Fourth Letter

Dear Zhijun,

You have been so insistent, and have sent another 50 yuan, which makes me feel deeply uneasy. You may be like the Bodhisattva Akṣayamati, but I would all the more not dare compare myself to the great Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. I had intended to return this money to you, but feared that doing so might hurt your self-respect. Therefore, as you said in your letter, I can only use it on your behalf for a good deed within the Buddhist community, donating it to the Pujing Lotus Society at such-and-such a mountain for repairs to its main hall.

When someone from there comes, and I have obtained a receipt, I will send it to you. I am now bedridden with illness and truly cannot confer empowerment or transmit the Dharma to you. If the causes and conditions permit, once I have recovered and regained my strength, I will write separately to arrange a date and invite you to Shanghai to receive the Dharma, thus fulfilling your wish. No further reply. I wish you diligent practice without hindrance.

P.S. The stamps are enclosed for return.

Li Zhongding

March 30, 1989

[Yongshou Tongzi] Is the teacher an emanation of the Bodhisattva Akṣayamati, and is the master an emanation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara?

[LVM] In my letter, I cited the example of the Buddha asking Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara to accept an offering from Bodhisattva Akṣayamati, and used this example to request that the master accept the offering. That is why the master mentioned the two great bodhisattvas.

[Yongshou Tongzi] When the teacher wrote to the master, stamps were enclosed for the reply as well? Haha, they were returned.

[LVM] Yes. Later, when I wrote again, I enclosed a stamped, self-addressed envelope for the reply, so that the master could send it back directly. ^o^