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1. In the recent era, Buddhism has declined. This is primarily caused by the lack
of Dharma lecturers and practitioners, and by not having enough qualified Dharma
protectors. Thus, all Buddhists wish for talented and educated people who are trained
in the teachings, and to have a true cultivation centre. This has been a long-held
wish of Master Chin Kung as well.
2. Master Chin Kung is grateful to the Queensland government for approving the Pure
Land Learning College Association, Inc. (PLLC) to be established as a college thus
fulfilling his long-held wish to establish a centre to train future Buddhist lecturers.
The Buddhist students are very grateful for the kindness of the Queensland government,
and wish happiness and prosperity for all Australian leaders. We are in the initial
stage of establishing the college.
3. Concerned about the need for trained educators in other Buddhist Schools as well,
the PLLCA will not only train Pure Land propagators, but hopefully, also those of
Theravada Buddhism, as well as the other Mahayana schools of Zen, Lotus, Flower
Adornment, Three-Discourses, Mind Only, Precepts, Esoteric, and Agama. There will
also be a program on Buddhist Learning Centre Administration to train Dharma protectors.
In the future, when the students of the different schools have attained an acceptable
level of cultivation and understanding in their specialized school, the college
will become a university with ten individual schools. This will then become an excellent
:Buddhist Teachers・ University; that will nurture future Dharma propagators, teachers,
and administrative personnel.
4. The nine-year curriculum will include a two-year preliminary program, which will
be compulsory for all students; a three-year major-specific program, which will
focus on one・s specialized school and sutra; and a four-year graduate program on
Multiculturalism. The study content for the courses will be based on the Buddhist
Canon and reference materials will be the commentaries of ancient patriarchs. This
will be a true Buddhist college because no other courses will be offered. The university
educational system will combine the structure of today・s western educational system
with the spirit of the traditional Chinese Buddhist educational system. The student・s
understanding and practice must complement each other, and will be equally important.
They must be virtuous in their conduct and diligent in their learning. All students
in the college must cultivate understanding by spending eight hours a day on study
and practice what has been learned in an additional eight hours of cultivation.
Students may choose to cultivate in either the Chanting Hall or the Meditation Hall.
5. Students will not be recruited. Those who attend the college must have recommendations
from Buddhist centres or organizations, which will vouch for the student・s character
and take responsibility for the students they send here for strict training.
6. Living expenses for the students will be underwritten by the recommending centre,
which may find a few laypeople to help support the students. At the end of each
semester, students must send their semester results to the sponsoring organization.
During the semester break, students will return to the sponsoring centre and exhibit
their progress by giving lectures. This will provide the opportunity for the sponsors
to also judge their progress. When their training is completed, students may return
to their centres to develop multicultural and Buddhist teachings for the benefit
of all beings.
7. The objective of the educational program is to train future propagators, protectors,
and administrative personnel for the benefit of all people. This is the message
to all Buddhist organizations. It is hoped that through concentrated study and practice
that the students will accomplish their goals within nine years.
8. Full-time personnel will be responsible for all the administrative matters and
routine work of the college. For other work such as general cleaning, kitchen duties,
laundry, and daily chores, the college will employ local people. The benefits and
salary of their locally hired personnel will be comparable to the motel industry
in Toowoomba. The PLLC hopes to contribute to the local community by creating job
opportunities for the local people.
9. With administration and daily chores given up to others, the students will then
be able to focus singlemindedly on their studies and practice. Thus, the level of
the student・s virtuous conduct, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and abilities
as Dharma propagators will be elevated.
Master Chin Kung sincerely hopes that the implementation of the above nine points
will help foster happiness and peace for all, and that the college will fulfil the
goal of propagating the Buddha・s teachings to benefit all beings and to continue
to pass on the Buddha・s wisdom to enlighten all beings. This is the way of repaying
the kindness of others.
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