You Are The Source Of My Inspiration

When my husband was taken to the hospital for a lumbar disorder, I gave him Master's book, "The Key of Immediate Enlightenment", to read. His condition was very serious, and he had been confined to the bed for a year and required constant bedside nursing.

He had acquired some Buddhist knowledge in the past, but never had he been in touch with teachings so systematic, scientific and wise. After seeing Master's portrait and studying Master's teachings, an idea emerged in his mind: he decided that, should he recover and be able to sit up, the first thing he would do is engrave seals out of Master's dignified portrait, the aphorisms in Her teachings, and the words of veneration toward Master. (The art of seal cutting is a branch of calligraphy passed down for thousands of years from ancient China.) Awed by Master's supreme teachings, and Her boundless mercy towards humankind, he decided to depict Master's magnificence and great teachings through the art of seal engraving.

Something incredible happened. My husband had been bedridden for a year, not responding to any medical treatment and could not even turn his body in bed. In only over a month after having read Master's teachings, he could sit up to take his meals. With a dramatic improvement in condition, he was discharged from hospital.

Having returned home, he kept thinking about getting up and starting to cut the seals. Every day, he would lie on the bed reading Master's books and magazines, and began to design the draft plans of the seals. The urge in his heart was so overwhelming that he insisted to sit up. Unexpectedly, he picked up the carving knives, ground the stone material, and started cutting the seals for seven or eight hours continuously. His absolute devotion made it hard for him to put down the knives, and he would not rest until he was strongly urged to do so.

After one night's rest, his condition did not deteriorate the next day. Conversely, he felt much more relaxed, and his lumbar problem was gone! He could even ride the bicycle around everywhere, which totally bewildered our neighbours!

Since then, he miraculously improved every day. After over half a month's incessant hard work, the seals were finally finished! He was extremely delighted. He had stopped cutting seals for over a decade, theoretically, and considering all other factors, his skill should have been inept. However, the result was unbelievable. The creations showed that his skills in calligraphy, composition and cutting had improved tremendously compared to a decade before.

Throughout the creation, he felt he was being supported by an invisible power. Sometimes, he was so totally absorbed in the cutting that he was oblivious of anything going on around him. Master's teachings pervaded all his works. He forgot that he was a sick person, and did not feel any lumbar pain. Obviously, it was Master who had mercifully blessed him, and saved him from the curse of illness.