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- Book 58 - The Mystical Experiences of True
Buddha Disciples
- By Grand Master Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated by Siong Ho
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Chapter 19 - The Cause Of Faith In Buddhism
On March 19, 1985, I received an invitation from Kushinagara, India
to attend the celebration in remembrance of the birth of Shakyamuni
Buddha 2,550 years ago. It was an invitation especially for masters
of great achievement. As far as I know, although Buddhism no longer
prevails in India (the Indians are mostly believers in Hinduism),
there are still two important Buddhist sacred places. One is Sarnath,
where the Buddha gave his first sermon on the Eight-Fold Paths,
and the other is Kushinagara, where the Buddha entered into nirvana.
It is said that only the highly knowledgeable ones and masters
of great accomplishments were invited. All preparations for the
ceremony were underway.
The first sacred place, Sarnath, is the famous Mrgadava (Deer Park).
It was there that the Buddha gave his first discourse after his
awakening to the five Bhikshus.
The site has been reconstructed on fifteen acres of land. There
are deer wandering about and there are lotus ponds.
The second sacred place has a huge statue of a sleeping Buddha.
How did I get such a grand invitation? The reason was an East Indian
Tantric practitioner, Dr. Harkrvshna, who had come to see me in
Seattle. He was a member of the Great Bodhi Society in India and
was one of those involved in organizing the celebrations. He understood
that Master Sheng-yen Lu of the United States was someone who had
attained great realization, and so invited me.
During the ceremony, an honor certificate would be given out by
the Governor of Sikkam. The Holy Red Crown Vajra Master would be
one of the masters to be awarded the certificate.
On the certificate it says:
"The Master has great perception and knowledge, possesses
complete understanding of the Buddha's teachings, has disciples
throughout the world, and is recognized by Buddhist scholars worldwide.
The following honor goes to the Master: Carry forward the priceless
teachings of the Buddha. Preserve the Truth and the Valued, Develop
the Truth and the Valued."
It was a great honor for me.
Students and readers will understand that all the great efforts
of the Master's are gaining recognition in the world.
A sage once said: "When the righteous paths decline and the
evil practices are all over the world, there will appear a true
master."
And now, light has gradually appeared and darkness has begun to
fade away. In fear, evil attacks Him. But, He and the universe are
one. When man attacks the Universe, will the Universe suffer any
loss?
Many students, many tens of thousands will, in due course, take
faith in Buddhism because of Holy Red Crown Vajra Master.
Here are some excerpts from letters written by students about their
feelings:
| "Relying
on the living Bodhisattva, I feel myself full of Dharma joy.
It's hard to express how great the Master is. With the attainment
of realization, the Master has become the everlasting and
boundless Dharma Body which we forever seek.
"I know the
only way to find the truth is to follow a real Master. The
universe and Master are one and, therefore, the Master is
our source of learning.
"It was really
unimaginable. I have never experienced things like this before.
I saw strong white light surging from the Master's forehead
into my brow point. Everytime, when I think of the Master's
white light of blessing,
I felt the greatness
of the Master. It makes me feel like crying."
-Lian-t'i, Indonesia
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| "Master
Lu has already given me a lot. We are very fortunate to be
students of the Master. My thirty odd years of migraine headache
were completely cured by merely taking refuge by remote empowerment.
I didn't see the doctor nor did I take any medicine. It was
just completely cured the day after the empowerment. This
wasn't a coincidence!
"The power
of the Master is far beyond the level of our comprehension.
This is an invisible power. Students can experience it no
matter what country they reside in. Master is like the sun
and the moon shining on all of us
"After reading
The Teachings of Dzogchen (The 56th book of Grand Master
Lu, published in 1985),
I realize how pure, how holy the Master is. I sigh with feeling
that the thoughts of worldly people are imperfect and insincere.
"Three bows
to the Master. Namo guru bei - our forever great Master."
Lian-yu, Republic
of China |
| "I
felt time flying when I was with the Master and never found
it was enough. It is hard to describe my happiness when I
saw the Master during a blessing ceremony in 1985. I saw the
sunlight and the moonlight auras around the Master, radiating
out like thousands of light rays. Even when I closed my eyes,
the lights were still shimmering. I know I have never experienced
anything like this and I will never forget it. One cannot
comprehend this kind of feeling without actually experiencing
it.
"I remember
with gratitude that the Master taught us, in detail, about
meditation and the practice of the three great mystical Dharmas,
and led us to progress along the path of Tantric practices.
"In the ceremony,
I saw many Westerners bowing to the Master, receiving the
"Divine (Triple Hum) Water" empowerments. Living
beings of the world are receiving the generosity of the Master.
This kind of salvation and the pure, divine water really cleanse
worldly beings of their impurities. I believe firmly that
Master is the transformation of the ancient Buddha. I really
saw it and recognized it. I also have attained a certain level
of achievement.
"Returning
to my country, I, too, should spread the Master's teachings."
-Lian-lu, Canada |
Many students have already tasted the joy of the Dharma. This global
brightness has only just started to radiate. It is the result of
the unimaginable merits of the Master, eradicating the worries of
those who encounter it. To get away from suffering, people should
take refuge and learn the teachings.
Mystical experiences are irrefutable facts. If people humbly seek
verification, they will get close to the Truth. Compassion is the
virtuous characteristic of the Holy Red Crown Vajra Master. Let's
all chant: "Om ah hum, guru bei, aho-sa-sa-ma-ha, Lian-shen
siddhi hum" and head toward the Lian Shen Buddha land.
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