Do Not Change the Subject
When Grand Master Lian Chi (蓮池大師, 1535 – 1615, the Eighth Patriarch of the Pure Land Tradition) renounced family life at the age of 30 and traveled throughout China to seek guidance from the wise, one of the teachings he found most impressive is as simple as this: “Abide by your role. Do not clamber after conditions, fames or profits. See the interplay between cause and effect. Wholeheartedly and single-mindedly, recite the Buddha’s name.”
When Grand Master was ready to renounce this earthly existence altogether, he knew half month in advance the exact time of his departure for Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the final words he left for his disciples are just as simple: “Be mindful of Amitabha Buddha. Do not change the subject.” Having said that, he serenely resumed reciting Amitabha Buddha and departed with complete ease, a marvelous display of spiritual mastery.
As a perfect example of how someone who had truly realized the Buddha’s teachings and completed the practice would be, Grand Master Lian Chi was proficient in all Buddhism schools, merging Chan Meditation, Pure Land Practice, Scriptural Study, and Observation of Precepts (禪.淨.教.律) into one. He’s also prolific in writing, bestowing upon us many well-known works, including Commentary on Amitabha Sutra, Essays by the Bamboo Window, Collection on Rebirth, Doubts and Debates on Pure Land.
As one way to appreciate and feed on Grand Master’s spiritual bestowal, I am translating Essays by the Bamboo Window《竹窗隨筆》, one piece at a time.
Confucius said, “I only transmit; I don’t create. I am faithful to the old masters; therefore, I take pleasure in learning from them.” (述而不作，信而好古)
Between One Breath and Another
Never Kill in the Name of Love
Sacrificing the Deer Wouldn’t Work
Should Your Parents Bow to You?
Foolish While Alive, Enlightened Once Dead
Mistaking Worldly Intelligence for Wisdom
Homage to Those Who Recite the Buddha’s Name
The influences of Grand Master Lian Chi extend way beyond the time he lived in (the Ming dynasty), reaching far and wide into the present, and still forging ahead with great energy. Here are a few samples of the insightful views he has imparted:
• Chan and Pure Land are one, not two; mindfully reciting Amitabha Buddha is a supreme form of Chan in itself.
• All the Buddhas’ teachings are concentrated within the name of Amitabha. By chanting Namo Amitabha or Amituofo, we are paying homage to all the Buddhas, taking refuge in all the Buddhas, receiving the Dharma teachings, upholding the precepts, eradicating all karmic obstructions, generating the greatest merits, attaining perfect focus, and opening up to the Ultimate Wisdom.
• Among all the expedients for enlightenment, seeking rebirth in the Pure Land is the most direct and therefore the most straightforward; among all the methods of Buddha remembrance, reciting Amitabha Buddha is the simplest and therefore the most efficacious.
• Being born in the Pure Land is the most reliable way to attain enlightenment, far quicker than with any other methods.
• Only the Dharma Door of Pure Land is all-inclusive, applying to all beings of various conditions; anyone and everyone could rely on Pure Land Practice to attain complete liberation within one lifetime – this current lifetime.
• Amituofo is the light of our true nature; Pure Land is in our purest state of mind.
Buddha Mind 