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Chapter 38 - Great Success Of The True Buddha School
At the end of 1986, a Representative in the American House of Representatives
Mr. Robert Krueger and his wife came to Redmond, Washington state
from Delaware state to take refuge in Living Buddha Lian Shen of
the True Buddha School.
Mr. Robert Krueger is a statesman, once an ambassador to other
countries, a high-ranking official in the U.S. government, a Representative,
and at the moment President of the Delaware State University.
Mr. Krueger will run for the presidency some day as he is interested
in working in the White House. Living Buddha Lian Shen told him
to give up this chance in favour of the better qualified and that
he can run for the presidency next time.
Living Buddha Lian Shen once gave a lecture entitled "A Disciple
of the True Buddha School, a future U.S. president", which
won thunderous applause, with Mr. Krueger standing up and waving
gratitude to the audience.
Mr. Krueger once consulted Living Buddha Lian Shen about future
policies of the government, important proposals on foreign policies
as well as domestic problems.
This President of the Delaware State University will confer an
honorary Ph.D. on Living Buddha Lian Shen.
Two senators from Washington State will also soon visit Living
Buddha Lian Shen. The Dharma of the True Buddha School will spread
to the political circle of the United States.
Our Dharma has also spread to Australia. Lianhua Guoyong and his
wife, both disciples of the True Buddha School, came to Redmond
by plane. I told them to set up Yan Chi Tang in Australia. His wife
is called Lianhua Bao'er. When she took a picture of Living Buddha
Lian Shen, she got an amazing shot with the Dharma seat sending
out strong light, which shows her superb affinity with the Dharma.
Here is the address for Yan Chi Tang, Australia:
11/711 - 713 The Kingsway
Gymea, 2227, N. S. W.
Australia
At present, the Dharma of the True Buddha School is most popular
in Malaysia. Previously there were only nine chapters in Malaysia,
and now there are two more, Pu Guang Tang and Da Guan Tang. Da Guan
Tang is situated in New Hills, which is the center of Malaysia.
The person in charge is Lianhua Zhonggeng who is very interposing.
Da Guang Tang is expected to be spectacular in spreading the Dharma
of the True Buddha School.
In Indonesia previously there were Yin Guang Tang and Fa Deng Tang.
Now new chapters include: Fa Deng Ci Hui Tang, Fa Deng Guang Ming
Tang, Zhong Yi Tang in Marlang, Ben Yuan Tang in Xijagn, Zheng Jue
Tang in Xijan, Miao Sheng Tang in Jakarta, Ding Guang Tang in Jakarta,
Yuan Cheng Tang in Mianlan. The True Buddha School is gaining popularity
in Indonesia at a surprising momentum. Almost all those who have
renounced secular life have taken refuge in the True Buddha School.
The True Buddha School has extended its influence to Latin America.
At the Praying-for-happiness Service Ceremony on Feb. 7, 1987, Lian
Rong flew to Redmond from Brazil. Living Buddha Lian Shen told her
to set up Zhen Ti Tang in Brazil. Lian Rong has a good command of
Chinese, English and Portuguese. She is going to translate the Living
Buddha's books into Portuguese.
Here is the address of Zhen Ti Tang in Brazil:
R. Comendadar Roque Licciardi 160
Jardim das Verfentes Sao Paulo SP
Brazil CEP: 05410
Here in disclosed is a letter from Lian Rong
| Feb.
10, 1978
Kind Grandmaster,
Your disciple
Lian Rong hereby prostrates to her Grandmaster. Homage to
Living Buddha Lian Shen! Homage to the True Buddha School
Dharma! Homage to the Sangha!
Crossing the Atlantic
Ocean to visit the Redmond again, I felt it is still so endearing,
so stately; with all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas worshipped
there, it is indeed a place for enlightenment that is growing
and expanding.
We say that the
Buddha is a perfect personality of sentiment, reason and wisdom
combined and balanced. Yet, in terms of time, space and energy,
we have long understood that the Buddha is a kind, compassionate
and reasonable superman. We can also say that the Buddha is
like a perfected Maha Vairocana who possesses all the best
qualities of Bodhisattva Kuan Yin, Bodhisattva Trailokyavijaya,
Bodhisattava Akasagarbha and the Vajrapani Bodhisattava. He
is a sentient being who, with the best outlook on life and
the Universe, eliminates the suffering of this world by using
his supernatural power and great compassion.
I have become
very aloof towards the many kinds of changeability and now
I can change tears into an understanding smile. Bodhisattava
Akasagarha lives in the Reason Void by relying on "emptiness"
and "smiling". This is Chan (meditation) and this
Taoism.
Reflecting upon
the countless disputes and quarrels among the sentient beings,
I cannot help giving a gentle smile:
To everything
ridiculous under Heaven,
To everybody stupid
in the whole world.
I paid my greatest
respect to the tonsured head of Grandmaster and Grandmaster
sent me a stately picture of yours with the tonsured head.
I didn't feel it was strange when I looked at it. Once in
my dream, I was surrounded by many mountains. At the top of
one of the mountains not too distant, I suddenly saw a huge
temple. Then I saw, too, a few Bodhisattavas in gold colour
appearing in the temple. Overjoyed at the sight, I went straight
to the temple and got in. There, I saw Grandmaster in a yellow
robe and the red Kasaya. Standing on the right corner facing
the right wall is an attendant dressed in a black robe and
the brown Kasaya. The table was covered with an embroidered
with dripping to the ground, with some plates of fruit on
it and two candle-stands, and the incense burning slowly.
Grandmaster was not wearing the Five -Buddha Treasure Crown,
thus revealing the shaved head. This is truly what I saw in
my dream. When I got your picture, Grandmaster, it reminded
me of what I saw in my dream. Perhaps this is an expression
of my concern over Grandmaster and the True Buddha School.
What did I learn
from my second visit to Seattle? "It is learning that
shows up one's ignorance." The Universe is so majestic
and immense that it fills beginners of Buddhism with shame
and awe. I now realize ever more clearly my limitations and
ignorance. I had expected to pluck up a little bit courage
from my second meeting with Grandmaster, but the second visit
made me all the more ashamed of myself and insignificant.
All I want now is nothing but more learning, more experience
and greater maturity. Though I am not enlightened yet, I have
started practising and I shall never, never stop.
Back in Brazil
I have again started translating your books for publication.
I am now working even harder to spread the Dharma. I am not
just doing my little bit; I spare no effort in spreading Buddhism.
Thank you, Grandmaster,
for your admonition for our temple: "Earnestly learn
and practise the ultimate truth about the Universe and get
truly enlightened." Disciples of the True Buddha School
will all understand the secret ways of Nature.
With Grandmaster's
admonition in hand, I feel quieter and calmer, and feeling
neither worry nor fear, I will regard future difficulties
as sweet dews glad to endure any hardships. Setbacks and failures
will serve to generate in me Bodhicitta. A naive, immature
face must try hard to understand the Truth first before it
can win over the sentient beings. I will spur myself on the
way ahead.
I remember that
when Grandmaster, seeing us off to the car, said "Good-bye"
again and again, I just replied "Thank you" again
and again. Though that was not a very relevant reply, it is
what was uppermost in my mind. I am grateful to the sage of
supreme consciousness of the Universe who has come to this
world to deliver us from all sufferings. We shall all take
refuge and we shall pay this back.
Here enclosed
is a letter of a new fellow disciple and also a letter from
Lian Ho, a fellow disciple. I sincerely hope that Grandmaster
will come to Brazil soon to spread the Buddha Dharma. That
will be great blessing to the Brazilian people. We shall welcome
you in standing ovation on both sides of the road. Everybody
will be dressed in Buddhist robes; the whole airport will
be in great excitement.
Om Mani Padmi
Hum.
Your disciple
Lian Rong in prostration
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