Historic Intro into the Buddha Memorial Hall

The Sunday Buddhist College of the Spring season 2011 from Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island commenced in the evening of September 18 with Reverend Juexi sharing with around 30 students. The class is for the students to understand more about the Buddha Memorial Hall in Taiwan and also Buddha’s life. The class learned about: 1. what is Sarira? 2. What are the cause and conditions of Sarira and FGS? 3. About the Buddha Memorial Hall.

The Venerable explained, sarira are from the cultivation of morality, meditation and wisdom and it comes in pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are purportedly found among cremated ashes. Because of the shape, Buddha’s Sarira is also called the Buddha’s tooth relic. In all, there are four Buddha’s tooth relics. One was taken to the Trayastrimsa Heaven and the remaining three are located in the human world. One is enshrined at Malagawa Temple in Sri Lanka, one in Lingguang Temple of Beijing, China and the third one is currently in FGS Taiwan.

The third one was originally located in Nalanda Temple in India, then escorted to Tibet. Later on it was offered to Venerable Master Hsing Yun to Taiwan via Thailand.

The Buddha Memorial Center was built for the Buddha’s Tooth Relic and the construction work started at least 9 years ago. Lots of effort and hardship were taken into building the Buddha Memorial Center which belongs to everyone globally. The reverend expressed, though a lot of us missed a chance in participating in the construction process, we could make up through building merits of praises and joy for the Buddha Memorial Center.

The reverend has also introduced the Buddha Memorial Center consists of: The Welcoming Hall, the eights Chinese-styled pagodas, the Grand Photo Terrace, Bodhi Square, Memorial Hall, the Four Stupas and the Fo Guang Buddha. In understanding this, the students have a better knowledge of the Buddha Memorial Hall. Reverend Juexi also expressed that the next class will also feature about the Buddha Memorial Hall wishes everyone that participates in the opening of the Buddha Memorial Hall gain spirit and the meaning of it.