真如老師文集

When Your Smile Blooms

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Busy–

All of the days melt into one

Tedious

Monotonous

But like a flower in the dawn

Your smile

Blooms

In an instant my heart

Calms

Exhaustion

Like the tides

Recede

Peace rises in my sky

Like the crescent moon it

Shines

When the jarring sounds grow

Louder and louder

My steps become

Erratic

As the rhythm of rushing

Breaks my balance

But

Your gentle smile is like the

Summer breeze

In an instant

I relax

Like having a cold drink on a hot day

I am

Revitalized

Able to guard my heart

Again

When a plethora of unexpected conflicts

Arise

Tired

Overwhelmed

My sword of discernment

Grows dull

I start to lose my resolve

But

Your rousing smile is like a war horn

Calling back my power of

Self-reflection

So I can make clear decisions

Again

Like a sapling draped in the morning sun

I decide

To bloom hope like a garden in

Spring

Sparkling with kindness

Just like your golden

Smile

Busy–

All of the days melt into one

Tedious

Monotonous

But like a flower in the dawn

Your smile

Blooms

In an instant my heart

Calms

Exhaustion

Like the tides

Recede

Peace rises in my sky

Like the crescent moon it

Shines

When the jarring sounds grow

Louder and louder

My steps become

Erratic

As the rhythm of rushing

Breaks my balance

But

Your gentle smile is like the

Summer breeze

In an instant

I relax

Like having a cold drink on a hot day

I am

Revitalized

Able to guard my heart

Again

When a plethora of
unexpected conflicts

Arise

Tired

Overwhelmed

My sword of discernment

Grows dull

I start to lose my resolve

But

Your rousing smile is like a war horn

Calling back my power of

Self-reflection

So I can make clear decisions

Again

Like a sapling
draped in the morning sun

I decide

To bloom hope like a garden in

Spring

Sparkling with kindness

Just like your golden

Smile

 

When Your Smile Blooms: Inspiration

Written by editors

When Your Smile Blooms|Lotus Recollections

Though Master Jih-Chang passed away in 2004, Zhen-Ru has never forgotten her teacher. It has been 17 years, yet she still carefully studies his words, continuing to explore their depths. Through online classes, she also guides others through Master Jih-Chang's lectures on great compassion and wisdom—towards the Mahayana path.

Traversing to the ends of the earth, the Buddha's teachings expound the ways to thoroughly transcend all suffering. Master Jih-Chang would spend his life learning and practicing these unbroken lineage teachings. Knowing their importance, he explained them line by line, guiding those after him to practice in their everyday lives. He encouraged his students to look within, to turn challenges into opportunities, to find the true causes of suffering, and to make use of their precious human life!

Not only Zhen-Ru, but many who saw him were deeply moved by his insightful eyes and his compassionate smile.

"When Your Smile Blooms!"

In the past, the Buddha traveled far and wide, often smiling and bringing light. Through many skillful means he pointed out the path to leaving suffering and achieving joy.

For those of us in modern times, when the day dawns, when disturbances and pains suddenly strike… Why not stop in our steps and look within?

Reviewing the teachings of Late Master—his actions, his words, and his thoughts—give rise to mindfulness. On this path of joy—for ourselves and others—persevere!

For more information on Venerable Jih-Chang
https://www.blisswisdom.org/about/master-jihchang

When Your Smile Blooms: Inspiration

Written by editors

When Your Smile Blooms|Lotus Recollections

Though Master Jih-Chang passed away in 2004, Zhen-Ru has never forgotten her teacher. It has been 17 years, yet she still carefully studies his words, continuing to explore their depths. Through online classes, she also guides others through Master Jih-Chang's lectures on great compassion and wisdom—towards the Mahayana path.

Traversing to the ends of the earth, the Buddha's teachings expound the ways to thoroughly transcend all suffering. Master Jih-Chang would spend his life learning and practicing these unbroken lineage teachings. Knowing their importance, he explained them line by line, guiding those after him to practice in their everyday lives. He encouraged his students to look within, to turn challenges into opportunities, to find the true causes of suffering, and to make use of their precious human life!

Not only Zhen-Ru, but many who saw him were deeply moved by his insightful eyes and his compassionate smile.

"When Your Smile Blooms!"

In the past, the Buddha traveled far and wide, often smiling and bringing light. Through many skillful means he pointed out the path to leaving suffering and achieving joy.

For those of us in modern times, when the day dawns, when disturbances and pains suddenly strike… Why not stop in our steps and look within?

Reviewing the teachings of Late Master—his actions, his words, and his thoughts—give rise to mindfulness. On this path of joy—for ourselves and others—persevere!

For more information on Venerable Jih-Chang
https://www.blisswisdom.org/about/master-jihchang

Translated by Amrita Translation Foundation
Author: Zhen-Ru
Translator: Kacy Lin
Chief Editor: Ven. Alick
Editors: Ven. Yvonne, Ven. Sabrina, Ven. Joanna, Ven. Elena, Ven. Sonia, Ven. Tina, Jingli Wang

Readers’ Messages

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  • SCYeng

    When my teacher's smile blooms

    Though I might search in every realm
    I would find no greater refuge
    I turn my mind to you
    Like a heat tormented elephant plunges
    Into a lotus pond.
    Speaking of your qualitites
    I am a destitute beggar whose eye have seen a beautiful compassionate smile.
    Though I might find difficult to describe in
    eloquent words.
    I took Tsongkhapa's verse to describe

    "The foolish whose eyes are not delight by
    the prickly thorns of the demon of envy.
    Yet if it were to be seen by one with a clear unbiased mind.
    Whose beautiful intellect body is clothed in diligence
    And. who wishes to be adorned by the jewel mother of the Buddha's.
    At that moment ,the round orb of their faces will light up
    Brightly with the radiance of your cheerful
    smile. "
    This is the quality of my Teacher's Smile
    Blooms.
    Love you

    2 Reply
  • Eileen

    The Golden Smile is filled with Compassion,
    The Golden Smile is filled with comfort,
    The Golden Smile embraces us with love,
    The Golden Smile inspired us with resolution,
    Lingers, Lingers, Lingers in our hearts,
    How we not filled with gratitude and loving heart,
    Towards Enlightenment hearts to hearts,
    Smile and Gratitude to Shifu's and Teacher's with our true heart.

    3 Reply
  • Angela Yang

    Everything about this poem resonate w me. I want to smile and I know to smile. However, without a mirror in front, I don’t know I’m not smiling or even frowning unknowingly. Adding mindfulness to smile is new concept. I will practice this and make it natural part of my practice. Thank you for the tip teacher Zhen-ru. May your days be filled with wonders and more things to smile about.

    5 Reply
  • Aaliyah

    The busyness of daily life often makes it easy to forget to set aside time to pause and reflect: What am I so busy with? Is my heart calm or restless?

    During moments of weariness, the sight of my teacher's radiant smile fills my heart with an unexpectedly profound comfort, reminding me that my struggles are met with understanding and embrace.

    In that instant, the darkness within lifts, and a morning sun rises; the clamorous loneliness subsides, giving way to a sense of hope that awakens and enlightens the soul.

    7 Reply
  • Maurice Tong

    Thank you teacher for your powerful words. The smile of Late Master help me go through many turbulence moments, give me strength to move forward, warm my heart when it's cold and harsh, guard me against all negativities. Please continue to guide us and light up our hearts with your wisdom and compassion, and lead us towards happiness. Thank you.

    9 Reply