The
Bodhi Lectern
INTRODUCING
THE EMINENT UPASIKA KAN KUO YEN
Upasika Kan Kuo Yen is a vigorous protector of
the right Dharma who has been a disciple of the
Venerable Master Hsiian Hua since 1952. Born in Canton, China, in 1903,
Upasika
Kan Kuo Yen has lived in Hong Kong for many years, and has supported the bodhimandala
there as well as aided the establishment of Buddhism in the West.
She is an eager and devoted follower of the Way who always requests the
turning of the Dharma wheel so that the Sutras
might be explained to benefit living beings.
The
circumstances surrounding her taking refuge
with the Triple Jewel and becoming a disciple
of the Venerable Master are wonderfully strange. Her husband, Kuo P'u, placed some stock
in externalists, and received prognostication from a diviner who predicted
his certain demise at the age of seventy-seven by using divination by eight characters, two each for the year,
month,
day, and time of his death. Not wishing to give
up his body so soon, and hearing of the miraculous Dharma of the Venerable
Master, he and his daughter Stella (Kuo
Cheng). became disciples. Not long
afterward,
and with deep faith in the Master, he requested that his life be extended for
another ten years beyond his predicted death day. The Master replied that he would give him a full twelve years,
but that living out these years was contingent upon his faith, sincere reliance,
and vigorous support of the Triple Jewel and the propagation of the right
Dharma. Her husband proved to be a worthy
disciple, and lived another twelve years to the ripe old age of 90 when he died
a peaceful death. After her husband took refuge with the Master, Kan
Kuo Yen and others in her family did the same.
Upasika
Kan Kuo Yen has had many wonderful responses since she became a disciple of the
Master, On one occasion in
particular, the power of response was unmistakable. Her son had been extremely ill, and his condition appeared to be
weakening rapidly. He was spitting
out mouthfuls of blood and had great difficulty
breathing. As the disease became
worse the faithful disciple called the Master, and explained the critical nature
of the situation. The Master
replied, "Alright, everything will be
alright." Within moments of
the phone call, the violent spitting up of blood ceased and her son soon
recovered.
Upasika
Kan Kuo Yen's daughters, T'an
Kuo Shih and T'an
Kuo Cheng both received great benefit from the Master's instruction in Hong
Kong, and when he arrived in the United States they worked hard to support
the right Dharma
and establish Buddhism in the West. The work of Kan Kuo Yen and her daughters, and the work of
others in the early days, led to the establishment of the Sino-American
Buddhist Association and set a firm foundation
for orthodox Buddhadharma in the West. Upasika
Kan arrived in the United States in July. and
has called upon the Venerable Master on many occasions to pay her respects.
Although she has been a faithful Dharma protector,
this is her first visit to Gold Mountain? she
was warmly received by all the members of the Association.
--by
Bhiksu Heng Kuan
The
circumstances surrounding her taking refuge
with the Triple Jewel and becoming a disciple
of the Venerable Master are wonderfully strange. Her husband, Kuo P'u, placed some stock
in externalists, and received prognostication from a diviner who predicted
his certain demise at the age of seventy-seven by using divination by eight characters, two each for the year,
month,
day, and time of his death. Not wishing to give
up his body so soon, and hearing of the miraculous Dharma of the Venerable
Master, he and his daughter Stella (Kuo
Cheng). became disciples. Not long
afterward,
and with deep faith in the Master, he requested that his life be extended for
another ten years beyond his predicted death day. The Master replied that he would give him a full twelve years,
but that living out these years was contingent upon his faith, sincere reliance,
and vigorous support of the Triple Jewel and the propagation of the right
Dharma. Her husband proved to be a worthy
disciple, and lived another twelve years to the ripe old age of 90 when he died
a peaceful death. After her husband took refuge with the Master, Kan
Kuo Yen and others in her family did the same.