THE INAUGURAL DECLARATION OF BLIA

     Due to rapid changes in society brought forth by technological advancements of the modern era, unsettling conditions are always a factor influencing the world surrounding us. It behooves us, therefore, as Buddhist practitioners of the Mahayana tradition, to shoulder the responsibility of providing answers to this dreary but true state of affairs. As such, we hereby solemnly declare the following:

     Our Guiding Principles:

We are indebted to the Buddha's teachings and sincerely respect the Triple Gem; we propagate to benefit all sentient beings and strive to enlighten the world.

We promote Living Buddhism and create a Buddha's Light pure land; we are pragmatic in worldly affairs and compassionate in providing relief to the world.

We observe established formalities and harmonize with the Five Dharma Vehicles; we cultivate the Three Studies for a wholesome character.

We work with an international outlook and engage in cultural and educational activities; we are broad-minded and respect the multitude.

     Our Direction:

From monastic to laity:
To extend to lay followers the opportunity to support the Triple Gem, to spread the Buddhist culture, and to propagate the Dharma.

From monasteries to society:
To penetrate society and the human mind; let compassion, moral discipline, wisdom, and mindfulness be the source of strength for purification of the human spirit.

From self-cultivation to helping others:
To encourage fellow Buddhists to practice the dual cultivation of happiness and wisdom for self-enlightenment, and at the same time, rely on compassion and knowledge to benefit others.

From passiveness to involvement:
To emulate the spirit of the Buddha by being active and optimistic in dealing with life, thus giving others confidence, hope, joy, and convenience.

From disciples to teachers:
To train lay followers in skill and wisdom through educational programs so that they too can be competent propagators.

From our country to the world:
The Mahayana spirit is "to emancipate all beings prior to self-salvation." We are to follow this glorious tradition with firm conviction and a vision that extends across the world. Let us strive to realize the ideal of "letting the Buddha's Light shine over the three thousand realms and the Dharma's current flow throughout the five continents."

     Today, as BLIA officially declares its inauguration, we the members will work diligently to become:

A global person of communal living;
We will be a compassionate person of co-existence.
A wise person of rationality;
We will be a patient person of strength.
A friendly person of giving;
We will be a cultivated person of purity.
A joyous person of happiness;
We are a Buddha's Light person of harmony.

     From now on, we are determined to be steadfast and diligent in our endeavors without retrogression:

For ourselves, we leave behind our faith;
For our family, we leave behind our contributions.
For our society, we leave behind our compassion;
For humankind, we leave behind our history.
For our temple, we leave behind our merits;
For others, we leave behind our positive affinities.
For the future, we leave behind our resolves;
For the world, we leave behind our glory.