He manifested provisionally,
Neither going nor coming.
In the chaotic Dharma-ending Age,
He saved living beings for nearly eighty years.
With the mind transmission from Elder Master Hsu,
He became the ninth patriarch of the Weiyang Sect.
His footprints covered Asia,
And his virtue protected America and Europe.
He brought the Dharma to the West
And was the first to shave the heads
Of American monks and nuns.
Westerners and Easterners were both gathered in
With bilingual education.
He propagated the Chan school and expounded the teachings,
Making no distinction between north and south.
With the Flower Adornment state
And the Shurangama platform,
He smashed the deviant to reveal the proper,
Never resting even at night.
Reverently molding ten thousand Buddhas,
He universally transmitted the Mind Dharma.
In translating the Sutras
He rivalled Kumarajiva,
And his merit equalled that of Hsuan Tsang.
The joy of the Dharma was vastly bestowed.
Always wearing the precept sash,
He took one meal a day at noon
And did not lie down at night,
Thus propagating and serving as an exemplar of the Vinaya.
With Instilling Goodness and Developing Virtue Schools,
He promoted filial piety and fraternal respect.
He founded the Dharma Realm University,
Seeking to reform the social trend
As a messenger of peace.
Respecting the elderly and cherishing the young,
He wanted to improve the customs.
Not changing his nationality,
He traced his roots back to their source.
Following the Three Great Guidelines,
He underwent myriads of ordeals.
Upholding the Six Great Principles,
His heart never wavered.
The Eighteen Great Vows
And the Greatly Compassionate Hands and Eyes
Startle heaven and move the earth.
Now he has manifested the completing of stillness,
And suddenly we have lost our great teacher.
The long night falls upon humans and gods,
And plants and trees weep together.
We pray that our Venerable Master Hsuan Hua,
Riding on his vows, will come again.
We offer this stick of incense and hope he will accept it.
