Bowing Journals | Top | << Back | Next >> | End
HENG CH’AU: May 11, 1977. Bowed through a tunnel consisting of commuter traffic on one side and Huntington Elementary School on the other. One was pure and a “bathing of good energy” as Heng Sure felt it. The other was busy and divisive. It doesn’t take long for one side to move to the other. The wheel turns and we are steering down the middle. Too many kids to talk with; the teachers and police are watching so we decide to be quiet and bow. Thanks, kids. See you again.
Three lay Dharma protectors tell us how heavy and dangerous Lincoln Heights will be. “Be very careful.” Having the appearance of a self, we feel fear.
First mistake: Fear = false thought – crack, hole.
Second mistake: To overcome fear and danger you can rush through, push it – about two hours straight of bowing in the hot sun. “There, we got rid of that stretch!”
Third mistake: Heng Ch’au feels angry about this, holds on to it.
Fourth mistake: Leonora comes out and tells us it’s closer to her house than to Alice Wong’s. Not being on top of it because of false thinking, I say, “OK.” But after she leaves I remember our commitment to Alice. It’s getting sticky. I spend a wasted hour trying to phone alice. She’s not home. I’m spent from physical exhaustion, can’t find phone numbers, rush hour traffic is honking and hooting. Then a group of boys do a pea-shooter attack. We go to Alice’s house. Just finish reciting the Shurangama Mastra (first 27 lines) 49 times when police drive up. “What do you guys think this is, a park or something?” Hostile. Neighbors gather, there is a big to-do. “Name Heng? How do you spell ‘San Francisco’? What color is your hair? How would you describe your clothes?”
“T’ang dynasty monk’s garb.”
“How do you spell ‘monk’?”
In addition to the monks’ daily records, this volume will include excerpts from their letters to the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, placed chronologically throughout.
May 11, 1977
Dear Shih Fu (Master),
Homage to the Venerable Master,
May he lend his compassion to all beings!
This work is very much like a Ch’an session. Constant mindfulness is hard work and we are making slow and steady progress. Three steps, one bow.
Heng Ch’ao is a good protector. He has already saved us from one nasty situation, which he will tell about below. Leonora Chiang, Phuong Kuo Wu, Alice Wong, and the Woos have protected us and show us great care. I am not talking very much at all. This is a wonderful chance to practice my vow to speak only words in service to the Triple Jewel. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to cultivate the way.
-- Heng Sure
Fifth mistake: I miss the chance to teach Alice about anger and patience because I’m still caught up in a chain reaction set off by one false thought. We drive back to Leonora’s house.
Sixth mistake: I separate from Heng Sure and allow myself to be alone in conversation with Leonora in the secluded laundry room.
We decided to start bowing at 5:00 AM to get through the rough area early. Wake up in the AM and what? It’s raining! Problem solved (The monks bow in one place when it rains and then pace off their progress when it clears-ed.). What a waste! Lots to learn. Don’t false think. Don’t hold on to it. Be careful of involvement with lay people. They help tremendously; without them we couldn’t make it through L.A. Don’t fear. Don’t be moved by false thoughts. Don’t be alone with women. We should proceed from what we experience, not from other people’s fears. The whole trip is “rough.”