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January 24, 1979
El Granada, California
Dear Shin Fu,
Here's a rundown of the last two days' bowing to the City to the Ten Thousand Buddhas:
Sunday, January 22: Quiet morning. Horse back riders trot by, "Hey, What you're doing is great. I'd do it myself if I had the time." And off they gallop. A young family in an old car stops. "We're going back to the east coast, but we really feel like we have to see the 'Ten Thousant Buddhas place before we go."
"The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas," I say.
"Yes. There's something about it..we would not feel ready to travel back East until we have visited it. We are looking for a pure and holy place to christen our new baby and the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas feels right." The mother proudly holds up the little baby. "I chant Om Mani Padme Hum. I learned it from a Tibetan Buddhist monk in New Jersey. He was a good person, but there wasn't any heart there, you know? I mean, it was all very intellectual. We are looking for a method, a Path to really practice and walk. We saw a picture of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. It feels clean and has lots of light."
A man in the back seat asks, "What kind of buddhism do you follow?"
"Buddhism is just the best in the hearts of all living beings. It has no country or sect. It belongs to everyone. Buddhism is the teaching of all beings. Nothing is excluded, we don't discriminate."
Big smiles and nods of agreement. "What system do you practice?"
"World Buddhism . All traditions, all schools are practiced and taught. Whatver suits you is available-Ch'an, vinaya, Secret school, Pure Land or teaching-and someone to teach the method. All paths for all beings." More smiles.
"Got a map?" "Is it really near Mt. Shasta?" "Far out, that's great."
After they left, two young Mormon missionaries in spotless vested suits walk up. "This is Elder ____ and I am Elder _______. We were wondering what you were doing."
"We're buddhist monks on a bowing pilgrimage."
"Oh, Buddhists. We thought so. For what purpose?"
"To get rid of our faults and help the world." I am half expecting a sermon and conversion pitch, but they simply say:
"That's wonderful! We're behind you 100%
Toll gate
As we bowed up to the last intersection out of town, a strange man appeared. He moved slowly, totally out of control. His face was hidden from view behind a full beard and the share of black hat he wore. He circled us and then positioned himself in a field about 75 yards ahead and watched us. From a large shopping bag he poured out bottles of whiskey and beer and downed one after another like they were water. The vibes tgat he put out we re black and cold. As soon as I saw him, I found myself doing a couple of a Forty-two Hands,
After he settled in, strange things began to happen, Fire trucks and police cars went roaring through the intersection and then weird people started showing up. A car skidded to a stop inches from Heng Sure's head and then a woman offered him a ride. A man kept hollering from behind the black-hatted man, "What religion are you?" and laughing strangely. People in bizarre clothes and long scraggly hair walked by mumbling. The man in the black hat calmly watched over it all, hodding his head and laughing. Then he rang some bells hanging from his neck.
Immediately, five or six yelling and cursing men appeared on the embankment across the road from us. They were angry and violent. "This is the devil's land herem "said one. "May you be cursed!. Cried another. "Wait till you get to the Devil's slide. " threatened one with a meancing laugh. (Devil's slide is a steep and narrow stretch of sheer cliffs and mountains about seven miles north. We've had many warnings about it). They tossed some rocks, but they missed us. The man in the black hat downed another bottle in a long swallow. Then rang the bell and waved to the men. They climbed back towards the embankment and disappeared, cursing and howling.
The black-hatted man approached to check us out close. He laughs under his breath "heh,heh, Buddhists, Krishnas, Buddhists, he , he …" I catch a glimpse of his face. It sends a shiver through me. I couldn't describe it except to say that it was full of delight for evil and harm, flushing read and full. He wanders across the intersection and stands next to our car. He just stares and drinks. Without moving an inch, you can feel him directing the whole negative show with his presence. He gesturesand the men and the weird people return and strart coming towards us.
This could be tight. Heng Sure and I have discovered that no matter what happens, we can come through fine if we don't let our spirits sag. If we don't fear or anger or bad vibrations come into our hearts, we can slide through tighest spots like greased fish. We are learning to counter-punch with kindness, compassion , joy and giving instead of our fists, words and false thoughts. "Everything is made from mind alone..as one thinks, so one recieves in return" (Avatamasaka Sutra). It's so true. Our survival has come down to not allowing an inch of doubt or yin energy to enter and pollute our minds. Put out the light and the sun shines; put out the darkness and it rains. The heavier it comes down, the brigher you've got to rise and shine.
So here they were, all these hostile strange people gathering to test our temper and resolve. And maybe worse. What to do? Just the day before, we read from the verse came into my mind as we bowed into this tense "tollgate,"
It's just like the sun Which appears in the sun But does not hide or fail to appear Because there are blind people who Fail to see it. When the Bodhisattva takes on all this grevious suffering, His vigor increases, He does not cast it off, He does not hide from it. He is not scared or startled. He does not retreat, He is not frigthened. He has no fatigue. I do not seek liberation for my Own body, But only to save al living beings, So all that they all attain the mind of All-wisdom, and Cross over the flow of birth and Death, and Gain liberation from all their sufferings.
As I recited these lines in my mind, Heng Sure and I were engulfed in a sea of children. A school bus had pulled up across the road and about happy pure-faced little Dharma protectors ran over. They completely surrounded us-some sitting, some standing, some on their bikes. They made offerings from their lunch pails and piggy-banks. The strange men were confused and thwarted. They could'nt get near us. A couple of men came up and tried to pester Heng Sure, but the kinds' innocence and good energy mellowed them right out. The evil men got very polite and quiet in a hurry.
"Are there really 10,000 Buddhas up there?" "Is it hard bowing down all day?" "It's really neat helping the world, huh?" "Do you take baths?" asked a little one. His sister kicked him gently and scolded him for getting too personal. "Of course, they take baths," she said quietly. "But how?" he persisted, "I was to get the inside scoop."
"What is bad people throw rocks?" asked a child.
"We only see good things," I answered.
"What if pople come by and call you weirdos?" wondered another.
"We only hear good things," I said.
"What do you say when you pray? Does he (Heng Sure) talk to pray?"
"Real softly, huh? Shhh! Listen, maybe we can hear him." They all stand quielty ther eon busy Highway One listening to the sounds of "Hua Yen Hai Huei Fwo Pu Sa, as Hend Sure come up from a bow.
The angry, dark men one by one drift away, muttering. The first to come and the last to go is the dark figure in the tall black hat. He is waiting on the other side of the intersection. But as we cross, the kids ride/escort us on their bikes and he slowly turns and leaves.
On the other side of the intersection is a little stretch of open country. The intersection makes the geographical end of Half Moon Bay. Scores of enthusiastic supporters load us up with offeringsand kind words. They are happy and full of light. The kids slowly head for home.
"It's fascinating," says an older woman making an offering. "A wonderful idea. I wonder where all those kids came from vack there all of a suden . . . Did you see them?"
"Yeah. We saw them. We certainly did!" I said.
The sign says "25 miles to San Francisco." Aheah is Devil's Slide. Our map is the Avatamsaka. Everybody's a teacher. "Everything's okay. No problem."
Peace in the Way
Disciple Kuo T'ing (Heng Chau)
bows in respect