The Buddha Altar Shrine of the Dharma Constitution Vietnamese Buddhism
Nha Trang, Vietnam – Established January 12, 1961.
Left frame: Namo the Pure King’s Dharma Constitution, Superior Association of Buddhas and Mahasattva-Bodhisattvas.
Center: Statue of the Medicine Buddha with the inscription Eastern-Salvation Medicine-Master Lapis-Lazuli-Light Tathagata.
Right frame: Namo the Present Head of Religion, Founding Master Shakyamuni Buddha.
At the beginning of 1971, some devoted brother-followers—though not yet fully accomplished—had nonetheless attained a deeper understanding of doctrine and truth than most others at the time. They submitted a petition to the government, requesting a decree authorizing the establishment of the Dharma Constitution, so that it could be widely disseminated, guiding and supporting people of all backgrounds to practice the Dharma freely and comfortably. At that time, I accepted the establishment of the Dharma Constitution in the world.
At that time, when Mr. Nguyễn Văn Thiệu was President, there was a regulation: when requesting the establishment of an association, five elders had to be selected. These five were chosen in order—each of them being truly elderly, gentle, and possessing fundamental moral virtue as the foundation for representing the organization. They had to be upright, without wrongdoing, with good character, so that they could place their hands in pledge and formally request the decree.
After the decree had been obtained and signed, a Grand Assembly was held. The five elders were invited to preside—not by any form of compulsion, but of their own free will. All five voluntarily proclaimed the Sangha Chief. This event was known as the Investiture Ceremony of the Dharma Constitution.
At that time, people from all background were present. There could also be more than one thousand participants involved in its drafting. The brothers submitted a petition and unanimously resolved to exalt me, Từ Thế Thọ, as the Sangha Chief, entrusted with upholding the Dharma Constitution.
Reverend Tịnh Vương Nhất Tôn, Long-Hoa Sangha Chief at the Buddha Altar Shrine
Nha Trang, Vietnam 1961.
During the investiture period, I presented a four-line verse. I said: All people from every class should follow this verse in their Dharma practice. From this age to future ones, it must always be upheld:
“When the Superior and Inferior are in Harmony, there is Peace and Goodness.”
In any assembly where those above and those below are united in harmony, that assembly will naturally dwell in peace and goodness.
“Investiture for the Establishment of the Dharma Assembly.”
They exalted me as the Sangha Chief in order to open the Dharma Assembly, and thus they must follow my instruction:
“With A Single Word, Knowing and Seeing the Buddha.”
Once they hear my teaching and truly grasp it in their practice, they will attain the Knowing and Seeing the Buddha.
“When Fully Accomplished, Entering the Gate of Liberation.”
And when their practice is brought to completion, they will enter the Gate of Liberation.
These are the four verses to be preserved for this age and the next ones.
When a Dharma Constitution temple is established, the two sides of its gate bear this parallel verse:
With A Single Word, Knowing and Seeing the Buddha;
When Fully Accomplished, Entering the Gate of Liberation.
This a theme for all future generations to rely on, so that the Superior and Inferior are in harmony, there is peace and goodness. Buddhism values harmony. Where there is harmony, there is understanding. Where there is accord, there is clarity.
