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Chapter 14 - A Visit To Mr. Chu Fei
Mr. Chu Fei is the chief editor of the Buddhist monthly magazine, The Bodhi Tree [published in Taiwan]. In my mind, a chief editor of a Buddhist magazine must himself be a great master in Buddhism and in spiritual studies. It occurred to me that with the unusual experiences I had had, if I paid Mr. Chu a visit, perhaps I could learn some Dharma revelations from him that would bring me deeper into my spiritual practice. So, I got hold of his address and went to see him in Taichung. After I told them of my spiritual experiences and the purpose of my visit, Mr. and Mrs. Chu became greatly agitated and exclaimed, "There is no such thing in this world!" When Mrs. Chu began to repeatedly chant the Great Compassion Dharani for me, I said to her, "Mrs. Chu, I also chant the Great Compassion Dharani once a day." "Oh! Really?" Mrs. Chu looked somewhat embarrassed. In her mind, I was either insane or possessed by a demon. The Great Compassion Dharani of the Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes Kuan Yin Bodhisattva is a powerful mantra that can exorcise demons and evil spirits. As I said, I also chant the Dharani and have memorized it thoroughly. In addition, I could fluently recite the Surangama Mantra, the king of all Buddhist mantras. Every morning at 4:00, I had been forced to get out of bed by Mr. Three-Peaks-Nine-States to kneel down and recite the Surangama Mantra. Mr. Chu was silent for quite a while before uttering these words, "I think it is possible that your mind has been possessed by demons! There is no medicine for that." I said, "People on spiritual paths are like logs floating on rivers. If a log flows with the stream, without touching the banks on either side, being caught up in eddies, or becoming decayed, it will eventually reach the ocean. If a spiritual cultivator can remain pure and abide in a spontaneous and non acting principle while on the path, without becoming seduced by passions and lusts or entwined by all kinds of evils, he will surely attain the Tao. These were the words of the Buddha himself. After my unusual spiritual encounters, I have been able to advance vigorously on the path. Could my mind really have been possessed by demons?" Mr. and Mrs. Chu stared at me blankly and were unable to reply. Finally, Mr. Chu Fei said, "Mr. Lu, please forgive us for the limits of our knowledge. Perhaps you should go and see our Buddhist teacher, Mr. Li Ping Nan. He has been a Buddhist longer than we have and is much more learned than we are. Perhaps he can answer your questions. Your experiences are indeed very unusual, but then, the Taoist path is not the same as the Buddhist path. Mr. Li is a great Buddhist master; just go and talk to him." "I am grateful for your teaching, thank you." Before saying good-bye, I bowed and paid homage to the Ksitigarbha Boddhisattva statue and other Buddha statues that Mr. Chu had enshrined on his altar. When I left and was back on the street, my mind was filled with many doubts and questions. Was my mind really possessed by demons? As I wondered, a golden circle of light appeared in front of my eyes and inside the circle was a Bodhisattva wearing a golden Five Buddhas crown which emitted multitudinous rays. The Bodhisattva said, "I am the emanation of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva of Chiu Hua Mountain [a sacred mountain in mainland China]. Since you have doubts, I have especially come to tell you: if one realizes that one's nature does not change, then one is cultivating on the right path. If one desires nothing, then one will naturally settle down and get on with one's pursuits. Be mindful in every single thought that one is oneself the Buddha. Lian Shen, the realm of the Buddhas is alien to the realm of human beings. To transcend to the realm of the Buddhas, one must face and overcome many obstacles. Mind my words and do not forget them. From now on, you will be meeting many challenges. I have come especially to tell you not to have any doubts." When he finished speaking, the splendid light soared up to the sky and vanished in a flash. I found myself standing in the middle of streets at a crossroad. The chilling winds were whistling, and my heart shivered.
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