Shih-fu said a thing or two and left. I got up and sat on the couch. Suddenly, I sprang to my feet, filled with dissatisfaction, knowing I still hadn't found it. I slammed my hand on the table. "I won't take this! I won't accept this! Until now I haven't even found the shadow!" I calmed down a little bit and ran out of the lecture hall. On the way to the meditation hall, a clear, direct thought flashed through my mind:

"I am Chi-Ch'eng. Chi-Ch'eng is me." Absolute! Definite! I have found it!

Very quickly I walked in and went straight to Shih-fu. Slapping my chest with my right hand I said, "I am Chi-ch'eng!"

With loving-kindess, Shih-fu said, "You have found it!" Deeply touched once more by his compassion, I prostrated to Shih-fu. Then, facing the Buddhas, I said, "Prostration to all fellow practitioners!" With palms joined, I stood facing the Buddha statues.

"Prostration to the Three Jewels in all directions!"
"Prostration to parents of all previous lives!"
"Prostration to all sentient beings!"


The other practitioners were influenced by this atmosphere; the sound of sobbing filled the Ch'an hall. Having calmed down, I walked towards Shih-fu. "Shih-fu, I have found it!" "Congratulations." We held each other's hands firmly. I felt very very close to Shih-fu ─ not just physical closeness, but closeness of the minds.

Shih-fu told me I could leave the Ch'an hall. A burst of compassion filled my heart. I must let the others know, to encourage and urge them to build up their faith and Bodhi mind. Kneeling facing the Buddhas, I said:

"Fellow practitioners, you must learn well. This is an opportunity rare in a millennium!"-To realize how rare this opportunity was and to treasure it.

"Shih-fu is a bodhisattva coming to this world through his compassionate vows!"-To have absolute faith in Shih-fu.