Sri Lankan Delegation Participates in World Buddhism Association Headquarters' Annual Event

On May 28, Venerable Chandima, founder of the Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies in Sri Lanka, led a delegation of seven, including five senior monastic elders and two lay practitioners, to Los Angeles to attend the annual event hosted by the World Buddhism Association Headquarters. The five elder monks in the group came from Thailand, India, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka; all are highly learned in Buddhist scriptures and hold positions as professors and abbots. During an interview on May 29, Ven. Chandima recounted when he was received several years ago by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. He shared that during the three-day wait before he was received, he practiced Dharma and prayed nonstop. On the fourth morning, he was informed that His Holiness would receive him. He said that he reported to Buddha Master that he practiced the Metta Sutta and upheld the Four Limitless States of Mind, dedicating everything to benefiting sentient beings without afflictions. His Holiness told him that all his endeavor would succeed as long as he engaged in activities to benefit sentient beings. Also, whenever he needed Buddha Master’s help, he only had to think of Him, and Buddha Master would assist him. Buddha Master gave him a profound empowerment for his future Buddha Dharma propagation endeavors. After that, the construction of the first private Buddhist university in Sri Lanka progressed smoothly, and his Dharma endeavors have been successful in all respects. 

Ven. Chandima encourages everyone likewise to practice the Metta Sutta to benefit sentient beings and live without afflictions. He is truly an implementer of the Sutra on Ultimate Truth (Liao Yi Jing)—one, who has no attachments, abides in the Four Limitless States of Mind without defilement, is free from ignorance and afflictions, and thus gradually frees himself from karmic forces and enters the path to the ultimate stage of bodhi. Shakyamuni Buddha and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III have spoken with one voice—this is the path we rely upon in our practice.



During this trip, Ven. Chandima also brought the designs of the Buddhist stupa of sacred relics to be constructed at Buddhist Town. He presented miniature stupa sculptures to both the World Buddhism Association Headquarters and the Buddhist Town, with instructions on how the full-scale stupas are to be built. All will be displayed on June 4 at the festival.



On May 30 and 31, more than 1200 Buddhist disciples from around the world participated in the Grand Sutra Welcoming Ceremony and Buddha’s Birthday Celebration. The atmosphere was solemn and magnificent, filled with joy and devotion.



Preparations for June Activities

This year, the mayor and city council members have been invited to attend the Buddhist Town event, along with the chief architect and local community members. In addition to exhibiting the Phase I construction design plans, many of the Phase II designs will also be invited for exhibition, offering everyone an opportunity for observation and exchanging ideas.

On the evening of June 3, the first outdoor meditation session will be held.

On the morning of June 4, cultural exhibition activities, a fair, and a Wiser Ball friendship match will take place. In the afternoon, three forums will be held, with special invitations extended to the World Buddhism Association Headquarters, Fa Chan Temple, Macang Yuan, Phase I members of the Buddhist Town Community Association. At 4:30 p.m., lotus lanterns will be released to pray for world peace. On June 5, there will be a visit to the Holy Vajrasana Temple.

On June 6, visits to Macang Monastery and Huazang Si will take place, along with a tour of the International Art Museum of America. We look forward to meeting again!