Letter Seventy-Six (Appendix)

With reverence, I prostrate before Elder Master Yuanyin:

If one truly maintains this one mind and proceeds straight ahead, without concern for gain or loss, delusion or awakening, but simply continues in a wild and uninhibited manner, wholly without attachment—does this constitute the path of conduct for a Mahāyāna Buddhist disciple? Looking at Buddhist disciples today, most carry on their affairs amid birth and death, unwilling to let go at once and accord with suchness. At root, this failing is due to an impure causal ground and an insincere attitude.

[It is because they well understand that “the cycle of rebirth in the six realms is itself transcendence of birth and death” that they dare to act so recklessly. How lamentable!] I now hope that, at this crucial point, Master will offer a decisive pronouncement. This would truly open the true eye and fully reveal the secret intent—a blessing for sentient beings.

[“Pu!”] Regarding the empowerment, before I had even earnestly requested it three times, Master had already granted it. How fortunate I am to receive the blessing of your compassionate light! On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, I shall do my utmost to go to Shanghai; this too is simply following conditions. [There is no need for you to come to Shanghai. I shall perform a remote empowerment for you; it is no different from coming to Shanghai in person to receive the empowerment.]

Before receiving the empowerment, I made this vow: “Sentient beings and I are intrinsically nondual. When one person receives an empowerment, all receive it. Through this merit and virtue, may it extend universally to all. May we sentient beings attain Buddhahood.” [Excellent! Amitābha Buddha!] Namo to my gracious teacher, Elder Master Yuanyin, the Root Refuge Vajra Ācārya. Namo to all Buddhas, bodhisattvas, vajra Dharma protectors, and deities throughout the ten directions and three times of the entire vajra dharma realm. May I swiftly open wisdom and attain Buddhahood, liberate sentient beings, and seek no other fruition.

Miaowu, disciple of the Heart-of-Heart Dharma

May 3, 1993