Effective Transition of Fo Guang Shan Young Adult Division into Buddha's Light International Association through the Study of Sydney Prajna Division.=佛光青年轉為國際佛光會員之研究─以雪梨般若分團為例
Avataṃsaka Sūtra; Suahana; Prajna Division Sydney; Buddha's Light International Association
摘要
Acquiring Buddhahood in today's dysfunctional and segregated society is even more prevalent than ever. Natural disasters, wars, famine, disease and poverty continually bring suffering to sentient beings therefore the need to practice the way to attain buddhahood is the highest goal of all beings. From the time of the Buddha who gave his teachings face to face till present where technology gives each individual the ability to communicate almost instantly anywhere on the planet one could argue that the ability to communicate has become easier however effective transmission has become diluted. Before the Buddha moved onto Nirvana he established the triple gem which requests us to follow the Buddha, the Teachings, and the the Sangha in order to ascertain effective transmission of Buddhism onto future generations. This has not happened. Therefore this thesis is the study of recreating effective transmission of the Buddha's teachings and re-inspiring effective transition of members of whom are active on a journey to attain buddhahood in todays modern society. The study of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) and the youth members within the newly created subchapter Prajna Division Sydney (PD) will bring to light what creates effective transition of members to continue their journey in buddhahood. However in order to grasp what these youths from Prajna Division Sydney need to effectively continue their journey toward Buddahhood one needs to reflect where history shown us the way, therefore this study will explore the youth Sudhana and his journey to learn from fifty-three teachers in the last chapter of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra. (Huayen jing華嚴經) This research is separated into five chapters based on qualitative research including in depth interviews, first hand experience, ethnographical observations, analytical and interpretive approaches. Chapter II, introduces the background and doctrinal foundation of both the Avataṃsaka Sūtra and the 52 teachings of the youth Sudhana's journey for Buddhahood. Chapter III is the introduction to the subchapter Prajna Division (PD) and the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) of Sydney and it's vision and mission to bring Buddhahood to its members. Chapter IV, is the research and analysis which will show the parallels of the teachings between the traditional journey of Sudhana and modern journey of Prajna Division Sydney members and what will create effective transmission towards attaining buddhahood. The research and study will be summed up in the concluding remarks in Chapter V.
目次
ABSTRACT I DEDICATION II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS III CONTENTS IV TABLES V CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1 I.1 Motivation and Inspiration 2 I.2 Purpose of the Study 5 I.3 Research Methods 7 I.3.1 Validity and Reliability 10 I.3.1.1 Reliability 10 I.3.1.2 Validity 10 I.4 Problem Statements 10 I.5 Difficulties and Solutions 11 I.6 Literature Review 12 I.6.1 The organising and development of BLIA 13 I.6.1.1 13 I.6.1.2 14 I.6.1.3 14 I.6.2 Specific groups of teachers 15 I.6.2.1 15 I.6.2.2 16 I.6.3 Volunteers of BLIA 16 I.6.4 Lay lecturer in BLIA 17 CHAPTER II: INTRODUCTION TO SUDHANA IN THE GAṆḌHAVYŪHA SŪTRA 19 II.1 General Introduction to the Avataṃsaka Sūtra 19 II .2 Sudhana and his fifty-three Teachers in the Gaṇḍavyūha Sūtra 22 CHAPTER III: INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHA'S LIGHT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION AND PRAJNA DIVISION SYDNEY 46 III.1 Introduction to Buddha's Light International Association 46 III.1.1 The Mission of Buddha's Light International Association and its members in Sydney 47 III.1.2 The Teachings of Buddha's Light International Association Sydney 50 III.2 Introduction to Prajna Division Sydney 56 III.2.1 The inspiration and will of Prajna Division Sydney 59 III.2.2 Questions and Interview of Prajna Division 62 III.2.3 Transmission of Prajna Division into BLIA 64 CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS OF PRAJNA DIVISION SYDNEY 67 IV.1 Results from the Interview Questions of Prajna Division Sydney 67 IV.2 The Parallels between the Traditional and the Modern 87 IV.3 The Cause of the Lack of Transition from Prajna Division to Buddha's Light International Association Sydney 89 IV.4 Suggestions for Effective Transition 92 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION 96 BIBLIOGRAPHY 99 A. Primary Source 99 B. Secondary Source 99 a. Books 99 b. Theses 99 c. Websites 100 APPENDIX 101 Interview Questions for Prajna Division Sydney Members 101
TABLES Table 1 Listing of Sudhana's fifty-three teachers 26 Table 2 The Status and Frequency of Sudhana's Teachers 43 Table 3 Programs held by FGS BLIA 51 Table 4 Special Events held by BLIA FGS for 2012 53 Table 5 Current members of Prajna Division Sydney 58 Table 6 Analysis of Events attended by Prajna Division Sydney members 67 Table 7 Top three programs/events attended by Prajna Division Sydney members 70 Table 8 Analysis of Events organised by Prajna Division Sydney members 71 Table 9 Top 3 events/programs organised 73 Table 10 The Stages of Bodhisattva Enlightenment 77
