Dharma Affinities: Venerable Bhante Dharmawara and Ajahn Sumedho In his endeavor to unite the Northern and Southern traditions of Buddhism, the Venerable Master was extremely successful in winning the respect and admiration of the Sangha community from the Southern Tradition. And so it is no coincidence that Ven. Bhante Dharmawara and Ajahn Sumedho, both Bhikshus of the Southern tradition of Buddhism hold such high esteem for the Venerable Master. The 103-year old Elder Dharma Master Bhante Dharmawara visiting the CTTB in 1991. Venerable Bhante Dharmawara is one of the elder Dharma Masters that Venerable Master Hua would invite to transmit the precepts during the Threefold Ordination Ceremony. During other times, Venerable Bhante would also make special visits the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He continued to visit the City even after Master Hua's passing into Nirvana. Each time, he would exhort the fourfold assembly at the City to cultivate well. Despite his advanced age, the visits continued until his passing away recently. Venerable Bhante is dearly missed by all.

Venerable Master Hua and Ajahn Sumedho, Bhikku, in England, 1990.

Whenever Ajahn Sumedho comes to America, he would make it a point visit Venerable Hua wherever the Master may be. In 1989, he invited the Master to propagate the Dharma at the Amaravati Buddhist Centre in England, where he is Abbot. This resulted in the historical meeting between the Northern and Southern traditions of Buddhism. In 1991, with the blessings of Master Hua, Ajahn Sumedho has also conducted a meditation retreat in the Southern Tradition at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Till today, the Amaravati Buddist Centre in England continues to hold close ties with the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.