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Master Hsing Yun on the Monkey

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Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo ( Chinese ) In 1983, at Pumen Temple on Minquan East Road in Taipei, Venerable Master Hsing Yun (before he began referring to himself as “ Great Master ”) suddenly said: “The King of Hell asked a monkey whether it wanted to be reborn as a human. ‘ First, pluck the fur from your body ,’ he told it. The monkey plucked just a bit and immediately cried out in pain. The King rebuked it: ‘ Not willing to part with a single hair, yet you wish to become human? Away — to the Avīci Hell! ’” Master Hsing Yun said he wanted to “ build temples to support monks, spread the Dharma, and benefit all beings .” He believed everyone should contribute according to their means: those with money should give money, those with ability should give effort; and those with neither should at least offer a kind heart and kind words. We helped promote his “ Northern Sea Merit Certificate ,” which enabled the rise of a religious kingdom. Fig 1: “Northern Sea Merit Certificate” I...
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The future is yet in your power

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Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo ( Chinese ) Today, July 8 marks the fourth anniversary of the passing of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (1954–2022). A simple yet solemn memorial flower-offering ceremony was held at Bao-An Temple in Hongmaogang, Fengshan, Kaohsiung . Friends from various sectors gathered to pay their respects. Fig 1: Statue of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Linda Din, internationally known as the “ Mother of E-Commerce ,” presented flowers on behalf of the families of Taiwanese veterans. Fig 2: Linda Din presenting flowers on behalf of Taiwanese veteran families In 2016, while we found the way of welcoming the spirit of my uncle Kun-Yi back to Taiwan , we visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo . Fig 3: On the way to Tokyo to welcome the spirit of my uncle Along the way, someone promoted Japanese sake—claiming it was brewed with water from Mount Fuji . Linda unexpectedly bought two bottles and carefully carried them throughout the journey. Upon returning ...
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My Uncle, A Taiwanese Soldier in the Japanese Army

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Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo ( Chinese ) Before my grandmother passed away, she would often sit alone, lost in thought. On October 25, 1970, in her final moments, she faintly murmured, “ Find… find Kun-Yi… ” Kuo Kun-Yi was my older uncle. During Pacific War, he was forced by the Japanese military to sign a so-called “ Volunteer Form ” and was conscripted into the army. He was sent from Cijin, Kaohsiung , by ship to Southeast Asia , and from that point on, no further news was ever received. Only a group photograph sent by the military remained, becoming my grandmother’s sole consolation for the rest of her life. Today, I have used AI to restore my uncle Kun-Yi’s youthful image (Fig 1). Fig 1: Kuo Kun-Yi — “voluntarily” enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Army (circa 1942) Life is a Continuum of Karma: I often heard my grandmother say during prayers, “ Kuo Kun-Yi passed away at 19 …” Since 1923 plus 19 equals 1942, yet the records I later found state that “ Kuo Kun-Yi died in ba...
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