Book 69 - Household
Feng-Shui
- Book 69: Household Feng-Shui
- Appendix 10 : Receiving and Helping Visitors Daily
- Written by : Master Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated by : Janny Chow
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No matter how busy he is, His Holiness insists that some time be
set aside each day for him to meet with visitors. When the clock
in the living room strikes four in the afternoon, he puts down his
mail and walks downstairs to the shrine room, the True Buddha Tantric
Quarter, to greet his visitors. He sees them at a desk adjacent
to the shrine where three chairs have been set up beside the window.
Every visitor coming to pay respects to His Holiness must first
call shi-mu by telephone to schedule an appointment. This is the
minimum courtesy one should show. Every day, at the hour of seeing
visitors, the downstairs living room fills with people. This task
is even more demanding than replying to the mail. Shi-mu also keeps
a very busy schedule. After greeting the visitors and seating them,
she hands them paper onto which the may write down their questions.
Then she arranges for them to go in turn to see the Living Buddha.
People waiting their turn do not always sit still. They fidget around
and talk loudly, and shi-mu brings them tea, fruits, and snacks.
Visitors who come to see His Holiness come from all walks of life-they
are of various nationalities and from various countries. Most of
the problems presented are the conventional kind as people seek
the Living Buddha for help and blessings. Among these people, there
seem to be no lack of those who are long-winded and capable of pestering
one beyond endurance.
Shi-mu is a very cultivated person with a good temper. No matter
how long-winded the visitors are, she always faces them calmly,
with a smile. One can only imagine the amazing patience and endurance
the Living Buddha must have in order to satisfy the various requests
posed by visitors in the shrine room.
Shi-mu said, "The Grand Master has always taught that sentient
beings experience a great deal of suffering, and we should try to
satisfy their wishes." One can see from this, the great compassion
of the Living Buddha and shi-mu.
Because of His Holiness' renown, visitors are occasionally very
nervous and excited when entering the shrine room to speak with
the Grand Master. Their hearts race and they become tongue-tied.
Sometimes, from the time they walk into the room to the time they
walk out, they are flustered and in a daze.
I remember one lady who had been taken a flight of more than twenty
hours to meet with His Holiness for a consultation. After the meeting,
she walked out of the room with a transfixed look upon her face.
Later, when her companion came out after meeting with the Living
Buddha, she asked the lady if she had prostrated to the shrine.
The lady answered that she was not aware there was a shrine in the
room. Everyone found it strange that she did not notice the large
shrine covered with numerous Buddhist statues. She explained, "When
it was my turn to go inside, I was so nervous that I don't even
know how I managed to walk into the room. All I know is that the
Living Buddha asked me to take a seat. After sitting down and handing
him the paper I had written earlier, the Living Buddha then said
something to me, but I don't remember what it was. Then I came out.
I really did not see the shrine...My heart is still thumping now!"
Upon hearing this, everyone laughed.
Shi-mu was indeed compassionate. At the next break, she personally
took the lady into the shrine room again, so she had a chance to
pay her respects before the shrine. The lady was extremely grateful
afterwards.
Sometimes visitors without the courtesy to make appointments arrive
unannounced. They showed up at the front door, ring the bell, and
are disappointed when they are politely turned away. The meeting
schedule of His Holiness is so tightly booked that it is very difficult
to accommodate add-ons. The compassionate shi-mu often tries to
arrange appointments within a week for those who have traveled especially
far to meet His Holiness. If His Holiness happens to be out of town,
then visitors just have to wait until next time.
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