Chapter 30 - The Proper Name Of The True Buddha Home Temple

In regard to the True Buddha School's Home Temple, I must make the following clear to all students:

The address of the Home Temple is:

17102 N.E. 40 Ct.

Redmond, Washington 98052

U.S.A.

The location of the Home Temple was selected by me some years ago, after trekking the whole of the United States. The chosen geography had "dragon energies" at the back, mountains in front, and a lake before the mountain. The landscape is protected by the geographical features surrounding it. Looking in the distance from the Home Temple one can see the mountains and waters unfolding in all their majesty, as well as the abundant white clouds, all resembling the scene of heaven.

The Home Temple was originally a grass hill. The dragon vein [Feng-shui terminology] had formed into dragon dens here, which were marked by three old, huge pine trees. After the place had been chosen, it was immediately purchased by a group of eight students. The main shrine for the Home Temple was to be built over the main dragon den.

There were various difficulties in getting building permits from the state government and the City of Redmond. The neighboring residents opposed it. Ministers and lawyers together opposed it. During the course of three years and twelve hearings, the problems were settled one by one. The court recognized that what we were going to do was legal, despite oppositions from neighbors, ministers and lawyers. Finally, we won the battle.

Our final success was due to help from American friends and lawyers, arrangements for community friendship meetings to resolve differences, and having influential people to speak for us. It was also due to our hard struggle and firm stand.

Building a temple in Redmond, Washington, U.S.A. was not an easy task for the True Buddha disciples who had came from Taiwan, especially when we were surrounded by "territories" of Catholics, Protestants and Mormons. However, we finally made it, paying with our blood and tears. Imagine, twelve court hearings! How many people could go through this?

On March 28th, 1985, the crane came to install the sign of the Home Temple. It was drizzling as the final construction was underway. Watching the finished walls, we were so moved and overjoyed that we were unable to distinguish between rain and tears.

The construction of the Home Temple was originally supposed to go through bids, which were generally very expensive. The total construction cost was half a million U.S. dollars. Where was the money going to come from? We couldn't imagine where the money would come from. Our funds came from three sources: generous donations from the wealthy, smaller donations from all the students, and the funds acquired from the previous five ceremonies performed by the Master. That totaled about one hundred thousand U.S. dollars.

So, we adopted special solutions. We had Master Chen Sen-he to take charge of the construction. He had extensive experience in construction work and was skillful in electrical wiring and plumbing. He was also familiar with all materials and knew all the construction workers. We acted as our own contractor, purchased the materials, hired people, subcontracted to others, and tried to save where we could. On plumbing and electrical wiring, we tried to do the job ourselves wherever possible. We even did the excavation and sewer system, and erected the wall framework. The funds were still insufficient, but we believed as long as we had the materials, we would complete the building no matter what. The deficit funds would be acquired later by some other means.

Now, the Home Temple is already half finished. Our plan is to complete it in 1985. Even if there is not enough money, we will still apply our manpower to accomplish it. In the future, the proper names would be as follows:

1. "Rey Tseng Temple": This refers to the main temple that is being built. The temple is the biggest of our buildings. In the main hall of the temple, there will be the shrine of Kuan-yin Bodhisattva in the middle, the Taoist Golden Mother of the Primordial Pond on the right, and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on the left. On the left and right of the main hall are two side halls which can be used for any other functions. If there is a ceremony, temporary lodging could be set up there. They are fully equipped with kitchen, washroom, bathroom, and utilities. In the future, ceremonies and group practice will be held at the Rey Tseng Temple. Modeled after the classical Chinese temples, the finished temple will have an authentic quaint look with golden roof tiles and red pillars.

2. "Ling Shen Ching Tze": In front of the Rey Tseng Temple, there are four houses on each side and a main, private road in between. There is a cement wall, the only one in the City of Redmond, surrounding the whole area. These eight houses, as well as many other houses nearby, are all occupied by True Buddha School disciples. The area that includes the eight houses (in two rows), the main private road between them, and the temple is called "Ling Shen Ching Tze." In the future, the symbol for Ling Shen Ching Tze will be placed in front of the main entrance. The Ling Shen Ching Tze, being a community of the Home Temple, will provide the foundation for the future True Buddha College.

3. The formal title of the Home Temple is True Buddha School Ling Shen Ching Tze Rey Tseng Temple. True Buddha disciples may address the Home Temple by its title or they can simply use Home Temple of the True Buddha School. Rey Tseng Temple is the main temple at Ling Shen Ching Tze.

4. "True Buddha Tantric Quarter": This is the Tantric altar of Holy Red Crown Vajra Master, where he usually practices. All rituals and group practices are carried out at the Rey Tseng Temple and private practices are at the True Buddha Tantric Quarter. The group empowerments for students will be held at the temple, while secret empowerments will be at the True Buddha Tantric Quarter.

   • Founder of the True Buddha School-The Holy Red Crown Vajra Master Sheng-yen Lu, the Tantrika.

   • Abbot of the Rey Tseng Temple-Master Lian-huo.

   • Assistant Abbot of the Rey Tseng Temple

   • Master Lian-shih.

This True Buddha School will, in the future, propagate Buddhist teachings in the world. The number of masters (teachers) will reach over two hundred. All teachers must come here personally to receive the teachings and the acharya empowerment from the Holy Red Crown Vajra Master. Acharya certificates will be issued to them. It is hoped that all students will generate the Bodhicitta and be able to achieve self-realization, and, together, spread the Tantric teachings.

Right now, there are 70,000 students all over the world. In the future, more teachers will appear, and the Buddha Dharma will spread throughout the world.

In principle, those who practice the Tantra of this School and who want results, must abide and respect what is written on the initiation certificate; that is, they must have strong confidence in the founder of the School and his teachings, and they must practice persistently This is what Padmasambhava emphasized:

"Honor the guru, treasure the Dharma, and practice diligently."

The True Buddha School does not discriminate against other sects or religions. All religious teachings have their own merits. All sects have their own uniqueness. True Buddha School's teachings consist of Taoism, Sutrayana, and Tantra, and range from the basic to the highest levels, depending on the karmic causes of the students. There is also the supreme Highest Yoga to be taught by the truly enlightened Master, enabling one to achieve Buddhahood within one's lifetime. All of these are genuine and can be proved. Also, the lineage is genuine. People who want to learn the Vajrayana should take refuge in the truly Great Enlightened Vajra Master.

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