這一切 都來自一介僧侶年輕時的偉大夢想。（It all started by a young man with a great dream.）
因為貧窮，這位僧侶從小沒有上過任何的正規教育；但由於深知教育對佛法弘傳的重要，也因為受其師父志開和尚的影響——這位和尚在過去曾辦了宗仰中學——，因此，辦教育的理想便一直深埋在他的心裡。（Although he had never received formal education due to poverty, but he always had the wish of providing a proper education for all. He also had the awareness that education is very important for the Dharma propagation. This awareness came from the Venerable Master Zhi Kai who run education back in the time, hence the interest in university education is always buried deep in this young blood’s heart. He always kept in mind that he wanted to follow what his Master was doing.）
有鑒於台灣在六十年前，基督教、天主教辦大學的風氣非常興盛，這位熱血僧青年也跑到立法院反應佛教也要辦一所大學。當時教育部認為大學已經很多了，下令不再受理私人申辦。（Back in 60 years ago, Universities run by Christian churches were performing very well. Therefore, this young blood went to the legislator and express the will to found a university in the name of Buddhism. However, the Ministry of Education replied to this young man that there are already many universities and they can no longer accept private universities.）
他不氣餒，而對教育部說：「基督教辦很多大學，但是，佛教徒華人很多，卻沒有一所佛教辦的大學。」教育部官員聽了之後，過了一陣子，就告訴他政府開放佛教辦大學的好消息。（He was not discouraged. In fact, he told the officer that, “Christianity has a lot of universities, while Buddhists have a lot of Chinese, but they don't have a Buddhist university.” The Director of the Ministry of Education took his words into consideration and came back after a while and told him the good news. They are accepting a Buddhist university. ）
我們說的這位年輕僧侶，就是佛光大學的創辦人，星雲大師。（This young man is the founder of Fo Guang University -- Venerable Master Hsing Yun.）
然而，問題來了。建校並非容易的事，它需要非常龐大的資金，即便到了現在，大師仍忘不了那段艱辛的歷程。（To run a university is not easy. It requires a vast amount of money. Even now, Venerable Master still vividly recalls the hardship he encountered along the way.）
當時法令規定，一個大學至少要有三十公頃的土地才能申請，後來聽人介紹宜蘭林美山有六十公頃的土地，要二億元就可以辦大學。然而，當時二億元對大師而言，簡直是個天文數字！（The ordinance stipulated that a university must have at least 30 hectares of land. Later, he was informed that there is a land for sell at 2 billion dollars. It is astronomical figure to him.）
就在那時，大師的心中生起「百萬人興學」的辦法。（It was at this time that the idea of “Million-Member Fundraising Campaign” came across his mind.）
在那之前，日月光集團的創辦人張姚宏影女士得知大師想辦大學，就想要捐五千萬。但是，大師拒絕了。他認為，光是五千萬辦大學是不夠的，而且這也並非是長久之計。（Prior to this, Ms. Zhang Yaohong, the founder of ASE Group did donate 50 million to him when she knew that Venerable Master wanted to run a university. However, Venerable Master had rejected the kind offer of her because 50 million is not enough to run a university, and it only solved the present problems and not in long term.）
事實上，推動「百萬人興學」的這個想法，大師自己原本不是很有信心，他不知道大家對於百萬人興學的反應會如何；只是一心堅信著，唯有教育才能轉變每個人的生命朝向光明、成聖成賢，這個信念成為他一往直前推動興學的動力。（At first, he was not very confident of promoting the idea of “Million-member Fundraising Campaign” as he rarely involved in the community. It is his belief that only education can transform the lives of people and have hope and brighter future. He also believes that university is not a place solely for the pursuit of knowledge and truth but also a place where great leaders and virtuous sages of the future are nurtured. It was these beliefs that keep him going.）
順利地，這個夢想終於在1996年成功發起，鼓舞廣大的社會人士每人每月捐資一百元來贊助興學，佛光山亦於每年舉行巡迴台灣各地的「百萬人興學行腳托缽」，而許多義工們也透過資源回收、月餅義賣等活動，將所得善款捐助辦校。（Fortunately, this campaign was successfully launched in 1996, as it inspires everyone that they can run a university with NT$100 each month. However, the various expenditure is a bottomless pit. In order to cope with the huge expenses, “Million-Member Alms Round” was held every year around the Taiwan. Besides, volunteers also donated their funding through resource recycling, moon-cake sales and other activities.）
終於在2000年，「佛光人文社會學院」創校招生，後於2006年更名為「佛光大學」。雖作為私立學校，佛光大學採取公立大學學費的收費標準，以回饋社會。（Finally, Fo Guang College of Humanities and Social Science is established for the recruitment. Fo Guang University is a private university with the standard tuition fees of a public university.）
此外，為了培育佛教菁英，藉由百萬人興學運動所得的豐沛資源設置「佛光大學培育佛學菁英獎學金」，讓凡就讀佛教學院的學生於每學期享有高達五萬元的獎學金，作為學生投入佛教教育的鼓勵。（With the funds from “Million-member Fundraising Campaign”, Fo Guang University also offers “Fo Guang University Buddhist Studies Scholarship” for students. Every scholarship holders can enjoy NT$50,000 per semester.）
按「佛光大學培育佛學菁英獎學金」辦法規定，佛教學院的學生須義務協助系務部份工作，並全程住宿接受行門與解門、共住與共食、知識與道德並重的書院教育，以培養出具有佛教專業知識涵養及服務奉獻的氣質的人才。（All scholarship holders are obliged to stay in the faculty for the entire course, dwelling together with cooking, serving as well as shrine duty. This is because Buddhism places equal emphasis on academic and practical learning.）
而佛教學院每日三餐的伙食費，其來源乃是透過創辦人星雲大師日夜不輟寫「一筆字」墨寶義賣所得之「公益信託星雲大師教育基金」。（The source of daily meals for the Department of Buddhist Studies are from “Venerable Master Hsing Yun Public Education Trust Fund” which are funds through the charity sale of Venerable Master’s One-stroke Calligraphy.）
即便屆臨老耄之年，大師始終秉持這樣的理念：「把智慧留給自己，把大學留給社會，把功德留給子孫，把成就留給大眾。」（Despite Venerable Master’s old age, he is always in the spirit of “Leaving wisdom to ourselves, leaving the university to society, leaving merit to the children and grandchildren, and leaving achievements to the public.”）
如果沒有社會各界人士的支持，佛光大學是沒有今天的榮景的。於是，為了感念百萬人興學功德主們對佛光大學、尤其是對佛教學院的長期支持，佛教學院每年發起承擔「百萬人興學大悲懺法會」各項服務，為所有興學功德主們祈福，以示感恩與回饋。（The establishment of Fo Guang University is only possible through the joining hands of millions of devotees, benefactors, and friends. In order to express our gratitude to the long term support of our professors and Million-Member Benefactors “Million Member Great Compassion Repentance Ceremony” is thus held every year, to pray and transfer the merits to them.）