Effective Transition of Fo Guang Shan Young Adult Division into Buddha's Light International Association through the study of Sydney Prajna Division.

• Main Author: Leonard Fung
• Other Authors: Shih, Yung Dong
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/57432783755141337649

碩士 === 佛光大學 === 佛教學系 === 100 === Abstract 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.