True Admiration Of The Moon

Once, I meditated all through the night. During the early hours of the morning, I suddenly felt that I was pulled up by a very strong force, strong enough to move Heaven and Earth. I was rushing upwards in great speed. Immediately my soul was released from the bondage of my physical body. My consciousness entered a unprecedented and indescribable level. The whole process was like going through a "great explosion". In no time, all my thoughts and ideas totally disappeared. It was just like what the ancient Zen masters said, "Both Heaven and Earth were shattered", and there was "The absence of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind." (From the Heart Sutra)

I left everything behind, surpassed time and space, and entered a "state of holy consciousness" that seemed to have existed since the beginning of time and that was everlasting. At that time, my heart was filled with bliss and total understanding. I felt that I was in an ocean of love, that I had become one with it. I felt like a long lost 'sheep' that had finally returned to his mother's arms. The sense of security and of being moved was immeasurable.

Meanwhile, in the darkness, there appeared a circle of radiating light from which a very bright white light shone at its center. Although the white light was bright, it did not hurt my eyes, and it seemed to contain unlimited power. The many waves of overwhelming light not only lit up my heart, but also awakened the supreme wisdom that had laid dormant inside me for so long.

Blessed by this loving power and great light, I suddenly came to realize, as if I had just awakened from a dream, "Oh! Life on Earth is indeed like a dream, and everything is truly created by one's mind." I totally appreciated what is written in the Diamond Sutra, "One should not be attached to anything, and that is how one's original nature will appear".

I also completely understood what Bodhidharma said, "One cannot know Buddha if one searches with the mind." Having gone through so many searches, so many struggles and so many conflicts in my heart, I finally found the "Buddha-nature" that Buddha talked about, the "Holy Spirit" that Jesus spoke of, the "Master of Wisdom" in Islam and the "Supreme Consciousness" in the Bhagavad-Gita. I truly and absolutely understood that "All of Creation is one, and everyone indeed has Buddha-nature".

I did not know how long this experience lasted, but I eventually came out of samadhi. Then I felt rejuvenated, extremely happy and at ease. My body was overflowing with a blissful and joyful vibration. My heart was free and filled with peace. When I looked into the mirror, I found that I was like a changed person. My face was filled with brightness, and my skin was as smooth and tender as a baby. The energy channels throughout my body were unblocked. I kept feeling a stream of energy rushing from below my stomach through my lower back and surging up to the top of my head. A 'hole' seemed to have opened in the top of my head. Whenever I focused my attention on that 'hole', I could feel a high level vibration from above continuously pouring in through it. My consciousness would also leave through there at any time to experience other "great explosions" and enter a tranquil and peaceful world.

But there was even more than this, I also discovered that I seemed to be able to use this 'hole' to breathe! There really was a complete transformation, spiritually as well as physically. What a "rebirth from bathing in the great flames!"

Not long afterwards, a retreat was held at Hsihu. It happened to be the Moon festival, so Master especially joined the disciples to have a good time and set off firecrackers. Being on duty as a guard at that time, I was fortunate enough to be near Master's side.

Suddenly, I heard Master exclaimed, "Oh! Everyone look! The moon is out!" Although I was on duty, I also followed Master and looked up to appreciate the moon. "Wow! What a round moon! Wow! It's beautiful!", came the praises from the crowd repeatedly.

However, my heart was elsewhere. I only felt that the scene before my eyes looked familiar, as if I had seen it before. Then I suddenly realized, "Oh! This was it! Is this not what I saw during meditation some time ago?" Although the moon was not as bright as the white light in my vision, it was definitely the same! Of that I had no doubt at all.

Since then, in the quiet time of the evenings, I like to look up at the starry sky and search. Whenever I see the bright moon again, an unforgettable feeling emerges in my heart once more. I always take the opportunity to remind myself not to cling to the outer world of illusion, and seek inwardly for the eternal Kingdom of God!

Oh! Master, Your disciple finally understands why people in ancient times wanted to admire the moon!