Life of the
Ven. Master
Hsuan Hua

Epilogue - An Ode: The Master As I Know Him

I heard him speak of pulling weeds in the street,

Of cleaning toilets with his bare hands,

Of doing what others could not do.

Not just once -- many times

I saw him get out of the car after traveling for hours,

And not stop to rest even for a moment,

Before coming to speak the Dharma.

Not just once -- many times

I watched him give away whatever he could to others --

Food, clothing, happiness,

Even the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
      he gave to all living beings

He gave whatever made others happy,

Not just once -- many times

I got to be there when he made big problems seem small,

And little problems disappear,

Sometimes only with a smile or a few words,

Not just once -- many times

I watched him bring people together that
      others swore could not get along,

East and West, North and South,

And they worked together.

Not just once -- many times

I saw his great compassion move people
      to completely change their lives.

Turn from the improper to the proper,

From the small to the great.

Not just once -- many times

But I never saw him do anything out of selfishness,

Or forget others to protect himself,

Or act in any way for personal gain.

Not even once -- never.

By Kuo Ts'an