partial text of article that appeared in Asian Journal in English, November 17-19, 2004:
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva appears on cloud in Taiwan
October 2, 2004: For the past two months during his journey, Henghsing Gyatso Rinpoche has braved wind, sun, and rain, none of which has stopped him. He has continued to recite “Homage to H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu, the supreme leader of Buddhism,” and well as the holy names of various Buddhas. After each step, he fully prostrates one time, with all four limbs and head touching the ground. He has experienced great hardship during his journey. There are sores and scars all over his body. What’s more, every time he continues his journey, he perspires profusely, and all of his clothes become wet.
Additionally, Mara (the king of the demons) dispatched evil demonic agents to injure the rinpoche’s belly by hitting it. Mara also dispatched demons from Hades to pull the rinpoche’s feet and do other such things. Mara devised all kinds of ways to obstruct the rinpoche from advancing on his journey. However, the rinpoche practiced the true dharma of the Buddha transmitted to him by H.H. Great Dharma King and thereby overcame all of the demonic obstacles he faced. He swore that he would see the journey to its end.
On four or five occasions, fine sand blew into his eyes. The pain was difficult to endure. However, as soon as he visualized his Great Dharma King Master and his yidam (personal deity) and received their empowerment, the fine sand immediately disappeared. That is what happened each time.
On October 2nd, Henghsing Gyatso and those accompanying him made their way to the Tanwen seaside village in the town of Zaoqiao in Miaoli County. Suddenly, a white light flashed in the sky several times. Then, in an instant, Kuan Yin Bodhisattva appeared in the sky. She was wearing pure white clothes and her sleeves floated in the air. She stood on a colorful cloud and her feet were supported below by a white lotus flower. She moved directly toward the lama. She looked extremely dignified and solemn.
Henghsing Gyatso was extremely moved. He continually prostrated and expressed repentance for his sins. Kneeling on the ground, Henghsing Gyatso respectfully requested the Bodhisattva’s explication of the dharma when he asked the following question: “Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, H.H. Great Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu, the Master to whom I am greatly indebted, is the reincarnation of which dharma king?”
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva pointed downwards. As soon as she did so, colorful, beautiful, and dazzling Yun sculptures and three-dimensional images of Yun sculptures appeared before Henghsing Gyatso’s eyes, as did many books. Among those books, the rinpoche clearly saw the books entitled Correcting the Treatise of Patriarch Bodhidharma and Commentary on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra. He also saw two very thick books. One book was entitledThe Mahamudra of Liberation, and on the other were written the words Mind Dharma Method. On all of the books, words were written indicating they were discourses by H.H. Great Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu.
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva compassionately explained, “Have you heard of another dharma king who can cause a child who had not learned art to become a world-class artist in as little time as four months? In this world, since Shakyamuni Buddha, what other great master or holy saint has been able to create Yun sculptures of superlative craftsmanship? What other dharma king has the level of realization to correct Patriarch Bodhidharma’s treatise? No other dharma king can a few hundred thousand words totally encapsulate the essence of the Tripitaka, as was done in the book The Mahamudra of Liberation.
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva also said to Henghsing Gyatso Rinpoche, “You should tell the people of the world to listen repeatedly to the recording of discourses in the silver box. (These are discourses on the dharma given by H.H. Great Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu.) The recordings in the silver box are treasures. They can eliminate demonic obstacles and guide believers to find the dharma of the Buddha. Such people will naturally and gradually deeply enter the mahamudra of liberation and the mind dharma method. They will thereby transform themselves from ordinary people into holy beings.”
After speaking such words, Kuan Yin Bodhisattva instantly disappeared in the sky. However, the sound of the Bodhisattva’s perfect words still reverberated throughout the sky. Henghsing Gyatso and his disciples who accompanied him continually prostrated.
During the time Henghsing Gyatso Rinpoche had been prostrating on his journey in order to atone for the sins of others, he had not spoken to anyone. However, because of such a holy occurrence, he broke his silence and accepted the interview of a reporter. He told the reporter, “I am grateful to my Great Jewel Vajra Master, H.H. Great Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu! I am grateful to Kuan Yin Bodhisattva! I was very happy to hear Kuan Yin Bodhisattva expound the dharma. However, frankly speaking, I also felt disappointed in myself. After the Bodhisattva left, I have been feeling remorseful. How could I ask Kuan Yin Bodhisattva such a stupid question? My Master is so magnificent, yet I still went so far as to seek an answer from Kuan Yin Bodhisattva as to who the Great Dharma King is. I am truly very pitiful.”
Each of the few dozen disciples of Henghsing Gyatso who were present in Tanwen Village at that time saw different scenes. Some saw Kuan Yin Bodhisattva. Some saw Mahakala Vajra. Some saw lights in colors such as red, green, white, and yellow. Such holy sights were different for each person. It was an unprecedentedly auspicious occasion.