Rejoicing with Buddha: Living Buddha Liansheng and Shimu Enjoy a Visit to Woodland Park Zoo

Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple News by Master Shi Lianyi (蓮屹)

On the afternoon of June 18, 2026, nearly one hundred masters, reverends, Dharma propagation personnel, and fellow disciples from Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple and Rainbow Temple traveled together to Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo after lunch at the temple. This outing marked the third stop in the Rejoicing with Buddha series, following visits to the Seattle Asian Art Museum and Snoqualmie Falls.

What made this occasion especially meaningful was that close family members of Guru Buddha and Shimu, Master Lianxiang, also joined the excursion, including Foqing, Andy, Foqi, Sunny, and their young granddaughter, Lu Yin. After many years of tireless efforts and demanding Dharma activities, opportunities for Guru Buddha and Shimu to spend leisure time with family are rare. This day was not only an outing with disciples but also a precious family gathering.

Located in northern Seattle, Woodland Park Zoo is one of Washington State's renowned centers for environmental education and wildlife conservation. Rich with trees and expansive grounds, the zoo features exhibits designed to replicate diverse geographical habitats, allowing visitors to experience wildlife from around the world within an urban setting. The group primarily toured the African Savanna exhibit, where Guru Buddha and Shimu leisurely strolled through the grounds accompanied by everyone, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

During the journey to the zoo, Guru Buddha was in especially high spirits. Smiling broadly, he exclaimed, "We're going on a field trip! We're going on a field trip!" His childlike enthusiasm and delight quickly spread throughout the vehicle. He then humorously added, "We're going there for the animals to look at us." His remark drew laughter from everyone and added even more cheer to the outing.

Even while traveling, Guru Buddha continued to observe details around him. Along the route, he commented on whether certain sidewalk designs might increase the risk of collisions and also noted some unusually configured traffic signals.

During the drive, Guru Buddha reminisced about the hardships of his early years in Seattle. He spoke of memories from the Ballard and Green Lake areas and recalled times of poverty when he would eat bruised apples discarded by Lucky's grocery store. As he recounted these stories, disciples listening nearby felt a deep sense of closeness and appreciation for the challenges he had overcome.

Upon seeing several floating homes, Shimu jokingly remarked that she would never live in such a house, fearing that if she sleepwalked in the middle of the night, she might fall into the water. Her comment brought hearty laughter and made the half-hour drive even more enjoyable.

For this outing, Guru Buddha wore a Japanese ninja-style bamboo hat. He explained that it symbolized the teaching of Kobo Daishi Kukai's "Two Traveling Together" (二人同行). He had also signed the hat twice with his own signature and jokingly remarked, "I signed it for myself." Though spoken in jest, the comment carried a subtle Zen flavor that brought knowing smiles to those who heard it.

After entering the zoo, the group followed the pathways toward the African animal exhibits. The zoo's grounds are extensive, with winding trails that accommodated the large procession. Along the way, Master Lianchi (蓮麒) introduced various animals, explaining their habits, survival strategies, and distinguishing characteristics. His informative commentary greatly enriched everyone's understanding of the wildlife they encountered.

Throughout the walk, Guru Buddha often held the hands of children among the disciples, playfully interacting with them while together observing the animals with curiosity and delight.

As the group passed through different exhibits, Guru Buddha not only observed the animals but also chatted and joked with disciples. Upon seeing the tigers, the conversation turned humorously to the expression "tigress." When they arrived at the tortoise exhibit, Guru Buddha used the opportunity to discuss longevity. He explained that rabbits are highly active and energetic, constantly running and exercising, yet their lifespan is relatively short. Tortoises, on the other hand, appear slow and inactive but can live exceptionally long lives, with some surviving for more than a hundred years. Guru Buddha further remarked that practitioners who learn the Turtle Breathing Method can benefit both their spiritual cultivation and physical well-being. In just a few sentences, he transformed observations of animal behavior into teachings on breathing, longevity, and cultivation.

When viewing the flamingos, Guru Buddha spoke about his daily yoga practice. He explained that he trains his legs by standing on one foot like a crane and also performs air-cycling exercises, dedicating a full hour each day to yoga. The flamingos' one-legged stance provided an amusing visual parallel to the exercises he described. Guru Buddha also mentioned that walking more than ten thousand steps does not make him feel tired. When a disciple commented that the day's activity had already provided enough exercise, Guru Buddha replied that he would still practice yoga after returning home and that one should never become lazy.

At the rhinoceros exhibit, Guru Buddha discussed traditional herbal literature concerning rhinoceros horn, including historical claims regarding its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. From a single animal, he effortlessly expanded the conversation into medicine and cultural history. Listening nearby, disciples once again witnessed the breadth of Guru Buddha's learning in the Five Sciences, recognizing how any circumstance could become an opportunity for teaching.

Guru Buddha continually paid attention to the disciples around him. Throughout the walk, he took opportunities to ask about their well-being, inquire about their health, and even check whether they still had enough strength to continue walking. Although nearly one hundred people participated in the outing, Guru Buddha remained attentive to the condition of individual disciples. This thoughtful care was not expressed from a formal Dharma throne but emerged naturally during an ordinary walk.

On this day at Woodland Park Zoo, the animals remained peacefully within their habitats, while Guru Buddha used each encounter as an opportunity to speak about health, cultivation, and daily life. During the three-and-a-half-hour excursion, beneath the shade of the trees, the shy smile of little Lu Yin, the small hands of children held by Guru Buddha, and the lighthearted jokes he shared all became cherished memories for those present.

Perhaps the true meaning of "Rejoicing with Buddha" lies precisely in such an ordinary afternoon—walking alongside Guru Buddha and Shimu for a stretch of the journey and returning home with a joy that lingers long afterward, carried in laughter, warmth, and compassionate care.

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