Begging to all sentient beings for the promotion of Dharma.

* A letter from Shifu, late Master Sheng Yen, to his disciples, 1979

Dear Practitioners:

I have been in New York for nearly a month now. After leaving BAUS (the Buddhist Association of the United States), with no financial backing, I’ve been looking for a place to settle down. All the while, I’ve also been entrusted with the responsibility to set up a new branch for Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture. It has been very difficult indeed, and day in and day out, I’ve had to scuttle back and forth in the wintry streets of New York.

Having said that, in order to spread the Great Buddhadharma in the West, I feel it’s matter of course to dedicate my life to [the tasks], as a way to repay the Buddha’s benevolence. Currently, I still don’t have a permanent place to live. Sometimes I’m put up in the Chinese temples in Chinatown, sometimes in the houses of lay-disciples. We do not have steady funding to buy a house, or even to rent a place. Ironically, I have received more assistance [during this time of difficulty] than ever. People have invited me to stay at their homes, and offered their places for me to spread the Dharma and teach meditation. I’ve also found ways to reserve classrooms at schools/universities as venues for activities. Currently, I am working on setting up the new branch for Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture. Buddhadharma will never let us down.

All of you should practice diligently and work hard to improve yourselves. Your Shifu has lived in poverty throughout his life, yet he has never become disheartened. All my life, I have never personally bowed down to harsh circumstances. But for the sake of seeking Dharma and propagating Buddha’s teaching, I am willing to beg for alms from all sentient beings. Faith and dedication to the Path arise from hardship and desperation. Comfort only leads to regression, especially for beginners. What I mean by “hardship” doesn’t mean for you to ask for troubles with no reason. Instead, it means when hardships become inevitable, you learn to accept it gladly. Do not worry about my circumstances—more often than not, I find new opportunities amidst the most desperate situations.