一九四一年，師應三寶弟子請，復至成都弘法。大眾傾慕，共捐淨財，在北郊任家灣（現人民北路），為建「離欲念佛堂」一座。總面積達四千九百平方米，建築面積達二千一百平方米，一時法緣頗稱殊勝。捐資者不少為危症獲救，深感再生之恩的患者。當時正值抗戰日機頻繁轟炸成都，每遇空襲，前來避難者不少，而該處亦始終未被轟炸。
一九四零年，一日，日軍一零八架飛機狂炸成都。當天一早，人言昨日電訊：「今日敵機大舉轟炸成都。」飯後，師忽言有事，須往鐵腳巷葉青成家。眾人苦陳利害，師不從。抵葉家，警報大作，市民狂奔逃命。師踟趺坐，從容囑葉：「家人勿亂，即將有人到此。」話畢，叩門聲甚急，一中年婦女傖惶入門，見師撲地求皈依。師微笑，收為弟子，法名昌逃。笑謂：「 昌逃，逃命的逃。 」 事後， 人們上街， 見房屋倒塌， 遍地瓦礫， 獨存兩間舖房完好無損。 頓時， 好奇者湧進舖房充塞小屋。有識者驚呼 ： 「離欲法師！神仙！活神仙！ 」 立刻求皈依者， 室內室外， 拜倒一片。此事轟動成都，求皈依者接踵而至，川軍將領鄧錫候等人， 亦先後皈依座下。一九五一年，師重返報國寺，安寺護林，種地養蜂， 編織草鞋，躬親勞動，怡然自得。
一九八四年落實宗教政策， 當時報國寺經歷十年浩劫，又遭火災，幾淪為廢墟，而師亦年滿九十七歲， 出於愛國愛教的赤誠， 毅然獨肩重建千年古剎的艱鉅任務，從整體規劃到具體施工，都親自料理。 在其無私奉獻、崇高精神的感召下，各地四眾弟子，踴躍輸將，不費國庫分文，集資逾百萬。
待續 |
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IN 1941 at the request of disciples of the Triple Jewel, the Master went to Cheng-du to propagate the Dharma. Everyone revered the Master and all were eager to make pure offerings to him. On the northern outskirts of Cheng-du at Ren Jya Wan (present-day N. Ren Min Rd.) a Li Yu Recitation Hall was established. The land was 4900 square meters (24,500 sq. ft.) and the building was 2100 square meters (10,500 sq. ft.). The conditions in support of the Dharma were exceptionally supreme. Many of the donors were people who had been suffering from severe illnesses and had been saved by the Master. They were expressing their gratitude for having had their lives saved. At that time Cheng-du was being bombed by the Japanese army. Every time there was a blitz, many people would take shelter in the monastery. Never once was the Way-place bombed.
One day during 1940, one hundred and eight Japanese planes raided Cheng-du. On that morning someone radioed that Cheng-du would be bombed that day. After lunch, the Master announced that he had something to do--that he needed to go to Tye Jyau Alley to the home of Yeh Ching Cheng. Everyone cried that it would be too dangerous, but the Master did not heed their warnings. As the Master arrived at the Yeh home, the alarms were already sounding and people were running about madly seeking shelter. The Master sat down in full lotus and said calmly to Mr. Yeh, "Don't let your family get upset. In a few minutes someone is going to come here." Just then an urgent knock came at the door. A middle-aged housewife burst in the door. When she saw the Master she prostrated herself and asked to be given the Three Refuges. The Master smiled and took her as a disciple. Her Dharma name was "Urgent Escape." The Master smiled and said, "Urgent escape" means you escaped with your life." After that incident was over, people came back out onto the streets to find that homes were battered and bricks were strewn all over the place. There were only two homes that escaped damage. Suddenly everyone was curious and pushed their way into the two unharmed homes, filling up the rooms. Those who recognized the Master were astonished and said, "Ah! Dharma Master Li Yu is a spirit- immortal! He's a living immortal!" Immediately they sought to take refuge--those inside the rooms and those outside all bowed together. News of this incident traveled through Cheng Du and the number who came seeking refuge was incredibly many. Those who took refuge included Deng Si-hou, a high officer in the Sz-chwan army and others of his rank.
In 1951 the Master returned to Bau Gwo Monastery again to guard the monastery and protect the Way-place. He planted the fields, raised bees, sewed shoes--doing all these things himself in a relaxed and natural way.
It was not until 1984 that the definition of the teachings and the schools was once again made clear. During that time Bau Gwo Monastery passed through ten years of disaster. It had been burned and was on the point of being totally abandoned. By that time the Master was already ninty-seven years old. And yet based on his pure, sincere love for his country and for Buddhism, he resolved to single-handedly bear the burden of renovating the ancient thousand- year-old monastery, despite any difficulties. From the plans and drawings through to the actual building of the structures--the Master personally directed and oversaw it all. Moved by the Master's unselfish sacrifice and exceptionally lofty determination and spirit, disciples of the Four-fold Assembly from all over delighted in contributing financial support and physical strength, so that not a cent of the cost had to be borne by the government. The contributions surpassed a million dollars.
To be continued |
