Gallery

In 1948, the Master Xu Yun (Empty Cloud: 1840-1959) told the Master Hsuan Hua to assume the directorship of the Vinaya Academy, storing away the vessel until the time was ripe. A group photo taken in the Nan Hua Monastery in Canton, China: (from right to left) the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, the Venerable Master Hsu Yun, and an American disciple of the Master Yun, Mrs. Ananda Jennings.

In 1962, the Master arrived in the San Francisco International Airport.

In 1951, in Hong Kong, photo taken during the commemorating the Chinese Buddhist Vinaya Academy’s overseas program when the Sangha members were about to go on alms rounds. (Third right: the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua)

In 1951, the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua established the Western Bliss Monastery in Hong Kong. (Second right: the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua) This photo was taken in 1956.

In 1969, this photo was taken during the Liberation of Life ceremony on the roof of the Buddhist Lecture Hall. The San Francisco ferry building can be seen in this photo from the far distance in the middle.

In 1969, the first five American disciples became Bhiksus (Buddhist monks) and Bhiksunis (Buddhist nuns).

In 1971, another four American disciples became Bhiksus (Buddhist monks).

In 1968, the Buddhist Lecture Hall (125 Waverly Place, San Francisco, California ) was established. This photo was taken in 1969. Disciples from all different cultural backgrounds joined the ceremony together in harmony.

In 1969, this photo was taken during the Refuge ceremony in the Buddhist Lecture Hall.

In November 1970, the Gold Mountain Monastery (1731 15th St, San Francisco, CA) was established. This photo was taken during the visit of Prof. Edward Conze in early 1970.

The photo was taken during the Avatamsaka Sutra lecture in the Gold Mountain Monastery in early 1970. Students were wearing the headsets to listen to the simultaneous translation of the lecture.

In 1970, the inaugural issue of the Vajra Bodhi Sea (VBS - monthly Buddhist Magazine) was published. The archive of all the VBS publications can be read from here: http://www.drbachinese.org/vbs/publish/main_index.htm

In 1973, the International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts was established (3636 Washington Street, San Francisco, CA). The opening ceremony was held on Sunday, October 14th, 1973.

The photo was taken in the dining hall of the Gold Mountain Monastery in early 1970.

The photo was taken during the Chan (Zen) meditation retreat in the Gold Mountain Monastery in 1970.

Another photo was taken during the Chan (Zen) meditation retreat in the Gold Mountain Monastery in 1970.

This photo was taken at the main entrance of the International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts. in early 1970.

In 1976, the Venerable Master founded the Instilling Goodness Elementary School in San Francisco.

The Instilling Goodness Elementary School was moved from San Francisco to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in 1976.

The current outlook of the gate in front of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. http://www.cttbusa.org/

In 1979, this photo was taken during the Open Gate ceremony in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

In 1974, the first ever outdoor Amitabha Buddha Recitation 7-day retreat was held in the Reedsport, Oregon. The place is called the Buddha Root Farm. Participants were crossing the North Fork Smith River.

In 1974, another photo was taken during the Amitabha Buddha Recitation retreat in the Buddha Root Farm.

In 1976, the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas was established in Ukiah, CA.

In 1976, the Dharma Realm Buddhist University, the first Buddhist University in the Western world, was established. For more information about DRBU, please check http://drbu.org/ and there is a very active blog for sharing articles and comments. http://blog.drbu.org/

In 1979, this photo was taken during the Open Gate ceremony in front of the main Buddha Hall in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

In 1980, the Venerable Master established the Buddhist Council for the Rescue and Resettlement of Refugees (1980-1986).

A volunteer teacher of the Buddhist Council for the Rescue and Resettlement of Refugees taught English classes for the refugees in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (1980-1986.)

August 9, 2013, three Masters and Seven Certifiers assembled to examine and to verify the qualifications of the candidates for entering the Sangha. The assembly of distinguished Sangha members from both the Mahayana and the Theravada tradition included the following venerable monks: (front row from the left) Bhante Seelawimala, of Sri Lanka, Ajahn Pasanno, from the Thai Forest tradition, Rev. Heng Sure, of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Bhante Shantarakshita, from Sri Lanka, and Rev. Heng Shan, of the CTTB. (Back row from the left) Ajahn Nyaniko, Thai Forest tradition, Ajahn Karunadhammo, Thai Forest tradition, Bhikshu Heng Lyu, Abbot of the CTTB, Bhikshu Heng Lai, CTTB, and Ajahn Jotipalo, Thai Forest tradition. As an historical precedent in the West, it is a hallmark of Master Hsuan Hua's ordination procedures to invite senior monks from both Mahayana and Theravada traditions.

This photo was taken in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the early days.

The Venerable Master Hua strove to bring together the Northern and Southern Buddhist traditions by hosting joint ordination ceremonies, teachings, and retreats. This photo was taken during the European tour in United Kingdom.

This photo was taken during the trip to Indonesia in 1986.