(Seattle / Reported by Shi Lian Chi)
On Saturday morning, April 22, 2023, the Founding Temple, Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple, welcomed a group of visitors from Mountain View Community Church in Snohomish, Washington. Led by Lead Pastor Brian Hebert, nearly 20 church members spent approximately two hours at the temple. Thanks to the thoughtful efforts of temple staff and volunteers, this interfaith exchange was a great success. The visit demonstrated love, tolerance, and understanding across faiths, allowing both parties to learn from one another and appreciate shared values. In addition to introducing the concepts of Buddhism and the unique characteristics of the True Buddha School, the event also promoted cultural diversity and fostered community friendship.
A particularly joyful moment was when the founder of the True Buddha School, Living Buddha Lian Sheng, personally greeted the visitors during lunchtime. His warm and harmonious interaction left an unforgettable impression on the guests.
Following the prearranged schedule, the group arrived at the temple via church van around 11:00 AM. They were received in the library conference room by Master Lian Chi, the temple secretary, where reference materials and refreshments had been thoughtfully prepared. The visit began with mutual introductions to help break the ice. Pastor Brian, originally from Scotland, has served as Lead Pastor for nearly two years. The group consisted of members of all ages. In their recent efforts to learn about world religions, the church had visited both a mosque and a Hindu temple before contacting the Seattle temple to learn more about Buddhism. Supporting the temple that day were Venerable Lian An, Samantha, and Dakota.
Master Lian Chi presented an informative multimedia slideshow, along with printed guides, to explain the background of the True Buddha School, its founder Living Buddha Lian Sheng, basic Buddhist teachings, and the feng shui and construction history of the temple from the 1980s. During the presentation, Pastor Brian expressed familiarity with Pure Land Buddhism. Visitors asked many thoughtful questions, and Master Lian Chi’s explanations—interwoven with cross-cultural metaphors—often drew smiles and nods of agreement.
After the presentation, the guests were led on a guided tour of the temple’s interior and grounds. They were shown how to properly light incense and make offerings, and were introduced to the symbolism behind various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors, including murals, thangkas, and statues. Master Lian Chi demonstrated the use of both exoteric and esoteric Buddhist instruments such as the wooden fish, singing bowls, gongs, and the sacred water of the Great Compassion Mantra. Some visitors noticed a small statue of Jesus placed in front of the Four-Faced Buddha, prompting curiosity and photographs.
The ferocious yet protective deities in the main hall—such as wrathful Vajra protectors, the stone lions, Garuda, and dragon spirits—piqued the visitors’ interest, sparking many questions. At the Dharma Supplies Store, Brother Morgan, the store manager, warmly received the guests. He explained that ongoing renovations had limited the display of items and expressed his apologies. On behalf of the temple, he gifted each visitor an English book authored by Living Buddha Lian Sheng and a butter lamp, hoping the blessings of Dharma would enlighten them.
The tour continued outdoors to various sacred structures, including the Heaven Lord Incensor, prayer wheels, Dragon King Pavilion, Ksitigarbha Hall, and the Six Joss Paper Burners. Master Lian Chi explained how the Founding Temple incorporates elements of Taoism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Chinese culture, blending Indian, Chinese, and Tibetan aesthetics. The guests marveled at the temple’s sacred energy, sensing its power to purify the heart and guide beings toward kindness and enlightenment. It felt like a spiritual journey across time and space.
A moment of cultural contrast arose when learning about dragons. In Buddhism and Chinese culture, dragons are noble, rain-bringing, and protect Dharma. In contrast, Western cultures often portray dragons as fire-breathing, fearsome creatures. As the group approached the Dragon King Pavilion, a few visitors expressed hesitation. Master Lian Chi playfully pointed to a nearby pull-up bar, joking that one must pass a strength test to enter. The guests burst into laughter, and the mood became more relaxed.
After the tour, a brief 10-minute Q&A session was held. Visitors were particularly curious about using divination tools like moon blocks and fortune sticks to ask questions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Venerable Lian Jin kindly demonstrated how these tools, when used with sincere prayer, can yield spiritual guidance.
During a few minutes of free time, Pastor Brian and others noticed that many temple visitors were from different parts of the world, speaking various languages. They asked why these people traveled all the way to Seattle for this temple. Temple staff invited several on-site disciples to answer. Brother Gareth from the UK and Brother Cinhok from Indonesia both shared that because the Root Guru, Living Buddha Lian Sheng, resides in Seattle and the Buddhas here are especially compassionate and spiritually responsive, they pilgrimage annually. Brother Dakota added that every weekend, the temple provides live English interpretation for dozens of non-Chinese speakers via wireless headsets.
As lunchtime approached, Living Buddha Lian Sheng arrived at the temple to greet the guests. Accompanied by senior masters, he warmly posed for group photos. Grandmaster shared that he was baptized at a Presbyterian church in Kaohsiung in his youth and once served as a Sunday school Bible teacher. He even recited Bible verses in Chinese for Pastor Brian, who, despite language differences, recognized the scripture based on the phonetics—showing the deep resonance between faiths.
Grandmaster then expressed that Jesus is also one of his Gurus. "God is in our hearts. Buddha is in our hearts. There is no difference." He emphasized equality among religions and mutual respect, saying his own focus was Vajrayana practice, which led to his attainment. Disciples present testified that Grandmaster often uses quotes from Jesus and Bible stories to illustrate Buddhist teachings.
Grandmaster later accompanied the group into the dining hall, where two tables were reserved for the guests. Volunteers like Samantha and others fluent in English joined them for lunch. Considerate as ever, Grandmaster instructed the kitchen to prepare Western options like pizza and sandwiches in case anyone wasn’t accustomed to Chinese food. Pastor Brian declared in front of everyone that he loved Chinese food because, while growing up in Scotland, one of his mother’s Taiwanese friends often cooked Chinese dishes that he adored. The lunch was filled with joy and laughter.
After the meal, Grandmaster politely excused himself, explaining that he had spiritual consultations scheduled. Pastor Brian then sincerely told Grandmaster, “I’ve brought groups to visit many places over the past 10 years—this has been the best experience ever.” Grandmaster turned to temple staff and suggested the temple should one day visit Mountain View Community Church in return. Pastor Brian was overjoyed and extended multiple invitations.
Feedback collected from visitor surveys reflected overwhelmingly positive responses. Comments included: “Learned about Buddhist teachings and traditions,” “Friendly and inspiring tour,” “Amazing lunch,” “Loved the temple atmosphere,” “Felt close to culture and art,” and “Detailed explanations and written materials.” Many noted the warmth and hospitality of everyone they met. This intellectual and spiritual journey left them with a deeper understanding of Buddhism and the True Buddha School. Much of this success stems from Grandmaster’s teaching: “When you see a new face at the temple, be the first to greet them—everyone is a diplomat.” Making first-time visitors feel welcomed ensures they’ll want to return.
The Buddhas fulfill their great vows to deliver sentient beings from suffering. Living Buddha Lian Sheng ferries beings to liberation, whether to the Pure Land or Heaven, depending on their affinity. The True Buddha School is a global, inclusive, and diverse religious organization, grounded in the belief that truth transcends race, borders, and customs.
In short, through interfaith dialogue, we break down barriers of indifference, enhance mutual understanding, and build a friendlier, more harmonious society. For a spiritual community to widely benefit others, it must begin with respect for teachers, Dharma, and genuine practice. But it must also remain open-minded, engage with the broader community, embrace innovation, and strive toward global outreach. By learning and growing continuously while serving others, we can help guide the lost toward joy and happiness. With collective support and participation, our spiritual centers can flourish and soar.