When Causes and Conditions Converge, We Safeguard the Way Together
— The First Dharma Protector Committee and Volunteer Assembly of North America Mituo Village Concludes Successfully —
The establishment of a Dharma center has never depended on grand slogans;
nor has the path of propagating the Dharma ever been a solitary journey taken by only a few.
Rather, it is countless seemingly ordinary causes and conditions that quietly converge at a certain moment—
some are willing to come, some are willing to stay;
some are willing to take responsibility, others to offer silent support.
It was within such interdependent causes and conditions that the First Dharma Protector Committee and Volunteer Assembly of North America Amitabha Village was successfully held on December 20–21, 2025.
This was the first such gathering.
It may not have been the largest in scale, but it was certainly the most meaningful.
For it marked a transition in the path of Dharma protection at Mituo Village—
from “individual aspirations” to “the harmonious convergence of many causes and conditions.”
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A Meeting, and an Encounter of Causes and Conditions
This assembly systematically reviewed the development history, current situation, and future direction of Mituo Village. It also offered all practitioners who care for and support the Village a genuine opportunity to draw close to the temple, understand it more deeply, and settle their initial aspirations.
December 20 (Conference Day)
From the morning venue setup and lunch preparations, volunteers quietly stepped into their roles.
The afternoon Dharma Protector Committee and Volunteer Assembly became a sincere and in-depth exchange.
In the evening, group bonding through film viewing and discussion gently brought everyone closer together in a relaxed atmosphere.
December 21 (Volunteer Service Day)
Everyone returned to the most simple and grounded form of support—cleaning rooms and organizing the environment.
No pursuit of eloquence, only wholehearted, down-to-earth action.
As the Patriarchs taught:
“Buddhadharma is found in the world; awakening is not apart from the world.”
To support a Dharma center by directly taking responsibility is itself a genuine path of practice.
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A Responsibility, A Vow
— Selected Highlights from Dharma Protector Sharing —
🌿 From ‘Dharma Center’ to ‘Human Hearts’
The assembly opened with remarks from the Village Director, who explained the original intention behind establishing the Dharma Protector Committee:
not to create another organization, but to give sincere aspirations a foundation, continuity, and lasting transmission.
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🌿 Outreach Is a Form of Dharma Protection
Brother Zhang shared insights into the operations and recruitment of the publicity team.
Posters, written content, and platform postings may appear to be technical processes,
but in essence, they are about delivering accurate, clear, and truthful information to those with the right affinities—
so that those who should know, know; and those who wish to come, can find the way.
🌿 Finances Are About Purity and Truthfulness
Brother Shi presented a detailed report on Mituo Village’s financial situation over the past three years:
long-term budget constraints, with major expenses focused on heating, legal matters, and the renovation and construction of residential quarters.
The guiding principles throughout have always been: frugality, effectiveness, and avoiding extravagance.
In his Dharma reflections, he encouraged himself with the “Three No’s”:
I have nothing.
I need nothing.
I am nothing.
It is with such a mindset that he considers how to carry out each task of support carefully and well.
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🌿 Learning Through Service, Practicing Through Responsibility
Next, Brother Eric Zhou shared his causes and conditions for supporting Mituo Village and his personal reflections.
He explained that his original aspiration was to help build a pure Dharma center that serves the public—
a Pure Land where spiritual practice, education, and daily life come together for Chinese communities in North America.
Through the process of service, he has learned to cultivate patience amid busyness, maintain humility and gentleness in communication, and develop tolerance and gratitude within teamwork.
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🌿 Logistics and Behind-the-Scenes Work Are Also Practice
Brothers Liu and Fu shared from the perspectives of logistics and behind-the-scenes details—
covering essential yet often unseen work such as documentation, insurance, the kitchen, reception, and the Bright Lamp offerings.
One sentence summed up the spirit of Dharma protection:
“Willing to be a brick at Amitabha Village—wherever needed, I move there.”
Calm and at ease, skillful and adaptable,
cultivating within harmony, letting go through responsibility.
🌿 Reviewing Dharma Assemblies and Group Practice: Gratitude and Reminder
Deputy Village Director Brother Jin reviewed the intensive and fulfilling Dharma activities of the past year:
multiple large-scale Dharma assemblies, Buddha Recitation Retreats (Buddha-Seven), Buddha-Three retreats, and Three-Times Mindfulness Ceremonies, all conducted in accordance with the Dharma and with solemn dignity.
These achievements relied on the close cooperation of many teams—ritual instruments and chanting, transportation, reception, kitchen, publicity, and online IT support.
In his reflections, Brother Jin shared sincerely:
What we do ultimately belongs to the realm of “appearances”;
yet it is precisely through these appearances
that the mind finds a place to settle,
learning to let go of self and give rise to compassion.
Looking ahead to the coming year, he expressed the intention to continue inviting monastics through favorable conditions,
so that more people may draw near to the True Dharma and find stability in Buddha recitation.
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🌿 The Past, Present, and Future of the Dharma Center
In his concluding remarks, Village Director Brother Sun did not rush to speak of grand future plans. Instead, he guided everyone back to the fundamental causes and conditions of Amitabha Village.
He systematically reviewed the Village’s journey over the past three years:
from the many difficulties at the time of taking over,
to the origins and developments of legal disputes,
to organizational restructuring and the gradual formation of a volunteer system.
None of these steps were pre-planned; each was explored bit by bit under real-world pressures.
Brother Sun candidly stated:
What Amitabha Village presents today is not perfect and still faces many challenges.
Yet it is precisely because of this imperfection that the collective wisdom, patience, and long-term support of the community are even more essential.
When speaking of “Dharma protection,” he emphasized:
Dharma protection is not an identity,
but a mindset of willingness to take responsibility, not evade difficulties, and not seek personal credit.
A healthy Dharma center cannot rely on the long-term depletion of only a few individuals;
it requires more people, at different stages and within different capacities,
to step forward and share even a small portion of the responsibility.
Looking to the year ahead, Brother Sun expressed the hope to build upon the existing foundation by:
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making inner-court activities and processes more mature,
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clarifying divisions of responsibility,
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and enabling volunteers to serve with greater peace of mind and sustainability.
All these efforts are not aimed at making the Dharma center “bigger,”
but at helping people more easily settle into Buddha recitation and more readily draw near to the True Dharma.
Brother Sun concluded with a heartfelt appeal:
Buddhadharma is not a slogan—it is a tool that helps us correct ourselves in real life.
And all forms of support ultimately guide us back to single-minded Buddha recitation, aspiring together toward the Pure Land.
Closing | May More People Walk This Path of Dharma Protection
The Patriarchs often remind us:
“Cultivation takes faith and vows as its foundation; accomplishment begins with harmony.”
The existence of Amitabha Village
is not to establish a place,
but to nurture the faith, vows, and practice of more people.
This assembly is only a beginning.
We sincerely hope that:
more people will enter Amitabha Village through these causes and conditions;
more people will come to know the Buddhadharma through service;
and more people will find peace of body and mind within the Buddhadharma.
Dharma protection is not measured by ability;
aspiration is not limited by timing.
As long as you are willing to come,
Mituo Village will always keep a lamp lit for you.