Like dew drops and a lightning flash. If you look outside early in the morning you will find dew, but after sunrise the dew will have disappeared. The light from a flash of lightning or from the striking together of two stones is also fleeting. Contemplate them thus. You should look upon all conditioned things in this way. If you do, then heaven will be empty and the earth will be void. The measure of your heart will be as vast as the heavens and as broad as empty space, free of impediments. Without impediments there is no fear. Why should you be afraid? What is it you are afraid of? Why is it that I am not afraid? I have never been afraid of anything from the moment I was born. Dead men, living men, ghosts and goblins, tigers, lions--I fear none of them. Bring me a tiger and I would dare to pluck out one of its hairs. Try it out. I can be this way because I have no obstructions. With me, everything is alright. That's why last year, I said to you all, "Everything's O.K." Why is that so? If everything is like dew drops and a lightning flash, like dreams, illusions, bubbles, or shadows, then what can obstruct you? There are no obstructions, and so there is no fear. Today Gwo Ning told me everyone wanted to request the Dharma. They wanted to ask me to lecture on the Heart Sutra. The Heart Sutra is the best thing to lecture on, so without waiting for you all to ask me, I have already said, "Yes, I will definitely lecture on the Heart Sutra for you." The Heart Sutra says, "When there are no impediments there is no fear." With no fear, "Upside-down dream-like thoughts are left far behind." Therefore I say, "I do not fear tigers." If you do not believe me, bring in a tiger and I'll sit in meditation beside it.

to be continued