Tree Planting Ceremony, Aug 31, 2011

Venerable Wei Wu, chairman of the International Buddhist College council, pointed out in his speech during the indoor tree planting ceremony that the tree planting ceremony has four significant implications:

1. Our foreign guests present here today join our Thai friends to celebrate the 84th birthday of His Majesty, The King of Thailand with the planting of 84 special trees in IBC campuses. The Thai people are very fortunate to have a King who shows great compassion, care and concern for His people.

2. Many of the main events in the BuddhaΓÇÕs life were related to trees. He was born under an Asoka tree; He gained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree and chose to enter Parinirvana while lying between two Sala trees. When we plant trees in IBC today, we remind ourselves that our roots go back to the life and teachings of the Buddha.

3. Some of the most beautiful passages in Buddhist literature relate to trees. Asvaghosa likened spiritual practice to a tree with roots as resolution, boughs as awareness, flowers as virtue, and fruits as Prajna wisdom. So let us practice and develop all the qualities listed above while planting a tree.

4. The Buddha described a kind person as a great banyan tree growing on the side of a road that welcomes weary travelers with its cool shade that soothes their tiredness. There is a Chinese saying that ΓÇ£trees planted by one generation give unto future generations the cool shade to rest upon.ΓÇÙ Another well known Chinese proverb says, ΓÇ£It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred years to train a man.ΓÇÙIt reminds us that an educational cause is an undertaking that demands patience and persistence, because a sound education program may require a long time before it takes root. It is vital to have farsightedness. Your support for IBC through tree planting to promote Buddhist education is thus most meaningful.

Venerable Wei Wu appealed to the public for continual support for IBC.