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October 14, 1979
Ukiah
Dear Shih Fu,
Heng Ch'au and I had talked about what we wanted to do when we arrived at the City of Ten Thiusand Buddhas and decided to keep bowing. Our work isn't done and bowing suits our natures so well, but we didn't know if the Master would allow us to continue.
"Heng Sure," said Heng Ch'au. I turned, and there on the sidewalk stood the Master ina blaze of yellow-gold robes. Just like that, on State Street in Ukiah, on Saturday afternoon outside a motel.
"When you reach the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, if you wish to, you may bow up and down the streets. It's not the cases that you must bow straight into the Ten Thousand Buddha's Hall and your trip is over and that's that.
Bow around the Buddha Hall if you like," he said.
"This accords exactly with our own wishes," I answered.
What a chance to do the inner work of San Bu Yi Bai, the concentration and single-minded bowing to Ten
Thousand Buddhas, without all the broken bottles! No logging trucks, no bullies, no narrow roads, no poison oak, whizzing motorcycles, bars and drunks, mountain slopes, cold-water shaving, weather-delays, rubber-legs and leather-palms, etc. We have a chance to bow in Heaven.
On August 1, in Sea Ranch, the master said, "There is a road in Heaven, but first you must accomplish the road here on earth. When you have walked that road to completion, then you may walk the heavenly road."
I thought he was speaking figuratively in the sense of "when one is a human being to perfection, the Buddha's Way accomplishes itself." I didn,t guess that there was actually a road in Heaven for us to bow on!
Some people feel that cultivation is bitterness and suffering. Heng Ch'au and I have come to appreciate the opposite. Cultivation brings us more happiness than we have known, while as the Sutra says,
Of all happiness in the mundane world, There is none which is not suffering. AVATAMSAKA SUTRA Ten Transferences Chapter, Part One,
On San Bu Yi Bai we have learned to take for granted the daily coping of trying to live the life of contemplatives by the side of California's highways.Yesterday the Master granted our wish to practice the Dharma in a pure place, an adorned Bodhimanda City!
A chance to concentrate with all the "dust-fatigue"removed, a chance to bow in Heaven with a single mind.
As Heng Ch'au said, "In Pt. Mugu Air Force Base, they wouldn't let us bow around their missile display.(By the gate to that base near L.A. there is a roadside memorial park with a small forest of full-sized, tactical missiles on display. We bowed around it one morning until the MP's chased us away.) But now we will be able to bow around the Buddhas as much as we please." How wonderful!
-Disciple Kuo Chen (Heng Sure)
bows in respect
"At the place of seeking nothing, there are no worries."
P.S.: As I re-read my letter, I really feel ashamed. My selfishness has not changed much since this trip began. What did I expect, going out to bow on the public throughfare--red carpets? At the first chance to escape the world, I grab for it. Without a second thought for the suffering of all the beings who will never get to hear of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, I jump for joy at the prospect of abandoning the world. This is not the Bodhisattva Way.
Another example: I am greedy for Buddhahood. This is just like anyone who seeks selfish benefit in the world. My heart was closed to giving, to kindness and compassion, all coming from my own selfish greed. I was unhappy. Heng Ch'au tried his best to relax my mind. He reminded me of Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva's Forty-two Hands and Eyes-unsurpassed expedient means for giving happiness and relieving suffering. He said, "Rain down lotus flowers, don't shoot bullets."
I saw then how I practice the forms of great compassion, but the heart of selfless giving has not truly come to life inside. I'm really ashamed. If I can't concentrate out here, how will the streets of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas be different? If I haven't learned to give myself away in the heart of the suffering Saha World, a vacation in Heaven will certainly only add to my selfishness. That is what my letter reflects: I still have thoughts of abandoning the world.
The big lesson yesterday: Bodhisattvas practice compassion everywhere. Manifesting according to kinds, Transforming all the gods, With similar work and benefits, Gathering those with affinities. Forgetting self for others, Truly no self. Vowing all beings become worthy Sages.
Although I've come to the foot of Wonderful Enlightenment Mountain, I still have a long way to go before I reach the genuine City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
-Disciple Kuo Chen (Heng Sure)
Bows in respect