Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
June 27, 2023

On June 24th at 10:00 AM, amidst everyone's anticipation, the cornerstone laying ceremony was held at Fo Guang Shan San Bao Temple on Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco, CA. Most Venerable Hsin Bao, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, presided over the purification and cornerstone laying ritual.

The honored guests in attendance at the ceremony included Mr. Craig Hartman, the renowned designer from SOM, Mr. Guy Estes, the Vice President of Cahill Contractors, Fo Guang Shan benefactors Mr. Zheng Guangyin and his wife Zhang Huiling, Ms. Xia Yuzhu, a board member of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) World Headquarters, Mr. Zhou Jingyuan, the supervisor of BLIA San Francisco, Ms. Li Xingyi, the president of BLIA San Francisco, and Venerable Dachun from the Miao Guang Monastery, along with Dharma protectors who watched the live broadcast, nearly 300 people participated enthusiastically in the event.

Mr. Craig Hartman, Most Venerable Hsin Bao, Mr. Guy Estes, and Venerable Ru Yang(from left) participated in the ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

The old San Bao Temple was completed on New Year's Day in 1991. At that time, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, personally visited San Francisco to preside over the completion, consecration, inauguration ceremony and the opening ceremony of the Buddha's Light Bookstore.

Due to subsidence of the ground and structural damage, the old San Bao Temple is no longer suitable for use. After years of efforts from various sectors, in December 2022, it finally obtained the permission from the city government to officially commence the reconstruction project.

Most Venerable Hsin Bao presided over the purification ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

Most Venerable Hsin Bao presided over the purification ceremony, and then together with Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Northern California, Venerable Ru Yang, placed the treasure casket into the foundation, covered it with soil, and wished that after the foundation laying ceremony, the project will proceed smoothly, and wished all be blessed with merit, wisdom, and auspiciousness. The attendees witnessed this historic moment and couldn't help but shed tears of joy.

Most Venerable Hsin Bao and Venerable Ru Yang placed the treasure casket into the foundation. photo／The Life News Agency

Most Venerable Hsin Bao expressed gratitude to Fo Guang members for their dedication and support to San Bao Temple over the past thirty years. He emphasized that the temple is a place where people can cultivate their Buddhist practice, accumulate merits. He encouraged everyone to consider the temple as their own home, regularly visit to pay respects to the Buddha and engage in spiritual cultivation, ensuring the Buddha's light shine universally and the perpetuation of the Dharma.

One of the sapta-ratna in the cornerstone laying ceremony is the "Fo Guang Brick." It is made by combining the water and soil from Fo Guang Shan with the water and soil from San Francisco, and on the brick is inscribed: "This cornerstone is made from sand and stones of Fo Guang Shan and water of San Francisco, symbolizing the transmission of the Dharma from the Fo Guang Shan Monastery. With the collective effort of local devotees, after the completion of the new project, the temple will shoulder the great mission of propagating the Dharma, promoting Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Humanistic Buddhism in San Francisco, benefiting sentient beings, and contributing to society."

The treasure casket was placed into the foundation in the ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

In order to support the construction of the temple, the "Heart Sutra into the Treasure Chest" copying activity was initiated. Devotees copied the Heart Sutra in nearly a thousand copies, recited the Buddha's name over seven and a half million times, recited the Great Compassion Mantra over thirty-one thousand times, and chanted other sutras and mantras, wished the merit of these activities be dedicated to the successful and complete construction of the San Bao Temple.

The construction engineering team offered flowers. photo／The Life News Agency

Mr. Guy Estes, Executive Vice President of Cahill Contractors, delivered a speech, expressing gratitude for the collaboration with Fo Guang Shan and the SOM design team in building a temple that purifies the soul in San Francisco. He acknowledged that behind every project, there are special stories, and this experience is truly valuable.

Designer Mr. Craig Hartman expressed that this was the first time in his career that he participated in such a meaningful cornerstone laying ceremony. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to design a groundbreaking and modern architectural project that combines tradition with diversity for the Fo Guang Shan San Bao Temple.

The new construction of San Bao Temple upholds the philosophy of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, emphasizing "Respect and Tolerance." It combines traditional essence with modern technology and encompasses a six-story multifunctional building that includes a Dharma Hall, bookshop, meditation hall, school, and cultural art gallery.

During the construction period, the temporary Buddhist Hall of San Bao Temple has been relocated to Pier 28 in San Francisco. It is hoped that after the completion of the project in two years, San Bao Temple will serve as a spiritual refueling station in people's lives, embodying the aspiration of Venerable Master Hsing Yun: "The Buddha's Light Shines on the Universe, the Dharma Water Forever Flows on the Five Continents."