Chapter 11 - A Teaching On The Way To Good Health At The Feng Lin Temple

The Feng Lin (Phoenix Woods) Temple is located in a small village near Feng Pi T'ou (Phoenix Nose Tip) - a small harbor in Kaohsiung. It is close to the naval base where frogmen undergo training. I loved the sea, and at sunset, I would find myself drawn to the beach at Phoenix Nose Tip. There I would sit down on one of the dilapidated boats on the sand and gaze far away. The ocean and the sky met to form the horizon and, on the undulating surface of the ocean, the tumbling waves muttered to each other. My heart felt as if it were a skiff in the middle of the ocean, bobbing up and down with the waves. I could taste the melancholy beauty of life. Life is perpetual movement-rocking up and down. My life as a travelling land surveyor echoed this, a variation of the movements of life itself.

During one such sunset, sometime after I had started visiting the beach, I lifted my head to admire the passing evening clouds while my mind glided lightly over the vast ocean. The sun kept dropping, its reflection turning the ocean a blood red. Soon the sky became dark, the wind started whistling, and the waves began to roar. Immersed in the night of the beach, I felt like I was completely alone in the world.

Just when I was about to leave, I noticed a swaying light above the ocean. It was a flickering light, now drifting to the east, now drifting to the west. When the light came near, I saw a celestial palanquin behind it. In front, escorting the palanquin, were two officials who walked upon the waves. On top of the palanquin I could see a sign which read, "Holy Heavenly Mother of Feng Lin Temple." The celestial palanquin and the two officials remained visible to me for a short while, then silently disappeared. The next day, I approached a local villager and asked,

"Is there a Feng Lin Temple nearby?"

The villager replied, "Sure! That is the Matzu Temple in the village."

That same evening, I went into the village and located the temple. I had, by that time, developed a habit of paying homage to the gods. Whenever I arrived at a place, I would visit the local temples, regardless of their size, to pay homage to the Buddhas and gods. Even if it was a local earth god temple, I would still go inside and show my respect by joining my palms. Sometimes, the local earth god happened to be at the temple, and he would lift up his head to greet me in return. Because of my sincere reverence for divine beings, I knew they would certainly help me when I needed it.At the Feng Lin Temple, I lit an incense stick and bowed to the Holy Heavenly Mother. After I finished, the Holy Mother spoke to me,

"Devotee, have you already achieved the Liuchia . Divine Hearing Faculty?" "Yes, I have come to ask the Bodhisattva for a teaching." "What kind of knowledge do you seek?"

I replied, "The knowledge to keep good health."

Matzu, the Holy Heavenly Mother, thus spoke, "We shall talk about the role of foods! The five basic tastes in foods are: salty, bitter, sour, pungent, and sweet. They are the secret recipe to the harmonization of yin and yang energies and their subsequent transformation into the mysterious force of the Universe.

They are a necessary part of daily life, and a moderate intake is essential to good health. If taken excessively, they can harm the five elements and give rise to illnesses. Reducing one's consumption of the five flavors nurtures one, while excessive consumption harms the body. In the ancient times, people subsisted on simple, often raw foods, and enjoyed long lives. Since the discovery of fire and the cooking of food, men no longer enjoy the same longevity they used to. When men are greedy for a complicated diet, their six emotions are aroused, and this covers up their spiritual awareness."

"Holy Mother, thank you for your teaching," I thanked her cautiously and respectfully.

The Holy Mother continued, "Modern man's approach to good health is far from wholesome and balanced! Most people living in this latter part of a world cycle are unconscious of their souls and not able to meet enlightened teachers to hear teachings that can expand their wisdom and enable them to understand their original nature. Most people only focus on the externals, such as the intake of nutrients, in trying to keep good health, while at the same time, they commit numerous transgressions in thoughts and actions. How can one truly discuss the way to good health without first purging oneself of negative thoughts and actions?"

"Bodhisattva, you are quite right. I shall remember your teaching."

"By the way, may I ask which spiritual pathway you are practicing? From the three spiritual lights radiating from your head and the protecting spiritual guides around you, I gather that you are a spiritual cultivator," said the Holy Mother.

"Bodhisattva, my name is Lian-shen. I was originally a Christian. Later I received a divine decree from the Jade Pond Golden Mother and started studying Taoism from Mr. Three-Peaks-Nine-States and Taoist Master Ch'ing Chen. I am in Phoenix Nose Tip on a surveying assignment. Yesterday I saw you making an inspection on the ocean surface and decided to come today to pay homage to you."

"Mr. Three-Peaks-Nine-States? I have not heard of him. I have heard of Taoist Master Ch'ing Chen though. He is a pure-hearted Taoist who engages in non-interference practice. Very good, very good."

"Bodhisattva, Mr. Three-Peaks-Nine-States is not a person but a high spiritual being. I call him Spirit Master. He is from the Formless Realm, beyond the domain of the Jade Emperor." "Oh, I see. Please excuse my ignorance. Lian-shen, if you have time, come back more often. Your visits will be welcomed " "Thank you," I addressed the Bodhisattva.

The sighting of the Holy Heavenly Mother at the ocean had led to our acquaintance with each other. Later, when I formally enshrined the Jade Pond Golden Mother at the shrine in my residence, I sent out invitations by Fu's to deities in the ten quarters of the world. The Holy Heavenly Mother of Feng Lin Temple also came to attend the ceremony, along with many other deities.

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