On 23^rd September 2017 local time, the Most Ven. Ze Wu, who is the Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, the President of the Buddhist Association of Xiamen, the Abbot of the Nanputuo Temple and the Rector of the Buddhist College of Minnan (BCM), led the Buddhist delegation of “Belt and Road -- USA and Canada Mission” to arrive at the Xi Fang Temple, New York, attending the Founding and Unveiling Ceremony of the Buddhist College of Minnan Alumni Association America Branch (BCMAA America Branch) together with the Exchange Meeting with Chinese Students in the United States.

The ceremony commenced at 9:00 a.m. with the singing of Triple Jewels and it was hosted by Ven. Hong Lai, who is the Assistant Director and the Director of the International Department of the BCM. At the beginning, the Most Ven. Kuan Neng, the Abbot of Xi Fang Temple, warmly welcomed the delegation. He felt warm and touched by seeing the delegation traveled from a long distance to witness the promotion of Chinese Buddhism in North America. Having introduced the background of New York, he recalled the great masters Ven. Tai Xu and Ven. Miao Feng. These two great masters were the pioneers to promote Dharma in New York and established the foundation for the development of Chinese Buddhism in North America. He wishes that the BCMAA America Branch will become the agent to assist BCM to cultivate talented Buddhist preachers who have strong devotion and are enable to acclimate the request of the time.

Ven. Master Hong Lai introduced the origination and the significance of the branch of the Alumni Association. Soon after, the Most Ven. Ze Wu, the Most Ven. Kuan Neng, Ven. Hui Ran, and Ven. Fa Yuan hanged out the shingle of America Branch of BCMAA together. The Most Ven. Ze Wu presented the certificate to the Most Ven. Kuan Neng authorizing him to be the President of the America Branch.

Then, the Most Ven. Ze Wu, introduced that Ven. Kuan Neng has difficult experience of 20 years in promoting Buddhism in North America. He highly praised that Ven. Kuan Neng has done a great deal of meritorious deeds such as building up the temple, managing monastics, running schools, educating people, and spreading Chinese traditional culture, etc. He pointed out that all monastics, no matter where they preach the Dharma; they always have to keep in mind to love their country and religion. He also listed seven points to indicate the significance of founding this America Branch of BCMAA: (1) The branch is founded by the BCM which gives full scope to unique advantage by following the ‘One Belt One Road’ Initiative and ‘Golden Bonds’ among China, Canada, and USA which was proposed by Ven. Xue Cheng (the President of China Buddhist Association); (2) the branch can continue  the fine conventional tradition of preaching Dharma by the prominent personages from the BCM; (3) the branch can enhance the centripetal force, cohesion, and sense of belonging of the alumnus all over the world; (4) the branch could be a better place for propagating Chinese traditional culture and Chinese Buddhist culture, and for increasing the influence of the spirit of “Compassion and Wisdom” of the BCM aboard and bringing the sense of identity; (5) the branch will bring mutual understanding and respect between Eastern Chinese Buddhist culture and Western Christ culture and play a better role in peace and well-being of the mankind; (6) the branch will cultivate global Buddhist talents for the BCM, help them to move to an international arena, open up their international horizons, and increase their international influence; (7) the founding of America Branch is a milestone in the history of the BCM.

At last, the Most Ven. Ze Wu, the Most Ven. Kuan Neng, the monastics who are preaching Dharma and studying in the United States attended the exchange meeting hosted by Ven. Jie Song (the Head of the Teaching Affairs’ Office). The Most Ven. Ze Wu praised the monastics for taking all the troubles in preaching Dharma and studying aboard. He could foresee the bright future, generosity, and vitality of Buddhism through them, therefore, he expected them to maintain this spirit all the time and unite together for bringing Chinese Buddhism to worldwide. 

The Most Ven. Kuan Neng shared his experience with the monastics and suggested them to have a definite aim and accurate orientation in life, keep own thought but learning the ideas from others, keep faith, and progress together.

There were about 20 monastics, including Ven. Hui Chen from the University of West, Ven.Hong Lü from Chicago University, Ven. Jing Ran, who is the alumni of the 7^th batch, exchanged their experiences and filled the spot with warmth and pleasant pleasantness. The meeting completed successfully at 11:30. 

This America Branch is the 6^th oversea branch of BCMAA after those established in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, and Canada. The Most Ven. Kuan Neng, the president of America Branch, is the alumni of the sixth batch of the BCM. He led the four kinds of disciples to hold this great event successfully.

1. The Founding and Unveiling Ceremony of the Alumni Association of the America Branch of the Buddhist College of Minnan

2.The Exchange Meeting with Chinese Students in the United States were held at Xi Fang Temple, New York