City Of Ten Thousand Buddhas

The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (traditional Chinese: 萬佛聖城; pinyin: Wànfó Shèngchéng) is a prominent international Buddhist community and monastery situated in Talmage, California. Founded by the influential Buddhist figure Hsuan Hua, it stands as one of the first Chan Buddhist temples established in the United States and is recognized as one of the largest Buddhist communities in the Western Hemisphere. Its establishment marked a significant step in introducing Eastern Buddhist traditions to the West.

History and Establishment

The Dharma Realm Buddhist Association acquired the site in 1974, with the intention of creating an international center for propagating the Buddhadharma. By 1976, the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas was established. The site itself has a prior history, having originally housed the Mendocino State Asylum for the Insane, founded in 1889, which comprised numerous large buildings and extensive facilities.

Hsuan Hua recognized the valley's surroundings as ideal for spiritual cultivation and envisioned a major center for world Buddhism. His goal was to establish an orthodox international monastery that would elevate moral standards and increase public awareness. The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas encompasses 488 acres, with a significant portion developed to house its monastic facilities, educational institutions, administrative offices, and dining halls.

Traditions and Practices

The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is distinguished by its strict adherence to traditional Buddhist monastic codes, particularly the vinaya. Monastics observe unique practices, such as always wearing long sashes outside their monastic clothing and consuming only one meal per day, which must be taken before noon. Many practitioners also maintain vows of silence for varying periods and do not own personal wealth or touch money, aiming to purify their minds.

Notable Structures and Institutions

Key architectural and functional sites within the city include the Jeweled Hall of 10,000 Buddhas, completed in 1982, which features a large statue of Avalokiteśvara and walls adorned with 10,000 images of the Buddha. The Hall of No Words serves as a memorial hall containing relics. The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is also home to Dharma Realm Buddhist University, founded in 1976, which offers degree programs in Liberal Arts and Buddhist Classics. Additionally, the Instilling Goodness Elementary and Developing Virtue Secondary Schools, established by Hsuan Hua in 1976, provide education for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, incorporating Buddhist teachings and meditation into their curriculum.

Atmosphere and Guiding Principles

The monastery maintains a strict adherence to traditional Asian monastic culture while existing within a liberal Californian setting. It houses both male and female Sangha, students, and is accessible to the public, though with separate campuses for men and women. Visitors are expected to wear modest clothing. Hsuan Hua established six guiding principles for practitioners: "not to fight nor be greedy, not to seek nor be selfish, not to pursue personal advantage, and not to lie." Smoking, drug use, and the consumption of meat and alcohol are prohibited within the community.

Wildlife and Conservation

The grounds are inhabited by various animals, including peacocks, deer, and squirrels. Wildlife conservation efforts are evident, including a Liberating of Life ceremony where animals are set free. An organic farm on the property provides produce for the community's meals.