【文薈篇】 海外來鴻


The Unforgettable Smile?
Written by: Ms. L-H Chang

編者按：本篇為南非道親真人真事的感人事蹟，中文版曾刊登於基礎雜誌
196期，原文「又是聖誕鈴聲響起時–憶寶貝兒子」，今作者以英文版與前賢分
享，歡迎參照。


Preface

Sixteen years ago, Temple owner Mr. Teng and his family had immigrated to South Africa. He and his wife, their daughter and son had settled in the capital city of Pretoria. It was there they have met the local Tao members and went trough the process of attending Tao classes, became a vegetarian and participate in local Tao affairs. Later, Mr. Teng had wanted a Family Temple and taken up the responsibility as a temple owner. He became an example of devoted Tao member to the local people. Under the grace of God and the virtues of holy teachers, all Tao divisions in South Africa had supported and encouraged each other in propagating Tao Affairs. They were the best Tao representatives to the local Chinese society and among other major religions too. Everyone had interacted well, with one notion that Chinese had to work strongly together as one!

The Teng family owns a gift shop in the local shopping center. Every day, they face different kind of customers (tourist, local residents and oversea Chinese) with appreciation in meeting them and will spread the message of Tao when opportunity is right. Chi-Kung Buddha had granted a name for Mr. Teng’ temple as ?Tong-Shin (With one mind/heart) Temple? Chi-Kung Buddha had wished every Tao members will propagate the Tao with one mind/heart. Moreover, he had hope that the Teng family will learn to appreciate the boat of dharma bestowed by God, so to begin their propagation of Tao. With this new obligation, Mr. Teng had encouraged this family to join him. His daughter and son are students at that time, so they had much free time and the English competency to assist in Tao Affairs. His two children became young English translators for Transmit teachers and lecturers whom come from Taiwan to propagate Tao in South Africa. His children had helped to overcome the language barrier and extend the message of Tao further locally into the heart of young generations. The Teng family was on their path of learning to become a true Tao cultivator.

However, the Holy Obligation is impermanence! An accident, took Mr. Teng’ son -Danny’ life in 2004. Danny was only twenty-three years old, a young man who is just about to start his life. Sadly the incident happened, took everyone by shock, especially his parents. The hardest thing was his parent had to see their son go before them. If it weren’t for the Tao cultivation, the deep understanding of soul and believe in Tao, it would have been an unbearable event for people that don’t have any religious support.

On February 9th 2004, the Teng family brought their son’ ashes back to his home country-Taiwan. It is their wish to share their son’ story; so many more people can read about how Danny had tried to prove the preciousness of Tao with his life. The Teng family strongly believes, it is Danny’ will to encourage us all to realize how fortunate we are to receive Tao, and we should never give up this path of cultivation which will lead us back to Heaven one day!
?I am so happy that I am going to graduate from University in 4 month time. Thanks mom and dad, this is really great!?said Danny. That was our last Christmas with our son.

I will never forget that phone ring rang on August 1st, 2004. The phone rang just like any other day, except we didn’t know what was going to hit us. "Mr. Teng, something bad happened...your son...anny... had an accident... the water-bike flapped over...we can’t find him now!"After receiving this shocking phone call, all we could think of was running back home to the altar to pray to our Holy Mother for her support and hands in us before rushing to the lake (where the accident happened). On our way to the lake, my husband and I couldn’t stop comforting each other that everything would be alright, and our son is alright! We have thought and hope that it is most likely for Danny to be injured but nothing life threatening, because we believe God and Buddha are with him.

When we finally arrived at the lake, the first group of rescue team already had their first try with no success. The rescue team was busy contacting their higher authority for more assistance. It was not long before more rescue teams came, and they brought along many searching equipment with them too. The lake-floor searching went on for the entire afternoon until the thundershower came. The rescue teams later enquired whether they could rest first and start searching again early next morning. The thundershower was coming down hard, so we had no choice but agree to wait for tomorrow to come. Seeing Danny was not yet found, many Tao members were worry about the possibility of Danny been hit by the thunders. We have all pray for miracle to happen and ask our Holy Mother’ mercy in bringing Danny back to us!

The rescue work didn’t end on the 2nd day as we wished, our anxious heart extended to 3rd day, when Danny’ sister (Angel) rushed back from Taiwan. When Angel finally made it to the lake, she ran to the lakeside and cried out for her brother, "Danny, where are you? Please let us find you, Sis is back now卌om, dad and I are so worried about you! So many uncles and aunties are here too?Please?Danny can you hear me...Danny...Danny?"Perhaps, it was Angel’ sorrow cried out that had wakened Danny. In return of our family’ longing and waiting, was the official announcement of Danny’ eternity apart! The rescue teams have used several searching instruments and with the assistance of lakeside witness, Danny was finally found on the third day at the same spot where the rescue teams have been searching for the past few days (it was mystery to us at first why was he not found earlier). Our hearts were broken, minds were devastated, and we couldn’t accept the fact that Danny has truly left us! It was extremely difficult to understand, how can a lake that is only 2 meters deep has taken Danny’ life, who is 176 cm tall and excellent at swimming? What is even more unbelievable was, according to Danny’ friend and lakeside witness?description the water bike had first flapped over, and Danny came up on to the surface, but he then took off his lifejacket and went back into the water again. Why did Danny take off his lifejacket? What was he looking for? Why did he go back into the water? I had so many questions but no one could have answered me. The helplessness in me was far greater than what I could bear! I burst in tears and screamed out into the sky, "CHI-KUNG BUDDHA...WHERE ARE YOU???"Yes...it is fortunate that we have found Danny?but my heart died with him too!

Thinking back on the 1st day of searching, one of the Transmit teacher in South Africa had tried to foretell through a divinatory symbol which had expressed that, ?Smoke came out of the ground, It is not peaceful, gone to seek predestined relationship (fate) at a higher level; Its life is short not long, injured at young age, all weeping for the lost of his child.?How could it be? It is impossible! It can’t be real! Danny has always been a sweet boy, loved by everyone that knows him. He is understanding, sensitive and always treats others well. He always greets everyone with his lovely smile! When one thinks of Danny, one will always remember his beautiful smile with his two dimples. That is how he remained in everyone’ heart, that unforgettable smile! Ever since he was small, Danny has always loved to sit with his leg coiled up (thigh flat on the floor and leg crossing each other). Some senior Tao member had mentioned once, that Danny has to be someone special (Some Buddha sit with leg folded like that). How could a child that was so well blessed, gone so suddenly and left his mom, dad and sister behind?

On the second day of searching, another transmit teacher had also tried to foretell through a divinatory symbol which had expressed, "Buddha has taken him.?The transmit teacher had encouraged me to face the reality with gratitude. Transmit teacher had hoped I would try to understand Danny had finished his duty here on earth with us, and it was Danny’ time to return to heaven. But why so soon? I asked deeply inside my heart. Danny had started to help the South Africa’ Tao Society since he was 12 years old, he has been acting as translator in many aspect to assist carry out Tao affairs. That was only ten short years that he was involved in Tao Society, isn’t that is too short to end his life? Oh, dear Chi-Kung Buddha?I beg you to be merciful, please send my baby back to me? please?can you please give Danny back to us?

Before Danny was found, one of Danny’ aunt (she could sense the spirit) in Taiwan had sent the following message about Danny to us:?

The parental kindness is not yet repaid and inherit; thou left at young age leaving both parents weeping;
White-headed are grieving for thou returning; leaning against columns in the front courtyard blaming themselves;
Wailing the road of returning is far; it is time for heaven returning and reunion in dream;
The road of returning is long and arduous, the river water incessantly ended (covered) thou time (age);
Thou heart is full of sorrow in leaving, to return to thou home and ancestral shrine;
Doubt and delay not thou time of returning, a distant calling for thou returns;
Thou parents had went overseas (crossing the sea) for living, they had not return at mid-age;
They wait to return home in glory, expect not thee death do them apart (unexpectedly death came to break them apart);
Bidding thou parents farewell at year-end time, wishing thee parents rely and not apart;
Thou father in grief for missing son, thou she’ ll bid thee farewell in dream.?This farewell poem had shattered my last hope. Moreover, it had completely expressed the helplessness in facing death. My dear son?Danny!

January 15th, it was Danny’ funeral. The sun was bright that morning, but as soon as the funeral started, the rain began to pour hard. As if God was showing his sorrow to us. Danny was born in 1981, he had passion for sports and was excellent in Judo, swimming and softball. He was highly involved in three major youth religious group of I-Kuan Tao, Tzu-Chi and BLIA. He was the Vice-Chairman of Chinese Student Association in 2003. Everyone’ comment about him was: full of energy, well mannered, respectful, positive and talented. Friends and family have loved him and expected him to do great things in his life. Many of them still find it unbelievable that Danny’ life would end at such young age.

Three hundred people attended Danny’ funeral. Our family is truly thankful to all friends and family, for been there during Danny’ last stage of life journey. I would like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to several transmit teachers, temple owners, Tao members, Hui-Li Master and other BLIA masters, Tzu-Chi members, the R.O.C. ambassador in South Africa -- Ambassador Du, Section Chief -- Mr. Chung, Overseas Chinese Affair Commissioner - Secretary Wu and other senior officials, Johannesburg Councilor -- Ms. Chen, Danny’ principal, teachers, classmates and friends for all the support that you have given us.
On the night of funeral, one of Danny’ friends (who didn’t participate in searching for Danny) had dreamed about Danny was discussing Buddha dharma on the lakeside with her. The dream had the same lakeside scene as what had taken place when we were searching for Danny. In that dream, Danny was not affected by the others on the lakeside but was only concentrating on discussing Buddha dharma. This dream relates to Danny’ message delivered through a lady (Ms. Chen, in South Africa) whom can sense the spirit, "Please do not consider that I was soaked in the water, I was on the boat (Boat of dharma). There was no water before, but there is now and I am ready to sail."Danny is really gone; he has truly left us now. Sadly this verifies to what Danny had said to me the morning that accident happened before leaving the house, "Mommy I will be gone soon!"Danny doesn’t talk like that normally; he usually would just tell me the place where he is heading. When everyone left the funeral, I had died internally, all numb sitting in the corner. Transmit teacher was gathering the rest of us to leave the funeral, but I cried and screamed, fused to leave. No! I don’t want to leave ...not this way watching my son leave before me...how could I ever let him go. Oh, it hurts too much...so much that nothing can describe my pain now! Affinity brings us together, and it does us apart too.

January 16th, Danny had expressed his thankfulness to several senior officials, his elders and senior Tao members for their kind assistance in this incident, through Ms. Chen (whom can sense the spirit) again. Moreover, he had expressed his gratefulness towards his close friends who had guarded his coffin on the day of funeral. Danny’ funeral had caused a great sensation in out City -- Pretoria. People of different racial/religion had came and they were able to witness I-Kuan-Tao’ solemn etiquette (decorum) ceremony.

January 20th, I was crying again for missing Danny. Soon after I cried the telephone had rung. It was Ms. Chen (the lady whom can sense the spirit) on the phone and she was again speaking on behalf of Danny, "I was half-way on the ladder which is heading for heaven. But then I saw mom was crying sadly for me, it breaks my heart to see you grief, my legs are stuck they couldn’t move any further. Sorry mommy?please forgive me for being an unfilial son! Please try not to cry for me anymore. Otherwise, I won’t be able to leave you and head for where I am destined for.?I had to wipe my tears, for Danny, my beloved son.

January 30th, our whole family had escorted Danny’ cremians back to Taiwan. There were about eighty friends and family waited for Danny at the airport. One of our Tao member who can sight the spirit had said, "When Danny saw so many people had come to fetch him, his face was full of happy tears!"Ever since the day Danny had left us, I have been hoping to see him in my dream. Finally, on the dawn of his cremains installation Day (Feb. 9th), I saw Danny in my dream. He was smiling with his two sweet dimples, waving goodbye at me.

February 23rd, I took two of Danny’ friends (they are not Tao Members) to visit Danny’ shrine. When Lecturer Ling had opened Danny’ cupboard door (of his shrine), suddenly, the room was full of distinctive peaceful scent. Tao members believe Danny must have completed his Tao Duty (achieved perfect enlightment) and he was then sharing this completeness with people that he cares. Even though Danny has left us now, we have been witnessing Danny continue to manifest the preciousness of Tao in everyway. I was touched by these and am thankful to God’ grace and the virtues of Holy Teachers.
February 28th, it was the day before I was leaving Taiwan to return to South Africa. Danny had tried to deliver his message through his aunt (whom can sense the spirit) once again:

?The spirits that are apart will be connected in dream;
The parental kindness is not yet repaid but time has come to bid farewell;
Mother you know that it is hard for me to leave;
I shall follow where my affinity leads me.?June was supposed to be the month that Danny going to graduate from University. Angel (Danny’ sister) bought him his favorite Teddy Bear with a mortarboard, together with fresh flowers that he likes, placing them next to his cremians and took photos of it. That night, Angel dreamed of Danny telling her it was so hard to leave family and he want us to try not to grief anymore. Few days later when photos were developed, we were surprised to find a strip of Golden light on all the photos. Some used to say, golden light means good spirit and holy. My family and I deeply believe, this was Danny’ way of demonstrating that he has now returned to heaven. He is now into another stage of his Tao cultivation. Moreover, he wants us to be relieved and give him all the blessings.

There are no words to describe the days without Danny. It was as if Danny had taken a long and far journey and our reunion date with him is so uncertain. There are many things and peoples that remind me Danny is not around anymore. This feeling of emptiness fights strongly against my belief for Tao inside myself. I pray for greater strength to help me in healing my helpless heart. It was fortunate that I was able to attend the Holy Conference (Tao Seminar) in South Africa later that year in October. I saw Chi-Kung Buddha there. When Chi-Kung Buddha came, he wrote a song for all of us:

"Always have a young and sunny heart, have sweet mood just like when you think of Danny. Make your dream come true, you will live in a peaceful life. Never forget your heavenly obligation, and persist this responsibility consistently. Must not slack in respecting your family, the dragon and the phoenix shall bring prosperity (in extremely good fortune).Crisis is not crisis, administer your character you will gain peace. Love your people. Happiness is found in your daily life. May everyone live in delight as it brings joyous. Adults should have a heart like a child, and always keep a sincere mind.

During the Holy Conference (Tao Seminar), Chi-Kung Buddha had asked me to step on to the stage, bravely face the reality about Danny and to share his story with everyone. Later he said to the entire class, "This lady is really amazing, she has given her son to God. All parents love their children, isn’t it? When you loose your child one day, it is understandable that you will suffer from grief, because human is an emotional being. After all, you are all still cultivating yourself. Therefore, there will be times hard for you to give up and to let go of something that you love dearly. Luckily there is still Tao to cultivate, and there are people who can give you advice, people who loves you. Why then insist in loving only one person (meaning Danny)? Elevate your sorrow into strength, so to see through life and death, in order to understand the true meaning of life. Don’t we all have to die? I (Chi-Kung Buddha) had died once too, and so will all humans. They will all have to go through this, sometime in their life. Each one of you has a different heavenly obligation. Although your son is not on earth anymore now, you will gain something in return as you have given your son to God. Stop asking around, the answers will be the same (Ever since Danny has passed away, I have been going back and forth Taiwan and South Africa for about 10 times. Mostly I have been seeking answers to cause and effect relationship for Danny and I).

I" (Chi-Kung Buddha) want to tell you, Danny and I had made a agreement to end it here long before. By this time you would have repaid him and he would have returned your kindness. Your son is now teaching little angles English in heaven above. Why does Danny need to teach them? This is because Tao is now spread worldwide. It may sound strange to you, but it is true. Each single person has its own different affinity. For some may die of car accident, others may die of illness, drown or burned. But Danny was young, and he cared about his appearance and wanted to be cool too. He was smart to choose first and said he would want to do one last thing to manifest the greatness of Tao. He had asked me to arrange it accordingly.?I ask Chi-Kung Buddha why it took us three days to find Danny? And when we did finally found him, it was the same place that we have been searching over and over before. Why? Chi-Kung Buddha replied, ?This is called ?Filial Piety. Would it be right for his parents to find him first instead? You are his parents, his elders! There are set standard of order between heaven and earth. You can say it is abstruse (incredible), deny or agree its existence, those that believe will believe. Those three days took place, so that you would have longer time to accept the reality, it was to extend life for you and your husband. It had meant for his sister to find him and to bring him home (Danny’ sister was in TW that time when accident happened).

I then ask Chi-Kung Buddha again, "Why did Danny take off his life jacket?"Chi-Kung Buddha answered, "How would I be able to take him, if he didn’t take off his life-jacket, isn’t it?""We were all praying to you to help Danny on the lakeside, did you hear us Chi-Kung Buddha?"I kept on asking. "How I wish I had a body so that I could tell you in person it was Danny’ time, and he needs to return to heaven.?Chi-Kung Buddha replied. (There were sandalwood smell during those three days, now we believe that was the evidence of Chi-Kung Buddha was there with us during the whole event). I didn’t give up and asked some more, ?South Africa’ Tao Society has just started to developed. But now Danny is not here, so who is going to be the translator??Chi-Kung Buddha answered, ?Translation Affairs in the mortal world is easy to arrange, can you understand? Is it only for that pile of ashes (cremains) that you now want to live in Taiwan? I give you one more chance, so to remit the virtues and merits for Danny. Tao is precious, friends are precious, and so are Tao members. You and these ladies (my middle aged Tao friends) need each other for support, and to look after each other emotionally. Tao’ greatness needs to be shown through mankind, can you understand? Seeing Tao, achieve perfect enlightment. You know your son is no longer here, and there is no one to do the translation. If you leave too, how will Tao continue in South Africa? I will give you the braveness and strength that you need. However, even though you are provided with these, you need to use it in order for others to see. So they would agree in amazement that Chi-Kung Buddha really exists! The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh; Being able to understand worldly wisdom (human interest); What was once unreal may become real through long-term purposeful pretending?Chi-Kung Buddha continued to say giving the fruits, "Apple is strength, Pineapple is braveness, Banana is recognition, and Orange is success. So my disciples, may you all have strength, positive notion and trust in your life journey and Tao cultivation. When you face problems and obstacles, remember braveness will out grow wisdom. You need to trust yourself undoubtedly. Recognize Tao is true, the Principle is true, and the Heavenly Decree is true. Recognize that your life is meaningful and is unlimited. I wish all the best for you my disciples, may you be successful in your business, in your cultivation of Tao and in propagating of Tao"

Chi-Kung Buddha turned to Danny’ Granny and spoke kindly, "It is wonderful to Cultivate Tao! Congratulation to you, that your grandson is now a teacher in heaven. I will have Danny teach me English too. I will be needing their (Danny’ mom & dad) help as well.?In another English Holy Conference, Chi-Kung Buddha was making joke by saying his English was not good enough, later he turned to me and said, ?Don’t worry, the English that I just spoke wasn’t taught by Danny.?As if to say Danny would have taught better. Chi-Kung Buddha turned to me once more, ?I will give you another chance to do good deeds for your son (Chi-Kung Buddha had tried to use another way to encourage me to continue my cultivation).

Chi-Kung Buddha had kind words for Danny’ sister as well, ?What is your qualification??Another Transmit Teacher standing beside me had thought Chi-Kung Buddha was asking him the question, so he had answered for me by mistake. That Transmit Teacher replied,"Ihave only graduated from primary school."Chi-Kung Buddha continued his kind words, "Although this man has only graduated from Primary school but now he is a Transmit Teacher. And you (meaning Danny’ Sister) have a Master Degree, is the value of your degree only to make more money? When will you return to Tao Classes? It is time for your returning, not the kind of returning like your brother, otherwise your mother would be worried again.?Those three days when Danny was in the lake, everyone was worry that he might be bitten by fish or covered by mud. Fortunately when Danny was found, his body was still soft like cotton and was not hurt in any way; he had left without any pain. The forensic medical report shows he was not drawn; Danny had died of acute myocardial infarction. It was one breath that he had missed, which then took him away from us. The search team had said, ?It was as if he was just sleeping there at the bottom of the lake.?Now looking back at this incident, it was truly a miracle, a miracle that had proven the preciousness of Tao! We are grateful to God and the holy masters, for revealing the greatness of Tao to us. We were certain Danny was called by God and has return to heaven. At the end of the Holy Conference, I had made a promise to Chi-Kung Buddha that I will not disappoint him. Chi-Kung Buddha answered kindly, "I am relief to hear that!"Lately, the South Africa’ Tao Society is setback due to the difficulties in encouraging local Tao members to further their cultivation. Each time when I am feeling hesitated and helpless about Tao affairs, Chi-Kung Buddha’ kind words and the promised that I had mad to him will wrap my heart. I know I would have to complete my own vow and to be even stronger now to take up this responsibility.

I am truly grateful for Chi-Kung Buddha’ kindness, and the earnest doctrine from Grand Senior elder, Senior elder, Senior Transmit Teachers, Transmit Teachers and Tao members. It is their support that I am on the path of walking out of my pain and sorrow. To walk out of sorrow would mean to recognize myself, and to recognize my Tao duty. The deceased’ spirit would then be in peace, and the mind of living would be in peace too.

My dearest son, mommy would do anything to have you back, but now I would have to let you go for the sake of loving you. Because the value of life is not the length of its time, but is the meaning of its existence for others. So my dear?you have truly completed your filial piety as a son. You have used your life to awake many lives on earth, especially mine. Mommy is really proud of you and I will take your spirit with me to build good karma and spread Tao to more people that have good affinity with us!

Postscript

In Ambassador Du’ funeral oration ( Ambassador of Taiwan in South Africa) he said, "Never thought he would left us so suddenly. I find it extremely difficult to accept the truth, and I cannot express my deepest lament and sorrow completely. He left so peaceful and without any pain; He must have headed for a greater place. I sincerely wish he would accomplish even more in Heaven."

The Teng family’ thankful speech had said, "Danny and our family doesn’t?blame any of Danny’ family that was on the outing with him during the accident happened. Alternatively, this incident had taught us to learn how to face the sudden severe life trial. It is a learning lesson of how to accept and convert what may be seen as bad to good. Our family hopes Danny’ story can turn to something that is meaningful. We believe what Danny want to leave with us is not black shadow but inspire our thinking about life..."

Ms. Chen, the Senator of Johannesburg had also expressed her thoughts, ?Let us pray for Danny’ parents for being so brave and rational at this difficult time. We trust they will walk out the sorrow for the lost of their son soon, by extending their love for Danny to many more children.?
All these words corresponds to the lyrics of Danny favorite song -- "Blessing". The song goes like this "No need to ask, No need to say, it is all in between words. This exact moment, let us lean close to the candlelight and silently let time go pass us. Don’t wave good-bye; Don’t turn back. Each time when I sing this song, may you always have a smile in your heart to go through each spring, summer, winter, and fall..."Danny has now completed his vow and returned to heaven. The image of his charming face and that unforgettable smile will always remain in our heart...