On the day of Mid-Autumn Festival, October 3, 2009, the weather suddenly turned clear with scattered clouds against the background of blue sky accompanied by mild breeze after several days of cloudiness in metropolitan Seattle. The ambience is especially uplifting to the mind. Disciples and devotees had come far from United Kingdom, China, Singapore and U.S. cities, such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, etc., to join the pastime with Grand Master on this mid-autumn occasion. This evening at Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple in metropolitan Seattle, the group cultivation featured Amitabha Buddha Principal Deity Yoga practice which was blessed and presided over by Grand Master, the Living Buddha Lian-Sheng. A Dharma exposition was also given by Grand Master after completion of the group cultivation. There were over 300 followers that filled the main temple hall and the two annexed offices on both sides. The venue was bustled with crowds who were blissful of Dharma.

The evening group cultivation was led by Acharya Lian-Yeh Master, thereafter a Dharma lecture was given by Dharma Instructor Lian-Tsung. The Dharma Instructor Lian-Tsung thanked Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple for its special arrangement through which he was able to avail himself of the accommodation and amenities provided among other beneficial things. He also thanked Grand Master at heart for Bardo deliverance of his deceased mother to the Pure Land of Buddhas. Next, Acharya Lian-Yeh Master indicated in his exposition that as per the ``Sutra of Moon-Lantern Samaya``, if one was to attain spiritual rapport in one Dharma practice, then he or she should be able to attain to fruition with all the other Dharma practices as well. The spiritual practitioner has to pacify the mind; has to bring forth a non-biased mind, a mercifully caring mind, a non-hindrance mind and a non-poisonous mind in order to attain to fruition.

Grand Master continued on with his Dharma exposition on the `` Altar Sutra as Spoken by the Sixth Patriarch``: ``The wisdom born of Prajna does not vary with different persons; what makes the difference is whether one`s mind is enlightened or deluded. He who does not know his own Essence of Mind, and is under the delusion that Buddhahood is attainable by outward religious rites is called the mediocre-witted. He who knows the teaching of the `Sudden` School and attaches no importance to outward rituals, and whose mind functions are always under right views, so that he is absolutely free from defilements and mundane contaminations, is said to have known his Essence of Mind.``

Grand Master pointed out that majority of sentient beings have sought Buddhahood outwardly of their mind; since they separated from the Essence of Mind, their state of awareness is thus regarded as ``outward percept.`` An enlightened person should always bear the sigil of his or her Buddha-nature at heart, and must scrutinize oneself at all times so that no discursive thought shall arise, thereby validates purity in one`s body, speech and mind.
Buddhism differs from other religions in that it is endowed with the wisdom of Prajna. Offering of incense, worshipping the effigy of Buddha, reciting sutras and alms giving are merely outward phenomena. Buddhadharma includes: problem solving tactics, interpersonal skills, expedient ways to attainment of fruition and the First Righteous Truth of Prajna. Therefore, Buddhism is indeed perfectly complete.

At the end, Grand Master expounded, ``At-oneness is equivalent to spiritual interfusion.`` ``He becomes you and you become him. Going into sleep together and waking from sleep together. Sharing the same dream and speaking the same words; this is spiritual interfusion or rapport. Your heart is that of the Buddha; your intent is that of the Buddha; your speech is that of the Buddha; and your every action is that of the Buddha. This is called spiritual interfusion.``

After the exposition ended, the compassionate Grand Master sanctified statues of Buddha, blessed the Great Compassion Water and imparted refuge empowerment to new initiates. Grand Master also bless-empowered the attending followers by palming their heads. At last, Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple prepared over 30 boxes of Mid-Autumn moon cakes in front of the entrance as an amenity for all attendees to share. On such an unforgettable festive occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival that availed the followers of the opportunity to receive Buddhadharma, be suffused with the radiance of the Buddha, munch on the delicacy of moon cakes and be entertained by the awesome view of the moon surrounded by clouds, all were deeply affected at heart. Grand Master and all the attending followers alike sincerely wished: may humans last longer to share the gracefulness over thousands of miles.

1. 
2. 
3.