(continued from previous issue)

*　*　*

When I was twenty-six years old, my divine eye was opened with the aid of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond. At that time, I really wanted to know which realm my grandfather Chang Lu had transmigrated to.

One day, an elder appeared before me, holding a lamp in his hand. I addressed him, "Lamp-Holding official."

With one glance at the elder's face, I immediately recognized that he was none other than my grandfather, Chang Lu! He had become the Lamp Holding Celestial Official of the "Superior Scenery Place of the Celestial River" in heaven.

*　*　*

Later, I was able to recall my karmic affinities and realize the various interactions between the four holy realms and the six mundane realms of the ten realms of the dharmadhatu.

When I was born into the Lu family, it was my grandfather, the Lamp Holding Official, who accompanied me on my descent into the human realm.

This confirms the old saying:

For those ancestors with merits, the blessings from these merits protect and shield their descendents.

For those ancestors without merits, the misfortune from their misdeeds weigh down their descendants.

My grandfather's full title is:

Superior Scenery Place of the Celestial River, Purple Dawn Light Palace, Pointing Lamp Palace Room, Lamp Holding Officer.

I composed this verse in praise of my grandfather:

The Lamps of the Celestial Palace

Their yellow sun-like radiance light the golden palace

Incense burning

Many venerable beings reveal their full forms

In the Palace of the Dawning Sun in the high heaven

Multitudes of virtuous beings assemble in celebration

Their heavenly garments and robes

Seen only as the shadows cast by their blocking of the light shining forth from the lamps.

(the end)

(From Book #191 "Staircases to the Heavens")

(本文選自蓮生活佛第191冊著作「諸天的階梯」文章「掌燈使者」)