world. Five are in the United States and keep on increasing. The goal of Zen Center is to help people purify their minds and lead a better life. When you practice diligently and encourage families and friends to cultivate merits and increase blessings, peace in the world will come true.”
After the ceremony, in order to celebrate this auspicious day, dharma practitioners performed three shows. First was the English drama named“The Story of Buddha's Birthday,”which was played by fifteen students from the Meditation and Mandarin Learning classes. In order to fit into the historical context, Indian costumes and Indian music were utilized. This drama was very successful and lots of audiences were moved by it. Next two items were Buddhist hymns singing and Chinese prose reading. Everyone felt the joy of Buddhism and the beauty of Chinese characters.
Under the blessings of the Triple Gem（Buddha, Dharma and Sangha）and everyone's support, the GOPCC was very successful. During the fourty-five days of preparation, many dharma supporters were deeply involved. They hoped the honorable guests from Taiwan or from other cities would learn more about Buddha Mind Monastery. We appreciated Grand House, Ms.Tinny Chang and everyone's help very much. Besides, Old Time Buffet, New China Restaurant, Taj Indian Cuisine and many dharma supporters have helped cooked delicious vegetarian meals for this great event. Thanks a lot.
“The Buddha mind includes all the dharmas, the water of Zen flows three thousand realms. ”Masters of Buddha Mind Monastery follow the great compassionate vow of Ven. Wei Chueh. They propagate Zen methods to Oklahoma and promote the connection between the east and west cultures. We hope that the sentient beings in this land, through Buddhism practice, will be free from vexations and reap bodhi fruits.