The Lake God

(Book 129 Entering the Most Hidden Yin- Yang Realm《走入最隱秘的陰陽界》)
‧Written by Master Sheng-yen Lu
(contiuned from pg12 , TBN issue # 1052)
　Occasionally, wild geese would fly past and, once in a while, some would descend upon the lakeside. I was not just enjoying the sight of the fast moving clouds; the elegant forms of wild geese gliding down also delighted me. I was not just casually looking at everything. With a mind entering into stillness, one found all waves quiet; with the body in peace, one could hardly feel any breeze.
　Here is a verse:
　
　A boat anchored in emerald water shrouded in mist,
　Without calculating thoughts for reputation or profit;
　I love instead the white lotuses at the lake’s edge,
　Freely blooming and dying unfettered.
　
　While I was looking, the sky started to drizzle. There was a rush of wind, and the lake became even hazier. Colorful bright lights ap- peared in the mist above the lake, revealing four lovely female atten- dants whose beauty was ethereal and beyond this world.
　In the center of this colorful brilliance, the lake god appeared. He had a handsome and distinguished-looking face. His hair and beard were short and stylish, and he wore elegant attire, with long sleeves that fluttered in the wind.
　As he came close to me, his eyes looked familiar.
 “David?” I asked in surprise.
　“It’s me, Master Lu.”
　“What happened? You are still here?”
　“Yes.”
　“And who are you now?”
　“I am the lake god now. I am a god just as you are.”
　David, the lake god, said to me, “That day, Reynold did come to the lake to swim, and I was right there waiting for him. When his feet got entangled by the water grass, I reached out my hands.”
　“Oh! You grabbed his feet.” I found my voice raising.
　“No, I untied the water grass that was wrapped around his feet.”
　I heaved a sigh of relief.
　David the lake god continued, “Letting my replacement go also meant that I did not get to be reborn. All the water ghosts of the citizens of the drowned had known of my impending rebirth and, when I missed the chance, they all felt sorry for me. I didn’t feel so bad myself, I was actually happy for doing something right. Master Lu, you are right, one should not do anything that benefits oneself but hurts others.”
　“And ever since then, a light has appeared inside my heart,” said David the lake god.
　“A light?”
　“A light of virtues. After that incident, I went on to save three more people’s lives. Their car plunged into the lake, and I opened the car door for them.”
　“Ah!” Boundless praise and admiration welled up in me.
　“After the original lake god moved up to a higher position, his post fell naturally onto my shoulders. I am now the chief administrator of this lake, and I have the power to call upon rain, to ride upon winds and to render help to other beings.”
　“Wow, you are indeed a god now!”
　“Master Lu, I am indebted to you for your teaching.” David was very happy.
　“Do you still drink?”
　“Not any more!” David said, “I am now the lake god, a good god.
  I take pride in being brave, upright, and moral. I would like to take refuge in you and practice the Buddhadharma.”
  I taught him the Fourfold Refuge and Five Precepts, and David the lake god formally started his practice of True Buddha Dharma.
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