Photo: Tzu-Lien-Yuan Roots of Buddhism: Tracing the First Traces of Taiwan's First Buddhist University?
Text: Sheng Kung
Xiaogong (Guru Xiaoyun) said: "The Lotus Garden is the root of Huafan. The Lotus Garden, which is located in the Lotus Garden, is the cornerstone of the "two-part" Buddhist education created by Mr. Xiaoyun. The so-called "two parts", i.e., sangha education and social education, is the innovation of Xiaogong's Buddhist education, and also the practitioner and pioneer of this concept.
When I came to Huafan, visiting Cilian Yuan became the first priority. When I talked about this idea with my roommate, it was a coincidence that we walked into the guardianship of Huafan University that morning with the joy of the Dharma. Because Xiaogong received the Dharma lineage of Tiantai Sect's Master Amanda Xu, the hill in the middle of Cilian Yuan and Huafan University was named Tiantai Mountain.
From the bottom of Tiantai Mountain, we went all the way and turned the corner to Cilian Garden. We first went into the Mahamudra Hall to pay homage to the Buddha and to the relics of Dawn Gong, and then came to the Lotus Garden of Buddhist Studies. When we entered the garden, one of our sisters from the East Institute was there, and she was very enthusiastic and introduced us to the current director of the garden, Venerable Xiu Ci. Venerable Xiuzi was preparing to leave for the mainland to teach Buddhism, but still received us in his busy schedule.
Please let the Director know that: Venerable Xiu Ci is a great contributor to the founding of Huafan University, and is a firm supporter of the school that follows Xiao Gong, who overcame thousands of difficulties and dangers, and was committed to founding the first Buddhist university, and has always accompanied Xiao Gong, and Xiao Gong, who visited more than twenty-eight locations in the island of Treasure Island, and ultimately, the karma was in harmony to survey the Dahlun. After all the trials and tribulations of running a school, we are now able to study and practice in such a fairyland. Of course, Mr. Hsiu-Chi also explained the essence of Dharma, especially mentioning the auspicious signs of Monk Sang's passing away, which illustrated the importance of true spiritual practice. What impressed me the most is that Mr. Xiao Gong is the return of Tiantai Zhi Shi Master, and he will come back to Huafan and protect Huafan again by his wish.
This is the first monastic treasure that I have come in contact with since I came to Taiwan, and my impression is that he is extremely simple and sincere! At the opening dinner of the East Institute, Director Hsiu-Chi personally instructed the volunteers to bring the "Eight Treasures Soup" from Tsz Lian Yuan to all the teachers and students of the Institute, and at that time, I felt the connection between the Lotus Institute and Huafan.