Manifesting Stillness
Over
ten years ago, the Venerable Master had already become sick from
overwork. Six years ago, he was so sick he couldn't even climb a single
step. Even when the doctors diagnosed that he had only seven days left
to live, the Venerable Master still refused to rest or seek treatment.
Leaning on his cane and riding in a wheelchair, he continued to speak
the Dharma in various places. Two years ago he was so ill that he
couldn't get up from the bed, yet he still instructed his disciples
over the phone or appeared in their dreams to teach them. - Shi Hengtung, p. 23
"In Memory of Ven. Master Hua, Vol. II" |
The
Venerable Master dedicated his entire life to disseminating the
Buddha-dharma. Undaunted by adversities, he strived without cease, and
traveled to propagate the Buddha-dharma in various Way-place both
domestic and overseas. Based on the compassionate vows of a
Bodhisattva, he rescued and crossed over living beings until he fell
ill due to persistent overwork. Finally he collapsed from illness.
In
the afternoon of June 7, 1995, the Venerable Master manifested illness
in Los Angeles. His worldly age was seventy-seven. When he was alive,
he wanted neither fame nor profit. In his final instructions he said:
- "After
I depart you can recite the Avatamsaka Sutra and the name of Amitabha
Buddha for however many days you would like, perhaps seven days or
forty-nine days. After the cremation, scatter my remains in empty
space. I do not want you to do anything else at all. Do not build me
any pagodas or memorials. I came into the world without anything; when
I depart, I still do not want anything, and I do not want to leave any
traces in the world."
The Venerable Master said, "From
empty space I came, to empty space I return." In fact the life of the
Elder Venerable Master itself was a mandala for the great Dharma wheel
of the Avatamsaka. Although he manifested Nirvana, yet, he still
constantly spins the unending Dharma wheel: "with great kindness and
compassion rescue all. Spare neither blood nor sweat, and never pause
to rest." We can only offer this deep resolve to the infinite lands of
Buddhas, and thus endeavor to repay the teacher's boundless grace.
| Peaceful manifestation of stillness. |
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