Dependent Origination and Our Story 法界緣起與我們的故事
Dependent Origination
緣起
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Our Story
我們的故事
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Legend 模型圖例說明
This Mind Is Buddha
即心即佛
Fire Station
消防站
Chan Hall
禪堂
Bodhi Tree
菩提樹
Buddha Footprint
佛足印
The Making of the Miniature 模型製作花絮
The Making of the Miniature
製作花絮集錦
The Nonduality of Microcosm and Macrocosm · 微觀與宏觀的不二
Dependent Origination 法界緣起
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan, Zen centers around the world come together in a shared expression of gratitude and interconnectedness.
Each branch presents a miniature model of its center, offering a glimpse into its architectural character and spirit of practice. Through this collective display, visitors are invited to reflect on Dependent Origination—the truth that all things arise through causes and conditions, mutually dependent, interwoven, and inseparable.
欣逢中台禪寺創建三十五週年際，世界各地中台分院禪修道場齊聚一堂，共同表達感恩之心與法界緣起、互攝互融之義。
各分院皆呈現其道場之縮影模型，展現建築形制與修行精神。透過此一整體呈現，引導參觀者體悟「緣起」之理——一切法因緣而生，互依互存，互融互攝，無有妨礙。
Our Story 我們的故事
In response to the growing interest in Zen practice in the South Bay, and with the devoted support of many disciples, Venerable Master Weichueh established the Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale in April 2004. It is the second branch in Bay Area of Chung Tai Chan Monastery.
Since its founding, the Zen Center has offered a calm and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. In this peaceful environment, visitors encounter the timeless teachings of Buddhism, experience meditation, and awaken to the Buddha-nature within.
As the community grew, the original space soon became insufficient. With the generosity of many supporters, a permanent home was established. In April 2007, a newly renovated 20,000-square-foot center opened, providing a harmonious setting for learning, practice, and inner cultivation. In 2016, an adjacent building was acquired and renovated, further expanding the Center and offering a more spacious and stable environment for continued practice.
隨著南灣地區禪修風氣日益興盛，在四眾弟子虔誠護持與發心之下，惟覺安公老和尚於2004年4月在桑尼維爾創立中台禪修中心，為中台禪寺於美國舊金山灣區設立之第二處分院。
自創立以來，禪修中心即以提供清淨安定之修行環境為宗旨，廣納十方來者，不分背景，咸得共修。在寧靜祥和的氛圍中，大眾得以親近佛法，體驗禪修之要義，進而覺照自心，啟發本具之佛性。
隨著學員人數日益增長，道場原有空間漸感不足。在諸多護法信眾慷慨護持之下，遂得建立長久安住之道場。於2007年4月，一座全新整修、佔地約兩萬平方呎之禪修中心正式落成啟用，為大眾提供一處和合清淨之環境，以利學習佛法、精進禪修與內心涵養。於2016年在鄰側新增一棟建築，使道場空間更臻完善，提供更寬廣安穩的修行環境，令大眾安心共修，深入體驗禪法，開顯智慧。
This Mind Is Buddha
即心即佛
On a street in Sunnyvale, Silicon Valley, stands a monumental stone engraved with four powerful characters by Venerable Master Weichueh: “This Mind Is Buddha.” It serves as a reminder to all who pass by in the bustling flow of life: If you seek the Dharma, do not search elsewhere—this very moment, this very mind, is it. When we turn inward, letting go of grasping and attachment, the clarity of this present mind is itself naturally in accord with Buddha. The stone’s quiet strength reflects the stillness and luminosity of our inherent nature, reminding us, amid the complexity of the world, not to lose touch with our original mind.
在矽谷桑尼維爾市 (Sunnyvale) 的街道上，矗立著一座鎮山石，刻有開山祖師惟覺安公老和尚的墨寶：「即心即佛」，對熙來攘往的人們默默提示：欲覓佛法，莫向他行，當下即是！當我們返觀自心，放下攀緣與執著，這一念清明覺照心即是。鎮山石的莊嚴與沉穩，也象徵著自性本具的不動與光明，提醒世人在紛繁世界中，莫忘回歸本心。
Fire Station
消防站
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale and the fire station stand in quiet resonance, reflecting one another. The fire station keeps constant watch, extinguishing physical fires and safeguarding the community; yet within the human mind, there are also unseen fires—greed, anger, ignorance, and various afflictions.
Amid the busyness of modern life, Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale guides practitioners to settle in the present moment and turn inward. Through wisdom and mindfulness, it helps transform afflictions, act with clarity, and cultivate inner stability. External fires are extinguished by firefighters, safeguarding society; inner fires are cooled by the Dharma, purifying the human mind.
太谷精舍與消防站遙相呼應。消防站日夜守護，撲滅世間之火，護持一方安寧；而人心之中，亦有無形之火——貪、瞋、癡等種種煩惱。在繁忙生活中，精舍致力弘揚佛法，引導學員安住當下，覺照自心，以智慧化解煩惱，提起正念，清明處事，身心安定。外在之火，由消防隊撲滅，守護社會安定；內在之火，則因佛法得以清涼，進而淨化人心。
Chan Hall
禪堂
“Sit Chan meditation within the hall; live Chan in every moment beyond it.”
The meditation hall is the heart of a Chan monastery. When practitioners let go of all entanglements and awaken directly to their true mind, they realize Buddhahood here and now—which is why the meditation hall is also known as the “Buddha-Selection Hall.”
The dignified Buddha image reminds us that everyone inherently possesses Buddha-nature, while the neatly arranged meditation cushions symbolize a community united in practice, supporting one another along the path. Here, practitioners meditate, chant sutras, attend Dharma ceremonies, and listen to Buddha Dharma. They learn to release attachments and abide in this present mind, bringing the concentration, awareness, compassion, and wisdom cultivated in stillness into daily life—so that whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, they never depart from the Chan mind.
「堂內坐禪，堂外禪坐」禪堂是禪宗道場的核心，行者若能放下萬緣，頓悟自心，當下直了成佛，因此禪堂又稱「選佛場」。莊嚴的佛像提醒我們人人本具佛性；整齊的禪墊，象徵大眾同願同行、彼此增上。大眾在此靜坐、誦經、參加法會、聆聽佛法，學習放下攀緣，安住當下這念心；並將靜中培養的定力、覺察、慈悲與智慧落實於日常生活，使行住坐臥皆不離禪心。
Bodhi Tree
菩提樹
In Buddhism, the Bodhi tree symbolizes awakening, as the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath it. Native to India and suited to warm, humid climates, it does not easily adapt to the dry conditions of California’s Bay Area. Yet, through the Master’s devoted care and the support of lay practitioners, these two Bodhi trees have taken root and thrived—an uncommon achievement.
Practice without arousing the Bodhi mind is like farming without planting seeds. Bodhi means awakening. These trees are more than plants; they are silent teachers, gently reminding us to turn inward. Rooted and still, they reflect the essence of Chan practice: remaining steady amid life’s complexity and cultivating awareness in everyday moments. True awakening must arise, grow, and come to fruition within our own minds.
菩提樹於佛教中具有殊勝意義，因釋迦牟尼佛即於菩提樹下成就正覺。此一樹種原產於印度，性喜溫潤氣候，本不易適應加州灣區乾燥環境。然在師父用心培育，並於護法居士共同護持之下，精舍的兩株菩提樹得以順利生長，殊為難得。
修行不發菩提心，猶如耕田不下種。菩提意為覺悟。精舍的菩提樹如無言說法的善知識，時時提醒行者返觀自心。其安住大地、默然生長姿態，正如禪者於紛擾世間中保持定力，在日用中時時向內覺照。真正的菩提，仍須於自心中發芽、生長、圓滿。
Buddha Footprint
佛足印
The Buddha Footprint, situated along the street-side of Tai Gu Zen Center, silently greets the flow of passersby. It stands as a profound reminder to walk in the footsteps of the Buddha—guiding our path with mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom.
In the spirit of Chan practice, the footprint symbolizes both the Buddha’s sacred manifestation and the direction of our own cultivation. It teaches us that awakening is not discovered through external pursuit, but by turning our gaze inward. Each of us is endowed with an inherent Buddha-nature; when we let go of grasping and settle into inner stillness, wisdom and compassion naturally unfold.
May each step taken in our daily lives be infused with awareness and mindful reflection, leading toward a state of clarity and true freedom.
佛足印位於太谷精舍臨街之側，默然迎接熙攘行人，提示大眾追隨佛陀之足跡，以正念、慈悲與智慧走向光明人生。
在禪宗法門中，佛足印象徵佛陀的示現與修行的歸向。提醒參觀者：覺悟不在向外追求，而在於當下返觀自心。人人本具佛性，若能屏息攀緣、安定身心，本具之智慧與慈悲自能漸次顯發。
願我們於生活的每一步中，步步有覺性，步步覺照，走向清明與自在。
The Making of Our Zen Center Miniature Scene
中台禪修中心縮影模型製作花絮
The Nonduality of microcosm of the miniature and the macrocosm of the Chan Mind.
微觀的模型與宏觀的禪心世界的不二
In preparing this miniature, the community came together with a shared vision. Through its creation, we reflect with gratitude on the origins of the Zen Center and the many supportive efforts that sustain it—truly a rare blessing. The Zen Center is a pure land in Silicon Valley, guiding each practitioner to return to the heart and discover their own world of Chan.
Under Shifu’s guidance, Dharma brothers and Bodhi Garden students each offered their time, care, and sincerity. What began as small individual efforts gradually came together into a complete whole, shaped through patience, collaboration, and quiet dedication. Every tree, pathway, and building reflects care and spirit. Along the way, we supported and learned from one another, realizing that even the smallest contribution carries profound significance. Each detail arises in interdependence, just as we, in shared practice at the Center, support one another and grow together.
One flower contains a world, one leaf holds a Tathāgata. The microcosm of the miniature and the macrocosm of the Chan heart are, in truth, not dualistic.
在這次模型的準備過程中，大眾以共同的願景匯聚一心。藉由製作這個模型，我們以感恩之心回觀精舍的緣起，及大眾護持所成就的種種因緣，誠為稀有難得。精舍所在，是矽谷中的一方淨土，引領每一位修行者回歸自心，尋得屬於自己的禪心世界。
在師父的指導下，師兄們與親子菩提園學員各自付出時間、用心與真誠。由最初看似微小的個別努力，逐漸匯聚成一個完整的呈現，於耐心、協作與靜默的投入中漸次成形。每一棵樹的安放、每一條道路的鋪設、每一棟建築的細心定位，流露出每位的用心與精神。在這個過程中，我們彼此支持、彼此學習，體會到即使最微小的付出，也蘊含著獨特而深遠的意義，每一個細節相依相生，正如我們於道場共修之中，彼此扶持、共同成長。
一花一世界，一葉一如來。微觀的模型與宏觀的禪心世界也不是兩個。
