It was a time of excitement and great anticipation for us at Buddha Gate Monastery as we prepared for the visit from Master Jian Deng, Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery. To show our appreciation for this opportunity to learn and follow the Grand Master’s teachings overseas, many volunteers worked wholeheartedly  in  preparing the monastery grounds, the Zen hall and lecture hall, as well as the food for this notable event. 

The Abbot arrived in the Bay Area on March 13, 2009 and was welcomed at the airport by many members of both Buddha Gate Monastery and Zen Center of Sunnyvale.  As the Abbot and accompanying Dharma Masters exited the airport terminal, they were greeted with welcoming cheers, and children from the Monastery and Zen Center handed them flower bouquets. When the Abbot arrived at Buddha Gate Monastery, he was also greeted by a large group of members with joyous and enthusiastic cheers and applause.

The following day, Venerable Master Jian Deng gave a dharma talk titled Karma, Causality and Destiny. This precious dharma was delivered in Chinese and simultaneously translated into English by Master Jian Hu, Abbot of Sunnyvale Zen Center.

The Venerable Master explained how we can control our fate through our actions or deeds, thereby affecting our karma.  He spoke about how people throughout the world are facing difficult times, especially during the recent economic downturn. As an example, he spoke of Bernard Maddoff, who embezzled 60 billion dollars and was sentenced to serve 150 years in prison because of his greed and illegal methods of obtaining wealth. The Venerable Master pointed out that Mr. Madoff’s “profit” equals 400 million dollars a year for every year he will be in prison.  However, the bad karma that was produced will last longer than 150 years, through many lifetimes.  Seeking wealth and prosperity is not wrong, but one must use the right means to attain them. Right effort and right intention will guide us to the right way.

The Venerable Master urged us all to be wise and prudent, and to observe the precepts. “Do no evil, do only good”. Don’t ask why something happens.  Just realize that the laws of Buddhism never change; the principles always remain the same. "We reap what we sow."

When we practice Buddhism, we plant the right cause by behaving morally as this will lead to good consequences. We all possess Buddha (true) nature and can uncover it by studying Buddhism and practicing meditation. Coming to Buddha Gate Monastery or the Zen Center of Sunnyvale and practicing diligently can help guide us on the Buddha’s path of liberation. If we understand causality, we will know cause and conditions and why things happen. By changing our behavior, we change our fate.

This dharma talk was a very precious gift from Venerable Master Jian Deng. It was a day of deep appreciation for all those at Buddha Gate as well as for all other devoted attendees of this event. When we understand the principle of cause and effect, and put the right efforts on the right cause, we will surmount any difficulties, and our  future will be filled with brightness and hope.

Venerable Master Jian Deng ended his stay in the Bay Area at Zen Center of Sunnyvale, where he presided over the Transmission of the Three Refuges and Five Precepts.  There were over 150  participants in this event and more than 70 of them were from Buddha Gate Monastery.  Among the participants, many were children ranging from age 2 to 15 and seniors as old as 78 yrs.  The Chan Hall overflowed with people eager to take their vows and receive the precepts.  Seeing the participants in their brown robes and reciting the vows was a good reinforcement for those who had already taken the Five Precepts. There is a Chinese saying, “The pure nature transcends age limits.” Among Buddha Gate Monastery’s participants, there were three families with twins, ages 5, 6 and 8, that took the precepts. At the end of the ceremony, each family had the great honor of having their pictures taken with the Venerable Master.

As Master Jian Deng concluded his visit in the East Bay, we felt deeply grateful for the compassion of the Three Jewels, the meritorious practice of Grand Master Wei Chueh, and the untiring spirit of the Venerable Master, who traveled across the sea to turn the Dharma wheel.  We should continue to give rise to a mind of perseverance, work hard on the right cause, practice the Way with diligence, and aspire to establish future extraordinary causes and conditions.

Please view the photos of the weekend’s events.

View Chinese Version >>

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