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- Where the Purple Lotus Blooms…
- Written by Lian Victor.
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Recently, I came to the Purple Lotus School to teach ESL and to
help out with the regular school curriculum. It has also been my
endeavor to contribute to the English dissemination of the True
Buddha Tantric Dharma. Like many students of Grand Master Lu, my
life has become profoundly enriched and empowered by the teachings
and blessings of our Guru. Since the opening of the Purple Lotus
School, I have always been curious of its development and potential,
aspiring to some day join in the compassionate work being accomplished
here. Now that I’ve finally made it here, I have never felt
so fortunate and grateful.
The Purple Lotus School is located in Union City, California,
about a forty five minute drive south of San Francisco, on the east
side of the bay. The school is on a half-acre lot in a quiet suburb.
(Presently, a new campus and temple is being planned for construction
on a large purchased lot that is located close to the existing school,
but we are in need of more funds in order to build the school and
temple.) The compound of the school consists of seven classrooms,
an auditorium and cafeteria, a large meditation room with an elaborate
shrine, and a playground area outside the building. Within the inner
courtyard of the compound stand two massive figures on each side,
statues of the protectors Wei To and the Temple Guardian. The school,
at this time in December, is decorated elaborately with a majestic
array of Christmas lights, topped by a glittering Hum syllable!
At night, the university is the brightest and most radiant building
for many blocks around.
Raising the Innermost Potential
Students here are taught a curriculum that accords strictly to
the guidelines of the state of California. However, it is our endeavor
to raise our standards ever higher than these guidelines. This should
be readily accomplished because the school is small. Thus, we can
focus on superior classroom instruction, as well as on the particular
individual needs of our students. We expect that our school will
become a role model for similar schools in the future. Naturally,
our school focuses strongly on character development and on raising
the innermost potential of our students. Students are expected to
become morally responsible and compassionate members of society,
nourished by a strong spiritual foundation in the Buddhadharma.
The benefits of knowing the truth of karma, impermanence, suffering,
and the preciousness of human life are especially essential in our
modern day society.
Bodhisattvas in Training
After arriving here, I have slowly accustomed myself to my new
surroundings, and I often feel that I’m literally living in
a pure land. And after getting to know students individually, I’ve
become certain that they are Bodhisattvas in training! There are
some students here who are not Buddhists and whose parents are not
Buddhists. These parents sent their children here for a variety
of reasons, including the benefits of a good private education that
provides individual attention, as well as a bilingual Chinese and
English curriculum. Yet, I feel that all the students here have
a karmic affinity, and this is reflected by their day to day improvements
of insight and compassion. Besides the regular curriculum, we also
teach a complete ESL curriculum, computer skills, visual art, good
habits, proper health, and etiquette, and the Buddhist path of enlightenment.
The intensive physical education program especially focuses on good
health, motor coordination, the value of good sportsmanship, fair
play, and working cooperatively as a group. On Saturdays, students
and staff go to the Purple Lotus Temple in San Bruno. Of course
Master Samantha Chou, the principal of the university, is the guiding
visionary of the school who watches and presides over the Bodhisattvas
in training with her compassionate wisdom and skillful means.
It seems evident that the Purple Lotus School will become an important
training ground for Bodhisattvas. It will become a beacon that teaches
the priceless knowledge of karma and liberation. Here will be taught
the profound skillful means and wisdom to end one’s suffering
and to become a refuge in the world.
The dharma teaches that it is difficult to be born human. It is
especially difficult to be born at a time when authentic teachings
exist. It is exceedingly difficult to be born in the presence of
authentic teachers who transmit the authentic dharma. And it is
a rare and precious gift to be alive in the presence of an actual
living Buddha--to be able to receive the Buddha’s teachings,
blessings, and empowerments. Thus, I can only feel gratitude and
joy in being able to serve my Guru and to benefit sentient beings
by helping out where the Purple Lotus is blooming.
May all beings have the right causes and conditions for their innermost
Buddha nature to be realized and made manifest.
Om Mani Padme Hum.
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