PICTORIAL BIOGRAPHY OF THE VENERABLE MASTER 
HSU-YUN

                 continued from issue #69

composed by the Venerable Master Hua

Illustrated by a                               translated by disciple
student of Prajna                                  Bhikshu Heng Yo

#35

PAYS HOMAGE AT THE HOLY SITES IN HANGCHOU

The famous scenery at Hsi Hu in Hangchou is known throughout the world. It was here that the Seven Buddhas of Antiquity taught and lectured, and where the generational Patriarchs propagated their schools, hence, it is termed a "place of the Buddhas." Buddhist disciples should make pilgrimages to the sacred places here to pay their respects. The Venerable Masters Pao Chang of the Chin Dynasty, the founding Patriarch of San T'ien Chu mountain; Wu K'o of the T'ang Dynasty; Yung Ming of the Sung Dynasty; and Lien Ch'ih of the Ming Dynasty all visited here in the past.

The Gatha says:

At Hangchou the Buddhas teach
      explaining their great practices.
The beautiful West Lake scenery
      vies with that of the heavens.
Ancient and modern knowing advisors
      ceaselessly visit here;
Altering customs and changing habits1 
   is lauded "good indeed."

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1A phrase from the Hsiao Ching (Book of Filial Piety) Chapter 12.