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March 18, 1979
Mt. Tamalpais
Dear Shih Fu,
We're holding a Kuan Yin Session
this week. I'll bet you have thoughts
of greed, wanting to run up to the City
of Ten Thousand Buddhas and join in,
don't you? Well, don't worry. For you
two bowing once every three steps,
every day is Kuan Yin's Birthday and
every day you're at the City of Ten
Thousand Buddhas...
...said the Venerable Abbot when he visited this Friday. How right he is. Kuan Shih Yin Sessions are special occasions. The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion bestows happiness and plucks out suffering in miraculous ways.
Single-mindedly reciting Kuan Yin's name turns anywhere into the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
Every day, cultivators experience a rich treasury of learning that is the study and practice of Buddhism. In the heart of it, the big lesson is learning to be a good person.
Disciples of the Buddha, the Bodhisattvas
take great compassion as foremost...through
increasing their faith...through becoming
sympathetic...through accomplishing great
kindness...through adornment with repentance
and reform...
-- Avatamsaka Sutra
Although the Buddhadharma contains supreme, subtle, profound, wonderful perfection of wisdom, its highest application is in the realm of living beings. By going towards the good in everyday life, by using kindness to make beings happy and compassion to end suffering, every day becomes a Kuan Yin Session.
The same day of the Master's visit we were bowing on the rain-slick Shoreline Highway in Tamalpais Valley. An old woman came walking down the road, bareheaded and alone. She wore scruffy slippers and hunched her shoulders against the cold drizzle. Cars passed going much too fast on the narrow road, missing her by inches. She made a purchase at the local "convenience" food store and then shuffled by us again on her lonely way back home. My heart went out to this old lady. Why did she have to risk her life and her health on this treacherous road just to get food to eat?
Where was her family? I knew that she could have been my own kin.
There are million of old people in the world in her situation or in worse straits. I reflected that establishing the Buddhadharma here in the West will certainly have a great deal to do with changing our attitudes towards old people. This old lady needed caring for. She needed the basics of food and shelter against the elements. By making homes for our elders and providing care for the lonely old people of the world, we will be doing good and repaying a part of our debt of kindness to the Buddhas, our parents, our teachers, and elders. This is the work of Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva. This is the promise of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
I recalled the Hyatt family of Cambria, a young couple who made space in their home for old Pappa Joe, their invalid father. The Hyatts came to visit us and brought old Joe along, bundled in blankets and full of smiles. He was a happy man, despite his infirmities and failing health. The Hyatt's model of compassion shines a light of goodness. It made that day very special. Every day was Kuan Yin's day for the Hyatt family.
As I saw the old lady on the road, I thought how good it will be to bring all our lonely old folks together and teach them about the Pure Land, to share with them the peace and joy of reciting the names of Amitabha and Kuan Shih Yin. By doing this work, Buddhists will make a great contribution to the world.