Some chain reactions around me seemed to be triggered by the news of Master Sheng-Yen's passing away, which was sent to me by friends from Dharma Drum Mountain soon after it happened. Many of my other friends, Buddhists or not, shared their stories about how Master inspired them, among which are Wen-Ren's sharing on his participation in Young Buddhist Camp back in his high school days, and Chi-Yuan's sharing of how he got inspired when he first saw the phrase "We don't need much; we just want too much" (a quote on Master Sheng-Yen) on a street poster.

My story with Master Sheng-Yen is interesting, too. Back around the year of 1984, a teacher I was close to brought me and another student to Nung Chan Monastery to visit. After a vegetarian lunch, we sat on meditation cushions listening to Master's dharma talk. The next time I saw Master Sheng-Yen was year 2005 in New York City. And in December 2006, I had the privilege of participating in a 10-day Huatou meditation retreat, led by Master Sheng-Yen. I heard it was the last time he came to the US, due to his health condition. The image of him teaching, so at ease and peace, albeit in great discomfort, is still vivid and inspiring to me today.

The fact that so many people around me have been inspired by Master's teaching, is a good example of how a great mind influences a time.

I myself have benefited a lot from Master himself and his disciples, dharma-wise; yet I've never sought to become a disciple under him. In retrospect, I think it had a lot to do with my ego. I grew up in a time full of propaganda -- we recited ethical codes daily, sang songs to praise the political leaders, and saw people idolize and worship the leaders. Having enough of those, I was not able to appreciate how Master Sheng-Yen, leading such a huge organization of Dharma Drum Mountain, had to come up with ways that a particular society is able to accept, to teach dharma. My friend Chi-Yuan had his moment of enlightenment simply from a phrase on a street poster (I can't help think of the Hui-Neng's awakening upon hearing a phrase from Diamond Sutra). Compared to that kind of gain, I have lost big because of my pride and prejudice.

Master's will shows great wisdom of a great practitioner, too. This paragraph, for example:

6. After I pass away, please request Professor Lin Qixian and his wife to complete the “Chronicle of Master Sheng Yen's Life” up to the time of my death, as historical materials for the reference of future generations. Therefore, please do not compile or print any commemorative collections and the like.

reminds me of the story of Buddha when he was about to enter Parinirvana. One of his disciples asked him what to do with his relics. He said, "for you, what's important is my teaching. Leave the relics for those who are into them." (Note: I can't remember where I read this story. A sutra of Chinese Buddhist tradition describes how Buddha told his disciples what to do with his relics in details -- I highly doubt its authenticity. However, the version I prefer may have also been romanticized.)

With this article, I pay my great respect to Master and share my memories of him.

Original note: I can't remember where I read this story. A sutra of Chinese Buddhist tradition describes how Buddha told his disciples what to do with his relics in details -- I highly doubt its authenticity. However, the version I prefer may have also been romanticized. (see new note below)

2020-10-17 note: I was able to find the source in the Nikāya Sutra and a Chinese translation from the original Pali. However, I cannot find a non-copyrighted English translation so here's the original Pali text for reference:

"Kathaṃ mayaṃ, bhante, tathāgatassa sarīre paṭipajjāmā" ti?

"Abyāvaṭā tumhe, ānanda, hotha tathāgatassa sarīrapūjāya. Iṅgha tumhe, ānanda, sāratthe ghaṭatha anuyuñjatha, sāratthe appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharatha. Santānanda, khattiyapaṇḍitāpi brāhmaṇapaṇḍitāpi gahapatipaṇḍitāpi tathāgate abhippasannā, te tathāgatassa sarīrapūjaṃ karissantī" ti.

2026-08-13 note: I was able to find a translation with Creative Commons license (see dn16:5.10.1 and dn16:5.10.2):

(Ānanda asks): Sir, how do we (the monks) proceed when it comes to the Realized One's corpse?

(Buddha replies): Don't get involved in the rites for venerating the Realized One's corpse, Ānanda. Please, Ānanda, you must all strive and practice for your heart's goal! Meditate diligent, keen, and resolute for your heart's goal! There are astute aristocrats, brahmins, and householders who are devoted to the Realized One. They will perform the rites for venerating the Realized One's corpse.