In this issue:
Buddhism teaches us that we all have the Buddha Nature; that indeed, we are all a part of the “One,” the Unborn. It should come as no surprise, then, that we can experience directly the love, compassion, and wisdom of this Unborn.
I would like to relate one such experience that has become part of the bedrock of my faith. When I was a very young man I got into some trouble and ended up in jail one night. As I sat in that cell I was in a state of shock, almost overwhelmed by distress and fear. Then, all at once, out of nowhere, I just knew with absolute certainty, that the true “me“ could not be harmed no matter what happened to this body. This was an enormous relief to me and a great comfort. I still had to deal with the stress of the situation and the consequences of my actions.
This experience has profound implications for me that continue to unfold over time. One message is clear: there is “Something” greater than this “me” and that “Something” cares for me and is looking out for me. Time and again this has been proven true for me. If it is true for me, it is true for everyone. This, too, is a great consolation as I witness the suffering in the world. When I look back at the painful and difficult times in my life, I see them with a new appreciation of the “jewels” contained within them. We really would like to avoid pain, but the pain is the signal that something needs help, and if we keep looking up, the help will come.
In the beginning there was just a need in me and a response, a sort of miracle really, an act of grace. Later, after years of religious training I learned that I could take my worries and concerns consciously and directly to the Eternal by offering everything up in childlike trust. Reverend Master Jiyu showed us how to do this in How to Grow a Lotus Blossom.
None of this stops us from experiencing the karma of a human being, nor does it relieve us from the responsibility of doing our own training. And yet, each time we receive help, it is a new wonder.