One day, while meditating in the True Buddha Tantric Quarter, I suddenly heard a woman's sobbing. The sobbing was sometimes loudly audible, and sometimes soft. Listening more attentively a few times, I was sure that the sound was coming from a distressed woman's prayer at the Redmond Temple.

The temple is not distant from the Tantric Quarter, but the sound should not travel so far as to reach the Tantric Quarter, and vice versa.

I asked the temple reverends, "Has somebody been crying at the temple?"

The reverends were taken aback and speechless upon hearing my question.

"Why was a woman crying at the temple?"I clarified.

Finally, one reverend responded, "Recently, a woman has been paying frequent visits to the temple in the afternoon. She cries loudly one time, meditates a bit, and then laughs secretly."

The reverend continued, "We thought that woman was mentally unstable, so we did not report her condition to Grand Master."

"How long has it been?"

"Within these few weeks."

"It should not matter what grievance, illness, or misfortune this woman is afflicted with. Being reverends, we should approach her and show our care,"I instructed.

"We were reluctant to mention her cased to Grand Master. We were afraid that she may hurt Grand Master. We have learned our lesson from the past experiences, so it is best to stay away,"said a reverend.

"Buddhism is about compassion! It is unfortunate enough that she is mentally disturbed. She is likely to face further imminent hardships. If we don't care about her, who will? It is my vow not to forsake any being. Any one of us should help her as much as he/she can."

I requested the reverends to offer extra care and attention to women in a similar plight. We should do our best to assist the unfortunate ones. If she is really in serious trouble, I will assist her with my best efforts.

The sobbing woman was really enduring three major difficulties:

1. Jobless and living alone in America

2. Two rebellious children

3. No means of support and no one to rely on

On July 26, 2008, she took refuge as my disciple. Upon seeing her, I received a full spectrum of her entire life story from the Divine Book. How amazing!

She cried at the Redmond Temple, but I could clearly hear her from the Tantric Quarter. How amazing! How amazing!

If I had not inquired about this incident, and if the reverends did not bring this matter to light, would we have just missed an opportunity to help a suffering being with Buddhist affinity?

I should do my best to help her!

A verse:

Attaining realization on the Dharma path,

Ferrying sentient beings without empty talk,

Never forsaking a single being,

This is the true awakening.