广东东华禅寺始建于南朝梁武帝开国元年（公元502年），至今已有一千六百年的历史

The Donghua Chan Temple was built in 502 A.D. during the Emperor Liang's era in the Nan Dynasty. The Temple has been around for more than 1,600 years.  

该寺原名灵鹫寺，乃是印度高僧智药三藏禅师所创

Originally it was called the Lingjiu Temple and was built by the eminent Indian Monk Zhiyao Tripitaka. 

公元661年，禅宗六祖惠能大师继承五祖衣钵后南归，经此寺而隐修，改灵鹫寺为东华禅寺，唐宋鼎盛，毁于明清

In 661 A.D., the Sixth Patriarch Huineng inherited the robe and begging bowl (a symbol of Dharma transmission from Fifth Patriarch Hongren) and came to Lingjiu where he meditated in solitude. The Sixth Patriarch then changed Lingjiu to Donghua Chan Temple. It flourished during the Tang-Song Dynasties but diminished in the Ming-Qing Dynasties.

公元1997年，已闭过四年关的万行法师，来到东华山又闭关三年，终悟本源

In 1997, Master Wanxing, who previously meditated in solitude for four years, came to Mount Donghua to meditate in solitude again for three years in the cave and he became enlightened. 

而立之年出关后，决定恢复东华禅寺，再续禅宗香火

At the age of 30, he ended the meditation and decided to rebuild the Donghua Chan Temple and carry on the Chan teachings. 

未有寺院，先创家风：信教先爱国，学佛先做人，修道先发心

The temple did not exist back then so Master Wanxing began by creating the Donghua doctrines: love your country before practicing Buddhism, behave humanely before learning Buddhism, and learn to take vows before cultivating the Way.

当时房无一间，地无一垄，仅一洞一僧一袈裟

At that time there was no housing, no land, except for a cave, a monk and a cassock.

如是，发无上大愿，以国泰民安为己任，以普度众生为使命，虚空有尽、行愿无穷

Despite the harsh conditions, Master Wanxing vowed that it was his responsibility to contribute to the country’s prosperity and people’s wellbeing. He also vowed that it was his mission to save all the sentient beings. The universe may have borders, but fulfilling vows is borderless.

历时二十年，讲课过万场，著述千万言，创立东华禅，倡导人本佛教，筹集善款五亿余万元，建筑面积五万余平方，完成三十余座殿堂，同时可容纳一千五百人的吃住，可举办各种修学活动

For the past twenty plus years, Master Wanxing has given over ten thousand lectures, written 13 books totaling over ten million words, created the Donghua Chan, pioneered a humanity-based Buddhist ideology, raised over 500 million Chinese yuan, built a temple occupying 50 thousand square meters, completed more than 30 Buddhist Halls. The temple can provide room and board to more than 1,500 people and has the capacity to host Buddhist seminars, conferences and other activities.  

2008年，从全国各地赶来十余万信众，参加东华禅寺落成庆典

In 2008, more than 100,000 Buddhist believers came from all over China to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Donghua Chan Temple. 

寺院定位禅宗道场，农禅并重：一日不做，一日不食，堂上坐禅，堂下禅做

The temple is positioned as a Chan site, placing equal importance on farming and Chan Buddhism. One day without practice, one day without eating. In the temple [we] practice Chan Buddhism, and outside the temple [we] practice Chan Buddhism as well. 

从开山建寺至今二十年，一边筹集善款建寺，一边回报社会，敬孝不能等，行善不能等

It’s been more than twenty years since Master Wanxing began the rebuild. While raising money for the reconstruction project, he insisted on giving back to the society. Master Wanxing also reminds us that one cannot wait for filial piety and good deeds.  

东华禅寺二十年间，共向社会捐款捐物七千余万元，多次被省市有关部门评为“模范宗教场所”“和谐寺观教堂”

The Donghua Chan Temple has donated more than 70 million Chinese yuan in cash and goods to the society in the past 20 years and has been recognized multiple times by the provincial and municipal authorities as the Model Religious Venue and National Harmony Temple.

东华禅寺是中国惟一创立家风的寺院，是第一个升国旗的寺院，是惟一建立爱国馆的寺院，是惟一建立护国吉祥殿的寺院，相信他的惟一已经为社会尽到了绵薄之力

The Donghua Chan Temple is the only temple in China with doctrines, the first temple to raise the national flag, the only temple to build a Buddhist Patriotic Hall, and the only temple with an Auspicious Hall for protecting the country. All the firsts and onlys show Donghua Chan Temple’s dedication to the society. 

东华禅寺广受社会赞誉

The Donghua Chan Temple is widely recognized among the public. 

2012年，十八大两会期间，中宣部对万行法师的微博给予高度评价，称之为“阳光微博”

In 2012 during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, the Central Communications Bureau highly praised Master Wanxing’s blog as a “Sunshine Weibo.”

2013年中央统战部《中国统一战线杂志》对东华禅寺做了专题报导

In 2013 the China United Front magazine of the CPC’s United Front Work Department printed a special feature report on Master Wanxing. 

中国社会科学院授予东华禅寺“禅宗文化研究基地”

The Donghua Chan Temple was recognized as the "Chan Culture Research Base" by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

广东省宗教文化研究院授予东华禅寺“佛教文化研究基地”

Guangdong Provincial Institute of Ethnic and Religious Studies recognizes the Donghua Chan Temple as the “Buddhist Culture Research Base.”  

中国文化部授予东华禅寺“传统文化大讲堂基地”

And the Chinese Ministry of Culture awards the temple as the “Traditional Chinese Culture Lecture Hall.” 

至此，东华禅寺将继续肩负着佛教的使命、中国传统文化的使命

Going forward, the Donghua Chan Temple will continue to shoulder the mission of Buddhism and traditional Chinese culture.  

正如他所发的愿那样，虚空有尽、行愿无穷

As Master Wanxing's vow manifests, the universe may have borders, but fulfilling vows is borderless.