Although experiencing great success with his singing career in recent years, Alan Ko did not let success led him astray. He is grateful to his mother who often told him that every situation is simple and straightforward if handled with compassion. Moreover, through his late father’s influence, he took every challenge as an opportunity to understand himself better. Therefore, in addition to his mother’s inspiration to face adversity in life, he continuously develops his self-understanding as a way to explore treasures of the heart. Not denying that the entertainment industry is full of temptations, he often advise his friends who are about to go astray to visit DDM and experience or learn the Dharma that is essential in life.

“Giving is a kind of reward; real treasure has no monetary value, rather its worth is measured by the happiness of others brought about by our presence”, quoted Shen Hsin-Ling. Leading a hard life, Shen helped her parents in a small trading stall since she was three years old. When she was six, her mother gave her a “treasure box”, containing only white paper, telling her to write down three kind acts by others to help her and vice versa. Through this, she understood the value of helping others realizing their dreams and subsequently stopped complaining and worrying about her lack of ambitions.

Prior to practicing Buddhism, the articles written by Ven. Guo Yi were not of the topics that she wanted to compose and this was a source of vexation for her. However, after becoming a monastic and tasked to edit the Complete Works of Master Sheng Yen, she realized the concept of accomplishing what she could and learning new skills when necessary. She is grateful that publication of Buddhist texts enables her to combine writing with life; not only is she doing what she is happy with but others reap the benefits from her work too. She is no longer apprehensive of difficult assignments as she views them as pleasing tasks. In addition, from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, she learnt that the Buddha dharma does not focus on solely on right conditions but also emphasizes on an open mind and heart to create good Karma. In conclusion, right intention is very important.

This series of lectures are expected to be the foundation of promoting the “pure land on earth” in central Taiwan before the inauguration of Baoyun Monastery. This lecture concluded with a video depicting the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen’s cultivation of wisdom through the worshiping of the Guanyin Bodhisattva; he did this 500 times every morning. In addition, Master Sheng Yen also encouraged the audience to cultivate wisdom through compassion, modesty as well as viewing misfortunes as an opportunity to practice.

(Translated by Tom Hsieh/Edited by Leefah)