The Visit to World Honored One Shakyamuni Buddha--Lingmei (Zhenlin Disciple)

“You have inquired about it in all aspects. You have to walk along the path yourself. Reflect within, and consistency is achieved. All in all, it is the mind that matters!”

Inside a blurred outline, great light was emitted before me. The Buddha appeared in golden body. I took a close look, and found the golden body was boundless. All of a sudden, the Buddha light shone forth pervasively covering from heaven down to the Avici Hell which covers eighty-thousand Yojanas. I knew it was the time. The Buddha agreed to meet me.

It was really an emotional moment. I experienced a fever of excitement.
I set my peace at peace and calmed down before I asked Master for a bestowal of power. Soon I’d go to Mount. Lingjiu to Meet Shakyamuni Buddha, and fulfill the wish of so many! With this thought in mind, I found myself already in a different place. It was inexpressibly supreme, peaceful and secluded. Even the ground was golden in color.
I looked up, and saw Shakyamuni Buddha sitting upright on the lion, the mound on the top of His head emitting fine lights.
Amidst the Buddha lights I saw numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas transformations, which looked great beyond description. The countenance of World Honored one is just perfect. Word falls short to describe it. I felt Him so amicable, kind, and respectable. I felt like seeing my own master!
At that moment, I saw many familiar faces: Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, and numerous other Great Bodhisattvas. I felt them so familiar. I also saw Heavenly King Shakra, King of the Heaven of the Great Comfort, King of the Heaven of Brahman, and the Brahman King. There is no way to calculate how many. Also present were the Great Arhats who followed the Buddha wherever he goes, whom I also felt very familiar with. I did not know their names, but soon heard a voice speaking to me, “Great Disciples, Maha Kasyapa Sariputra, Maudgalyayana, Purna, Ananda…” I am not going to list all of them.
I felt it so familiar, as if I were a member among them.
It felt like returning home, and I was filled with both joy and bitter memory. I could not bear to see it anymore!
Suddenly, I thought of why I went there. I knelt down and bowed to the Buddha, and said, “Venerable Buddha, my best homage to you! It is been so long since I saw you last! My tears could be felt across the Great Thousand Worlds!” Before I could finish, I was choked with sobs…
The Buddha looked me, smiling. I suddenly felt all the hardships were worth it! Amidst the Buddha lights, I was back to my true-self.
Upon that, I asked the Buddha for instructions, “At Master’s behest, I have come to pay homage to you, and get your teachings.”
Heaven and earth shook when the Buddha spoke! The echoes of His voice reached my ears: “All Samskrta Dharma is as illusory as a dream. The heaven and earth evolve to the law of Nature. With the knowledge in mind, you’d feel unfettered and at liberty. Like in the spring breeze and rain, you’d feel enlightened. A Blockhead as you may seem in cultivation, the sincerity demonstrated can withstand any hammering. Many may sneer at you. They just don’t know how rewarding it is. The Dharma power derives from single-mindfulness. Making vows helps you achieve it. Always bear this in mind, that in every single moment, it is up to you yourself!”
I asked another question, “What should be our top priority at the moment?”
The Buddha said, “Human’s mind is hard to dwell. Though imperceptible, it is all predestined. You’d experience fun and pleasure for sure. But, don’t forget to reflect within. You should embrace whoever is defiled. If your mind is big enough to house the heaven and earth, it can take you through everything smoothly. A-ha-tuo-ye! The Buddha nature has never left you since time beginless. The pear is not far away. Reach for it, and it is yours. One has always been One. You have to practice cultivation to know it. While it is important to know about your past, it is nonetheless illusory even you know it. Cultivating in the secular world is the most fruitful. The sages and saints are the most firmly in fulfilling their vows so much so that nothing can upset them. Everything they do, it is a success. Hold on to it! Keep it going! I am always aware of it…”
I bowed to the Buddha several times. He had known what I wanted, and said, “Why don’t you meet the Medicine King Bodhisattva and the Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva first?”
Having got the instruction, I bowed to Him again. Before I knew it, I was before the Medicine King Bodhisattva and the Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva. They looked mighty and awe-inspiring. I knelt down before them, and said, “I have come upon the behest of Master. Bodhisattvas, could you please grant us your instructions?”
“You come and go, without grumbling about it. Cultivate in a step-by-step manner. It is by the power of the mind that you shall reap the fruit. It is all up to you yourself. Do not inquire about the result. Take it as empty whatever it is that you are doing. It shall get reflected in your mind.”
The Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva said, “Everything, however esoteric, develops by the power of the mind. It has been long since it all began. The power of mind is so wonderful that that it cannot be taught. When you are free from the obsession for money and power, you’ll see the truth! A-ha-zhi-lian, you’d see the sagely countenance of great liberty.”
I asked, “What would you advise us practitioners so that we get more peace, health, and less hardships?
The Bodhisattvas said, “Whatever it is that you are doing, do it with a smile. Medicine won’t help. There is nothing good or bad but your thinking makes it so. There are examples around. The best is not taught, but found in your mind. Take it as a dream and empty, and you’d be strong. Amitabha-Buddha! Cut off your cognition and sensitivity, and you’d experience miracles. With your body and mind harmonized into one, no one can bully you. The worldly affairs are variable. Free your mind from obsessions to them. The task falls on you. Just do it. By the time you resume your original countenance, your true-self shall manifest. You should set your mind in tune with Master’s, and everything is within your reach. What you have experienced life after life will be clearly in view before you. The time will extend endlessly. Take care of the thoughts in your mind. Everything shall appear before you.”
I asked, “What can we do to increase our faith?”
The Bodhisattvas said, “You’d get joyful when miracles unfold before you. You’d see the Buddha when your mind is not attached to the thought of meeting him. The miracles shall unfold before you one after another, and be reflected in your mind. You disciples, male and female, are so anxious to see the Buddha. It is up to your mind whether you can see Him or not. If you put it down in your mind, you’d naturally encounter it. Where shall you return? However earnestly you are looking forward to it, it lies right in your mind. Stay single-mindful, and you’d melt away the circles. You’ll make it by the time your minds are harmonized in one.”
I asked, “How can we better protect and practice the Dharma?”
The Bodhisattvas replied, “Clench your fists. Rid of the self and arrogance. There is no self in the first place. Where is the origin anyway? Do not get attentive to whether it is right or wrong. Use your mind! Use your mind! Wisdom is gold.”
I wanted to ask further about it, but the two Bodhisattvas, placing the palms together, said, “Put it down! Put it down! It is all but unmarked. ” I was quite confused for a while, but soon decided not to ask more. I bowed and gave my thanks to them.
I went back to the Buddha, knelt down before him, “Do you have more instructions to me?”
The Buddha said, “Do not bother to argue about it since you are following your master in practicing the Buddha Dharma. No matter how myriad the transformations are, they are but created by the mind. Your master shall know all that I have said. Stay vigilant! Stay vigilant!”
I did not get it.
Again I heard, “Once you think it through, you’d realize there is nothing you need to do. Everything is like the shadow of the cloud. Let’s meet again in the future at the sutra-lecturing assembly. Return to your true-self! Return to your true-self! Do not get anxious about it! Your own body is a great Dharma vehicle. Do not seek for it externally.

Return to the state of single-mindfulness and refrain from being greedy. Practice vowing with a mind of hatred, and you’d gain power when it reaches single-mindfulness. You may show passion for the Buddha Dharma to the extent of obsession. But you have to cut off the idle thoughts first before you can see the Bodhi. Wake up! Wake up! I have been teaching you this so earnestly for long.”
I kowtowed to the Buddha again and again, and knelt down before Him for a long time, reluctant to stand up.
The Buddha rubbed my head with kindness and compassion. He said, “Get back, quickly! I know well your sincerity. You’d gain benefits from all that you are doing.”
I stood up, tearfully. Everything disappeared. I felt sad and was in a bad mood after I was back. I did not want to write about it. I wanted to get online, but there was an internet breakdown. When it was restored, I met Master, who told me, “You forgot to ask Venerable Master Shakyamuni Buddha to bestow prediction onto us.” I immediately felt better.

I arrived at Mount. Lingjiu again. What I saw today was different from yesterday. The mound on Venerable Master’s head was emitting great fine lights that illumined it all. In every ray of the lights, which were of five colors, that shone forth from His face, there appeared uncountable Transformation Buddhas. Numerous flowers were dancing gracefully in the air.
I was not in the mood for it. Kneeling down, I kowtowed to the Buddha, “Venerable Master, could you please bestow the prediction onto us?”

Venerable Master said with a smile, “The prediction has been bestowed. It has been on-going. Make the Lotus Sutra abide in the world, and you’d become the Great-Penetrating-Wisdom-Victory Buddha. When your mind is in tune with the Lotus Sutra, miracles happen. You have to practice earnestly what you preach, though. You have to reach for the pear before you can eat it. You have to practice the Dharma before you gain wisdom.”
I remained puzzled as I could not understand it.
Venerable Master smiled to me, and said, “Keep your mind characteristic of emptiness. Keep searching for the true mind of brightness and permanence no matter how hard it is. Bitter Coldness makes the plum fragrant. When the clouds smile, the rain stops. It is easy to obtain the good affinity. Nevertheless, it is empty literature. It is devoid of it all. Auspiciousness shall surround you and you’d attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.”
I thought to myself, “Why is it different from the book?”
Venerable Master said, “People are unwilling to do it if it is insignificant, or bring little benefit to them. Your master knows it well. Take a step-by-step approach. For the sake of the Proper Dharma, the Great Penetration Wisdom Victory Buddha, the Thus Come One goes to you. The self is not the self. He has his needs. He shall leave you one day, and leave behind what is needed by the people. The language is wonderful and thought-provoking. It is as natural as the breeze in the mountains and the billows of the sea. Be patient and bearing. It is a state wonderful beyond description. Understand the enigma contained in the lines, and you shall get it through. All of you shall be able to attain the Bodhi. Follow your mind whatever you do. It'll bring boundless benefits to the people. I have already bestowed the predictions onto you. Just keep it going.”
I was quite confused like being surrounded by cloud and mist.
Venerable Master then rubbed my head, and said, “Get back. Delve into my words. This is what I have to say to you.
I kowtowed to Him time and again, fully inspired. Soon I found myself sitting on a lotus. Amidst rays of golden lights, I was back.
I kept thinking over what the Buddha had said. My feeling was beyond description.
A voice spoke to me, “Amitabha-Buddha! Master sees clearly your efforts and devotion. The visit brings an end to your trip, which is of far-reaching importance. May I exhort you to vigorously practice cultivation to improve yourself? Awakening! Awakening! Awakening! Emptiness! Emptiness! Emptiness!
I now understand it. Master, I shall always bear in mind your words! It is all over. I shall not be attached to it. Nor will I want to see it again, or show it off—it is my original true-self.
Well, being original means being ordinary. Reflect within, and our true-self shall manifest. It all starts from our mind!