Good morning all fellow students. "The reward and retribution of good and bad deeds are like a shadow accompanying a body". The first two lines are the general principles of the book. The rest of the text is the detailed explanation of them. The first line " Neither misfortune nor good fortune will come without reasons and conditions, we incur them", is the principle of request. The second line "The reward and retribution of good and bad deeds are like a shadow accompanying a body" explains the true reality of response.

There are principles and phenomena within these two lines. The magnificent adornment of the universe is one complete request and response. A world or a society is a small-scale reward of cause and effect while a person or a family is the smallest reward of cause and effect. Thus, all sutras given by Buddha Shakyamuni follow this principle. The "Flower Adornment Sutra" explains the Five Kinds of Cause and Effect while the "Lotus Sutra" explains the cause and effect in attaining Buddhahood. We come to realize that all teachings are causes, conditions and effects. So, it is often said in Buddhism that "All existing things are empty in nature except the Law of Cause and Effect".

Yesterday, we read the story of Mr. Zhong-Da Wei from the Song Dynasty. In reality, his story was sited as an example of request and response. Who or which sentient being is not like him? Throughout our lives, we have committed infinite and boundless misdeeds. Although people in the past like Mr. Zhong-Da Wei committed numerous bad deeds, those of people today exceed theirs by hundreds and thousands of times. Why? People in ancient times learned the teachings of sages and virtuous people. Thus, most of Mr. Wei’s misdeeds only consisted of improper thoughts, not improper behavior. Although he had bad thoughts, he was afraid to commit them because he had been educated in the teachings of sages and virtuous people.

These days, people not only have bad thoughts, they dare to commit them. The most serious offense is being unfilial to parents or slandering the Triple Jewels. Have we ever committed these mistakes? We would do well to reflect on whether any of our thoughts or behavior would have been a disappointment to our parents. Have we ever disappointed the Triple Jewels? This is a major offense, not to mention others.

The "Infinite Life Sutra" explained about "Unknowlegeable elders" which means that we do not blame others for their improper thoughts and behavior. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and those with tolerant dispositions and compassion and will forgive those who commit bad deeds, but spiritual beings will not. "In the end, reward or retribution will be meted out for every good or bad deed." It is just a matter of time.

The principles of retribution are very profound while its phenomenon are very complex. We cannot observe what is in the present. It takes true wisdom for one to distinguish the present reward or retribution of cause and effect. How could ordinary beings like ourselves be able to see and detect the present reward or retribution? We actually have to see through the minds and intentions of others in their deeds in order to understand that reward or retribution truly is like a shadow accompanying a body.

In Buddhism, there are three kinds of rewards and retributions. The first is that of the present. It takes a cause and a catalytic condition to generate an effect. Causes were created in our previous lifetimes while conditions are those we encounter in our present life. These conditions we encounter bring out the karmic causes within our Alaya Consciousness, thus, generating effects.

Good effects definitely are generated from good causes and conditions. There are two kinds of good conditions, adverse and favorable dominant conditions. Both will incur good rewards. Why? Because of the good causes planted in our Alaya Consciousness. If causes within our Alaya Consciousness are bad, then even with good conditions, bad consequences and occurrences will still be generated. Therefore, these truths can be clearly understood if we calmly observe our environment and ourselves.

Those who knew me for a long time knew the conditions I have encountered throughout my life. I had encountered good and bad conditions. The good ones were that I met a few good teachers. Mr. Dong-Mei Fang introduced me to Buddhism, Master Zhang-Jia helped in establishing my foundation in Buddhism and Mr. Bing-Nan Lee helped me to succeed. These were good causes and good conditions.

During my propagation of Buddhism, people at the learning center where I became a monk would not tolerate and banished me. This was a bad condition. After thinking about it, what resulted was good. If I had not been forced to leave, I would not have accomplished what I have. Why? Accomplishment takes innumerable practice on stage. No matter how nice they were to me, I was not allowed to give Dharma talks and had no opportunity to be on stage. Later, this bad condition generated a good effect as I met Ms. Han. She dedicated thirty years of her life helping me in my accomplishment, giving me every opportunity to give lectures while she had full authority of the Hwa-Zang Library (the Learning Center in Taipei, Taiwan). Many people complained that she seized the authority, but I just smiled. For me, it is wonderful to have someone in charge of things and not have to worry.

Most people would regard encountering someone like Ms. Han as an adverse condition. But from my perspective, this is a favorable condition because she helped me achieve. She wanted everything and I gave her all I had which helped me to sever my Three Poisons of greed, anger and ignorance. Thus, when a good cause encounters a bad condition, it still generates a good effect. Although others criticized her, I am deeply grateful to her. Most people cannot see this.

Once the Hwa-Zang Library was established, it was authorized under her name. After she passed away, her son inherited the center. We had no alternative but to leave. Was this a good result? Yes. I am very grateful to her son, Mr. Gui-Min Gao. Why? If he had continued to support me like his mother did, it would have been too much for me at my advanced age.

After Ms. Han passed away, I planned to spend three months in the United States, Taiwan, Australia and Singapore. It would have been very hard to travel back and forth. Her son took over everything and we left the Library. I no longer have to go back to Taiwan or to the United States. This has saved my time and energy, allowing my mind to settle in Singapore and thus, begin my lecture series on the "Flower Adornment Sutra". How can I not be grateful to him? I am no longer rundown with worries and constant traveling, but am fully settled here in Singapore.

I am simply a guest in Singapore and do not make any decisions. Mr. Bock-Guan Lee is the man-in-charge. I concentrate only in teaching, training young venerables and giving lectures. I am still a monk with the "Three No Cares" rules. I do not manage people, matters or money. I do not look through, but donate all monetary gifts received to establishing the Amitabha Village. Not handling even one penny, what freedom I have! How can I not be grateful to Mr. Gui-Min Gao? Only those with true wisdom are able to clearly see and realize the reward or retribution of cause and effect.

The most important thing lies in our minds, our intentions. This is the cause. External situation is the condition. With a kind heart, our causes are good, then even when we encounter bad conditions, good effects will still be generated. Good causes generate good effects and bad causes generate bad effects. The book clearly shows us this principle. So, there is a present reward or retribution. These are due to a strong cause and a remarkable condition. The second kind is a dormant reward or retribution where effects do not materialize in this life but in a future one.

When we observe events around us, we see some rewards and retributions that do not seem to be from the causes in our present lives. We may see a good person living in poverty, suffering retributions while a bad person is enjoying great wealth and social status. Please understand that the cause of their good fortune was planted in their previous lives and have simply matured in this life. Consequences of their present misdeeds will materialize in future lives. Reward and retribution are connected through the three lifetimes of past, present and future. The third kind is subsequent reward or retribution. After the next life, or any life thereafter, results will be generated when a cause encounters a catalytic condition.

Once we understand this principle, we will realize that by maintaining a pure mind and honest heart, we are assured of being rewarded with good fortune in future lifetimes. If we fail to do this, we will encounter adversity. We need to comprehend the true principle and reality. In the commentary, we read, " The reward or retribution of our good and bad deeds is like a shadow accompanying the body". This is a metaphor. When we are under the sun, our shadows persistently follow us. Like our shadow, reward or retribution will pursue us wherever we go. Therefore, we should not misinterpret and lose confidence (in the truth) when we do not see retribution following bad deeds.

The ancients have said that the reason people who commit misdeeds do not receive retribution is because their good fortune accumulated from previous lifetimes are not yet depleted. Once their offenses reach the limit and their good fortune is exhausted, they will face retributions. Likewise when we see someone with a kind heart and behavior faced with countless ills and misfortunes in life and not receiving good rewards, we begin to doubt and lose confidence in the principle of request and response. We do not realize that the adversities suffered in the present life are the results of misdeeds in previous lifetimes. After the retributions are exhausted, the good fortune will come into effect. We will truly accumulate good fortune when we remain unwavering in our confidence and do not regress from our virtuous mind and behavior regardless of the circumstances.

In the past, when pursing our studies in Taichung, Mr. Bing-Nan Lee encouraged us to read "The Five Kinds of Manners" by Mr. Hong-Mou Chen. It contained "An Essay on Mind and Appearances". Mr. Lee encouraged us to study it. We were told to earnestly uphold the teachings in it and to correct our faults. A true cultivator will reflect on his or her faults daily. If we are able to detect our faults daily, then we are, as taught in Buddhism, in the initial stage of awakening. True cultivation is to correct our faults daily. We will be assured of obtaining infinite and boundless good fortune in the future.

Reform starts from the mind, for it is the root of good fortune and misfortune. A good thought is the cause of good fortune whereas a bad thought is the cause of misfortune. Thus, "Neither misfortune nor good fortune will come without reasons and conditions, we incur them ". In the past, children were taught at home by their parents and in schools by teachers. Frankly, our generation is not as fortunate because we are no longer being taught. I was fortunate to be taught by both my parents and teachers. When I went to Taiwan, I had the affinity and condition to study and learn under a teacher. I was very fortunate. In Buddhism, it is rare to encounter such a wonderful opportunity in hundreds of thousands of eons.

My three teachers, Mr. Dong-Mei Fang, Master Zhang-Jia and Mr. Bing-Nan Lee, had many students. Why did each student have different levels of achievement? The difference lies in whether or not we are eager to learn. If we are studious, we will achieve when studying under a good teacher. if we are not, it will be lost opportunity even if we encounter a good teacher. Eagerness to learn is the cause and a good teacher is the good condition. Therefore, what is most important is our causal conduct and practice, which are gradually attained, accumulated and achieved from previous lives, not in the present life. We can see why a good teacher may have many students, but very few true achievers. The reason lies here (in eagerness to learn). Although conditions are alike, but with different causes, they are bound to have different effects.

Once we understand this principle and truth, we will know how we should learn and practice. Today, we are aware of the disasters in our world. Not only, were these foretold of in ancient prophecies, we can see this for ourselves. How? Observe the minds of most people. The ancient Chinese books have said that when our hearts are kind and steady, our society will be stable and people will attain good fortune. Nevertheless, if our minds are filled with suspicion, jealousy, greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance and the rights and wrongs of others, then our society will be unstable and the world will be in chaos. Frankly, advocating "Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons" and the "Accounts of Request and Response" is the most effective way to help ourselves and our society. If we are able to read and uphold the teachings daily and mindfully chant "Amituofo" to seek birth into the Western Pure Land, then we are assured of becoming Buddhas. This is why I was delighted when people requested me to lecture on these two books, for they are the most suited to our needs at this time. In Buddhism, we say to accord with what people need and understand and to accord with the truth. This is all for today. Thank You.