In Memory of Venerable Master Sheng Yen
It is said: The Master can lead you to the door, but you cultivate on your own. The Venerable Master Sheng Yen had brought forth the Bodhi-mind to cultivate the Bodhisattva Way and had wasted no time to benefit all living beings in his lifetime.
The Master had led us to experience the pleasure of Dharma, from now on, one shall continue to observe the Master's teachings for the propagation of the idea of Protecting Spiritual Environment and for the cultivation of inner peace and merit. Only in this way can one repay the Master's great compassion.
I am honorably to be able to learn the true principle of Orthodox Chinese Buddhism through serving in the DDM, although I did not have enough good blessings to personally receive the Master's teachings. I have learned that right understanding of the true principles of the Buddha's fundamental teachings is very significant to seek peace and happiness. Reciting the Great Compassion Mantra also helps a lot to reach mental peace, as well as mentally reciting Amitabha Buddha’s name helping to be more patient with self and with others. By practicing these methods, I have been more mindful and blissful than ever before.
True peace and happiness are priceless, and the wonderful thing is you do not nee to pay to experience them. All you have to do is actually practice the Dharma and the Master’s teachings in the daily life. You do not seek outside for comfort, which is not reliable as the bliss found within oneself. I hence am humbly to encourage you to quickly seek the light of wisdom within yourself, instead of blindly following hearsay and being led astray, sometimes unknowingly, by unethical people or circumstances.
The Master had given blessings to every disciple and every faithful follower. In what way? The Master had founded the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education, and had given us the inspiration of Protecting Spiritual Environment and the precious storehouse of Buddhadharma. Although the Master completed the stillness, I believe the Master is still very patiently looking after everyone. We thus shall strive on practicing the Dharma for the interest of sentient beings and for mental peace, happiness and merit-cultivation.
"All living beings have the Buddha nature; all can become Buddhas. It is only because of false thinking and attachments that they have not yet done so." All the Buddhas have told us that we study Buddhism in order to understand our own minds and see our own natures; the Master had taught us the method. Although each individual's conception is not exactly the same, still, using wisdom to break through ignorance and attachments and cultivating blessings in order to nurture wisdom is the proper path that everyone can travel.
The Venerable Master Sheng Yen's vigor, spirit and teachings will never disappear. I humbly encourage everyone to travel the path to Bodhi with courageous vigor, never failing to uphold the instructions of the Most Venerable Master Sheng Yen. Amitoufo!
(by Jin Yang)