Yi Fu Cultural, 7 F. , No. 240, Minsheng W. Road , Datong Dist. , Taipei City3, Taiwan (R. O. C. ), Datong District, Taipei (2025)

25/11/2025

Book 163 Crossing the Ocean of LIFE AND DEATH

Through my divine eye, the sight of life, death, and reincarnation reveals a multitude of dimensions. Not only is my divine eyesight multi-dimensional, but it also reveals multiple lives.

The term “samsara or wheel of transmigration” is an appropriate description because samsara works like a wheel that is eternally spinning. Yet, most people are unaware that it is more than just a single wheel, for what I have seen includes infinite layers of wheels rotating unceasingly.

The wheel of transmigration stems from primal ignorance which does not have a definite beginning or an absolute ending. This wheel contains phenomena that are both emerging and disappearing. With in this wheel, only Buddhism offers the keys to the liberation from samsara, the realization of the absolute nature of true emptiness, and the arrival at the supreme realm of nirvana. These keys constitute the bodhi path that transcends samsara.

I have seen the physical self, the existence of the “Atman” (Divine Self) as mentioned in Hinduism, which is known as “Ruh” in Islam, “Soul” in Christianity, and “Bardo” in Vajrayana Buddhism.

I can honestly say to you that the functions of the body and mind are constantly interacting. They combine to form a matrix which is always transforming and continuously reacting among a string of unending karmic causalities, that create endless patterns from one moment to the next. To me, transmigration does not necessarily occur at the time of death. Such an event may have already happened while one is alive.

I know of a wealthy celebrity who holds a high social status. He is considered top notch in the world of politics and finance. Yet, with my divine eye I observed that his spirit has already entered a new life, although he is still very much alive. Like a spirit being born into a new body, he has already reincarnated as a python.

In other words, once he dies, the new composite of his spirit and physical matter will metamorphose into a python. His death will be the entrance into his new life. But, wait. Can this be true? This celebrity is not even dead yet, but I can see that the next cycle of his rein carnation has already begun!

Looking at sentient beings through my divine eye, I have seen:

A woman possessed by a rat’s spirit.

A woman possessed by an American Indian fox spirit.

A man possessed by a bear’s spirit.

Many children possessed by the spirits of monkeys - they are diag nosed by doctors as being bipolar or hyperactive.

Many cultivators are possessed by maras. This happens when a cultivator is not engaging in the proper practice of the right dharma and has gone astray into the dark and evil path. It is easy for maras to possess him. In such cases, the cultivator will find that the more he practices, the more egotistical, arrogant, and delusional he will become. He craves to be the best and craves fame and fortune.

I saw a girl who just turned six and every night, she loudly banged her head against the bed. The doctors couldn’t help her, and eminent monks and psychic mediums could not help her either. Even the use of talismans failed.

This was because in a previous life, the girl had killed someone on a bed, thus creating the negative karma. The bardo spirit of the victim was exacting revenge on her. In this lifetime, this karma had to be repaid by the girl through the pain of hitting her head against the bed. This type of phenomenon is known as spirit possession.

I once observed a large hospital through my divine eye and saw patients having their throats slashed and their brains sliced. There were also those who underwent kidney removals, heart transplants, liver removals, dissection of the intestine and liver, as well as amputations. These are the punishments of hell.

I have also observed many politicians with my divine eye. They are powerful figures who hold great power over the lives of many. Their faces reveal the visage of the Asura King and they enjoy power struggles and killing, which result in lingering wars that never seem to end. These politicians have long incarnated as asuras.

The six realms of samsara whether visible or invisible, have left their imprints on our faces, reflecting the varying degrees of our karmic forces.

The six realms of samsara (the deva realm, human realm, asura realm, animal realm, hungry ghost realm and hell realm) are formed from the karmic patterns of our past, present and future lives. Through my divine eye, spirits who have died from su***de are pitiful. Even if they reincarnate as humans, they will emerge as deaf, mute, handicapped, or be born with strange illnesses.

I once observed through my divine eye a woman who was past her middle age. She had taken refuge in me and had not done any harmful acts throughout many of her past lives. In her present life, she continually recites the Buddha’s name and mantra diligently, and cultivates the True Buddha Ta**ra. Currently, she is guiding her neighbors, former classmates, relatives, and friends to take refuge in the Buddha.

Though she has not adopted a monastic life, she serves her guru as a lay Buddhist to deliver sentient beings.

She is very strict in her discipline by keeping the five precepts of refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, untruthful speech and intoxicants. She is especially strict regarding her speech; she refrains from idle chatter, lying, slander, and abusive and flirtatious speech. She speaks little and avoids making nonsensical conversations.

This female disciple does not blame anyone for anything and makes no complaints. She is filled with compassion and willingly serves sentient beings by offering them comfort and joy. She feels that sentient beings are suffering too much, and she is willing to help eliminate their pain.

She maintains compassionate thoughts towards all beings. When this kind of compassion arises in a person, twelve kinds of invisible benefits will be bestowed on the individual which are: constant blessings, peaceful sleep, being guarded by the gods, being well respected, unharmed by poison, avoiding entering dangerous areas, avoiding drowning, avoiding being burned by fire, receiving all benefits, be coming famous even if one does not crave it, being able to ascend to the Brahma realm, and being reborn in Sukhavati.

Though this disciple has not yet attained physical non-leakage, she has attained non-leakage in terms of being free from afflictions. These afflictions are none other than greed, anger and ignorance, resulting in the continual leakage through the six organs. She has freed herself from greed, anger, and ignorance. She is a true practitioner.

When I observed this female disciple with my divine eye, I noticed that the area between her eyebrows radiated the light of white tuft, which is one of the thirty-two major marks of a buddha. I was astonished. I verified that she had attained the Vitaraga Bhumi (Stage of Freedom from Desire), as listed in the Ten Stages of the Three Vehicles of the Sound-hearers, Solitary-buddhas and Bodhisattvas. She is approaching the fruition of bodhisattvahood.

Once, while this female disciple was dwelling in the state of samadhi she saw me, along with over one hundred bodhisattvas, manifesting in their celestial and bliss body form. The sight was truly majestic, simply magnificent, remarkable and extremely touching.

Let me say this: This disciple will certainly be reborn in the Buddha’s Pure Land.

My mother attained initial enlightenment through consciousness transference.

Through this initial enlightenment, she gained the transcendental faculty to help develop the growth of great wisdom.

Today, she has become a great bodhisattva.

Sheng-Yen Lu

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18/11/2025

Book 154 The Aura of Wisdom

For those who are committed to cultivation, I encourage you to be ordained as monks or nuns. The meaning of adopting a monastic life is so that you can better concentrate on your cultivation, focusing solely on spreading the Dharma. In principle, choosing a monastic life is an act of offering your body and mind to Shakyamuni Buddha. Therefore this pure act of celibacy is worthy of our praise.

However, not everyone has the affinity to take up a monastic life. Thus, it is not mandatory that you lead a monastic life. A practitioner can cultivate as a lay Buddhist, as everything should be done naturally. Hence, it is equally good whether you adopt a monastic life or not.

In True Buddha School, you must consider these three factors when deciding whether to lead a monastic life:

1. Do you suffer from any handicaps or chronic illnesses? Do you have any mental illnesses? Do you have a bad record of criminal offenses?

2. Do you have consent from your parents or spouse?

3. Can you undertake the loneliness and simple lifestyle de manded of a life of cultivation?

I feel that these three points are of utmost importance. When you have thought through these issues clearly, then you can take up a monastic life.

If after a while you feel that the monastic lifestyle does not suit your preferences, you can always choose to return to secular life. You are free to choose, and no one can stop you from returning to secular life. Once you grow your hair, remove your monk’s robe or lama outfit, you have returned to secular life. Returning to secular life is nothing to be ashamed of, as you can still continue with your practice of the True Buddha Ta**ra. The only difference is that you have chosen not to practice full time.

Thus, I feel that to lead a monastic life is a bold move, but those lay Buddhists who have attained enlightenment at home are even more remarkable for their achievements.

All my life I have upheld the ideals of freedom and democracy. It would be a crime to impose anything on anyone under the banner of True Buddha School.

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17/11/2025

Book 148 The Power of MANTRA

I went to visit a small lake that was at a very secluded site. There I came across a place in the middle of a forested area which offered a spacious view of the location and also shaded me from the scorching sunlight. I set my eyes upon the glittering lake and felt relaxed and carefree.

I closed my eyes and meditated in silence. Suddenly, I heard someone whispering, “This guy is illuminating light!”

“The light is strong!”

“Will he ruin what we do here?”

“It’s hard to say!”

“Let’s report to Dodo!”

I opened my eyes and caught a glimpse of several kids hopping and talking under a fir tree before they disappeared in a split second. These kids were not human beings. They were little ghosts.

I stood up quietly and walked along the narrow path along the lakeside towards a nearby shop. I then asked the shop owner, “Do people often swim here?”

“Yes.”

“Have any accidents happened here before?”

The shop owner did not try to avoid the subject and instead replied, “There are a few cases every year. School children love to play with water and disregard any danger. Accidents are bound to happen. The water in this lake is rather strange and there are a few areas that are quite deep actually.”

“Are there any signs warning people about this lake?”

“There are,” the shop owner said, “but to most school kids, it makes no difference whether there is a warning sign or not. They still swim there!”

At the lakeside, I saw several school students taking off their shirts and getting ready to enter the water. During the summer no one could resist a dip in such a fine lake.

I said nothing. After changing into my swimming trunks, I also entered the water.

The kids were splashing water towards one another, playing and pushing in their own game. Some even swam towards the deeper end of the lake. I noticed the lake appeared tranquil, but hidden beneath the surface flowed turbulent water current. The sand bed of the lake was very soft, sinking even deeper. Water w**ds growing in the lake could entangle a swimmer’s leg. The water closer to the shore was warmer than the water further away.
When the students were not looking, I formed a mudra with my right hand and wrote the Sanskrit syllable Ah in the air and cast it in the direction of the students. I opened my divine eye.

Besides the four students swimming in the lake, I saw four little ghosts riding a wave towards the kids. But at a certain point, they were stopped by an invisible energy shield and could not proceed any further. The shield sheltered the four students, and despite many attempts, the ghosts could get no closer to the students as they had desired. In the end, the four little ghosts were exhausted and left unwillingly.

The four little ghosts darted an angry stare at me before they vanished. I returned their stare with a smirk.

The four students had fun for a while longer before they emerged from the water. I asked them, “Was it fun?”

“We had great fun. We’ll come back again!”

I said, “Swimming is prohibited here. It’s dangerous. The police have erected a warning notice!”

They rebutted, “Didn’t you just swim in the lake yourself?”

“I…” I chuckled and could say nothing.

***

That night in my dream, a water ghost approached and transformed himself into a huge water snake. It was swimming in a zigzag manner around my bed, yet it could not come near me. The water ghost returned to his original form and shook his head, and out from his mouth he spat out a long strain of water w**d. This water w**d moved forward to wrap around my neck and tried to strangle me to death, but it stopped upon reaching my face.

The water ghost threw up gushes of water and flooded my room, attempting to drown me. Again, water filled the space around me, but not one drop of it could seep through and reach me. The water ghost vomited stinky and smelly mud and yet it could not affect me.

The water ghost realized an invisible energy field was covering the four corners of the bed, shielding me like a net of light. The bed itself was transformed into a lotus flower. I was transformed into a vajra. A net of light encircled me. The water ghost knew he had met his match and knelt down with his palms together. I asked, “Are you Dodo?”

“Yes.”

“Have you harmed and taken many lives?”

“I’m ashamed of myself!”

“Why did you do it?”

Dodo replied, “So we have a chance at reincarnating to a better state.”

I asked, “How did you die?”

“I committed su***de.”

“Why didn’t you take up spiritual cultivation?”

“I had no teacher to teach me. If I can follow you, I would achieve something.” Dodo was curious and asked, “How come there is a glow around you and that you’re surrounded by a net of light?”

I answered him,

“This radiance and net of light is a result of my cultivation of the Mantra of Light. If you promise not to harm any more lives, I will transmit the Mantra of Light to you and you will be liberated together with your other little ghostly friends. The sutra states that if any sentient being commits the Ten Evil Deeds, the Five Deadly Sins and upon his death descends to the lower realms, reciting this mantra one hundred and eight times will allow the deceased to ascend to the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. It also states that if any sentient being listens to this mantra for two, three or seven times, all his karmic hindrances will be eradicated.”

The water ghost Dodo was thrilled to hear this and immediately took refuge and requested the transmission of this mantra.

I recited:

[transliteration:] Om, a-mo-ga, huai-lu-jia-na, ma-ha-mu de-la, ma-ne-ba-de-ma, ji-fa-la, bo-la-fa er-da-ya, hum

[Sanskrit: OM AMOGHA VAIROCANA MAHAMUDRA MANI PADMA JVALA PRAVARTAYA HUM].

I said, “This Mantra of Light is the Mantra of Light of the Great Empowerment of Vairocana Buddha. When you recite this mantra, visualize a moon disc in your heart, with a golden Sanskrit seed syllable Ah on it. This syllable Ah radiates light and illuminates on all sentient beings. Anyone in contact with this light will be liberated from suffering and receive joy. This mantra is the very Illuminated Vairocana Seal with which one may take refuge in Vairocana Tathagata. It is as good as receiving a jewel, a lotus, a rebirth and illumination, where liberation is instantaneous and all vows are fulfilled.”

I told Dodo, “Tomorrow afternoon, I will write the Mantra of Light and cast it into the lake. I hope all of you will recite it diligently and be liberated.”

The water ghost Dodo bowed and left.

***

During the afternoon on the following day, I wrote the Mantra of Light onto a piece of yellow paper and cast it into the lake.

I sincerely chanted,

“As the Mantra of Light enters this lake, the lake will become pure water. If commanded to wash one’s feet, this water will perform this task. If commanded to wash one’s knee, this water will do so. If commanded to wash one’s waist, this water will carry out the work. If commanded to wash one’s neck, this water will accomplish this task. If commanded to wash the internal organs, the internal organs will be purified. If commanded to clean the dirt off one’s heart, the heart will become clear. If commanded to empower, one receives the Light Empowerment.”

I recited:

“As the Mantra of Light enters this lake, countless treasures lie within. The net of light spreads across the sky and all kinds of dharma sounds will be heard, spreading the words of Buddha. Surrounding the lake one will find the illumination of glowing light, dazzling in spectacular beauty. A wind of a meritorious nature blows naturally over the lake, creating ripples, offering a tenderness and warmth to the water. An intricate mix of soft and gentle fragrance also permeates the area. It is simply unimaginable.”
I saw Dodo transforming into a huge water snake, and all the little ghosts transforming into many smaller snakes. They came to the lakeside to receive the Mantra of Light Empowerment. Upon the completion of the empowerment, a wind blew across the jewel trees, creating the purest musical sound. All the water snakes received bliss and joy. The lake with its soft appearance released an all pervading fragrance. The snakes were transformed into dragons in an instant, breaking the water surface and riding on the wind towards the sky above.

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14/11/2025

Book 145 Living this Moment in Purity
< 3. Heaven Knows >

On one occasion, a man by the name of Cui Jia came to me for a consultation seeking information concerning his future. Cui Jia was handsome, tall, and very fit.

Upon asking the gods in the spirit realm for guidance on his behalf, I received the answer: “Heaven knows.”

The response initially seemed a bit strange. Of course “heaven knows” but what did that have to do with Cui Jia’s future? I asked my question a second time. Once again, the response given was, “Heaven knows.”

I made a third attempt to ask my question, and the response was the same. However, this time, I received the additional message, “Due to the merits accumulated from ‘heaven knows,’ extra blessings will be bestowed upon this individual, and his fame, career, and prosperity will flourish. A bright and beautiful future awaits him.”

I then directed my next question towards Cui Jia, “Why do the gods keep replying with ‘heaven knows’?”

Ciu Jia was taken aback. Blushing in embarrassment he related the following story to me.

In his college days, Cui Jia had rented a room in a residential home near his school. The landlady, a very beautiful and charming woman, was quite a flirt, and the young Cui Jia found himself rather enamored with her, particularly her alluring eyes in which he also detected affection toward himself. The mere thought of her would send flutters through his heart.

One day, the landlord traveled out of town on a business trip. As Cui Jia happened to pass by the master bedroom, the door opened, and inside, the landlord’s wife stood gazing seductively at Cui Jia with an inviting, flirtatious expression across her face. Cui Jia stood motionless as his eyes locked with hers. Heat rushed through his body, and he could hardly contain himself.

The young woman spoke, “No one will know.”

He was young and full of sexual desire. As Cui Jia took a step forward, his heart pounded with excitement.

She continued, “It’s all right to have some fun once in a while. No one else knows but us.”

Suddenly, Cui Jia recalled a phrase he had learned in school as a child: “Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. These are the ‘four witnesses’.” He stopped in his tracks and said to the young wife, “It may appear as though no one else knows, but heaven knows.”

The young woman then replied, “So what if heaven knows?”

Cui Jia responded, “Heaven knows, heaven knows, heaven knows!” He then turned his back on the young woman and quickly walked away.

That same night, she came to knock on Cui Jia’s bedroom door. She was leaning against the wall right outside his room, and he could smell her perfume wafting in through the cracks of the doorframe. Several times, he almost unlocked his door, knowing perfectly well that as soon as he opened it, her warm, voluptuous body would fall into his embrace. “Why not open the door?” he asked himself. But the phrase heaven knows, heaven knows, heaven knows, persisted in his conscience.

Other people may not know, but heaven knows. Human beings may be deceived, but one cannot deceive the heavens.

Eventually his will power prevailed, and he never opened his door.

The next morning, Cui Jia hurriedly moved out of the building and moved in with another classmate. He did not dare mention the incident to anyone; even to his closest friends, he gave the simple excuse that the house had merely been unsuitable for him.

So, as it turns out:

Indeed,

No one knows,

Yet Heaven knows.

Cui Jia then proceeded to tell me of another strange incident.

During his college days, he had moved five different times. This particular event, which occurred after the incident with the young woman, took place while he was lodging at a boarding house for students.

One night while he was fast asleep, Cui Jia suddenly heard a voice in his dreams saying, “Heaven knows, get out of bed quickly. Heaven knows, get out of bed quickly. Heaven knows, get out of bed quickly.”

The voice had been very clear, and waking from his sleep, he jumped out of bed. Running to look outside his window, he saw flames and thick smoke billowing from the house next door. Immediately he woke the other students in the house and, before escaping, made an emergency call to report the fire.

By the time Cui Jia had run out of the house, the flames from next door had already spread to his residence. Soon even the house in which he had been living became completely engulfed in flames. Altogether, six two-story buildings burned down. Many were killed and injured in that fire, and there was a great loss of property and possessions.

As Cui Jia shuddered in terror, recalling this incident, he was reminded that had he not heard the words “heaven knows, get out of bed quickly,” he would have remained deep in sleep. He and his friends, trapped in the sea of fire, would likely have been burnt to charcoal corpses.

Prior to this event, Cui Jia did not believe in the world of spirits and held no religious beliefs. Afterwards, however, he no longer doubted the existence of gods in this universe. The alarm call, waking him from his sleep, obviously had been a warning message from heaven.

I spoke to Cui Jia, “Gods and spirits indeed occupy the invisible world around us. One may try to deceive others in a dark room, but the penetrating eyes of gods perceive everything.”

Cui Jia responded, “Indeed, heaven knows.”

I said to him, “You should be commended for your high morals and will power.”

Cui Jia’s face reddened and he said, “Oh, but it was just luck!”

“Good and evil...” I began.

Cui Jia finished my sentence, “...are only separated by a single thought.”

“A moment’s error may become the regret of a lifetime.”

“When one repents, one may be already at the end of one’s life.”

I explained to Cui Jia, “In today’s world, with increasing interaction between men and women, relationships have become increasingly complicated. People no longer concern themselves with traditional principles governing relationships between the sexes. What differentiates humans from other animals is man’s sense of ethics. Without morals and guiding values, men are no different than birds and beasts. There are actually people who have abandoned ethics, and they are worse off than the birds and beasts.”

“How should we maintain our vigilance?” Cui Jia asked.

I replied, “As the Forty-two Chapters Sutra says: regard all older women as your own mother or elder sisters, all younger women as your younger sisters or daughters. Developing this kind of view can help extinguish one’s licentious thoughts.”

“What if one finds it difficult to maintain this view? Then, what should one do?”

“Learn to practice the unclean view. What remains of a beautiful woman once her outer skin and flesh are removed? All that remains is a skeleton. When the body is viewed anatomically, one sees internal organs filled with blood, f***s, and urine reeking of an unclean and offensive stench. By engaging in this kind of view, one will find the body’s physical characteristics quite horrible and disgusting.”

“What if one cannot perform this visualization?”

“As one’s sexual urges begin to rage out of control, just stop and imagine the consequences. Taking that one step may very likely prevent future loss of wealth and reputation. Otherwise, not only might one bring shame to one’s family and ancestors, one’s infamy may spread, having adverse influence on one’s children and grandchildren, and even destroy the career one has worked so hard to build up. Just thinking of these consequences is absolutely terrifying. This should cool down those surging sexual desires right away!”

“What if one still cannot restrain oneself. Then what happens?”

I could only respond, “A moment’s pleasure will bring unending disaster and misfortune.”

“But so many people enjoy engaging in such pursuits of momentary happiness,” Cui Jia said. “Some would have no regrets even if they had to risk death!”

“The Buddha has taught: pleasure is emptiness, form is emptiness.”

“Generally though, people cannot see this.”

My final response was, “One creates one’s own blessings and disasters.”

In fact, our dialogue addresses a serious issue facing many members of contemporary societies. Ultimately, these matters can only be decided by each individual depending on his or her conscience, moral character, and power of stability developed from spiritual cultivation. In the invisible world around us, gods and spirits do exist. You may think that no one else knows but, in reality, heaven knows and cannot be deceived. It is my wish that everyone will cherish their bodies and souls, preserve their purity, and engage in spiritual cultivation to transcend the sufferings of transmigration.

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13/11/2025

Book 129 - Entering the Most Hidden Yin-Yang Realm

A disciple, Lianhua Kunyang, had a wife who gave birth to a son. The entire family rejoiced because the couple had been married for five years already. As it took them this long to conceive a child they were elated and overcome with joy.

Lianhua Kunyang and his wife brought their son to see me and asked me to help them pick a good name for their child.

As soon as I laid eyes on the child, I was greatly shocked.

Upon the child’s face was a vein of enmity, a very clear and apparent vein of enmity. When I preached Dharma in earlier days, I often emphasized the concept of “cause and affinity” in Buddhadharma.

If a child comes from “kind affinity,” the child has come to “repay kindness.”

If a child comes from “negative affinity,” the child has come to “ex act vengeance.”

A child who has come from “neither kindness nor evil,” is neutral.

As for the child of Qin Kunyang, because he had a vein of enmity on his face, I deduced that he had come for avengement. Although I understood this, I dared not reveal it on my face and was also unable to utter it to his parents. I really did not know what to do!

I picked the name “Youhan.”

Both husband and wife agreed and said it was good.

Only I understood in my heart that “Youhan” [friendly fellow] was a pun for “Youhan” [with regret]!

I thought of helping Qin Youhan unravel this knot of enmity.

Secretly I asked my Dharma protector, “Can this knot be unraveled?”

“No, it cannot.”

“Why is that so?”

“This hatred is deep as the ocean.”

I sighed to myself.

Two years passed. Qin Youhan was two years old and temperamental. Whenever things were not to his liking, his eyes would brim with tears that poured like rain. He would burst into tears and clench his fists, his face contorted with fury. His skin would turn a dark purplish color, and his breath short and rapid, as though he were going into shock.
***
The discoloration of his appearance to a dark purplish color alarmed his parents. They brought him to the doctor for a physical examination and found that he had a hole in his heart which caused oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix. It was necessary for him to have surgery.

The doctor said, “We can perform surgery when he gets bigger, but there is no guarantee of success.”

This matter caused much distress for Lianhua Kunyang and his wife. They loved Qin Youhan very much, and regarded his life as their own. They tried to protect him through many methods and visited numerous doctors, both Chinese and Western. They paid homage to countless buddhas and deities, offering innumerable prayers. The money that the couple spent on Qin Youhan, piled as high as the mountains. Lianhua Kunyang was willing to spend all his savings for Qin Youhan to be healed.

The couple came to consult me.

“Grand Master, what is the matter with Youhan? What kind of karma has led to this?”

“May I speak frankly?” I asked.

“Grand Master, please speak frankly; we will not blame you, because we are utterly exhausted both in mind and body!”

“Alright, I will say it then. Youhan has a vein of enmity on his face. This clearly indicates that he has come for avengement. This child has come to claim payment for a debt.”

“I don’t believe it,” his wife cried out.

“Why didn’t Grand Master say anything when we sought you for help with picking a name? And the name Grand Master picked was so good - how can we believe it? Why do you reveal this only now?”

I said, “The name I picked contains an implicit meaning in the choice of words. Isn’t Youhan [friendly fellow], Youhan [with regret]?”

“Friendly fellow, with regret; friendly fellow, with regret…. Why didn’t we think about this implicit connotation from the start?”

The couple begged me, “Grand Master! Please save Youhan!”

“I cannot,” I said with heartache.

“Why not?”

“This hatred is as deep as the ocean.”

“We don’t believe it, he is so adorable, and we love him so very much. What kind of hatred would a child like this have with us?”

I spoke to them quietly, “When you return home, ask Kunyang’s father who he killed in this lifetime. This person died in water.” (The vein of enmity was connected to water.)

Qin Kunyang replied, “My father has lived his entire life in good and upright conduct; such a thing is not possible. My father’s nickname is Qin Samaritan. Would a Samaritan kill anyone? Grand Master, you must be mistaken this time.”

I remained silent.

Lianhua Kunyang and his wife left bitterly.
***
This time, I was indeed mistaken.

When Qin Kunyang went back home and queried his father, his father shook his head. No matter how he thought about it, he could not remember any such thing.

Qin Kunyang’s father said, “What utter nonsense!”

“Alright then! I will go back and ask Grand Master for an explanation!”

Qin Kunyang came back to me. “Grand Master! What have you to say this time?”

I sweated profusely.

“I have nothing to say, but I suppose if your father did not cause this matter, it could have been your grandfather?”

“Grandfather?” he cried. “He is deceased. There is no way to verify this since he is dead, Grand Master!”

I felt really sorry and spoke to Qin Kunyang softly, “Please go back home and ask your father if he knows anything about this matter!”

“Fine!” Qin Kunyang asked, “If my father says there is no such thing, or he does not know anything about this matter, how will you explain it then?”

“I… I would have nothing left to say!” I fell silent, disheartened.

After Qin Kunyang returned home, he asked his father whether or not his grandfather had killed anyone. Initially, his father, Qin Samaritan, shook his head. But after pondering this over for a very long time, he recalled having heard of such a matter.

Kunyang’s grandfather and his neighbor, Zeng, had shared use of the same well.

Both their wealth and status within the village were equivalent.

Both of them were also educated scholars.

When it came time for election of a village chief, the two of them were candidates.

One day, as Kunyang’s grandfather walked towards the well and prepared to draw water, he saw Zeng’s back to him and saw that he was also in the process of drawing water. Zeng’s body was stretched over the well, his head bent forward, his hips raised. Seeing that no one was around, Kunyang’s grandfather walked over stealthily, and lightly bumped his body against Zeng. The unthinkable happened and Zeng fell into the well.

Zeng shouted loudly for help.

Kunyang’s grandfather had an impulse to throw a rope into the well, but ultimately, he did not.

Zeng stared up at Kunyang’s grandfather, his eyes filled with utter helplessness.

Later Kunyang’s grandfather called for help, but, when they pulled Zeng out, he had already breathed his last breath.

Kunyang’s grandfather became the village chief, and he did his best to do good deeds.

However, in his heart he was always ashamed of what he had done, and a knot remained within his heart that never resolved. He told this story to Kunyang’s father.

Finally, the matter was becoming more defined.

Who had Zeng been reborn as? It was already evident.

And Qin Kunyang?

How was this to be resolved?
***
When Qin Youhan grew bigger, he had heart surgery, and sure enough the surgery was a failure. Qin Kunyang and his wife were so distraught with grief that they could not bear to live.

Someone asked me, “Why couldn’t you save him?”

I replied, “Enmity had crystallized into a vein, and the depth of this hatred had already become fixed karma.”

“Fixed karma cannot be changed?”

“The Buddha has said, fixed karma cannot be changed!”

With regards to this matter, my comments are: Buddhist sutras have mentioned that bodhisattvas fear karmic causes, while sentient beings fear karmic effects. Matters of karmic cause and effect are in fact noticeably evident within their obscurity, concealed while apparent. When one sows beans, one will reap beans. When one sows melons, one will reap melons.

My divinations or prophetic consultations are in fact nothing extraordinary or mysterious; they seem inexplicable but are also quite normal and ordinary. After reasoning out a sequence of events, nothing should remain unclear. Past, present, and future, ancient to mod ern times, the ripening of events is not so far away! One who understands this principle is already near Tao.

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