Q: What are your vows?
A: Buddhism in China is generally conservative. I want Buddhist Sutras translated into English. Why are Catholicism and Christianity so prevalent? It is because they have translated the Bible into different languages. If Buddhism can have all the Sutras translated into different languages, it will not lose out to Catholics and Christians. I am ready to integrate every religion at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Every religion may conduct their services in the new temples we plan to build. By being inclusive, I believe sectarian thinking will diminish.

Q: What are the qualifications to becoming your disciples?
A: You must change yourself.

Q: What should I do if I want to recite Sutras but I don't have a Buddha statue in the house?
A: You must first learn how to read if you want to recite Sutras. Once you can read, you can naturally recite Sutras.

Q: Can bows completed on a bowing pilgrimage be counted toward the 10,000 bows that we must do? (Editor's note: The Venerable Master required that anyone who takes refuge with him must bow 10,000 times.)
A: I asked you to bow 10,000 times for taking refuge with the Triple Jewel, but you try to negotiate and pull numbers from here and there. This is not a business and you are not paying off a loan. If you can't complete the bows, you are not sincere enough. We are not bargaining over prices.

Q: If no one were to make any donations, where would you get food to sustain you?
A: In that case, I might as well starve to death.

Q: I can't keep a vegetarian diet, but can I still recite the Great Compassion Mantra? The Theravadan monks sustain themselves by going on alms rounds and eat whatever they receive. Why must we be vegetarians?
A: When you eat meat, you should ask yourself, "How would I feel if other people were to eat my flesh?" "Do not do onto others what we do not want done to us." You should also ask yourself, "Why can't I be a vegetarian when many people are? Why do I have to give in to meat?" The Sutras do not give any detailed explanation as to whether one may be a non-vegetarian and still recite the Great Compassion Mantra.

Q: Must we transfer our merit after reciting a Sutra?
A: Transference is an attachment to marks; non-transference is also an attachment to marks. Anyone with attachments will not resonate with the Buddhadharma.

Q: How do I cultivate "dwelling on no false thinking within; being untouched by the six objects of defilement without"?
A: By not getting married and leaving home.

Q: Proper Dharma exists when we protect the Shurangama Sutra and to recite the Shurangama Mantra. How many time should I recite this mantra?
A: As many times as you would like.

Q: What is karma?
A: Karma is a burden on people, their lives, and their spirits. We store our karma in our warehouse that is the field of the eighth consciousness. Neither large nor small, this warehouse is possessed with supernatural powers, being able to contain heavy or light loads of karma. It does not make the distinction between yours versus mine. No one can steal, rob or take karma away from you.

Q: I read this line in a magazine, "If we can't become Buddhas from studying Buddhism in this lifetime, then we have not been studying correctly." What is the Master's opinion with regard to this statement?
A: If you have been studying incorrectly, then learn what is correct! "We should not have any books if we believe in them entirely." I don't know about magazines and I can't write articles. I'm no expert when it comes to magazines because I have no time to read them.

Q: I have worked hard my entire life, so why doesn't my son listen to me and respect me?
A: It is because you are too obedient. You did not work too hard in your previous life. "To suffer is to end suffering; to enjoy your blessings is to use them up." You should acknowledge that you owe him and that you have to pay your dues. If you don't pay back your debts, your debtors will come knocking on your door every day, asking for their remuneration.

Q: How should I cultivate every day in order to leave birth and death?
A: Cultivation is about "watching our every move; staying close to home (the mind) whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down."

Q: What is the source of greed, anger, and delusion? Is it because of unwholesome karma from our past or from the absence of cultivation now?
A: All of the above. Anyway, it will be okay if you can get rid of them. It would be useless if you don't get rid of them but only ask about their origin.

Q: Master, what is your view on spiritual penetration? Do you have any?
A: What spiritual penetration? I don't even have ghostly penetration, let alone spiritual penetration. I don't talk about spiritual penetration, only wisdom. Intuition or foresight could be a result of your wisdom, and not spiritual penetration. Our spirit has incredible power. If you behave properly and follow the rules, you will naturally have that wisdom after some time. Spiritual penetration is just some minor trick developed on our spiritual path; it's not worth mentioning. Don't think it is something special. People who really cultivate do not pay special attention to it and do not reject it either. It's just a natural tendency.

Q: Many people don't see any results from their cultivation despite having done so for a long time. Is the Buddhadharma not working? Maybe the Sutras and mantras don't have the power to make miracles happen?
A: That's not it. It is because you are not sincere. You cultivate in a sloppy manner and only go through the motions. You simply do what everyone else does. You haven't been sincere.

Q: Which Sutra is suitable for beginners?
A: Any Sutra is suitable.

Q: When my parents passed away in mainland China, I wasn't able to visit their gravesite. Am I right in thinking that they wouldn't receive the effect of my bowing to the Buddhas here in Taiwan?
A: If you are sincere, they will receive the effect no matter how far away. If you are insincere, they will not receive anything even if they were right before your eyes.

Q: Please describe the spirit of Venerable Master Hsu Yun.
A: He did not sleep.

Q: Can Buddhist disciples eat eggs?
A: Why bother asking me this question when you know you simply have a yen for rich foods?

Q: Why can't vegetarians eat eggs?
A: Eggs hatch without a rooster or a hen. Not knowing about this before and without any proof, people used to say that eggs do not hatch without chickens to roost them. Why do people who eat eggs have this theory? It is because they want to eat eggs. Chickens lay eggs without or without the rooster. The Shurangama Sutra tells us that "eggs are created by thought alone."

Q: What is the difference between Buddhism, Taoism and the Heavenly Way?
A: Buddhism is Buddhism; Taoism is Taoism; and the Heavenly Way is the Heavenly Way. Their names already indicate their difference.

Q: Are Taoism and Buddhism in the same family?
A: Are Chinese and Americans all human beings?

Q: What is the difference between Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism? Are they the same?
A: One represents elementary-level curriculum on morality; one represents secondary-level curriculum on morality; and one represents university-level curriculum on morality. The university curriculum tells you to take refuge with the Triple Jewel: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Don't forget the Triple Jewel. The secondary level curriculum tells you to take refuge with your essence, energy, and spirit. Don't expend them carelessly. Beginners are taught to perfect the ways of being human.

Q: Is there any difference between Taoism and Buddhism?
A: Taoism only goes halfway, whereas Buddhism takes it to the ultimate end. You don't really understand the Buddhadharma if you don't understand Taoism. You don't really understand Buddhism if you only understand Taoism. Taoism is only the beginning one or two steps; it only reaches the halfway mark.

Q: Where do Buddhism and Taoism differ?
A: Tell me the differences between old, middle-aged, and young people. Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are in the same family, but respectively, one is a child, one is an adult in the prime of his life, and the other an old person. Would they understand the way each other think?

Q: Why am I chronically ill? What should I do about it?
A: Your health condition is poor because you had killed many living beings in your previous lives.

Q: What's the fastest route to Buddhahood? How should we study? Which Sutra or mantra should we recite? Which Dharma should we cultivate?
A: You should recite the Sutras of not getting angry, not getting upset, and not scolding people. You will become a Buddha quickly with these three Sutras.

Q: How do we put an end to lust, including thoughts of lust?
A: It will end if you don't think about it! How can it end if you are thinking about it? "Become aware of the thought as it arises; it disappears as soon as you are aware of it."

Q: How do we use mantras against different evil spirits?
A: The spells of some non-Buddhists, ghosts, and demons could sometimes make your head or tooth ache, or eyes sting. Sometimes they could make you immobile, dizzy, insane, or talk gibberish. If you were to recite a mantra, you could break their spells and render them ineffective. The mantras are not meant for you to assault those evil spirits for no reasons.

Q: Is it a must to contemplate while reciting mantras and the Buddha's name?
A: You will have fewer stray thoughts if you contemplate; otherwise, you will have more stray thoughts.

Q: Master, you had said that we would see some results after reciting the Great Compassion Mantra for three years. Please tell me what kind of wonderful mental state exists at the end of those three years?
A: Ask me this question after you have recited the Mantra for three years.

Q: While I'm reading Buddhist scripture, I will recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva at the same time. Am I not concentrating?
A: It's fine as long as you are concentrating! Why ask about it?

Q: At Chang Geng Hospital in Linko (Taiwan), I saw the Master beat a patient over the head with your cane. What was that supposed to mean?
A: I did not like the looks of this sick patient, so I hit him.

Q: Master, in your Dharma talks, you told us to study Chan samadhi. We really want to learn, but you will be going back to the U.S. shortly. We will not have an opportunity to learn from you.
A: If you have enough faith, I can teach you every day, not only while in Taiwan, but from the U.S. also.

Q: What is the meaning of life?
A: Hurry up and die if you feel life is meaningless. If you feel that there is meaning to your life, then that means everything.

Q: Can laypeople be delivered from birth and death?
A: You make your own observations. If laypeople can be delivered from birth and death, you don't need to ask me about it. If they cannot be delivered from the cycle of birth and death, you don't need to ask me about it either.

Q: Why do people worship the Monkey King instead of the Great Master Hsuan Zhuang of the Tang Dynasty? Did the Monkey King really exist?
A: People like the Monkey King because of his golden baton, his ability to do summersaults and travel to the heavens and hells. The characters of the Monkey King, the pig, and the novice monk really did exist, but as invisible spirits who protected the monk of Tang Dynasty whilst he traveled to India for Sutras. They were not visible to ordinary people. They were spirits without physical form.

Q: My younger sister is suicidal. She behaves strangely and talks nonsensically at school. My family helped her by crossing over her debtors. Though her condition has improved, she still relapses on a regular basis. Does the Master have a way to cure her?
A: She should recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva with real sincerity.

Q: Someone told me that my younger brother is a jinx to my mother. He will be a threat to her life and that he should not live under the same roof as my mother. Is there a way to solve this problem?
A: I don't understand these problems, as I am a monk, not a street quack.

Q: National Master Yulin refused to return to laylife to get married. I don't agree with his decision. Master, what is your view on this?
A: I don't concern myself with this kind of things as a monk. Please do not ask me about the things that you do: getting married, having children, etc.

Q: Why is it that people in Taiwan use money as a measure for judging which Buddhist has cultivated well or poorly? How do we find the real path to Buddhahood?
A: The real path to Buddhahood is the poorest. Such Buddhists are not interested in money; they don't want it.

Q: A friend of mine lost his vision due to an automobile accident. Many famous doctors couldn't help him. Master, please give me some pointers as to how she can recover completely. Thank you!
A: You must recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva. There is a four-line verse in "Guanyin Bodhisattva's Universal Door Chapter," that goes,

Your sun-like wisdom shatters darkness.
Immaculate, your virgin light unfurls.
To quell disasters, winds and storms and fires.
A universal light for all the world.

The automobile accident happened because of cause and effect. Your friend probably had blinded someone's eyes or had damaged the eyes of a bird or an animal that he had been trying to kill. Therefore, he suffers this retribution in this lifetime. That's all there is; it's nothing unusual.

Q: Please tell me how a beginner should be studying Buddhism? How do we choose the right place for cultivation and wise advisors? How do we judge whether a dharma is proper?
A: There is no one right way. You have to have the ability to choose the proper Dharma for yourself. If the Dharma is genuine, you should not treat it as if it were false; and if false, you shouldn't treat it as if it were genuine. That would be enough.