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HENG SURE: June 28, 1977.
Warning from the Sheriff
This a.m. we got a warning from the Sergeant of the Deputies that there are many evil things that take place on the highway--muggings by the score, beatings, murders, "things we never even find out about. Yesterday somebody turned up with a man’s head, hands and feet, the rest of the body was gone. We figure it happened three days ago. You fellas had better be real careful. If you stay on the beach you’ll get ripped off. I’d advise against it."
The horror stories continued but the gist of it was that there is active evil on the coast road. Now we knew this before we began. Certainly it was never any different anywhere. Hsuan Chuan faced great dangers. I Ching, Hsu Lao--all traveled "unsafe" roads. If we were to change our journey because of possible harm to ourselves, then our vows aren’t worth very much.
As for possessions, the only things I value are the sutra, the cultivation book, and the Master’s picture. Everything else is just articles for comfort--shoes, clothes, razor, etc. All can be replaced.
If we have it coming to us, retribution will find us no matter where we are. If we are not karmically linked to bad people, if we did not kill in the past, then we could bow through a snake’s nest unharmed. No problem.
The karma that is due us will find us certainly before long, the sooner the better, while we have a wise advisor to instruct us.
Maintaining precepts is health, ease, peace of mind and body. Breaking precepts is like being wounded or sick. (Weak, vulnerable, restricted and dependent.)
I have been watching wounded insects and animals. They are wary and seek shelter--on edge and afraid. Why? Because they are easy prey and close to death. Take care. "You ought to watch where you put your feet and put them on real ground." Maintain the precepts! Attachments of false thoughts are wounds--the disease is "self."
Taking refuge with the Triple Jewel is seeking refuge from the storm (impermanence, suffering, birth and death). The Triple Jewel, a proper Bodhimanda, and a good knowing teacher are the most important things on the planet. Without them we get sucked into the maelstrom and taken down the drain. That’s "going with the flow"--over the waterfall and into the whirlpool. Grab the Prajna boat before the current and time sweep you away.
To each and transform myself and others until the vows are fulfilled, until the job is done and then to return until the reunion is complete is a long job. Rest? Thinking "you" have attained something and can sit back is really false and causes suffering. Sometimes that’s a lot to swallow.
Two reporters from the Malibu Surfside News interview and take pictures. Right after, a woman in a laurel leaf headpiece who just saw a Chinese Master with us wants desperately to find him. "He was with you just a minute ago! I saw him!" she says frantically.
Lots of kids; lots of questions. One young man (17 years old) keeps coming back. "I’m not ready for that (monk) yet. I couldn’t do it."
Me: "Shouldn’t force anything--when it’s time, it’s time."
"Before you were a monk did you ever do things--you know, like surfing and sports or anything?"
Me: "Sure. All of that and a lot more. And if you put them all together they don’t even touch one day of bowing."
"Really?"
"Really!"
"What do you think about when you bow?"
"Well when you are surfing and catch a good wave and really have it together, what do you think about?"
"Nothing, I guess."
"Right. When you’re bowing right, it’s kind of like that, only all the time…"
"In all my 17 years I’ve never seen any Buddhists--I’ve just never seen anything like this. Are there monasteries near here?...I couldn’t bow like that. But I suppose if you put your mind to it…I’ll see you later, maybe tomorrow. Thanks."
Real genuine good roots. You can tell. It’s like being in the high mountains in virgin wilderness--that kind of face.
"I am a devotee of the guru Maharaji." No answer, keep bowing. "He lives up there." (pointing to the hills lining Trancas Canyon.) No response. "He, the guru, is the Buddha now, I swear!"