Wu Zeheng

STAND TOGETHER FOR LIBERTY.

Facts

"The value of life is measured in love." - Wu Zeheng

Wu's Activity Since 2010

 

After eleven years of cruel and inhumane treatment in prison, on February 28, 2010, Wu finally returned to his hometown of Hui-lai in Guangdong Province to be reunited with his family.

 

However, despite being outside the physical walls of the Chinese prison that marked the limits of his world all those years, Wu is still in prison. His associations and communications are monitored closely; he is prohibited from attending gatherings larger than twenty; and he lives under a constant threat that he or those with whom he comes into contact will be arrested. His home is visited at irregular intervals by policemen who remind him that he is still not free.

 

The tight controls are maintained for the same political and religious reasons that led to Wu’s incarceration --- party officials see Wu as a significant political threat due to his stature as a prominent religious leader. Even though Wu has no political ambitions and no desire to cause political instability, government officials consider Wu to be a person who could use his standing in the religious community to coalesce the forces of change that could threaten the regime’s hold on power. Because of these considerations, the government refuses to permit Wu certain basic human rights, including the ability to associate with others and exchange ideas.

 

While the authorities no longer keep Wu physically incarcerated, the measures they take are effective in preventing him from sharing his vision as a Buddhist Master and advancing Huazang Mind Dharma. The measures prevent Wu from implementing ideas affecting science, technology, medicine, and health, such as improving the delivery of medical services and basic necessities to areas affected by natural disaster, poverty, or disease. They keep Wu stymied, as if he were trying to ride a bicycle without a chain. He cannot travel; he cannot preside over ceremonies or perform various other tasks required of a Buddhist Master, especially if he must appear before audiences of any real size.

 

Wu cannot participate in the establishment of ventures for the furtherance of the Huazang Mind Dharma mission. These measures impose the same sort of constraints on Wu’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations as the physical barriers Wu once knew. The prison walls may be gone but Wu nonetheless does not freedom of religion, association, or expression.

 

March 6, 2010 - Poem to Enlightenment

 

A week after Wu returned to his hometown in Hui-lai after his release, he wrote a poem named “Enlightening Sudden And Gradual Khan Samadhi”. This was the first time his holiness exhorted his disciples to grasp the Essence of Mind Dharma after re-joining the outside world. The poem reminds us to cut off the demon of temptation, both interior and exterior, and to recapture our purified heart and the light of nature.                

 

 

On March 22, 2010 - First Open Letter to Public

 

About one month after being released from prison, Wu posted his first open letter to the public. (Chinese Version Download)

 

March 24, 2010

To all my friends who are concerned about, support, and believe in me and to those who are suspicious of, oppress, and humiliate me:

 

My name is Wu Zeheng. I was imprisoned for eleven years and released recently. I hereby extend my sincerest greetings and heartfelt gratitude to all my friends.

 

Ten years of suffering in prison has not changed my heartfelt love for my country and its people. Regardless of occurrences in the past, present, or future, I, Wu Zeheng still am faithful to the Chinese nation, support the Proper Dharma, and pursue the harmonious unification of the society. It is the duty and obligation of every Chinese descendant to promote the great rejuvenation of China.

 

Even though I have been released from prison, I frequently suffer the “care and attention” from authorities; I am unable to enjoy the legal freedoms and rights to which every citizen is entitled; and I am unable to have a normal life. But still I would like to take this opportunity to express my feelings to all sectors of society: May all my friends, followers, and students who are concerned about and support me always adhere to the principle of “benefiting the people and sharing the burdens of our nation.” To all friends who are suspicious, oppress, and humiliate me: May we engage in dialogue, based on equality, even-handedness, and mutual understandings, so that I may be accorded the basic legal rights and dignity granted by law. While I am full confidence and expectations of a brighter future for China, I am deeply concerned about China’s inferior and depraved character.

 

I love this land, where I was born and raised, and I love the people who live in this land. I eagerly look forward to the day, under the promotion and guidance Communist Party of China, we have democracy, freedom, and equality and a harmonious and prosperous society for the people.

 

I return mournfully after ten years in purgatory and hope that this catastrophe is not beyond remedy.

 

Wu Zeheng

 

 

May 2010 - Buddhist Penitent Ceremony

 

On May 11, 13, 14 and 17, 2010, Wu posted articles of “Penitent I,” “Penitent II,” “Penitent III” and “Penitent IV” respectively in his blog, to prepare for the Buddhist Penitent Ceremony.

 

From May 19 to May 23, 2010, Wu started the Buddhist Penitent Ceremony and published the practice of Penitent Abstention through the Internet, which was followed by his disciples and students throughout the country and all over the world, in order to repent and pray for others.

 

Wu also reminded his followers, even though suffering is not a prerequisite for a great person, but without having experienced suffering it is hard to truly understand what suffering is, and offer empathy and help to those who suffer. Without being able to relate to other people's suffering and hardship, it is hard to generate a compassionate mind while we are perceiving the world as beautiful and life so amenable. Wu advocated his followers to open their hearts and generously share their experience to everyone's benefit. We should not underestimate ourselves. As long as we are not in spiritual poverty, and we remain peaceful and resolved at heart, we can influence those around us, and gradually improve our society into greater purity. 

 

Wu taught that everybody can save this world with their compassionate  minds with wisdom , by using methods of non-violence and by cultivating inner peace.

 

 

September 24, 2010 - Wu Showed the Relics of the Sakyamuni Buddha and Yishan Painting to the Public for the First Time

 

On September 24, 2010, Wu made public for the first time the symbol of Buddhist Transference: Buddhist blood relics &  “Yi Shan picture”. The “Yi Shan picture” was drawn by Zen Master Qing-yuan Xing-si, seventh generation Zen lineage. This treasured possession symbolizes the defense of the good name of the Shaolin Temple. They were passed on to Wu, 32nd generation of Zen legacy, by Master Dechan, former abbot of Shaolin Temple and 31st generation of Zen legacy before he passed away in 1993. And Wu, who is the 61st Patriarch of Chan, became the holder of "the mantle and alms bowl”.

 

 

Passing on the Light of Chan Through Mind-to-Mind Transmission 

 

QQ is the name of the Chinese public chat network. From January 2010, Wu joined the network his followers created “Awareness of Mind Dharma QQ Group” to deliver sermons with Zen words of wisdom and enlighten his disciples. Wu was online to answer questions regularly in a study group called from 8:00pm to 9:30pm every Saturday night.

 

Since July of 2011, Wu has offered daily online important Chan lessons,  "Five Positions of Monarch and Ministries," the advanced level of self-cultivation necessary to attain enlightenment in Buddhism.

 

 

November 3, 2011- Wu posted an excellent article, "The Significant Role Played by Buddhism in Assisting the Governance of a Country."

 

On November 3, 2011, Wu posted an excellent article titled, "The Significant Role Played by Buddhism in Assisting the Governance of a Country: This lengthy article details his analysis of Buddhism's contribution to Chinese history and present status.

(article link to Wu's blog in Chinese version: http://china12841.blog.163.com/blog/static/18034341820119308133662/ )

Download PDF Chinese version PDF中文版下载 )

 

First of all in this article, Wu pointed out the positive impact of Buddhism has had on political (governmental) systems, such as Indian around 304 BC, With the help of Buddhist “benevolence and wisdom,” Emperor Ashoka was transformed from a tyrant into a wise king. Buddhism also played a direct role in the prosperity of the Tang and Song dynasties of China, and Taiwan as well. In present-day Taiwan, it has assumed the extremely critical role of establishing many universities, such as Nanhua University, Tzu Chi University, etc. , which has a positive impact on universal education and inculcating moral ideas in society's young people. 

 

Wu expressed that Buddhism educates people on how to draw on their own internal resources to cultivate their basic nature in order to improve themselves. But nowadays, Buddhism has not played a proper and positive role on the Chinese mainland because of the fact that some Buddhists themselves there lack self-discipline and have not accepted or pondered over the idea of going to the secular world to practice Buddhism. This has resulted in an outdated system with an improper positioning of its social role and an excess of Governmental intervention and control.

 

The Buddhist temples should be secluded places for those who want to cultivate their original nature and improve themselves. Nowadays, however, the temples have become places for some people to make money. The intervention and control of religious affairs from the local government to which the temples belong have nourished some monks’ utilitarianism in nearly every aspect. Recently the demoralization of monks has been frequently exposed by the media, raising the suspicion of the common people about Buddhist benevolence and credibility. On the other hand, as a Buddhist, a monk should have made a great effort to practice the basic tenets of Buddhism after accepting the offerings from the people to pay them back with his wisdom and benevolence instead of wearing cassocks in disguise under the name of Buddhism to demand money and other things. It is absolutely insane.

 

Finally Wu summaried, the Buddhist culture which has been passed on for over 2000 years has become an indelible part of human civilization after it has gone through its glory and hardships. History shows that from time immemorial, any ruler can use, blend, praise, refer to, apply and change Buddhism, but by no means can it be abandoned or abolished. In the past, present or in the future, Buddhism, as an NGO has and will continuously show its irreplaceable fountain of wisdom and benevolence in assisting the governing of a country.

 

 

Chinese &  English Website Launched

 

Wu’s personal Chinese website  officially launched on January 31, 2011 at:  http://www.zenmasterxingwu.org after his blog was blocked by the government. This website introduced the main ideology of Wu’s teachings before his imprisonment from 1999 to 2010, such as the concept and the value of “Life," Harmonious Unification, self-cultivation, meditation, and others.    

 

The English website, www.china12841.org  was launched on May 9, 2011, the same day Wu was beaten by police (the traditional commemoration of Buddha’s birthday). The site mainly talked about Wu’s legal issues, why Wu was in prison, his inhumane treatment, harassment, and the illegal restriction of his movements and monitoring since his release.

 

 

On February 11, 2011 - Promotion of Good Deeds   

                                                     

From February 2011, Wu promoted  two beneficial activities called “Perform a Good Deed Every Day” & “Fasting for Charity” in order to remind his disciples and students to accumulate kindness, virtue and wisdom and improve their quality of life by truly cultivating themselves in their daily lives.  Through individual acts of kindness and displays of virtue, one can improve society, and waken/enlighten followers in the hopes of cultivating a spirit of benevolence that will “benefit yourself and others, awakening your self’s nature and others” in day-to-day life. 

 

For the fasting activity, Wu offered a specific exercise to practice on assigned fasting dates on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of the lunar calendar each month. This unique practice improves an individual’s health and also saves money on meals for three days each month. Wu encouraged his followers to donate the resulting savings for charitable things, and participate in more social charitable work.

 

Followers did many great works, such as buying fabric to make clothing and send to students in poor areas of Tibet, Xinjiang, and Sichuan. More information about charitable works performed by Wu's followers in China can be obtained from the website : http://charityforyou.net

 

 

Wu’s expectations and vision has inspired compassion towards themselves and others in young people, and has brought purity and vitality to society, conveying aspirations for a spiritual purification on earth and the ideal of peace to be passed down from generation to generation.

 

 

January 2012 – Calligraphy Auction to Help Aids Patients in Henan, China

 

In January 2012, in order to help certain AIDS patients to have a better New Year, Wu wrote three calligraphy documents

to auction off on Chinese twitter, receiving 145,000 RMB (US $23,387) to help AIDS patients in the city of Lin-yin in Henan Province, which has earned the nickname of AIDS village.

 

Also in response to this promotion, Wu’s Chinese followers contributed an additional 87,196.60 RMB (US $13,951) from their savings in food costs resulting from the three days of fasting in Jan. On Jan. 18, 2012, with the assistance of Lin-yin local welfare associations, they delivered money and food to 85 household containing AIDS patients,15 families in the greatest difficulty, and 2 hospitalized AIDS patients.

 

 

Online Presence

 

On January 31, 2011, Wu's blog was shut down by Chinese authorities. The blog, formerly located at http://blog.sina.com.cn/china12841, had been open for a year and served as a means for Wu to provide instruction to his Chinese students and disciples. Although the authorities were able to block access to the blog, for now they do not prevent Wu from communicating with his audience. This is because Wu established his own personal website and uses it as an alternative channel of communication. Wu delivers his messages and instructions, including his holistic life science theory and Huazang Mind Dharma, to his followers at the website located at http://www.zenmasterxingwu.org.

 

On February 15, 2011, another Chinese website at http://www.huazangcenter.com was shut down after a year of public operation. Wu utilized this site as a means to educate his followers on the precepts that underlie his harmonious unification ideology and to promote that ideology. Although the appropriate Chinese authorities had issued their approval for the establishment of the site, they later shut the site down on the grounds that it was being used to disseminate religious information. 

 

On February 20, 2011, Wu opened a third site, a blog, which he also uses as a means of providing instructions to his students and disciples. This site is located at http://china12841.blog.163.com.