2009-05-15 00:11:12姚子
In Memory of a Great Master
So, I received the news Tuesday morning.
Since I started helping BLIA-NY magazine years ago, one of assigned job is to reseacrh news clips about various notable BLIA activities around the globe. Every morning started out with checking personal email and reading news from merit-times website. Then I saw it. At first I was in denial and refuse to accept it. The DDM website was real slow to load and I was secretly hoping it's a mistake on news media's part. But I read Shifu's last words. And I started weeping. Since there's no self and I am not in control of my uesless tears, I fled into men's room before I started to make a scene.
"Shifu probably don't want to see me hiding here like a crybaby". The thought crossed my mind and I started to recollect myself after Buddha knows how long I've been there. And I remembered......
It was sophomore year in college during the student club orientation, I first started to read with Master Sheng Yen's book. Though I came into contact with buddhism at a much younger age and I've read many books since then, Buddha's wisdom didn't really brush off on me. A lot of thigns didn't make much sense. Yet after I read that book, many of my questions were answered. "That's what Buddhism suppose to be like!!!!" I hold the book with joy and excitement. It marked the beginning of my practice.
Then it was that afternoon. I was at the 2nd floor of Chan Meditation Center, watching all the books on shelf and spacing out. "Wow...all these books were written/compiled by Shifu..." A gentle voice greeted me and ask if I had eaten. I came to my senses and realized what happened after few seconds of spacing out. To my surprise I saw who greeated me. It was indeed an awkward moment. Years passed since then but that gentle voice still echos.
I was fortunate enough to know/meet several masters in my youth either in person or through books. Without a doubt, each master is unique in his own way. It's quite foolish to compare them. I've only wish that I learned from our brief encounter and continue to learn from Master Sheng Yen's last words:
What I am unable to accomplish in this lifetime, I vow to push forward through countless future lives; What I am unable to accomplish personally, I pray for everyone to join forces to promote
Busy with nothing, growing old.
Within emptiness, weeping, laughing.
Intrinsically, there is no "I."
Life and death, thus cast aside. ~ Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Since I started helping BLIA-NY magazine years ago, one of assigned job is to reseacrh news clips about various notable BLIA activities around the globe. Every morning started out with checking personal email and reading news from merit-times website. Then I saw it. At first I was in denial and refuse to accept it. The DDM website was real slow to load and I was secretly hoping it's a mistake on news media's part. But I read Shifu's last words. And I started weeping. Since there's no self and I am not in control of my uesless tears, I fled into men's room before I started to make a scene.
"Shifu probably don't want to see me hiding here like a crybaby". The thought crossed my mind and I started to recollect myself after Buddha knows how long I've been there. And I remembered......
It was sophomore year in college during the student club orientation, I first started to read with Master Sheng Yen's book. Though I came into contact with buddhism at a much younger age and I've read many books since then, Buddha's wisdom didn't really brush off on me. A lot of thigns didn't make much sense. Yet after I read that book, many of my questions were answered. "That's what Buddhism suppose to be like!!!!" I hold the book with joy and excitement. It marked the beginning of my practice.
Then it was that afternoon. I was at the 2nd floor of Chan Meditation Center, watching all the books on shelf and spacing out. "Wow...all these books were written/compiled by Shifu..." A gentle voice greeted me and ask if I had eaten. I came to my senses and realized what happened after few seconds of spacing out. To my surprise I saw who greeated me. It was indeed an awkward moment. Years passed since then but that gentle voice still echos.
I was fortunate enough to know/meet several masters in my youth either in person or through books. Without a doubt, each master is unique in his own way. It's quite foolish to compare them. I've only wish that I learned from our brief encounter and continue to learn from Master Sheng Yen's last words:
What I am unable to accomplish in this lifetime, I vow to push forward through countless future lives; What I am unable to accomplish personally, I pray for everyone to join forces to promote
Busy with nothing, growing old.
Within emptiness, weeping, laughing.
Intrinsically, there is no "I."
Life and death, thus cast aside. ~ Venerable Master Sheng Yen