The Book That Unravels Life’s Mysteries

“Dharma Sister, the numbers for book signing have all been given out!”

Venue: Daden Culture book stall at Taiwan Lei Tsang Temple

I was holding on to “The Buddha I Know: Thus Have I Heard”, the latest book by my Root Guru, His Holiness Living Buddha Lian Sheng, with my other hand grasping onto the cash, wanting to pay for the book.

“No problem, Dharma Brother. Without the autograph of Grandmaster, I would still wish to buy this book.” I smiled in reply, thanking him for his friendly reminder.

I prefer reading from an actual book over an ebook. Back at home, I have one full wall of my Grandmaster’s books on my bookshelves.

I rarely buy my Grandmaster’s books from Lei Tsang temples. Usually, for His latest release, I would buy from Singapore Kinokuniya book store. It is my hope that this little gesture would help to boost sales at external bookstores, so that my Grandmaster’s books can continue to be sold beyond the temples. To pay for it is my small token of appreciation and support for the author’s effort.

To have my Grandmaster’s autograph on the book is, of course, covetable, but whether the I can attain enlightenment is still dependant on my hard work.

When I first heard my Grandmaster announcing the book title “The Buddha I Know: Thus Have I Heard”, I immediately felt a sense of closeness.

Everybody has a different starting point for believing in the Buddha. There are some people who are devoted to Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva, and hence take refuge. For me, it was because of Shakyamuni Buddha.

During my NUS Buddhist Society days, I often visited a Sri Lanka Buddhist temple in Singapore. I would pay homage to Buddha and circumambulate the Bodhi tree. For many years, I would be at the temple regurgitating my troubles and sufferings to Buddha. Sometimes, I would circumambulate endless rounds around the Bodhi tree while being troubled. When my first relationship failed, I cried in front of the Sleeping Buddha for 2 hours.

At that time, I didn’t understand why my life was tougher than other people, no matter how much effort I poured in. I kept pleading to Buddha for an answer. For what am I alive for? Why do I have to come to this mortal world? What can I do to improve my life?

Naturally, how could the Buddha that sat on the altar literally speak to this resentful girl?

With the money I scrimped and saved working part-time during my uni days, I bought a Buddha statue and after having it consecrated, I enshrined the statue in my study room. Once, when my mum was angry with me over some issue, she threw away the Buddha statue while I was out.

Upon graduation, I bought another Buddha statue. The silly me assumed that both statues are of Shakyamuni Buddha when in fact, they were of Mahāvairocana Buddha.

I guess this must be one affinity why I took refuge in my Grandmaster 5 years later.

In 2013, Seattle Lei Tsang Temple started a new column “Thus Have I Heard”, reporting on the daily Dharma teachings of Grandmaster. Dragging the husband along, we volunteered to translate a few of the reports into English for the official website. It was our little way to repay Grandmaster for his selfless contributions and teachings.

Now you know why I took a liking to the book title almost immediately.

On the flight back from Taiwan, I read the book for about 2 hours.

I suddenly had a realisation. The young lady that cried and bemoaned her fate in front of Shakyamuni Buddha 19 years ago had her prayers answered after all. Buddha did hear her pleas and did not let her prayers go unfulfilled.

I was a Science student and since young, I was full of curiosity for this world. The encyclopaedia I had at home had been read at least 100 times over 10 years. But I had always felt that the knowledge humans need to know should be more than that.

Before taking refuge in Grandmaster, I had read, watched and listened to many Dharma discourses expounded by many famous Venerables, both in English and Chinese. They all explained the teachings of Buddha very well.

However, only Living Buddha Lian-Sheng could thoroughly answer my conundrums about life and this universe, through His Dharma discourses and books.
Dictionary

Especially in this book.

Apart from the science that we know, there is indeed another dimension of existence, another field of energy from the Universe.

When we take refuge to learn the Dharma, we are essentially learning what the Buddha had taught. The sole purpose is to eventually attain Buddhahood.

But do you know, just what kind of Buddhists are recognised by Shakyamuni Buddha as true disciples?

And how can we humans break free from sufferings and achieve bliss? How can we tame the wild minds in us? How do we return to our true self from this mortal body?

Just what actually is our true nature?

That day, Shifu asked a young lady, “You say you wish to learn the Dharma. Then do you know who is the founder of Buddhism?”

She had read all of Shifu’s FB articles from 2013-2019, but was unable to reply.

Do not treat the Buddhadharma as ordinary mortal knowledge, let alone masquerade under the name of learning the Dharma, but in reality, using the knowledge to make more money and build a business. Peddling the Buddha for self-profit is a sin that would have you swallowing red hot iron balls and drinking boiling hot liquid iron in Hell!

Before my trip to Taiwan, Shifu told me to take a photo with Taipei 101. So I went there with my Grandmaster’s book.

Master Dai Hu had taught me, Taipei 101 is the modern-day version of Wen Chang Pagoda.

In ancient times, Wen Chang is highly valued, because it favours the academics, scholarly achievements and career. When a certain mountain form is lacking in certain geographical locations, a Wen Chang Pagoda ( also known as Wen Feng Pagoda) would be constructed to activate and encourage the birth of more scholarly people.

So in the old days, there is the Wen Chang Pagoda, and now we have the Taipei 101.

In the past, there is Buddha who first expounded on the Four Noble Truths. And now, we have His Holiness, Dharma King Lian Sheng, to continue turning the Wheel of Dharma.

What about humans? Throughout history, humans have lived a befuddled existence. Even till now.

Most people want Wen Chang because they pursue fame and recognition. I covet Wen Chang, because I hope to get enlightened sooner. Oh please, let me be less stupid…

Whether you are new to the teachings of Buddha, or a Buddhist disciple for years, if you are pursuing the ultimate truth of Life like me, this book will open up your eyes and have you singing in praises.

Just how well do you know Buddha?

I strongly recommend this book and you can purchase it online at the links below, or hop over to True Buddha Prajna Treasury to read the ebook or listen to the audiobook for free.

1. Kinokuniya Singapore – Link
2. Kingstone Taiwan – Link
3. 真佛般若藏 True Buddha Prajna Treasury – Link

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