Coming West

I chose to call this entry Coming West, because that is in fact the meaning of Hsi Lai (or Xīlái = 西來) in Chinese. In China, in the past the Dharma always came from their west, i.e. India and central Asia. However, now for us the Dharma is coming West, (although frankly, Asia is to the west of California.

As the last entry shows, I flew out of Oakland. It was a bit more of a pain than flying out of SFO but $20 cheaper! I took BART over to the Coliseum station and then transfered to AirBart. If you ever do so, be sure to have $2.00 in coin or BART ticket to give the driver, you must pay with the exact fare.

The flight down to Long Beach was very short, under an hour, and pleasant as such things go. Jet Blue's service was basic but efficient and to my relief there was more leg room than that offered by British Airways.

Before I flew down, 師父 (a true Bodhisattva 菩薩)had very kindly arranged not only for someone from 西來寺 to pick me up but also had made sure that I'd free accomodations within five minutes of the temple. She'd told me that in order for the person picking me up to recognize me, I was to wear a BLIA (Buddha's Light International Association) jacket. So, at arrival in Long Beach, I donned the yellow jacket.

Venturing out into the gentle breeze and friendly southern California sun, I soon became aware that depite my wearing the prescribed bright BLIA jacket, my ride was not there. I'd landed at 3:00pm - right on schedule. Waiting a half hour, finally at 3:30, my ride showed up. She had been delayed in traffic - not uncommon in the land of too many automobiles and insufficient freeways.

The driver was very engaging and we conversed during the ride from the airport to 西來寺. She is normally the telephone operator at the temple but had been assigned to pick me up. She was very sweet, originally from Indonesia but of Chinese descent. She'd lived most of her life outside Indonesia, however, in Singapore and Hong Kong, before coming west.

When we pulled up to the temple, I was really impressed by the accomodations. 西來寺 itself is located on a hill and in a semi-circle at the foot of the hill stand several very modern large houses. It turned out that in one of those houses is where I was to stay over the weekend: great! I'd envioned bunkbeds in a dormitory environment with shared bath facilities. No, that's not what lay in store for me. Instead, I had a room to myself as well as a modern bathroom all to myself, as well. In addition, a modern, well-equipped kitchen offered the sojourner a very wide variety of coffees, teas and other beverages. I even had at my disposal a computer where I could check my e-mail! I got settled in very quickly and made my way uphill to 西來寺 itself.

As I approached the 西來寺 main gate, I was in awe of the size and beauty of the grounds and edifices. It was as though a bit of China had magically dislodged itself, taken flight across the Pacific and landed on a southern California hill.

As dinner time drew nearer, I made my way to the cafeteria. I made myself a plate of delicious Chinese food and took a seat. Soon I was joined by Simone. Unbeknownst to me, 師父 had asked her to look after me. Simone and I had a wonderful conversation. She told me that I was just the kind of person that ABC Budhists in America needed: someone who understood American culture. Interestingly, I heard the same comments from another ABC guy named Allen the following day.

Being very tired from all the travel, I went back to my quarters eager to see what this crucial weekend was to offer.

The following day I had breakfast in the cafeteria, returned to my quarters and continued to read 師父's gift, Handing Down the Light， 大師's biography. Soon I got a call from Ven. Dr. Yifa. She suggested that we talk while toghether going to the post office. She picked me up and we together sent off an important package to North Carolina.

Upon returning to my living quarters, the guest keepers were all excited, 大師, who normally spends his time in Taiwan, was there in the same building. Ven. Dr. Yifa told me to stick around as she went to join him. Within a half hour, 大師 emerged from the other room. Upon sighting him, I immediately greeted him as Ven. Dr. Yifa introduced me. His words of advice were "persistence". I told him that I would indeed be persistent.

Soon thereafter, Ven. Dr. Yifa and I went to the kitchen for a talk. We got to know each other very well over coffee and tea. Her erudite manner and sophisticated knowledge of American ways made an indelible impression on me. This was really someone who I could talk to.

Ven Dr. Yifa made arrangements so that I would be able to attend a party thrown by one of 佛光山's devotees. It was very interesting sociologically. Most of the people spoke 國語, so I was happy that Allen and Simone were there to talk to. They both emphazised that I was just the kind of person that 佛光山 needed in America. 大師 spoke at the party, as well. Since my 國語 is not yet the best, I could only observe him and the others interacting. Although I didn't understand much, it was still worth it being there. Having enjoyed myself, I returned to my living quarters.

The next morning, I went to the English-language Dharma class held every Sunday at 西來寺. The Venerable was teaching the Eightfold Path. I recall her teaching us the following acronym to remember the eight components of the Eightfold Path:

UT SALE MC (The University of Toronto has a sale on McDonald's.)

PRAJÑA
Right Understanding
Right Thought

SILA
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood

SAMADHI
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

After the Dharma class, I walked a little farther up the hill to the mediation hall. After both walking and sitting meditation, I came to the realization that my experience trumps my comments on it; i.e., the authentic experience of the moment is closer to the truth than our brain's subsequent, unceasing comments and interpretations of that experience.

Leaving the meditation hall, I decided to take a look at the Dunhuang exhibit. It showed how Buddhism had entered China from the West on the Silk Road. Beautiful paintings I viewed. I hope someday to be able to see the Mogao Caves with its ancient Buddhist art.

Having viewed the exhibit, I returned to my quarters to get ready for the flight back to Oakland. Before leaving, I did make sure to say good-bye to Ven. Dr. Yifa.

I flew back to the Bay Area a different person.