 |
|
Transformation of a Bodhisattva,
Footsteps of an Ascetic Monk
l968 San Francisco
Gradually the amount of grain in the tall glass jar decreased until the birds had to reach far into the jar, often unceremoniously losing their balance in the process, in order to get the food. The Master, fed the birds from a nearly empty jar, gave a 24-character calligraphy lesson every evening during the year l969. He wrote out the Shurangama Sutra and combined many learning potentials into that single lesson, including stroke orders for Chinese characters, techniques of writing brush calligraphy, simple explanations of each passage of text, and development of disciples' memorization skills.
May l970 San Francisco
The First Wesak (Buddha's Birthday Celebration) held by the Sino-American Buddhist Association (later called Dharma Realm Buddhist Association)
More than 600 people gathered to bathe the Buddha in Union Square Park. Then the Sangha led a procession to the great hall (in the First Congregational Church) for the main celebrations of the day. The traditional ritual of bathing the infant Buddha symbolizes the cleansing of our own natures.
