Mother Cheng and Venerable ABCD Give Others Joy, Buddha Cros

Title:Mother Cheng and Venerable ABCD Give Others Joy, Buddha Crosses the Ocean

On April 18, during the Water and Land Dharma Service, I received a special gift from Mother Cheng, the mother of Venerable C, affectionately known as "Mother Cheng." Mother Cheng personifies the beauty of helping others fulfill their wishes, bringing joy to others. Together with the warm assistance of Venerables A, B, C, and D, a Buddha journeyed by air from Taiwan, crossing the ocean to the United States, forming a fortuitous connection with me.

This tale begins in February when I visited Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan and fortuitously took part in the exclusive Lunar New Year Festival event known as the "Cloud Auspicious Stamps" activity. 

20 Bites, 18 Stamps! FGS Stamp Collection, One Step at a Time  

When I finally collected all 18 Cloud Auspicious Stamps, eagerly dragging my exhausted body to exchange for the “Cloud Water Chan” block puzzle keychain prize with my “last breath,” only to find there were six designs: Buddha, lotus, cloud dragons, peace lantern, little novice, and firecracker cloud dragon to choose from, but only lotus were left, and I wanted the “Buddha!” 

I felt quite disappointed! So disappointingly that I disregarded my elegant image and humbly begged Venerable A, who I felt comfortable asking, to keep an eye out for me. I wanted the Buddha design! My persistence was astounding!

Unexpectedly, Venerable B handed me this gift, saying, "There's a Venerable in Taiwan who wants to forge a good affinity with you." Judging from the size of the box, I assumed it contained the Buddha block puzzle keychain I desired. However, the box was wrapped in white paper, decorated with playful handmade drawings on both sides—one side depicted the Venerable and a little novice, while the other side showed another Venerable. This clever and thoughtful packaging intrigued me; it felt like unwrapping a surprise box! 

The block puzzle box is wrapped in white paper, with playful handmade drawings on both sides—one side depicts the Venerable and a little novice, while the other side shows another Venerable. This packaging is truly interesting and thoughtful, allowing me to experience the joy of unwrapping a blind box!

At that moment, I suspected that the "Venerable in Taiwan" was likely Venerable A! "Venerable A is truly devoted to service! How delightful!" I thought joyfully, praising Venerable A incessantly.

Afterward, upon inquiry, Venerable B revealed the answer: "A Venerable in Taiwan, who is Venerable C, heard that there was an American Fo Guang member eager for a Buddha, so she asked her mother to give it to this American Fo Guang member." Venerable C? I didn't know this Venerable at all! How did she know I desired a Buddha? Nevertheless, neither Venerable A nor Venerable B gave me a direct answer, perhaps preferring to maintain discretion. This suspense added to the joy, much like unwrapping a surprise box! Thank you Venerable A, Venerable B, Venerable C! And also Venerable D who brought the Buddha on the flight from Taiwan to the United States!

Throughout the process of assembling the "Cloud Water Chan" Buddha block puzzle keychain, I couldn't stop smiling. I'm truly grateful to Venerable C and Mother Cheng! The word "Chéng" (成) holds many meanings, one of which is "helping others fulfill their wishes." How beautiful the word "Chéng" (成) is! And the spirit of "helping others fulfill their wishes" perfectly aligns with one of the "Four Givings"—Give Others Joy, a set of work ethics established by the founder of Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. 

Venerable Master Hsing Yun regards the parents of Venerables as "Buddhist Relative (Dharma relatives)." Everyone addresses them by adding "Father" or "Mother" to their children's Dharma names. These "Buddhist Relatives (Dharma relatives)'' support their children's renunciation with wisdom and joy. While it may seem like they are letting go of one son or one daughter, in truth, they gain numerous spiritual children—such as Mother Cheng! You, whom I've never met, are the first "Buddhist mother (Dharma mother)" I address, and I truly thank you!