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March 30, 1979
above Stinson Beach
Dear Shih Fu,
We are constantly astonished by the magic of the Avatamsaka. When we read from it each night after the ceremony, unmistakable changes happen. If we are tight and nervous from our false-thoughts and mau bing's the Sutra relaxes us and gives us courage to continue. If we are irritable or feeling off center, the Sutra cools the fire and brings us back home. If we are happy, the Sutra celebrates with light.
One night several weeks ago, I was feeling pressure in my head, my body ached in every joint. I was ready for a fight, anything to let off the steam. But when I opened the Sutra to translate from Eighth Transference section, all my heat transformed into a feeling of crystal clarity and kindness. I recognized my state and pulled back on the light that I was ready shoot out. After the reading was finished I was reaching for an incense stick to begin our Shurangama Mantra recitation, when suddenly I had an instant's vision of the age and the importance of our Sutra. Time seemed to stand still as the vision flashed by. Here's what I saw. It was like a movie, as if Hollywood had filmed a story to illustrate the rare treasure that is the Buddhadharma.
The supreme, profound, subtle
and wonderful Dharma is difficult
to encounter in billions of aeons...
A band of people of all ages and races are traveling through deep and dangerous caves. The trail is long, narrow and filled with hazards. Their journey requires courage and stamina and faith. There are many trails and setbacks, but they do not weary of the walking. They are guided by a pure golden light that leads them forward through all the peril.
On the walls of the caves are the traces of ancient civilizations. The company passes through levels of measureless time. Layers of entire worlds pass by with the stories of their coming into being and dying away recorded on the stones.
Finally, the travellers reach the source of the golden light. It's is a secret fortress that conceals a library. It is made of vajra and locked with a magic power. Only beings with blessings and good roots may enter. Gods, dragons, and uncanny creatures guard the door.
Once inside, the company walks by the book racks in the outer chambers. They contain texts of ancient knowledge: the planets, the herbs, mathematics, music, languages, literature, and encyclopedias of practical arts and ritual. The group walks past this worldly lore, it is valuable and worth preserving, but the light leads them on to another locked gate in the heart of the library. Awesome warriors, tall and pure, guard this crypt. They pay their respect to it with deep reverence. Within the crypt is a treasure chest which gleams with dazzling, jeweled light. This is the ultimate adorned place, the sanctuary of the Holy Holies, the pinnacle of ageless wisdom.
The lid of the chest creaks open and a pure light blazes forth. The company breathlessly inspect the contents: crumbling scrolls and cobwebbed parchment. The printing is faint, the punctuation is missing, the meanings are hard to understand. No one has studied this wisdom for a very long time, very few practice it. But there is a feeling surrounding the chest. The group recognizes that this is a jewel beyond price, a treasure to be preserved and protected at all cost. It must be cherished and made know everywhere. Its truths must be practiced.
The group sits at the feet of their leader, one with wisdom and experience. He shows the group how to correctly venerate the treasure. He explains it for them. He calls it Dharma, the ultimate principles, the road to the end of suffering, the methods for gaining lasting and genuine peace and joy.
...I now get to hear it, see it,
and hold it in my hands, and I
vow that I will understand the
Tathagata's true, actual meaning.
The company of travellers are very happy. They recognize the value of their discovery and they marvel at their good fortune. Together they make great vows to give their lives to the Dharma, to protect it, to translate it, to practice it and make it known in all future times and places. As they make these vows the light radiating from the chest doubles in brilliance. A change takes place in the texts themselves: the words on the ancient pages grow more distinct. The books take on a new life and a new strength. The Bodhisattva guardians, the gods and dragons and all the protectors are delighted. The vows made by the company revive the holy Dharma and keep it in the world.
The light from the crypt in the secret library beams out and cuts through the cave walls. It illuminates all worlds, all civilizations throughout measureless time. Suddenly the company of walkers find themselves no longer underground. They now stand on a pure, magnificent mountain peak.
They have in their possession countless expedient means and tools for giving the Dharma to all beings in their great big family. The leader of the group explains that the secret library was in their hearts all along. But it required the journey through the caves and braving the dangers and the toil to discover it. The company is overjoyed and with great vigor they set off down the mountain to do the work of filling their vows. They know they will meet again.
That was the vision and as I looked at the Sutra rack in our Plymouth which holds our neatly bound and clearly printed Dharma books in English and Chinese, I realize that we must not take our good fortune for granted.
Disciples of the Buddha are steeped in the purest of the Proper Dharma. It is our highest responsibility to keep alive and fresh our vision of the precious treasure we possess. The presence here among us of the Proper Dharma, the real road to Buddhahood, is the rarest of jewels. It is nothing short of miraculous.
Like the members of the company in the vision, my happiness at being able to serve the Buddhadharma and to give my life to the Triple Jewel is measureless and boundless.
Disciple of the Buddha
Heng Sure
bows in respect