THE MASTER'S KINDNESS, THE DISCIPLE'S PIETY

Chen Hui-jian, a famous Buddhist scholar in Taiwan, wrote an article in the Tzu Chi Semimonthly in 1986 about Master Cheng Yen's mentor, Master Yin Shun. An excerpt follows:

Master Cheng Yen is deeply influenced by Master Yin Shun. She has completely inherited the venerable monk's personality of simplicity and modesty. Therefore, she is able to guide Tzu Chi volunteers to do humanitarian deeds for the public and continue to bring light to the world.

Master Cheng Yen is very respectful to her mentor, and the old dharma master is very kind to her. He has passed on to her the Buddha's teachings of non-appearance, no "I," kindness, compassion, joy, and unselfish giving. Their relationship is built on the basis of the mutual immersion of the teacher's and the disciple's personalities, missions, and wisdom.

After accepting Master Yin Shun's instruction, "Be committed to Buddhism and all living beings," Master Cheng Yen set herself as an example by leading all Tzu Chi people in bringing love around the world. Although she could not be by her master's side all the time, she still visited him every time she traveled around Taiwan. "The Mentor," as Master Yin Shun was known by all, would sometimes stay at the Abode of Still Thoughts or go to the Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center for treatment. Then, the nuns, the volunteers or medical staff would grasp the opportunity to show their respect to him or ask him questions on Buddhism.

GATHERING OF TEACHER AND DISCIPLES

Less than one month after a major earthquake that struck on September 21, 1999, Master Cheng Yen looked much thinner because she had been working so hard to help quake survivors.

October 19, 1999, Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center

DO THE BEST YOU CAN

As the Mentor was getting ready to return to Huayu Abode, everyone came to bid him goodbye. The old dharma master said, "Everyone needs to cultivate their compassion and walk on the Path of the Bodhisattvas. With so much suffering around the world, I hope everyone will help redeem people from their suffering, not to seek blessings for oneself, but to do one's duty."

Master Cheng Yen accompanied her mentor to the airport and stayed there until she couldn't see him anymore.

September 6, 2000, Abode of Still Thoughts

A MODEL OF PERFECTION

Master Cheng Yen went to see Master Yin Shun at the Fayun Abode in southern Taiwan, where he was staying for a short while. She presented him with a copy of the Tzu Chi Chinese Monthly magazine. The cover of the magazine showed the construction of the mosaic of "The Buddha Sprinkles the Earth" and the surrounding wooden sculptures in the Still Thoughts Hall in Hualien. She also gave him a fragrant sachet that contained powder shaved from a 1,000-year-old Chinese cypress. On the bag was written the word "harmony." "The master's life is a harmonious one," said Master Cheng Yen with admiration.

Photo by Ji Yu, June 3, 2001, Fayun Abode

STARTING THE MISSIONS

Someone once asked Master Yin Shun, "Was it your spiritual support that helped Master Cheng Yen establish the Tzu Chi Foundation and keep striving forward?"

"It was all her own strong determination and willpower," answered the monk. He pointed out that Mahayana Buddhism emphasized public welfare and one's own courage. "It is normal to encounter difficulty when one walks on the Path of the Bodhisattvas. If your determination is strong, you don't worry about any difficulties; you simply keep on walking toward your goal."

Master Cheng Yen said, "It's my mentor's merits that protect me along my Tzu Chi Path. When I started building the Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center, I encountered much difficulty. My master gave me both visible and invisible support, for which I am still very grateful."

BIRTHDAY

On Master Yin Shun's 100th birthday, Master Cheng Yen knelt down before him and presented a newly woven robe. Cameras and camcorders flashed continuously, attempting to catch the Mentor's gentle appearance. Later, Tzu Chi Foundation Vice President Lin Bi-yu showed the Mentor the images she caught on her digital camera.

"I sneaked out this time to come here and not many people knew where I was going, but they..." Looking at the volunteers around them, Master Cheng Yen continued: "I still don't know how these incredible volunteers heard about it."

The Mentor said, "There are too many people!" His statement reflected Master Cheng Yen's preference for quietness.

Photos by Ji Yu, April 6, 2004, Huayu Abode

WHAT SHE MOST HOPED FOR

When Master Cheng Yen had finished her regular island-wide tour in early June, she immediately went to see her mentor in the hospital. "Did you get up and walk around?" The old master needed to walk to keep his blood circulating, so Master Cheng Yen always encouraged him to stroll around.

Master Cheng Yen would be leaving again soon, at the end of June. She was relieved to see her mentor in better health.

June 28, 2004, Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center

BENEFITING ALL LIVING BEINGS AND PROMOTING BUDDHISM

The day before the groundbreaking for the Taichung Tzu Chi compound, Master Cheng Yen went to Huayu Abode to invite Master Yin Shun to the ceremony.

On that day, people cheered when the 97-year-old master arrived at the site. As everyone sang Tzu Chi songs, Master Cheng Yen held the song sheets for the old monk. With a big smile on his face, the Mentor pointed to the lyrics and said to Master Cheng Yen, "They're singing this part, this one here."

During his speech, the Mentor told the attendees that he was extremely delighted to attend the ceremony. He sensed that the fundamental spirit of Buddhism was being promoted and all kinds of wisdom and methods were being used to encourage all kinds of humanitarian work. Buddhism should bring great benefits to the public. Observing this grand ceremony, he felt confident about the propagation of the basic spirit of Buddhism.

April 14, 2002, Taichung Tzu Chi Compound

SAVING THE POOR AND THE SICK

In 1979, Master Yin Shun came to stay at the Abode of Still Thoughts for a while. After lunch one day, he reminded Master Cheng Yen to take good care of herself.

Master Cheng Yen said that she wasn't concerned about her health; instead, she was wondering how to help Tzu Chi continue forever. She was looking for a way that would allow the humanitarian work to go on.

The Mentor asked, "Is there such a wonderful thing on earth?"

Master Cheng Yen said, "I want to build a hospital because a hospital can save people's lives. Even when I'm not around anymore, the hospital can still carry on."

The Mentor reminded her that it would be a really tough job to build and manage a hospital.

He wrote an article to help raise money to build the hospital. He wrote that Buddhism aimed at relieving people from their suffering, and illness was one of the Eight Sufferings. In Buddhism, attending sick people has always been seen as a major way of gaining merit that all Buddhists should engage in. "I hope everyone will understand the Buddha's compassion and help complete the construction of the hospital to show that Buddhism is truly in the human world."

The Mentor felt that the Tzu Chi Foundation was such a famous humanitarian organization because the organizer had one sincere vow, worked dependably, and appealed to the public to work together. He encouraged everyone to work together for the completion of the hospital--if everyone donated money or offered his or her strength, the hospital would surely be completed.

The Mentor attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the hospital in 1984, and the hospital was opened on August 17, 1986. The hospital lobby displays an epigraph by the great man, which reads as follows: "Only with a strong will can herculean tasks be completed. Only with compassionate sincerity can humanitarian missions be carried out. After years of preparation, Buddhist Tzu Chi Hospital has finally opened and become the pivot of medical services in eastern Taiwan. This was all made possible because of Master Cheng Yen's compassion and courage that attracted people from all walks of life and gathered so much goodness."

Photos by Huang Sheng-bi, April 24, 1984, groundbreaking ceremony for Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center

PROFOUND MEDICAL RESEARCH

Master Cheng Yen and her mentor looked at bacteria through a microscope at the pathology department of Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center. On that day, Master Cheng Yen accompanied Master Yin Shun and Master Zhen Hua to the Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center and the Tzu Chi College of Medicine. When they arrived at the college, they were asked to sign their names in the guest book. Master Zhen Hua wrote, "Tzu Chi saves people around the world with compassion," and the Mentor wrote, "Profound medical research benefits all mankind."

October 31, 1995, Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center

GOOD DEEDS PREVENT DISASTERS

On October 13, 2002, after a series of typhoons in Taiwan and the September 11 terrorist attacks in America, Tzu Chi people around the world held an activity called, "Let love shine on earth, plant the field of blessing." Tzu Chi members prayed that love would conquer all conflicts and hatred and stop all natural and man-made calamities.

On the same day, the Mentor led all the nuns at the Abode outside and prayed together with them. He said, "Love means that when you see all the suffering in the world, your compassion is fired up and you try to remove the suffering so people can all live peacefully."

There are all kinds of misery, and poverty is one of them. The Mentor said that in addition to providing material relief for the poor, we could also bring out the love and compassion in their hearts so that love could expand even further.

"Bring out your compassion and love for yourself and other people," remarked Master Yin Shun. "This will improve your spiritual cultivation and will also promote Buddhism."

October 13, 2001, Abode of Still Thoughts

GIVING PEOPLE JOY

Master Yin Shun went to visit the Still Thoughts Bookstore at Tzu Chi University and the eastern Taiwan news center of Tzu Chi TV.

During an interview at the news center, the old master pointed out that the goal of Buddhism was to benefit mankind. Everyone who has joined Tzu Chi should do their best to help other people.

"You must offer your abilities and do the best you can. Since you're working for the benefit of others, you'll gain a high level of satisfaction when you see that other people are happy because of what you do."

November 13, 2001, Tzu Chi University

FOOTPRINTS AT THE ABODE

Each time the Mentor visited the Abode of Still Thoughts, it was always a big encouragement to the nuns and laypeople there.

He was always kind and gentle. He was a beacon of wisdom and the guiding mentor of Master Cheng Yen. His actions always attracted people to approach him and immerse themselves in his wisdom.　

FIRM IN THEIR VOWS

Fifteen postulants were promoted to the status of novices after two years of hard training in the Abode of Still Thoughts.

After the ceremony, the novices paid a visit to Master Yin Shun. He reminded them that in the cycle of reincarnation, we are seldom born as human beings, and even then we rarely have the chance to hear the Buddhist teachings. Thus the novices should all be firm in their vows and never forget this day. They should carry out their spiritual cultivation and slowly build up a foundation for attaining enlightenment. In addition to cultivating their own spirituality, they should help all living beings to do likewise. This was part of the fundamental belief of altruism. They should not be concerned about privilege or prestige, but should concentrate on elevating their characters.

After the group photo, Master Cheng Yen reminded them, "You're truly fortunate, so you must understand and cherish your blessings, and you must never forget this special day."

November 11, 1995, Abode of Still Thoughts

AN EAGERLY EXPECTED CHINESE NEW YEAR PRESENT

Master Cheng Yen and a couple of her disciples went to see the Mentor in the hospital.

During their visit, Master Hui Can was folding the red envelopes that Tzu Chi would present to attendees at the year-end blessing ceremonies. [Red envelopes of money are traditional gifts at Chinese New Year.] She gave some to the Mentor to fold. People praised the old monk for his skill, and he replied with a smile, "Well, I can't do anything else!"

Master Ming Sheng observed that whenever the Mentor was in good spirits, he would sign his name on the red envelopes he folded. These red envelopes would be used as special prizes at the Chinese New Year celebration in the Abode.

December 13, 1999, Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center

THE MOST MEANINGFUL THING IN LIFE

The 12th day of the third month in the lunar calendar was the Mentor's 95th birthday. Over a thousand people flocked to the Abode to celebrate.

In the main hall, Master Zhen Hua, one of the Mentor's oldest disciples, prostrated himself before the great man and wished him a happy birthday. Then, all the other participants took their turns too. Everyone sang the song, "Praise the Three Gems," which had been written by the old dharma master himself.

Suddenly the song changed to a birthday song, "We Wish You Unlimited Age and Blessings." Tzu Chi volunteers pushed eight boxes out to the middle of the floor. Suddenly, eight children jumped out from the boxes! The children ran to the old monk and demanded a hug or a touch on their heads. The scene brought out a burst of laughter throughout the hall.

Some Tzu Cheng Faith Corps members pushed out a huge peach. The old monk gently pulled the red rope, and then the peach opened up like a lotus flower with another smaller peach inside. When he cut open the peach inside, hundreds of tiny pastry peaches rolled down to the floor.

At this moment, supervisors of the Tzu Chi Foundation respectfully carried in a huge cake. The mentor cut the cake three times from top to bottom, and everyone cheered.

The smiling monk said, "I feel so flattered that everyone came here to celebrate my birthday--thank you, everyone! What people need most are blessings and wisdom. We must nurture ourselves to improve our blessings and wisdom. This is the most important thing in our lives. I hope all of you will promote Buddhism and cultivate more blessing and wisdom."

After the visitors left the Abode in the afternoon, Master Cheng Yen went to see the Mentor, who showed no sign of fatigue. Master Cheng Yen asked him if the celebration had ruined his preference for quietness. The Mentor kept smiling without uttering a word, while Master Ming Sheng replied, "After the celebration, the master was calmly reading his book."

Photos by Ji Yu, April 16, 2000, Abode of Still Thoughts

CHINESE NEW YEAR'S EVE

On Chinese New Year's Eve, Master Cheng Yen prostrated herself before her mentor and presented him with a traditional red envelope of money and a gift.

Everyone wondered what the gift was. When it was unwrapped, there was a new, brown-and-yellow Buddhist robe and a cloth book wrapper. Master Cheng Yen said with a smile, "Tomorrow is Chinese New Year, so you have to wear the new robe." [Chinese traditionally wear new clothes on New Year's day.] But the Mentor liked the robe so much that he immediately put it on.

Wearing his new robe, the Mentor led the noon prayer service. He said afterwards that everyone should have a clear mind from then on and strive to make progress in their spiritual cultivation. Everyone should cherish their blessings and seek wisdom. Everyone should take care of themselves, both physically and psychologically, and they should also serve the congregation and all living beings. Thus, becoming a nun or monk could be truly meaningful.

The Mentor hardly ever spent the Chinese New Year at the Abode, so everyone was extremely joyful when he did so this time. Little children also wished the 95-year-old monk a happy new year.

Photos by Ji Yu, February 4, 2000, Abode of Still Thoughts

EVERYTHING IS CREATED BY THE MIND

It was the Chinese New Year holiday. The Mentor, who was staying at the Abode of Still Thoughts, wrote a poetic couplet [a tradition at Chinese New Year]: "Serenely contemplating all the buddhas of the universe/Understanding everything is created by mind alone." Master Cheng Yen also wrote a couplet: "Those who are blessed derive joy from doing good deeds/Those who are wise attain freedom of mind by being understanding toward others." These couplets were pasted on the four pillars in the main hall of the Abode.

Over 130 tables, each seating ten people, were set up for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner, and Tzu Chi volunteers, Master Cheng Yen, and the Mentor dined together. It warmed people's hearts to have a senior "family" member dine with them. During the Chinese New Year holiday, waves of people visited the Abode, and Master Cheng Yen accompanied her old mentor in strolling around the Abode.

The ambiance of harmony and proper etiquette could be sensed everywhere at the Abode during the holiday period, and everyone was thrilled with the gathering of the big Tzu Chi family.

January 11 to February 5, 2003, Abode of Still Thoughts