On May 3rd, 2008, returning to my homeland, Taiwan, I presided over a homa ceremony of the Kalachakra.  More than thirty-five thousand people attended the ceremony held inside the Linkou Stadium. Such a large crowd drew the media and the resulting publicity brought great attention to the ceremony.

Among the many honorable guests were:

The Secretary of Kuomintang, Mr. Dunyi Wu, the Chief Advisor of the Administrative Council, Mr. Chuizhen Qiu, and the Chief of the Taoyuan County Council, Mr. Zhongyi Zeng. 

The main objectives of the ceremony were for the protection of Taiwan and for the Kalachakra empowerment. It lasted seven hours.

All kinds of news media including TV stations reported positively about the event with the exception of one weekly magazine. The commentary and coverage stirred the entire nation and struck at the heart of people regardless of whether it was positive or negative. 

Someone asked me, "How can there be both positive and negative reporting of the same event?"

I answered, "Such is human existence."

He then asked, "Was there a profound meaning in your performing a ceremony for the protection of Taiwan?”

I answered, "So the ship can cruise smoothly and steadily."

He asked again, "Is there anything else to say about this besides smooth and steady cruising?"

I answered, "The rocks on the peak of Yushan mountain vary."

Here, I ask everyone, including my disciples, to think about this statement, "The rocks on the peak of Yushan mountain vary."

Do you understand the meaning? 

Do you? 

There was a Zen Master in Tanzhou named Wunshu.

A monk asked Master Wunshu, "What happened before Zhurong peak (the highest peak of Hengshan mountain)?"

Master Wunshu answered, "Auspicious grass took root on the rock."  

The monk asked again, "Under a benevolent ruler, people receive his generosity; what auspicious omens occur when an enlightened monk is born?" 

Wunshu answered, "A steel ship cruising along thousands of miles of sand."

He asked yet another question, "What is the origin of the adornment?"

Wunshu's answer was: " When the landscape includes fields of chrysanthemums, travelers have far to go.”

There are similar perspectives if the two dialogues of the essay above are compared. Enlightened readers you are welcome to write an article explaining these dialogues. If anyone answers correctly, Buddha would definitely award a certificate and prize.

Everyone is encouraged to give the answer a try.

A poem: 『Protection of Taiwan』

Chant and turn the pages of the Sutra.

A benevolent leader took office.

Such a top quality being,

Makes the future unlimited.