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Passing The Torch
- Guru's Talk: Passing The Torch
- By Living Buddha Lian-Sheng, Sheng-Yen Lu
- Translated By Cheng Yew Chung
- Edited by Victor Hazen and TBN
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(Preface from Book 164,
Daily Gems-Dharma Words Gained Through the Passage of Life.)
I've spent two years in seclusion at Leaf Lake. Before my retreat,
disciples of the True Buddha School who knew of my decision to engage
in a retreat decided to hold a "Passing the Torch" ritual
immediately after the Kalachakra Empowerment Ceremony [in Hong Kong
in August 2000].
When the lamp was lit, my heart was moved and a rush of emotion
filled my being. Barely able to utter any words, I just said, "We
have the affinity, we will meet again!"
I held back my tears. I could see that many disciples were weeping,
including the MC of the ceremony, Miss Xu Ya Qi, who was sobbing
with her face buried in her hands. It is true that life is impermanent
and that time indeed flies like an arrow that will never return.
It is impossible to not be moved by the sight of such a gathering,
especially since I was about to go on a secluded retreat and no
one could say when we would meet again.
I am a man of feelings. Though I have practiced cultivation my whole
life, I still have feelings and passions. I deliberately held back
my tears, yet my heart ached in sadness.
I may be in seclusion, but my heart never ceases to think of you,
my disciples. I write continuously, hoping that you will soon gain
a clear understanding of truth, discover the Buddha nature within
your heart, and attain the fruition of Buddhahood.
I want to tell you what this Passing of the Torch is about:
There are hundreds and thousands of dharma doors.
All return to the same spot.
The magnificent dharma teachings are as numerous as the [grains
of] river sand.
All are contained in the heart.
In affinity, we gather. Know that residing in each of us is the
Buddha nature. The mind, the Buddha, and sentient beings are inseparable.
The human self and the Buddha nature are not different; they are
not distinct from one another.
The Passing of the Torch is essentially the transmission of True
Self, True Being, and True Buddha.
Let us begin this search for our Buddha nature. I look forward to
our meeting in the Maha Double-Lotus Ponds!
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