Abbot's Arrival

In preparation for the arrival of Venerable Master Jian Deng,
Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, 2009

To welcome the arrival of Venerable Master Jian Deng, Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, many volunteers and the Dharma Support Society members of Buddha Gate Monastery all came together to prepare for this rare event. Everyone’s skills and time schedules were different, yet we all had one mission in mind: to perfect our surroundings and actions in the monastery for the Abbot in appreciation of having the opportunity to learn and follow the Grand Master’s teachings overseas.
One might wonder why all this preparation was so important. It is a rare opportunity to be able to listen to a Dharma talk given by the Abbot of CTCM, since we are so afar from Chung Tai. If anyone listens to the Dharma talk and walks away with one or more inspirations for a life change, it was beneficial. The more wisdom we can obtain from any Dharma talk, the more we can understand and find the way to our true self.
In preparation for the Abbot's visit to the Bay Area in California, we utilized this time to all work together and mindfully take on tasks we may not normally do or have to do. This was a great opportunity to take a break from our normal day-to-day/month-to-month routine at the monastery. Teams and assignments were given out and many worked hard, figuring out ways to make everything possible happen. We wanted to offer anyone who came on the day of the Dharma talk a good impression of who and
what Buddha Gate Monastery is. We wanted to leave a perfect and pure impression for the Abbot of CTCM and for the public. On March 13, 2009, the day of the Abbot’s arrival, the monastery was filled with volunteers morning until evening making sure every last detail was in place. As we drove to the airport, the normally heavy Friday commute traffic was lighter than usual. Could it be that the Abbot coming was the cause of and the effect from it?
	As we waited at the airport, more and more Dharma brothers from both Buddha Gate Monastery and the Zen Center of Sunnyvale arrived. The members greeting each other was a magnificent sight. We all had respect for each other and shared our joy waiting to welcome the Abbot and the other Dharma Masters. Although we spent over two hours at the airport, no one showed any anger or disappointment. Was everyone patiently practicing what we have learned? As the time approached, the children in blue and red T-shirts from both locations got their
flower bouquets ready. The older kids and adults held out our proud banner to welcome the Abbot in both Chinese and English. Once the Abbot and the other Dharma Masters exited the gate, you could hear and feel the excitement. The kids probably felt a bit of stage fright, but their actions showed honor and respect. The Abbot and Dharma Masters were each greeted by one or two kids with flower bouquets. The atmosphere in our group seemed like no one else was in the airport but us. Our focus was on the Abbot and the other Dharma Masters who had accompanied him. We gathered for a group picture. Back at Buddha Gate Monastery, everyone grew more and more excited as they waited for the Abbot to arrive. Once the Abbot’s car arrived, several members had the privilege of presenting the Abbot and Dharma Masters with flowers as they exited the car. The cheers rang out in both English and Chinese. Inside Chan Hall you could still feel the excitement and joy, but it was now tempered with a feeling of quiet awe, respect and reverence. A group picture was taken with the Abbot in front of the Buddha. The smile on the Abbot’s face gave the group a deep sense of warmth and appreciation. Many of the members felt a profound sense of togetherness. It’s amazing how everything came together in such a short period of time. To be part of Buddha Gate Monastery and CTCM gives the members a respectful, yet close relationship with the Abbot. We offer our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Grand Master Wei Chueh’s teachings and for the privilege to listen to Venerable Master Jian Deng’s Dharma talk.