Dear Venerable Monks and Nuns,
Dear Dhamma friends,
The construction of the Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas is the first project in the United States aimed at protecting and physically preserving the Buddha Dhamma. This Buddhist Wonder of the World is approved and advised by eminent Venerables from numerous Theravada Buddhist countries, including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
The Venerables have wholeheartedly supported the project, lifting our spirits and strengthening our faith. With kindness and motivated by the spirit of supporting future generations, the Venerables have guided and reassured us, so that we know we are not alone on this path of practicing, protecting, and preserving the Dhamma. They have also ensured we know that we always have cherished companions by our side.
When the Dhammacetiya project was first announced, we had just experienced the loss of a great spiritual father, Venerable Phra Thepbuddhivithet (Prachan Kamchan), the Chief of the Thai Overseas Theravāda Buddhist Sangha Congregation. Now, we find ourselves bidding farewell to the Most Venerable Bhaddanta Kumārābhivaṁsa, the esteemed patriarch Buddhist monk of Myanmar, who was also a spiritual father to the Dhammacetiya project.
I still vividly recall the initial conversation I had with the Most Venerable Kumārābhivaṁsa and the Tipitakadhara Sayadaw Venerables during the final days of 2021. In the eyes of the Venerables, I was just a junior whom they had never met even once. However, with compassion and loving-kindness and in keeping with a simple way of life that does not create boundaries between great and small, noble or common, the Most Venerable and the Sangha gladly accepted the invitation to be the Advisors for the Dhammacetiya project, which I had pledged to complete. He exuded immense joy and provided invaluable guidance for the construction of the Dhammacetiya. He emphasized the significance of this internationally-recognized endeavor, as it would house the complete collection of the Tipiṭaka and the four sacred relics. He also commented on the rarity of being able to collaborate in such a project. Recognizing the importance of this opportunity, he graciously offered the Buddha relics, Buddha statues, and Buddha’s footprint to accrue merit for himself.
We will forever cherish his teachings, filled with Dhamma and simplicity, and pledge to tirelessly carry out this project until our last breath. We are determined not to disappoint his heartfelt support, nor will we allow any disappointment to the unwavering support of the Venerables, monks, nuns, and the Dhamma friends who have dedicated themselves to the construction of this Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas project.
At this moment, I should have been present in front of his casket to pay respects before sending his body off to the crematorium to express my respect and gratitude, to fulfill the duty of a disciple who has been lovingly taught by Most Venerable in the final days about the construction of the Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas. However, there are moments in life when fulfilling obligations towards both parents and teachers becomes overly challenging. My mother, who is old and feeble, is currently in critical condition. I am uncertain when she may depart from this world. As a son, a monk, and a source of spiritual support for the entire family, I am unable to travel, lest I burden them further.
At this very moment, I prostrate and pay homage from afar, bidding the Venerable farewell with utmost sincerity.
With deep reverence, all the monks, nuns, Buddhist devotees at Huong Dao Temple, and the Dhammcetiya Construction Council sincerely pay our heartfelt respects.
We humbly share this merit to the late Supreme Patriarch, the Most Venerable Kumārābhivaṁsa, and earnestly pray for his ascension to the Buddha land.
Finally, I would like to sincerely repent to the Venerable, the Tipitakadhara Sayadaw Venerables and the Venerable Monks. I respectfully beseech your compassion and forgiveness for my absence.
Namo Buddhaya
Source: Dhammacetiya
#chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple
#sbsstupas
#buddha #buddhism #Dhutanga #dhammajourney