一切眾生 入不二法門 同證三覺地
百界諸佛 上座千華臺 莊嚴萬德天
金山聖寺，是法界佛教總會創辦人宣化上人在美國最早成立的道場。在法總的成長過程中，金山聖寺也隨著遷移與擴大。回顧金山聖寺的發展歷史，可以追溯至上人在美國所成立的第一座道場──佛教講堂。
佛教講堂成立於一九五八年，當時上人還沒來到美國，每逢週末、週日舉行的聽經、念佛等共修法會，則由皈依上人的在家弟子負責。一九六二年三月，上人終於由香港途經日本，在檀香山稍事停留後，飛抵美國舊金山（三藩市）。四月份，上人即開講《金剛般若波羅蜜多經》，並成立禪坐實習班，指導年輕人打坐。
許多上人的早期弟子，在這座講堂裡跟著上人作息起居，領受上人無言有聲的身教言教，奠定了各人佛法修行上的堅實基礎。同時上人也在這座講堂裡，運用他的慈悲與智慧，感化了許多美國的青年，獻身弘法利生的正法事業。
直到一九七 O年，上人買下了位於十五街的一幢床墊工廠，改裝後成立了金山禪寺，「佛教講堂」才正式地走入法總的歷史。講堂雖然現已不復存在，卻依然堅固地豎立在每位上人的弟子心中。
剛買下的金山禪寺因年久失修，很多窗戶都破了，屋頂也漏水，電燈多半不亮，到處佈滿一層厚厚的灰塵，所有的四眾弟子就在上人的指導下，辛苦地自己動手修整一切。當時金山寺是很有名的「冰箱」，因為沒有暖氣，所以三層的磚房正好把冷空氣貯藏得很好，室內的溫度常常比室外還低，但正因為這樣艱苦的環境，而造就出許多道心堅定的修行人，奠定了佛教在美國發展的深厚基礎。
十五街時期的金山聖寺，在一九八七年遷移至現址。位於三藩市沙加緬度街中國城內的金山寺，處在熱鬧繁華的商業鬧區中，街道上是一陣陣行人的嘈雜聲和車輛的機動聲，不時還穿插著鑼鼓喧騰的舞龍舞獅；可是一踏進金山聖寺裏，彷彿進入了一個不同的世界，充滿栴檀香的空氣裏，有一種無法言喻的靜謐與祥和。
本寺每日開放，週末、週日則舉辦講經和拜懺念佛等法會，並附設有週末金山寺育良學校，教導孩子學習佛學、中文及正確的道德觀念，從而能成為品德高尚的卓越青年。
最後引述上人教化弟子共同遵守的六大宗旨：不爭、不貪、不求、不自私、不自利、不打妄語。上人期望每一個人都能向這目標前進，尤其是常到金山寺禮佛拜懺、研究佛法的人, 更希望能發心修行，齊登極樂，是所盼禱。
Gold Mountain Monastery is the earliest monastery established by the late Ven. Master Hsuan Hua, founder of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) in the United States of America. Along with the expansion and growth of DRBA, Gold Mountain Monastery relocated and expanded as well. Looking back at the history of Gold Mountain Monastery, we can trace it back to the first way place established by the Ven. Master – The Buddhist Lecture Hall.
The Buddhist Lecture Hall was established in 1959. At that time, Ven. Master has yet to arrive in the United States. Weekend dharma assemblies such as dharma lectures and Buddha’s name recitation sessions would be carried out by lay disciples who have taken refuge with the Ven. Master. In February 1962, after a brief transit at Japan and Honolulu, the Ven. Master finally arrived at the San Francisco International Airport. In April of that year, Ven. Master started to lecture on the Vajra Paramita Sutra and established Chan Meditation class to teach young people how to meditate.
A lot of the earlier disciples would emulate Ven. Master’s daily schedule at the Buddhist Lecture Hall and receive his teachings that eventually laid down their solid foundation of cultivating the Buddhadharma. At the same time at the Buddhist Lecture Hall, Ven. Master expediently used his compassion and wisdom to cross over many American youths, who resolved to devote their lives to propagate the proper dharma.
In 1970, Ven. Master purchased an old mattress factory on 15th Street in the Mission district and repurposed it to establish the Gold Mountain Monastery. The Buddhist Lecture Hall was then officially decommissioned and took its place in history. Although the lecture hall no longer exists, it still lives strongly in the heart of every disciple.
Due to many years of neglect, the newly purchased Gold Mountain Monastery was covered in a thick layer of dust, many windows were broken, the roof was leaking and more than half of the lights were not working. Under the leadership of Ven. Master, all the disciples personally took part in the work of remodeling. At that time, Gold Mountain Monastery is a well known “refrigerator”. Since there was no heat, the three-story brick building was an excellent storage for cold air. The indoor temperature was often much colder than outside. Due to this environment of extreme hardship, it trained and nurtured many cultivators who brought forth solid resolve in cultivating the way and this laid down the deep and profound foundation for propagating Buddhism in the United States.
Gold Mountain Monastery relocated to its present location in 1987. The monastery is now located in the heart of San Francisco Chinatown on Sacramento Street. In the midst of the bustling retail scene, the noise of the traveling vehicles and people can be heard from the street. It is also common to witness the excitement of lion dance or dragon dance performances. However, once stepped inside Gold Mountain Monastery, it is as if one has entered a different world. The air is filled with subtle incense fragrance and there would be a serene and peaceful atmosphere which words simply cannot describe.
Gold Mountain Monastery is open every day. During the weekends, there would be dharma lectures and dharma sessions on repentance or Buddha recitation. There is also a weekend Gold Mountain Instilling Goodness School. The school’s mission is to teach students Buddhist truths, Chinese language and proper moral concepts, eventually nurturing the children to be virtuous and outstanding youths.
Lastly, I would like to quote the six Great Principles: No fighting, no greed, no seeking, no selfishness, no pursuing personal advantage, and no lying that Ven. Master taught all his disciple to follow. His wish is for everybody to go toward that goal, especially those who often come to Gold Mountain Monastery to bow to Buddha, participate in repentance ceremonies and study the Buddhadharma. We all should make resolve to cultivate, and together we will reach the Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is our sincere wish.
