Pictorial Biography of the Venerable Master

HSU YUN

Composed by the Venerable Tripitaka Master Hua

NOT GREEDY FOR FAME, PROFIT, OR OFFERINGS #23

The Master held posts for four years at Yung Ch'uan (Bubbling Spring) Monastery, undergoing austere practices and serving others. He would not accept money offered to the assembly and the Permanently Dwelling. Although he ate but one bowl of rice gruel a day, his health was excellent. At this time the Venerable Ku Yueh, who dwelled in the mountains, was the foremost exemplar of ascetic practices. Visiting him and engaging in profound conversation, the Master resolved to emulate the Venerable Yueh.

The Gatha says:

Above his peers in a class by himself,

Far and away quite different,

His fleshly eye made no mistake,

But recognized the pure.

He placed himself outside of wealth,

Honor, merit, and fame;

In praise and deprecation alike,

His mind could not be moved.

To be continued...