Selections from Hòa Hảo Buddhism’s Book “Stories Between Master and Disciples,” Part 2 of 2

“Chief Bộ then asked: ‘But how do you recognize a Buddha?’ The guest said: ‘I can tell, because the Buddha always has three lines in His neck.’ Chief Bộ said immediately: ‘If there is a person with three lines in His neck now, do you dare to acknowledge Him?’ The guest answered: ‘I will acknowledge Him immediately, because no normal person has such auspicious physiognomy.’ The Master knew that Chief Bộ wanted to reveal Him, so He used His big toe to press on Chief Bộ’s foot. Chief Bộ understood the Master’s signal, and changed the subject of the conversation. Then Chief Bộ looked at the Master and suddenly remembered the Master used a scarf to cover His neck and kept it on until now.”

“With a stern look, the Master said: ‘What I meant is that you follow my teaching, not copy what I do. If Shakyamuni Buddha appears and tells you to do opposite of the Truth, would you do it?’ Those brethren replied: ‘No, Master.’ The Master softened His voice: ‘Right, that’s it. In the future, if anyone who looks like me and says he’s me, and tells you to do things, you should not believe it. You should examine whether what they say is according to the Truth. If you do that, then you are following me, and not being called superstitious.’”

“When asked for His help, the Master said, ‘Six doctors in France already gave up. I have no medicine, why ask me for a cure?’ Saying that, He went inside and brought out a glass of plain water. He gave it to Mrs. Sang and said, ‘Drink ¼ of this glass first, and drink the rest when you go home, then you’ll be fine.’ After drinking it, Mrs. Sang felt much better. She was so happy and thanked the Master, then walked back to the boat without the need to be carried like before.”

“When he arrived, the Master looked at Mr. Dậu, smiled and said, ‘Before coming here, you wrote a poem for me.’ Saying that, the Master showed Mr. Dậu a poem and asked, ‘Take a look to see if this is your poem?’ Mr. Dậu’s face turned pale, because that poem that he’d burned and thrown into the river, how come it was now in the Master’s hands?”