Purple Lotus Publisher > Journal > Volumn NO. 16

Master Samantha's Speech at the Purple Lotus Buddhist School Graduation Ceremony June 20, 2004

Translated by Janny Chow

Teachers, students, parents, and guests, good morning. Om Mani Padme Hum. (audience applause)

The height of the microphone is just right for me. It was a little too low earlier for Dr. Austin. I was worried that it would bring on his back pain again. (Master joked.)

We are here today to celebrate the graduation of the high school and junior high school students at our school. The speech given by Dr. Austin earlier was very moving. For someone who has had minimal contact with Buddhism prior to arriving at our school, and who has been here only a short time, to come to this kind of understanding is very touching.

He mentioned one of our students, Yi-xian, and some of his views, and how it demonstrated the kind of wisdom students at our school have developed. Indeed, his observations are absolutely correct. The education offered at Purple Lotus Buddhist School is unique among schools in the U.S. and abroad.

It is our dream to create a school to teach true wisdom to our students. In conventional schools, students learn from a young age onward that academic excellence is the path to success. Pursuit of this type of success brings on tremendous personal stress. If students do not have ways to relieve their stress and find equilibrium, they will encounter much hardship in their lives. Often, schools fail to teach their students the significance of why they are learning what they are learning and what good it will do them in the future, and the students thus fail to put what they have learned to good use.

Our school understands that true education extends beyond standard academic teachings. True education penetrates students' lives to bring inner enrichment. As I have often said, you can take care of external appearances by grooming and dressing neatly, but you may be unaware of times, and others cannot see, when your inner world becomes unclean. We know how to control the exterior, material aspects of our lives, but we are unable to control the spirit within. This is because the education we have received since childhood has not taught us to properly develop and sublimate our inner power.

The goal of this school is to educate the students to achieve both inner and outer peace. If one is able to develop inner power and strength, the external report card will reflect this and inevitably improve. The external report card I am referring to is not merely a record of school grades, but also the rewards garnered from living a well-rounded and balanced life. If the students are able to put their hearts into learning at this school, they will indeed achieve remarkable rewards.

I understand that many students who transfer here from public schools have to go through an initial period of adjustment. Almost all of them were unhappy when they started. But, gradually, their attitudes changed. You can see the transformation in them very clearly. And soon, you realize this transformation is not merely temporary but long lasting. Whether they have gone on to different schools or graduated, somewhere deep in their hearts they will always remember this school and will try to return here to be with everyone again. Why? This is because the school has become a symbol of their inner spirit.

There is a saying, "If you can motivate and move someone's heart, this person belongs to you forever." When you are only able to motivate someone externally, the impact does not last long. Our school teaches its students to motivate and bring out the heart in all its power, not to keep it hidden inside.

Not every family sending their child to this school is able to afford the full tuition. The children's spirits realize this. They make pacts with each other that after they graduate from college and start working, they will donate money back to the school. We actually never suggested this idea to the students, because who knows when they will start making money on their own. Yet they engendered these thoughts themselves.

When I heard this, I thought back to the times when I was a student. When I graduated from high school, I never thought about paying back my high school when I earned money. Throughout kindergarten, grade school, junior high, high school, or college, I don't think I had such thoughts. Perhaps this merely reflects poorly on me. But, let me ask everyone present today, who here has sent money back to the schools they attended? Junior High? University? Never? (master laughter) OK, see! We have not entertained these thoughts. We did not feel an obligation to do so. Often graduation is the end of our studies and we go our separate ways.

Then, why do students at our school, and not just one student but almost every student, feel this way? I mentioned just now the importance of motivating the heart. We have opened our hearts to them, and that is why their hearts are motivated to help and give back. They understand that the education offered at this school is not a "small" education, but an education dedicated to all beings, an education for the future.

Our school has a special trait - it is like a big family. Every member is a member of this family. In the past, Megia Chou, a graduating student, complained to me that our school is too small. With so few students she felt she could not make many friends.

I responded, "Although the school may be small and the number of students few, every friend you make is a true friend!"

In the past when we attended big schools with thousands of students, how many friends did you meet with whom you still remain in touch? When you go to larger schools, you may see many students, however you interact primarily with those living near you and the areas you frequent and remain unacquainted with the rest of the student population.

When Megia Chou was attending a public school before entering this school, she told me that after four months of classes, her teacher still did not remember her name. Perhaps he was not even aware that she was attending his class.

At our school, the number of students is small, and every one gets full attention from the teachers. The teachers are aware of and care about the living conditions, study habits, and states of mind of each student.

Because we are a religious school, we all share similar beliefs and values. When any student has a problem, the teachers, venerables, as well as volunteers here at the school will pay attention and help the student out. Under such a wholesome, nourishing environment the students are thus able to undergo rapid transformation.

The most important thing I have discovered about our students is that they have naturally developed a very positive outlook on life. As long as the student is willing to learn, he or she will develop a positive attitude toward every experience.

Because I am responsible for the dharma transmission and have a very busy schedule traveling around the world, I am not teaching any classes here. Whenever any of our students comes down with any problem however, I always know. Our venerables here will do practices dedicating the merits to resolving the problem, and they also telephone or fax me their concerns. At the shrine or prayer table in front of me, there will often be papers describing the problems of each individual student or even a supplication on behalf of the entire school. I pray on behalf of them and empower their resolutions.

That is why I honestly feel the students at our school are very blessed. Even when I am traveling to other countries conducting ceremonies, the list of students at the school continues to receive special registration and empowerment at the ceremonies. With continual empowerment from the Buddha Light, the students will naturally undergo rapid positive transformation.

In addition to academic studies, we also encourage and help the students take part in community services to cultivate loving-kindness. Raised in such an environment, each student develops a special quality about him or her. Many people have observed and commented upon this when our students go out and participate in community service activities.

Perhaps at the school, this special quality is not as apparent. But once these students enter the community and interact with students of similar age from other schools, you can immediately tell them apart. I am not talking about external appearances here. Take me for example – I am short, overweight, and not very pretty. Yet when we go outside, a natural brilliance radiates from our inner being. Whatever the circumstance, we are able to understand and see to the heart of the matter. We know we have the ability to face many situations and solve difficulties. What other people may find inexplicable, to us, becomes clear. Ignorance reigns when light is lacking from one's heart. With the light from within, we not only light up our own path, but light the paths of others. This is something that cannot be learned from ordinary academic institutions.

The longer students stay at our school, the more they will learn. The longer they are able to connect with their inner brilliance, the more they will understand and strengthen their inner light.

This is why I am very happy to see another year of students graduate. One by one, they are growing up. There is hope in passing the torch of this great education from one generation to the next.

I have said before that the establishment of this school was a miracle. We started with no financial means and only the desire, but no knowledge of how to go about starting a school. Nevertheless, we refused to sit around and wait for things to happen. We took action and did the best we could with what came to us, diving head on into the project. Today, seeing all these students grow up under such a physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy, balanced environment, makes us all very happy.

Finally, I would like to state that I hope our graduates put all they have learned here into good use in the future. No matter where you go, whatever field you enter, remember what you have learned at the Purple Lotus Buddhist School and apply it to your life. When you face crises, you will know how to solve them. When you face stressors, fear, and anxiety, you will know how to learn from the situation and surmount the challenge. When you encounter happiness, you will also know how to deal with it and not become overwhelmed by momentary excitement and happiness.

Remember that life is impermanent. We may have plans for our future, but change can come rapidly and unexpectedly. Living such an existence, you must have wisdom and a staunch determination. The knowledge and methods you have learned here will help you face all situations. May your futures blossom and bear wonderful fruit. May you all be blessed.

Om Mani Padme Hum. (audience applause)