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這一時刻，當下，我們存在覺知的一剎那。「這個」、「這個」、「這個」，我們周圍的一切，一切時，無論我們在佛殿與否？
包括人類、動植物、礦物質，及每一件物品在內的我們，是否可能都生活在一個大海裏？生活在慈悲德性的大海裏，無論我們是否感覺到，認識到，是否承認這一點，都是一樣的。
是否可能我們從未與慈悲分離過，一刻也未曾分離過。我們與一切事物都在其中游泳，我們將自己的生命視為「慈悲」本身；不是人，不是動物，也非天堂地獄，只是單純的慈悲而已。
在另一個層次(另一個問題)，上人一個人，怎麼能夠在當下，透過時間空間與我們相接觸？我們有些人，甚至從未見過他，可他那照耀天地的仁愛慈悲，不可思議地，有力地影響著我們。
地球上怎麼會有這麼一個地方，尤其是在美國？上人怎麼會為我們留下這麼一個地方？在這裏你可以過簡樸仁愛的生活；在這裏你所做的事就是奉獻、研究、修行；在這裏隨眾共修學習，驅除無用的舊習，過著善良平和，充滿寧靜的生活。
怎麼會有人有這麼大的慈悲，在這個時間，在美國這個地方給我們留下這些？現在我們得遇上人，通過我們在這裏的生活，通過他的弟子，通過使我們在此相會的護法們的慈悲；我們得遇師父，通過他的遺產
﹣﹣廟宇、學校、大殿；通過每日的食品、住所......多種多樣深刻的、影響深遠的修行方法；通過他的願力與大慈悲，我們得遇上人......。
這慈悲是這樣地廣大 ……。
我不知道是否有小慈悲？我不知道慈悲是否就是靜坐在你身邊的朋友？我不知道「所有的慈悲」是否也不怎麼大？我不知道它是否就是一位在危急關鍵時出現的道友？
我不知道慈悲，是否是視人如己的關懷？
我不知道慈悲是否意味著有時要懺悔，心中沒有彆扭之處？
我不知道慈悲是否運作安置得當的事業？
我不知道你是否會被慈悲擊倒？
我不知道慈悲是否就如同一位比丘尼或居士，當你內心散亂時，為你放光對治。
我不知道慈悲是否是一場驚人的，富於教化意義的夢？
我不知道慈悲是否是恰當時刻的恰當話語？
我不知道慈悲是否有時是喝斥，態度或許很激烈？
我不知道慈悲是否是一位善友，目光明澈，永遠慷慨好施。
我不知道慈悲是否是對缺點錯誤的容忍。每次相遇都使你更新，知道何者應「放下」。
我不知道慈悲是否是善語、鼓勵、健康？是否它就是將樹葉耙在一起。是否是日出、星辰初露的夜晚？是否是一次機會，讓那些對法所知甚少的人，得以上來說法？阿彌陀佛！
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THIS MOMENT, RIGHT NOW ... THIS INSTANT OF
OUR BEING AND PERHAPS OF OUR AWARENESS. THIS... and THIS...
and THIS... and THIS... all around us, all the time, whether
we're in the Buddha Hall or not?
Is it just possible that all of us-humans
and animals and plants and minerals and every single
thing-spend our lives in an ocean of the stuff? In a virtual
ocean of compassion-whether we see it or not; whether we
feel it, or not; whether we know it, or not; apprehend it,
or not; acknowledge it, or not?
Isn't it just possible that we are never
apart from it-never apart from compassion for even an
instant-that we, and all and everything-swim in it all the
time... that actually this dream we call our lives is
compassion itself? Not human, not animal, neither heavenly
nor hellish ... simply compassion-just what it, itself, IS.
On another level (and with another
question), how is it possible that the Venerable Master- ne
man-can reach through space and time and touch our lives
now-especially the lives of those of us who never even met
him personally? But here we are. The gift of this teacher-so
magnanimously humane, so incredibly compassionate-is
powerful and affecting almost beyond comprehension.
How can there be such a place on this
earth? Especially, in the United States? How could the
Master leave us with such a place, a place where you can be
as you are, where you can lead a simple life-a humane
life-where your "job" is to serve and study and cultivate,
where you can join in the company of others to practice and
learn-to shed old, useless habits-where you can be wholesome
in your daily life, and peaceful, and full of quiet.
How could anyone be so hugely
compassionate to give us this, in this time and in this
place of America?
Now we meet Master Hua through our lives
here, through his students, through the compassion of the
Dharma Protectors who gather us in and bring us here. We
meet him through what he left for us: these facilities, this
monastery, this convent, these schools and Halls, through
our daily meal and the blessing of our shelter... through
these rich, rich practices, which are so profound and so
affecting. We meet him through his vows and through his vast
compassion... .
A compassion so big... so huge... .
And I wonder if there's such a thing as
"small" compassion? I wonder if compassion isn't also just a
friend quietly sitting near to you?
I wonder if all compassion isn't somehow
great? I wonder if it's Dharma Friends somehow showing up at
just the right moment during times of crisis or desperation?
I wonder if it's caring for another's body as if it were
your own?
I wonder if it's knowing that there are times you relate to
compassion's antonym-repent, and have it be alright?
I wonder if it's work, judiciously apportioned?
I wonder if compassion ever knocks you down?
I wonder if it looks like a nun and a layperson surrounding
your
loss of concentration-your angry heart- with space and
healing light?
I wonder if it's a stunning and instructive dream, not long
after?
I wonder if it's just the right words at the right time?
I wonder if compassion is sometimes scolding, and sometimes
fierce,
I wonder if it's a good friend with a clear, clear eye, kind
words and always an open hand?
I wonder if it's patience-forgetting faults and errors... if
it's letting
you be "new' everytime we meet? If it's knowing what to let
"go by”?
I wonder if it's kind words, encouragement and health... if
it is
simply raking leaves... if it's the sunrise and the stars at
night...
if it's giving someone who doesn't know very much the chance
to
speak Dharma? Amitabha!
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