Rejoicing with Buddha: Living Buddha Liansheng and Shimu Revisit Snoqualmie Falls
Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple News by Rev. Shi Lianyi (蓮屹)

On the afternoon of May 28, 2026, ayushmats, masters, reverends, and disciples from Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple and Rainbow Temple joined together for an excursion to the renowned Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State. Although Living Buddha Liansheng has resided in Seattle for many years, it had been more than a decade since His Holiness last visited this scenic landmark. This time, Living Buddha Liansheng and Shimu, Master Lianxiang, returned together to the falls, allowing disciples the rare opportunity to accompany them and enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze and mist rising from the cascading waters.

Located in the Snoqualmie Valley east of Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls drops approximately 268 feet (82 meters). Water rushes over the cliff and plunges into the gorge below with tremendous force, creating a majestic and awe-inspiring spectacle. The name "Snoqualmie" comes from the local Indigenous Snoqualmie Tribe, who refer to themselves as the "People of the Moon." For the Snoqualmie people, the falls are not merely a scenic attraction but a sacred place of origin. The mist rising from the waterfall is regarded as a spiritual pathway connecting heaven and earth, carrying prayers to the divine.

On the way to the falls, a wrong turn briefly led the group to Snoqualmie Casino. Seeing this, Living Buddha Liansheng humorously remarked, “That’s all right. This is sightseeing too.” He then jokingly wondered whether they had been influenced by a “gambling spirit.” His playful comments drew laughter from everyone, turning the small detour into a memorable and lighthearted moment of the journey.

Passing through valleys and small towns, His Holiness remained in excellent spirits throughout the trip. Upon seeing an open mountain vista, he cheerfully said, “Let’s go paragliding.” The remark, delivered with characteristic ease and spontaneity, brought smiles to those around him. As the group traveled through the rolling terrain, he also spoke about feng shui, explaining that when observing a dragon vein, one must examine not only the dragon’s head and tail, but also its feet to understand how it moves. In just a few words, he transformed a complex principle of feng shui into a vivid and engaging lesson.

The town of Snoqualmie retains the rustic charm of a Northwestern American mountain community. Since the late nineteenth century, it has been closely connected with the history of railroads, logging, and hydroelectric power, making it a place rich in both natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Upon arriving at the falls, the group gathered at the upper observation deck. The waterfall thundered over the cliff, sending mist into the air while the roar of rushing water echoed throughout the valley. In numerous writings, Living Buddha Liansheng has described Snoqualmie Falls as resembling a white silk ribbon suspended from the sky, with the sound of its waters like thunder resonating through an empty valley. Amid the spray and shimmering droplets, one feels as though worldly worries are carried away by the flowing waters.

For His Holiness, the waterfall has never been merely a scenic landscape. He has often spoken of seeing in it the power of diligence, the courage to move forward without hesitation, and the spirit of unwavering perseverance. He has also instructed disciples to form mudras, chant mantras, and enter meditation beneath a waterfall, allowing body and mind to merge with its forceful flow and experience the indomitable energy of spiritual cultivation. As disciples revisited this place with their guru and once again listened to the thunderous waters, they could more deeply appreciate that what he wrote in his books was not only the beauty of nature, but also the strength and awareness needed to face the torrents of life.

As he watched the waters plunge downward, Living Buddha Liansheng humorously remarked that he should undertake a three-year retreat there and then “fly out” once his spiritual powers had been fully perfected. He then joked about whether he might discover a secret martial arts manual. Such stories, he noted, often appear in novels and dramas, including tales of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, in the Water Curtain Cave of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit in Dongsheng Shenzhou (the Eastern Divine Continent). His playful comments once again filled the air with laughter. Magnificent as the waterfall already was, his witty remarks added touches of mythology, childlike wonder, and carefree joy to the scene.

Master Lianchi (蓮麒) also gave an informative explanation of the history of the hydroelectric facilities located below the falls, helping everyone gain a deeper appreciation of the valley and its significance.

During the visit, His Holiness reminisced about his childhood experiences, such as climbing trees to pick fruit and swimming in the Dajia River. His recollections were warm and natural, and his approachable manner made everyone feel at ease. Shimu, Master Lianxiang, also surprised many participants. While some expected the mountain paths and observation trails to require a leisurely pace, Shimu strode ahead energetically, walking so briskly that she often led the group. The accompanying disciples admired her vitality and agility, which added even more joy to the excursion.

At approximately 5:00 p.m., the outing concluded successfully. While everyone remained immersed in the grandeur of the falls and the happiness of spending time together with their guru, Living Buddha Liansheng was already thinking about returning to the temple to bless correspondence, work on his paintings, and attend to various Dharma affairs. Even during this rare half-day excursion, the welfare of sentient beings remained foremost in his mind. After a brief period of relaxation, he returned once again to his disciplined and tireless life of Dharma propagation.

As the group traveled home through the towns along the route, His Holiness displayed his remarkable memory. Although many years had passed since his last visit, he could still recall the names, appearances, and roads of the towns with astonishing clarity. The disciples listening nearby could not help but marvel at his recollections.

White waters streamed from the heights like silk suspended in the sky. The roar of the falls echoed like the sound of Dharma. Mountain breezes drifted gently through the valley, while laughter lingered in the air. Carrying with them the memories of this special day, the disciples returned home with hearts filled with Dharma joy.

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