(Continued from issue 281)
Being a sentimental person, my tears fall every time I think about this. I have succeeded in coming to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas only after bowing and crying before the Venerable Master’s photograph. That’s why I really cherish this opportunity. When I asked the Master about my dream, he said with a smile, "It’s true. There are underlying reasons from your previous life. Otherwise, why would you be so willing to come to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and stay even if you were scolded? But the past is gone, and only the present counts."

Before I came to the City, my health was extremely poor. I had contracted a strange illness which hindered the circulation of my blood and urine, and rendered me too weak to walk. Not knowing the cause of the disease, I thought to myself that I would not be able to survive at the City. When I asked the Master, he said my illness had to do with cause and effect, and was the result of something bad I had done in the past. He said that if I diligently recited Gwan Yin Bodhisattva’s name, I would get better if I stayed. "Would this illness which I have had for so long really be cured without any medicine?" I wondered. However, I followed instructions and often went to the Buddha Hall to bow to Gwan Yin Bodhisattva. At the start, I almost passed out from dizziness as I bowed, so you can see how heavy my karmic offenses are! Nevertheless, I persevered and kept bowing, and also did a lot of physical labor, forgetting who I was as I worked. Gradually, without medicine or shots, the illness was cured. I am deeply grateful to the spiritual help of the Bodhisattvas, due to which I can now bend my waist, feel full of energy, and do a lot of physical work without fatigue. Living at the City, I am happy every day, and I have learned that by doing a lot of work in the monastery, I can regain my health. As long as we are sincere, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will respond to our every prayer, and take us across the sea of suffering.

The Six Great Principles of the City are the best mirror for spotting demons in the Dharma Realm. The Venerable Master’s pure and superior practice of them fills me with awe and respect, and causes me to resolve to seek the Way. Reflecting on the past, I see that my headstrong temper caused me to make a lot of mistakes that are beyond repair now, and I feel guilt and regret. From Buddhism, I have learned that our lives are imperfect because our greed, anger and stupidity have corrupted our inherent nature. I have found the truth the Buddhism, and the coming and going of life is no longer a riddle. The principle of transmigration warns us that the operation of cause and effect spans the past, present and future. When the conditions ripen, the retribution must be undergone without any deviation. The cycle of karma continues endlessly, and the distinction between good and bad is never lost. We should understand that we cannot change the past, but we can determine our future. In every moment, we should ask ourselves what kind of karma we are creating.

"When the Buddha was in the world, I was in the realms of suffering. After the Buddha entered Nirvana, I was born. I repent of all my karmic obstructions which keep me from seeing the golden body of the Buddha." In this age of rampant materialism and greed, we are truly lucky to meet such a wonderful teacher who can be our model of how to live. His life -long unswerving integrity is like the candle which is not snuffed out by the strong wind, and the pure gold which does not burn in the hot fire. In this chaotic world, he is a sturdy, immovable mountain. After reading the Ven. Master’s poem "White Universe" where it says, “With great kindness and compassion, rescue everyone. Spare neither blood nor sweat, and never pause to rest," I am even more moved by the Master’s magnanimity.

Luckily, my relatives never hindered me or gave me any trouble about studying Buddhism. My parents have become complete vegetarians, and the whole family, including our three pet dogs, have taken refuge under Ven. Master Hsuan Hua. Although life is fleeting, I want to spend my remaining days immersed in the wholesome atmosphere of the City, nurturing good roots cultivating my mind, amassing merit and virtue, and being a good person with a clean conscience. Whether or not we leave the home-life, we should use what we have learned to relieve the suffering of the world, and to make Buddhism flourish. "You may count thoughts as numerous as dustmotes in many lands; you may drink up all the water in the oceans; you may measure the size of space; and you may bind up the wind, but you will never be able to finish speaking of the merit and virtue of the Buddhas." Finally, I hope all the Buddhists throughout the world will bring forth a mind of great kindness and compassion to rescue everyone, sparing neither blood nor sweat, and never pausing to rest!