The Venerable Master said, "The most important thing in life is to take refuge with the Triple Jewel." For most people, the refuge ceremony is serious and solemn. However, how would you feel if you were to take refuge with the Triple Jewel behind bars?

Actually, there is a silver lining in every cloud. The Venerable Master had also said, "To take refuge with the Triple Jewel is to head to rebirth with your eyes wide open." People come to this world confused and rush to another reincarnation in confusion. They don't know where they came from before birth and where they will go after death. The cycle of birth and death never ends for them. To take refuge with the Triple Jewel is to find a rest stop that allows for pause and gradual discernment of the way out of birth and death. Therefore Confucius sighed, "One dies without regrets in the eve' if one has understood the Way in the morn'."

Last year in the prisons of Hualien, Taiwan, 86 inmates took refuge with the Sangha founded by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua and began to inves­tigate the Buddhadharma. The coalescing of the causes and conditions for this occasion is most extraordinary. On April 7th of this year, Bhikshunis Heng Yun, Heng Ruey, Heng Bing, and Heng Liang from the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association's branch monastery in Hualien, Amitabha SagelyMonastery, paid a special visit to these incarcerated disciples who took refuge. These disciples of the generation whose Dharma names begin with "Chin" (to draw near) learned to recite the Buddha's name and meditate, and heard Dharma. They also received instructions to abide by the five precepts: to avoid killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and taking intoxicants.

During Heng Yun Shi's talk, she pointed out that these disciples have an opportunity to recite the Buddha's name because they have had considerable affinities with the Buddha in past lives. Most people in jail are depressed frequently because of their once-in-a-lifetime mistake. However, reciting the Buddha's name focuses one's mind. The Dharma Master also related the story of a female passenger who escaped a train crash unscathed because she had been reciting the Buddha's name during a mishap between two oncoming trains at Miaoli, Taiwan. Accordingly, the merit and virtue of reciting the Buddha's name is incredible. It is the light at the end of the tunnel of misery that absolves all difficulties.

Two Vietnamese Dharma Masters who are also sisters, Heng Bing Shi and Heng Liang Shi, shared their personal experiences in Vietnam and reminded the disciples to appreciate and cherish their blessings. They regard being born in Taiwan as a blessing in and of itself.

Some disciples asked about how to quit drugs. They said that although they know that drugs are toxic for them, they still cannot quit their addiction. How do they free themselves from these addictions? The Dharma Masters responded that the body is composed of the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind. The human body is similar to a chemical factory. If you use quality material, quality products are manufactured. If you use inferior material, inferior products are manufactured. One should contemplate and be more aware of one's mind. To not be enslaved by the senses is the way to a bright future.

Some disciples were interested in meditation but did not know how to begin. The Dharma Masters taught them to collect and focus the energy of their eyes, nose, and mind within, concentrating on their lower abdomen specifically. The Dharma Masters also taught them to sit in full lotus position and encouraged everyone to meditate often, to constantly reflect inwardly, and to develop concentration. After all, among animals, only human beings are capable of sitting cross-legged.

The former director Zhao Guoliang and current director Lee Mengdong of the Hualien Detention Center both verified the positive effect of Buddhism on prisoners. The center has set up a Buddha hall where prisoners can culti­vate and practice. The directors thanked the visiting Dharma masters, not only for the recitation of sutras and Buddha's name, and the meditation that purified the psyche and uncovered the detainees' wisdom, but for lessening the feel of violence in the penal complex.

A typical of those undergoing death sentence, two recent prisoners on death row were very peaceful before execution, reciting the Buddha's name, repenting, and admonishing others to not be greedy and cunning. Most crimi­nals facing execution are too weak to stand, sometimes even requiring help to carry them into the car; while some are so emotional that they bang against the wall. These two who received death sentences had been imprisoned for about four years. They recited the Earth Store Sutra every day and could recite the three thick rolls from memory. This also serves as proof of their unshakable faith and sincere repentance.

"Repentance eliminates crime that floods the heavens." Confucius's student, Yanhui, never repeated a mistake in his life. Another student, Zilu, was happy to hear about his faults. These historical figures illustrate how people inevitably err; however, if people are willing to reform and repent sincerely, they are nonetheless just and righteous gentlemen. They deserve the respect of others. Confucius's other student, Gongye Chang, had been incarcerated before. Instead of being contemptuous toward him, Confucius had his daughter wed Gongye Chang. Confucius thought that Gongye Chang did not deserve his sentence.

The Venerable Master had told us, "I will shoulder your of­fenses prior to your taking refuge. However, once you take refuge, you will have to follow the precepts and never violate them." The Earth Store Sutra says, "Living beings should not look lightly upon slight, small evils, considering them not to be offenses; for after death retribution is undergone in the most exact detail. Fathers and sons have the closest relationship, but their roads diverge and each goes his own way. Even if they should meet, neither would consent to undergo suffering in the other's place." Offenses that even our blood relatives are unwilling to shoulder are picked up by the Venerable Master. The Venerable Master said that he was going to save anyone who has the root of goodness, even one as small as a lock of curls. He will wait until everyone becomes a Buddha before he becomes a Buddha. How can we disciples repay this compassionate teacher of ours?