Chapter 4 Debt Collecting Spirit

As the master of the ceremony, I sat on the Dharma Throne.  The back of the Dharma Throne was adorned with carved auspicious objects. Both armrests had carvings of dragons on them and the seat was covered with a thick blanket.  A crossed vajra was hung above the throne and under the throne laid a picture of eight good fortune lions.

The throne was placed under a magnificent parasol, with Dharma banners on the right side and Dharma flags on the left side.

In addition, there were stacks of rice all neatly arranged. Plaques with the names of the deceased (spirits) were erected in the rice.  The altar was filled with offerings such as flowers, incense, candles, tea, fruits and many valuables. The offerings were arranged and placed like a mandala.  My Reverend students were responsible for reciting the sutras and sprinkling the blessing water. I visualized three golden Dharma Boats descending and delivering the spirits to the Pure Land.

I chanted the Amitabha Mantra while forming various mudras to invoke Deities, render offerings, emit lights, purify, deliver, teach and liberate the spirits.

I sprinkled rice and water

With the offerings, I visualized them multiplying to fill up the mountains, oceans and universe.

I was concentrating deeply.

At that moment, a Dharma Protector appeared before me to report a matter. He said, "There is a spirit standing outside the protection boundary wanting to meet with Grand Master urgently"

I opened my eyes and looked towards the boundary.  Among the smoke and fire, there stood a blurry figure of a young man's spirit. His spirit appeared and disappeared and he seemed to be quite restless. It seemed that there was an important matter. The spirit tried to go through the protection boundary but he couldn't get through.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"There is a very important matter". Actually the Dharma Protector was also unclear of the matter. "But the young spirit has the initiation certificate from Grand Master".

"He is my student, let him come inside the boundary".

At an instance, the young spirit was inside the altar boundary. He immediately bowed in front of me and paid his respect. His breath was heavy. He said, "Grand Master, the ceremony is almost over, I come here as fast as I can and I am almost late."

"Is there an important matter?"

The young spirit answered, "Grand Master, you have many students so it is not surprising that you do not recognize me. My name is Zhan Wu, a college student. Two years ago, I came with my parents to visit you. At that time, Grand Master praised me and said that I will pass my exams and attend the Harvard University. A promising future is ahead of me."

"And now?"

"Now, I am dead"

"How did you die?"

"Saving a person from drowning"

"Saving who?"

"Saving a friend"

"Do not worry. I will deliver your spirit"

"I am very grateful for Grand Master's kindness". Zhan Wu continued, "My intention here today is not about deliverance. It is about my parents coming to Seattle tomorrow."

"Let them come then!"

"From the conversation that I have heard between them, it appeared that they are very upset. They are here to question your prediction and I am worried for Grand Master."

Zhan Wu said, "Grand Master has once said that my future is bright and boundless. But now I am dead. What is the meaning of a bright and boundless future?"

I sat on top of a very high Dharma Throne. Upon hearing what Zhan Wu had told me, my inner being was shocked. What Zhan Wu had just said was true. Two years ago, he came with his parents. I saw that he was well built and had a handsome face and both his eyes were alert and bright. I am a person who can read faces. I was sure that he had good fortunes. I touched his head with my palm and praised him deeply. This kid was very talented. His face was rarely found. His affinity with Buddha was very strong and his future would be successful.

At that time, Zhan Wu's parents were very happy with what I have told them.

His father said, "Zhan Wu is a very brilliant and filial son".

His mother said, "Since Zhan Wu was a child, he has always being very obedient and very respectful. Everyone loves him. He is also very diligent in his cultivation".

Now, Zhan Wu's parents would be coming to Seattle. I have met them before. I wondered whether we would have an argument. Would there be awkward feelings between us? Would they question their faith after this event?  Would they lose their confidence in me?

Sitting on the Dharma Throne, I contemplated the path of my life. When I first started my mission, I come across lots of disasters even though I never harmed anyone. A religious sect had attacked me aggressively. I had experienced many misfortunes. I did not just experience minor sufferings but I have experienced all kinds of sufferings known to man.

My name, besides showing my identity, is cursed.

My name is well known but just see what reactions it has stirred up.

"Who is he?"

"Sheng-yen Lu!"

"Oh, he is actually misleading, charlatan, medium, fake, bastard, liar, Satan?"

Moreover, my name has become a laughing stock.

Because of these, I have to be very careful and vigilant in my conversations and actions.

For example, in Dharma ceremonies, I never asked for any monetary gains. Everything is up to the discretion and sincerity of the giver.

In addition, I am very careful when interacting with my students, especially female students.

Do not ever become the gossip of the communities.

Naturally I have protected myself as much as possible but still there can some carelessness. Once that carelessness is apparent, some people will take advantage. Nevertheless, I know in advance and therefore perform armor protection before it occurs. Once there was a group of people who intended to harm me but they failed in their quest.

From Zhan Wu's incident, a lot of students who have taken refuge and received empowerment in Tantrayana would have doubts.

Once our past patriarchs have said, "Initiation in Tantrayana is extraordinary. As soon as one received empowerment initiation, there will be thirty-six Virtuous Gods protecting oneself."

Zhan Wu have received one initiation empowerment and he was very diligent in his cultivation so how could he die so tragically? How could he die in an accident?

I contemplated over and over again as to how I could protect my reputation? How could I protect my name from being tarnished again? But the truth had occurred before my eyes, I could not deny the fact that my student who received the initiation empowerment died in an accident. A noble-looking Buddhist student had to go without any logical explanations.

With this incident, I couldn't offer any logical explanation. Tears began to flow and my eyes became red.

Zhan Wu cheered me up, "Grand Master, do not think too much of it."

"That is all I can do", I answered.

"This incident is due to cause and effect."

"Cause and effect is very profound. It is taught by Shakyamuni Buddha." I answered.

Zhan Wu said, "After I died, I finally realized the karma of my own existence."

"You know all of it?"

"Yes."

"Please tell me."

Zhan Wu told me, "It is because of destiny that a family consisting of a father, mother and siblings can come together. If someone in the family who is there to seek revenge then it will result in unfortunate destiny. On the other hand, when one seeks to repay kindness then that is fortunate destiny. Some destiny can last a long time while others are short lived."

In Zhan Wu's past life, he had a surname of "Wan".

Wan was an old man who had lent all his savings to a person for opening a business. That person was Zhan Wu's father in this present lifetime. Zhan Wu's father never repaid his debt. Eventually the old man died because of hunger and depression.

After Wan died, he was reincarnated as Zhan Wu in this present lifetime.

Zhan Wu said, "My destiny here with my parents is a short one. The purpose of my reincarnation is to collect the debt, which has now been repaid. I have finished spending all my parents?money and it is time for me to leave."

"Ah, the incident now makes sense!" I was really surprised with what I had heard.

"That is the truth", Zhan Wu said.

"Do you miss your parents?" I asked.

Zhan Wu said, "Now that I have left this mundane world, the affinity with my parents has also come to a closure. At moments, I do miss them but there is nothing I can do about it.  However, my destiny with Grand Master will never end. I will never forget the kindness of Grand Master. I will reincarnate again into this world. When I come back, I will still be your student."

"Where will you go?"

"To a family with the surname 'Lim?"

I took a breath and nodded my head.

The next day, Zhan Wu's parents arrived. Their faces showed immense sorrow. I did not know what to say but to let them lead the conversation.

"Grand Master should know everything! A person like Grand Master is very rare in this world."

I smiled.

Zhan Wu's parents said, "Zhan Wu has passed away."

I nodded my head.

"Grand Master has mentioned that Zhan Wu's face is very special and flawless and that his future will be boundless but now he has died young."

Zhan Wu mother continued, "Every day Zhan Wu cultivated, chanted the Guru's Heart Mantra and formed the Guru's mudra. He has always worn the Fu (charm) to protect himself. The only time he took it off was when he went swimming so that the Fu would not get wet."  

I listened carefully.

Zhan Wu's mother asked, "Where were all the Dharma Protectors?"

Without feeling insulted, I pondered on some issues.

If I were a Dharma Protector who could travel freely, would I save a True Buddha student who was in danger? Then I asked myself again. This good student was a debt collecting spirit who was reincarnated to collect debts from his parents. As his Dharma Protectors, what should we do?

Save him?

Where is the law of karma?

Don't save him?

Where is my responsibility as a Dharma Protector?

Finally the Dharma Protectors could only bite their lips, closed their eyes, and leave. They would not dare to save Zhan Wu from danger.

Zhan Wu's parents saw me contemplating.

They asked, "Grand Master, what could have caused all these to happen? We trusted Grand Master and took refuge in Grand Master but now all our friends and family are laughing at us. They said that we have taken refuge in a Satan misleading cult. Because of Zhan Wu's incident, they are now laughing at us even more. They said that our Guru is a liar and those who believed in him will be unfortunate and meet with disasters. A Guru as such should not be trusted. Grand Master, how can we face them?"

"I?"  I couldn't give them an answer.

"Grand Master doesn't know any of these? Can you not see it before?"

"Eh?" I said. "All these are karma" My mouth felt bitter.

"Would you please tell us?"

"I don't want to tell you." I felt that they would suffer more if I told them. If I kept silent then their beautiful memory would not be destroyed. Even if I told them, I was not sure whether they would understand.

My conclusion is that this world has many problems and incidents, which are impossible to be analysed with human logic. The subject on cause and effect is extremely profound.

"Will it still be necessary for us to chant Buddha's name and mantra?", they asked.

"Chanting Buddha's name and mantra is very good." I answered.

"Should we still continue with our cultivation?"

"Cultivation can elevate our consciousness of our soul thus becoming more spiritually matured."

"How do we face our friends and family?"

"It is indeed a big problem. I have been through this before. No matter how you explain to them, they have already made up their mind not to believe you. Assume that you can answer them but they will not understand you. Just let things flow naturally."

Zhan Wu's parents cried sorrowfully.

I sat there immobilized.

This world is really strange.
We are crying while others are laughing.
We are laughing while others are crying.
Crying and laughing.
Oh world! It is so difficult to understand.

"Alright, we are leaving. However, we have one question we need to ask Grand Master. Where will Zhan Wu be reincarnated?"

I could offer them an answer, "I personally guarantee that there will be nothing unfortunate happen to Zhan Wu. He is still my student. I will definitely transmit Buddha Dharma to him!"

Quite some time has passed by.

A woman from the Lim family, who lived near the temple, gave birth to a baby girl. Zhan Wu was a man so why did he reincarnate as a girl?

After thinking it over, that could be possible. When I spoke to Zhan Wu earlier, I only asked him where he would be reincarnated. I did not ask him whether he would be reincarnated as a boy or a girl. Whether one is born as a boy or girl, one is still a human being. Males and females are physically different and karma plays an important role in affecting the aspects of Ying and Yang. Reincarnating from male to female or vice versa is not foreign to me.

Zhan Wu died at a young age because the purpose of his life was to collect debts. From the karma point of view, it is natural that he has now reincarnated as a girl.

I named the baby girl and helped her took refuge in Triple Jewels and Grand Master.

Two weeks later, the mother was taking a stroll around the temple. She was pushing the pram with the baby girl inside.

I approached them and took a closer look at the baby girl.

The baby had a round and full forehead, curved eyebrows, beautiful eyes, thick earlobes and a solid chin. Her face resembled that of Zhan Wu's. However, the feminine features now replaced the male features of her previous life.

I rubbed her face and pointy nose.

She smiled at me.

I called her gently, "Zhan Wu, Zhan Wu, Zhan Wu."

She suddenly became very cheerful and was laughing happily.

Then, her silky smooth and round fingers pointed at the sky. Her fingers slowly formed a mudra. She finally formed the Padmakumara Mudra.

Her mother was elated, "Look! She formed the Padmakumara Mudra!"

"Yes, it is indeed the Padmakumara Mudra."

With excitement, she asked, "Is she the reincarnation of Padmakumara?"  

I replied softly, "She is Zhan Wu."

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