Whether going with the flow or against the flow, Nothing is apart from doing the Buddha’s work.

One of the two speakers who just gave a dharma talk is Jin Bo Shi, a bhikshuni. “Bo” is the first character in the Chinese term (Bo Re) for prajna. When she first left the home life, she was called Jin Re Shi, which required a lot of tongue twisting to pronounce. So, her name was changed to “Jin Bo Shi,” which was easier to articulate. It’s just switching the first and second Chinese characters for prajna. She is from Malaysia. Shortly after leaving the home life, she has been doing laborious work at the City of Dharma Realm (CDR). Till this day, she is still working tirelessly. She teaches physical education at the school within CDR.

Sitting next to her is Jin Wen Shi. “Wen” is the first character in the Chinese term for gentle (wen he), so therefore she’s very gentle. She is also from Malaysia. After these brief introductions, you should now know a little more about them. Hence, the introductions have come to be briefer, and I don’t know if that is the right way to do it. Since they seldom come here, I take the time to make a special introduction about them. Having introduced one, it will be unfair if I don’t introduce the others. The Buddha mind is the embodiment of equality, which we will learn in the repentance ceremony that’s about to begin. Jin Wen Shi is an accountant. She also teaches at the school within CDR.

The next speaker is Jin Zhe Shi, and her full monastic name is Chin Li Jin Zhe. “Zhe Li” is the Chinese term for philosophy. To say the least, being able to become a bhikshuni in the ranking of a grandchild disciple, in the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association founded by the Venerable Master, is a circumstance that’s extremely difficult to encounter.

During the Vietnam War, Jin Zhe Shi was fleeing to escape from the atrocities of war. Being able to survive under such extreme peril was not easy. She further said that most of the refugees who were able to survive long enough to reach safety were eventually sent back to Vietnam. She was one of only two or three who were able to stay. She has been through so much danger and difficulties along the way to be able to be here today. Therefore, I believe her reverence of the Three Jewels, of her dharma body, of her wisdom life and of her own life, may be different from ordinary people. What she has now is attained at the risk of her life. This also illustrates the saying, “Thus is the cause, thus is the effect.”

As the Venerable Master has said, anything good that we encounter does not come to us without a reason; anything bad that we encounter does not come to us without a reason either. What we have to keep in mind is how to eliminate old karmas in accordance to conditions. Also, within auspicious conditions, we have to learn how not to create evil karma nonchalantly. Everyone should pay close attention to his/her mindfulness in doing every task.