Translated By Tony Qin
Writer: Venerable Shan Ru
Fresh from concluding his Hong Kong Dharma Talks Tour, Venerable Guan Cheng led his disciples to Malaysia to embark on the second phase of his Southeast Asia Dharma Propagation Tour, delivering Dharma talks in the Malaysian cities of Penang and Klang.
The city of Penang, also known as George Town, boasts a rich and unique historical heritage, shaped by its role as a key trading port during the British colonial era. Renowned as a vibrant multicultural melting pot, it is home to Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities that have coexisted and flourished together for centuries.
The day after we arrived in Penang, we were graciously invited by Venerable Boon Keng, the abbot of Ang Hock See Temple, to visit the monastery and exchange insights on the Dharma. Ang Hock See Temple is a Buddhist monastery with a long and storied history. Originally named “Wat Sawan Arun,” the temple was founded in 1914. During World War II, the monastery was temporarily abandoned as the resident monks returned to Thailand. Later, the land donor, Mr. Tan Sai Hiong, entrusted the temple to Chinese Buddhist monks, and it was renamed “Ang Hock See Temple.”
Venerable Abbot Boon Keng, together with the resident monks and volunteers, warmly welcomed us upon our arrival. The abbot, fluent in English, shared that he often watches Venerable Guan Cheng’s Dharma teachings on YouTube. During our casual conversation, he humorously recounted a Q&A session where Venerable Guan Cheng had asked, “Now, who wants to go to heaven?” prompting everyone to raise their hands—except for one person. “Don’t you want to go to heaven?” Venerable Guan Cheng asked the individual, who replied, “Not now. My mom told me to go home after this!” We all shared a hearty laugh over the story.
The day before the Dharma talk, Venerable Guan Cheng visited the Triple Wisdom Lecture Hall to meticulously inspect the computers and other equipment, ensuring that the audience would have the most ideal and comfortable conditions to hear the Dharma. Venerable Guan Cheng’s careful attention to detail left us, his disciples, feeling humbled. His dedication is truly an attitude we should all strive to emulate.
On November 2nd, Venerable Guan Cheng opened the first Dharma talk by sharing a story about the time he hosted the Venerable Elder Chuk Mor in Vancouver, Canada, before transitioning to the evening’s topic: “How to Cultivate Blessings and Wisdom Together?”
Blessings, he explained, are cultivated through the Pāramitās of Giving, Observing Precepts, and Patience. Wisdom, on the other hand, is realized through Hearing, Contemplation, and Practice. Venerable Guan Cheng lightheartedly remarked how “Wisdom through hearing, wisdom through contemplation, and wisdom through practice” is precisely the name of the venue, the Triple Wisdom Lecture Hall.
Over the course of two evening lectures, Venerable Guan Cheng shared how Buddha recitation can transform one’s mental state in a single moment. The power of Buddha recitation, he explained, arises from the combination of one’s own effort and external support. Through focused recitation, we learn to let go of attachments and, with the transformative power of the Buddha’s wisdom, cultivate right understanding. This practice integrates the Pure Land method of recitation with the Yogācāra teachings on consciousness.
On the topic of “Stilling-and-Insight Meditation,” Venerable Guan Cheng explained “Insight” through the Four Dhyanas and Eight Samādhis, using various examples to guide the audience toward a deeper understanding of the concepts of “Initial application, sustained application, ease, joy, and one-pointedness of mind.” As for “Stilling”, he emphasized the importance of the object of focus, encouraging the audience to subdue wandering thoughts and attachments in order to successfully achieve the state of right contemplation.
Under Venerable Guan Cheng’s guidance, everyone in attendance gradually came to understand the intricate interconnectedness between Yogācāra, Stilling-and-Insight, and Pure Land Buddhist teachings. Many participants left with joyful smiles, their hearts filled with the bliss of the Buddha’s Dharma.
After completing the Dharma talks in Penang, Venerable Guan Cheng tirelessly continued to Klang, Malaysia, where he was invited to deliver Dharma talks at Leong Hua See Temple from November 8th-10th.
Klang might not be well-known to many people outside Malaysia. It is a city located in the western part of Selangor state, Malaysia, and is governed by the Klang Municipal Council. Situated just 32 kilometers from downtown Kuala Lumpur, it is one of the larger cities near the capital.
Many attendees at the lectures were longtime viewers of Venerable Guan Cheng’s Dharma talks on YouTube. Upon learning that he would be visiting Klang, they were thrilled and eager to see him in person. Some even arrived an hour and a half early, hoping to secure seats closer to Venerable Guan Cheng and experience his compassionate presence up close.
The topic of the two evening lectures was the “Chapter on Perfect Penetration of Buddha Recitation by Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva” from the Śūraṅgama Sūtra. Venerable Guan Cheng centered his teachings on achieving the Samādhi of Buddha Recitation, which is the “Undistracted focus of mind, where the one reciting and the one being recited become indistinguishable: the mind is inseparable from the Buddha, and the Buddha is inseparable from the mind; the mind and the Buddha are one.”
While the sutra passages may appear abstract and difficult to grasp, Venerable Guan Cheng used practical and relatable examples to guide the audience toward a deeper understanding and realization of this profound concept of “the mind and the Buddha as one.”
He also introduced the four methods of Buddha recitation: (1) Recitation of the Buddha’s Name, (2) Visualization of the Buddha’s Form, (3) Contemplation of the Buddha’s Attributes, and (4) Realization of the True Nature of Reality.
Through vivid examples, he guided the audience to a deeper understanding of these practices. Finally, he explained the teaching of “Gathering the Six Senses and Maintaining Uninterrupted Purity of Mind” as a harmonious approach to Buddha recitation. The enriching lectures left the everyone captivated and inspired.
Due to overwhelming enthusiasm from the audience and at their earnest request, Venerable Guan Cheng graciously held an additional Dharma talk in Klang, titled “An Overview of the Treatise on Rebirth.” Despite being a last-minute arrangement, the Sunday morning session drew a full house.
During this talk, Venerable Guan Cheng explained the Five Gates of Buddha Recitation: (1) the Gate of Reverence, (2) the Gate of Praise, (3) the Gate of Aspiration, (4) the Gate of Observation, and (5) the Gate of Dedication. He also introduced the concepts of the Three States of Mind (Sincerity, Unity, and Continuity) as well as the Three Essentials (Faith, Vow, and Practice). Though the practice of Buddha recitation may appear simple on the surface, Venerable Guan Cheng offered the audience a deeper understanding through his insights.
As attendees departed, their joyful smiles reflected the great benefit and inspiration they had received during the two evening lectures and the additional Sunday morning session. Many expressed their hope that Venerable Guan Cheng would return to Klang in the near future to share the joys of Dharma wisdom. With this, the Dharma Propagation Tour in Malaysia came to a meaningful and wholesome conclusion.
