(Book 129 Entering the Most Hidden Yin- Yang Realm《走入最隱秘的陰陽界》)
‧Written by Master Sheng-yen Lu
A student named Zhao Guangping (Lianhua Guangping) told me the story below:
During a Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day), Zhao Guang- ping went to the Songshan Temple in Taipei to pay his respects to his late grandparents. The cremated remains of his grandparents had been kept in the columbarium part of the temple for many years and every year during the Qingming Festival, he would make the usual visit there.
Many people went there to offer incense, and it was always busy at the Songshan Temple.
His character then was reckless and unrestrained, and at that time he had not yet taken refuge in me or done any dharma practice. He was merely accompanying his parents to offer respects and incense to the Buddhas.
He entered the columbarium. Inside, the cinerary urns were stored in separate compartments, one after another. Despite the arrangement, it was still visibly chaotic.
He raised his head randomly and caught sight of a full color photograph. The picture was a lovely portrait of a young, beautiful and graceful lady and he was mesmerized, unable to tear his gaze away.
The lady was of medium build, her form and figure were handsome; especially her oval shaped face and soulful eyes. Her full head of glorious hair hung naturally; she was really an incomparable beauty. He was dazed, and stared like a simpleton.
He even placed his palms together and sighed, “What a beautiful woman! Why did life and death mercilessly tear us apart? Today we are within inches from each other, and yet so far apart, what a pity!”
He continued looking for a long time and paid attention to the name on the plaque – Zhang Xiaohui.
Seeing that his parents were not around, and nobody was paying any attention to him, Zhao Guangping hastily bought incense for offering. He swiftly lit the incense and burnt the paper money for her, reciting the name of Zhang Xiaohui as he burned the paper money.
His parents thought this was strange, “For whom are you burning so much paper money?”
Zhao Guangping replied, “For grandfather and grandmother.”
His parents nodded, “Guangping has matured and become a dutiful grandson.”
He ignored the conversation between his parents and continued burning the paper money while reciting, “Zhang Xiaohui, Zhang Xiaohui, Zhang Xiaohui.” He recalled her fair features in his mind, thinking intently of her. Despite having seen her image only once, he felt like his soul had been wrenched away from him.
After burning all the paper money, he went back to see her again. Once more he placed his palms together to pray.
He felt that his actions had arisen entirely from an immense sense of adoration, and he had done what he did most willingly.
***
About half a month later, Zhao Guangping was in his study preparing for his end-of-semester examinations when he casually raised his head. Under the light before his eyes, as if in a dream, a lady dressed simply in unadorned white and enveloped by a delicate fragrance appeared before him. She seemed like a celestial maiden from among the flowers, or the daffodil spirit Fairy Ling Po herself. He took a better look and remembered; this was Zhang Xiaohui.
He was shocked.
Zhang Xiaohui said, “I came especially to meet you as I wasn’t able to contain my feelings of gratitude.” She continued, “Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.”
Zhao Guangping had heard that there were ghosts in the world, but he had not believed it; and now he had met one.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m a kind ghost,” Zhang Xiaohui tried to console him. His heart was calming down gradually.
He saw that she was gorgeously and exquisitely beautiful, and then he was not afraid at all.
At this time both of them held hands and sat together.
Zhang Xiaohui gave guidance on Zhao Guangping’s homework, “For tomorrow’s exam, you will be asked to solve this Calculus problem. If you can remember all these five practice exercises, you will be able to obtain full marks.”
“Really?” He was disbelieving.
“Of course,” Zhang Xiaohui replied, leaning towards him.
“How do you know?” He was doubtful.
“Because I’m a ghost!”
“A ghost!” Zhao Guangping was afraid again; but, what he embraced was a lady’s skin as fair as jade. Momentarily, he again forgot his fear.
Time passed…
During the examinations the next day, the five problems in the Calculus section were exactly the same as the ones advised by Zhang Xiaohui. Zhao Guangping finished all of them with ease.
The other subjects also appeared as Zhang Xiaohui said.
Zhao Guangping was really surprised.
After that, Zhang Xiaohui appeared often, but only Zhao Guangping could see her. Other people were not able to see her. Zhao Guangping and Zhang Xiaohui had become as inseparable as glue and lacquer-they were very much in love.
***
Once, he asked, “You don’t look like someone who might die prematurely. Why did you die so early?”
“I committed a killing in a previous life, therefore I died early. My guilt is profound. Since my death, I have had no place to go. If you are sincere about me, please recite the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra ten thousand times for me. I’ll never forget your kindness.”
“High King Avalokitesvara Sutra?”
“Yes.”
“Where can I find this sutra?”
“Presently in this world, only the True Buddha School of Living Buddha Lian-sheng Sheng-yen Lu prints the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra. True Buddha School has it.”
(to be continued)
