The following events happened recently.

Mr Chen Shuibian, once the most powerful leader in Taiwan, fell from the highest to the lowest position when he was sent to jail.

Also, Mr Wang Yongqing, a billionaire known for his management talent in Taiwan, died. His death led to a series of bitter family disputes over his inheritance. There were four families involved.

After witnessing these events, I fell silent.

I feel that life is indeed an illusion, a dream and a drama.

*　*　*

I am a student of Buddhism.

To his disciples, Shakyamuni Buddha taught "Non-Ego as the most supreme dharma".

I know the physical body is subject to the natural course of creation, sustaining, decaying, and annihilation. It involves birth, extinction, death, and voidness. Old age and death are inevitable.

Therefore, the physical body itself is like an illusion.

I understand that the mind is nowhere to be found. It is both intangible and without form; it has no smell and no sound. So, as with the physical body, the mind too is an illusion.

Since time immemorable, the world as it is has never stopped changing and evolving; all material worlds (that karma depends on for expression) undergo constant change. The worlds too are illusions.

Vajrayana Buddhism advocates the following contemplation practices:

Contemplation of the Sun's Flames -- The rays of the sun are like water waves;

Contemplation of Dreams -- All are but a dream;

Contemplation of Illusions -- All material worlds are illusions.

Other contemplations include: light and shadow, echoes in valleys, the moon in the water, the flower in the mirror, existence is nothingness, and nothingness is existence.

After I attained the samadhi of illusion, I achieved the full realization of non-ego. This in turn induces the attainment of the samadhi of Buddha's boundless wisdom.

I can verify that:

The body and the mind are illusions,

The world is a dream,

And life is just a scene in a play.

After enlightenment, I realized that the ultimate truth attained by Shakyamuni Buddha under the Bodhi tree.

I truly understand everything.

As a result of my enlightenment, I obtained the complete authority of the Dharma, the complete realization of Buddhism, and complete possession of wisdom.

I no longer have any impediment, ego, and selfishness. I am free in will and action.

With no restrictions in time, I can propagate the Buddha's Dharma and benefit innumerable sentient beings endlessly.

*　*　*

Someone asked me, "Grand Master Lu, how can you be so compassionate, tolerant, and unselfish in helping others?"

I replied, "The Dharma of Non-Ego."

In this world, people are inclined to care only about themselves, their children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends.

There is really nothing wrong with that. However, when you reach the "samadhi of illusion", you will realize that all beings are equal in nature. This insight will rid you of selfish love and make you treat all beings the way you treat yourself, with compassion and love.

My being is an illusion, as are all other beings. Even the compassionate acts of Bodhisattva are not real. I perform all the illusory acts of a Bodhisattva in my dreams!

By now, it must be quite clear to you that this article is intended to serve as a reproach to selfish people?

Ha! Ha! Ha!