Time: 2005
Place: Tien Education Center, Taipei
Thanks to the mission to Detroit, I came to a better understanding of “marriage” and “belief”. Marriage is the outcome of a long period of getting along well with another person of different background and thus both of them make a sweet a family together. And belief is another long period of understanding God or Buddha and one is willing to follow its religious doctrines and so becomes a follower. “Religious Dialogue” begins with the “Marriage Relationship” between different religions. Even if one is not able to understand the religious doctrines, to get familiar with the religious ceremonies and to experience the mysteries of religions, all these do not influence his belief or concern. Anyway, we are family!
As soon as Fr. Albert returned to Taiwan, he was admitted to the hospital to receive medical treatment. He could keep body and soul together but he was weaker and older. His bodily functions degenerated. Two sections of his spine oppressed his nerves and the body ache was beyond his toleration and he had to receive an operation. The operation was successful but it had little effect. Later on, he felt too painful to walk. He could walk only with the help of a walking stick. He once resisted “the third leg”! He went out of the door without his waling stick on purpose. And he fell down at MRT Stations several times. Some kind-hearted escorted him to Tien Education Center. Fr. Albert used to go here and there before. But he could not travel freely. The night he fell down, Fr. Albert almost lost his walking function, The doctor said another operation might be necessary. But Fr. Albert was too old. There were risks and the effects would not be so good. The doctor would not suggest operation! He just prescribed for pain-killers. He wanted Fr. Albert to be patient!
Fr. Albert tolerated his pain and went on with his work. But he was in poor physical conditions. He was not efficient any more. He needed to lie down to take a rest for longer time. We felt as if he might pass away any time. We were all aware and got ready for the terrible misfortune mentally. The Society of Jesus was ready to assign another father to take over the work of Fr. Albert. His secretary Li-Ting helped put in order the documents of the long years. Li-Ting told me every time Fr. Albert saw me, he was in high spirits. She wanted me to visit Fr. Albert often!
I have never been afraid of death! If Fr. Albert passed away, I would accept God’s doctrine. We already made our promise to read together in the library in the Heaven. But I felt painful to see him worried about his work. It was hard to request him to put down his work and rest for good health. If I was free, I went to Tien Education Center to see. He was really glad to see me! He said he hoped that he could live on until his successor came! Only until then did he feel peaceful to leave the world!
His office was the most distinguished in Tien Education Center. There were symbols and publications of different religions. There was a big map of 921 Disaster Area. And there were several red marks on the map. There was special space behind hid table---his “Buddha Table”. There were Buddha Portrait and several photos of monks, including Master Chan Yun, Master Yi Shun, Master Zun Yian, Master Sheng and the like. On the wall there was a picture given by Master Xiao Yuen. On the right wall, there was antithetical couplet. “I spend all my life learning limitless Dao (moral teaching) and enjoy life in poverty: Everything is gone with wind and wind is there but I ask for nothing!” This was presented by a friend who believed in Daoism. Under the antithetical couplet there was a ‘cochin burning horse” . The horse and another horse were looking at each other across a narrow space. It seemed that everybody liked to present Fr. Albert with horses. Li Tieng said: “She once cleaned the table and turned the direction of the horse carelessly, Fr. Albert immediately turned the horse in the right direction! He let the horses look at each other face to face! He said after the door was closed, the two horses began their conversation! He was as cute as a boy!
His Chinese Zodiac is “horse”. (He was “horse” according to the Chinese lunar calendar.) It could talk with the French “Old Ma”. He usually had a pleasant talk with each other for about ten minutes. He had to stand up for some exercises. His waist ached if he sat too long. But when he stood up, he was not stable. Every time he mentioned the trip to Detroit, he stressed that it was I that brought him back to Taiwan safe and sound! And I always thought of the hymn that God played only to him. I wished that some day I could hear it.
I also hoped for it!
I said: “Father! You should pray that you might have less pain.
Fr. Albert said: “Why? I prayed to God for the pain!”
I was surprised! What was the matter?
Fr. Albert said: “Near the end of last year, when I went for “Retreat”, I prayed to God to me feel the pain that Jesus had when he was nailed on the Cross. I also prayed to God to let me feel pain and to tolerate the pain of human beings. One week after, God answered my prayer! Ha! I did not expect the answer to come so soon!
He was willing to suffer for mankind. Isn’t this “Buddhist Mercy”?
I said: “When you for Retreat this year, please pray to God to let you feel of pain of human beings only mentally. You have left too much undone! He laughed and looked silly. I did not know whether he got what I meant. When it was dinner time in the evening, I had dinner with Fathers of Tien Education Center. I told the Superintendent Wang Bing Jin the story of Fr. Albert’s “asking for trouble”.
Superintendent Wang laughed and said to Fr. Albert: “Please pray to God only to feel the pain that you are responsible for!”
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****** To Be Continued! ******