Master Jianzhen, transmitter of the Dharma to Japan.

◎The First Monastic Transmitter of the Vinaya to Japan
　　During the Tang Dynasty in China, Japanese monks Eiei and Fusho came to China to study Buddhism. After seeing how the Vinaya (monastic regulations) had spread so prosperously in China, they set out looking for an eminent master who is willing to cross the ocean to introduce the Vinaya to Japanese Buddhism. After ten years of intense search, they finally found Master Jianzhen, who was well-versed in the studies of the Vinaya, to go to Japan for the sake of transmitting the Buddha's teachings.
　　In his effort to reach Japan to transmit the Dharma, Master Jianzhen was frustrated for five times by storms and pirates. He was finally successful on his sixth attempt to cross the sea. In all, the master spent eleven years trying and lost his eyesight in one of the accidents. However, he was never discouraged. When he reached Japan, Master Jianzhen transmitted the Vinaya extensively and became the founding patriarch of Japan's Vinaya School (Risshu). Moreover, the Chinese culture that was introduced by Master Jianzhen still has a lasting effect on the life and customs of the Japanese people, and the Master is revered by the Japanese people as “the Father of the Japanese Culture.” Therefore, as long as we can stay firm in our resolve, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.

Master Xuanzhuang, who made the journey West in search of the Dharma.

◎Master Xuanzhuang's Journey to the West in Search of the Dharma
　　Master Xuanzhuang is the most famous Chinese Buddhist. He is well known for his unwavering determination to go to the West in search of Buddhist sutras.
After becoming a monk at age eleven, Master Xuanzhuang became well-versed in the Buddhist sutras and commentaries that were translated into Chinese. However, he found many discrepancies in the teachings amongst the different versions of translation. Therefore, he decided to travel to the West in search for the correct Dharma.
　　In his journey, Master Xuanzhuang risked his life crossing dangerous deserts and conquering snow-capped mountains in distant land. He even vowed, “Rather take a step forward to the West (or India) and die, but never a step backward to the East (or China) and live.” Finally, he arrived in India and studied the sutras and sastras at Nalanda University, the most superior institute in Buddhist studies, for seventeen years. After his return to China, Master Xuanzhuang began to extensively translate sutras, numbering more than a thousand scrolls, to become the most outstanding translator in the history of Chinese Buddhism. He was also known as one of the most courageous explorers in Chinese history. Because of his vast knowledge and insight in the studies of Buddhist sutras, Vinaya and commentaries, he was given the title “Tripitaka Master Xuanzhuang.”

Hanshan and Shide, who understood the importance of respect and tolerance.

◎What Should I Do When Others Call Me Names?
　　During the Tang Dynasty, there were two monks, Hanshan and Shide, who were friends with each other. While Hanshan came from a very poor family, Shide was a server at Guoqing Temple's dining hall on Mt. Tiantai in Zhejiang province.
　　One day, Hanshan asked Shide, “What should I do if people were to humiliate me, abuse me, despise me, and deceive me?” Shide answered, “There is nothing that you can do except to avoid them, to tolerate them, to respect them, and to ignore them. Then several years later, you go see them again.” Therefore, it is clear that forbearance is wisdom, strength, loving-kindness, and compassion. It is through forbearance that one can transform hate and anger into peace and harmony.

Sudhana in search of a good and virtuous teacher.

◎Who Are My Good Teachers?
　　Sudhana of India went everywhere in search of a good teacher who could provide him with the absolute truth of life, and rid any doubt that he might have.
　　On his journey, Sudhana first encountered Manjusri Bodhisattva and then consulted, one by one, with a bhiksu, a bhiksuni, an elder, a ship's captain, the female and male attendants of the Bodhisattvas and so forth. It was not until his visit with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva that Sudhana realized his wisdom. In the end, Sudhana had passed through 110 cities and towns to study with fifty-three teachers who are good and virtuous in leading him to the right path. His pilgrimage is also known as the fifty-three visitations of Sudhana. Therefore, if we can learn something positive from the people whom we meet everyday, they are our teachers.

Milarepa carried the stones for building houses on his back.

◎How Should We Repent and Correct Our Mistakes?
　　Milarepa was a highly revered Tibetan monk. At the tender age of seven, Milarepa lost his father. Soon after, his paternal aunt and uncle robbed him of his wealth and home. In order to take revenge, he studied black magic and eventually murdered a great number of people.
　　Later, he was overcome with remorse and went to Marpa to learn the correct practice. His teacher was very strict with him. In order to purify Milarepa's negative karma, Marpa made him undergo many hardships such as moving rocks and building houses, and after houses were built, he made him tear them down, again and again, without a break. Although his back was full of abscesses, Milarepa harbored no ill will toward his teacher. He was even more diligent than before in his practice and continued to make amends for his past misdeeds. Finally, he won the approval of his teacher, Marpa. Therefore, as long as we are sincere in our remorse and effort to turn over a new leaf, success is well within our reach.

◎How Can We Become the Buddha's Disciples?
　　After reading the stories on the Buddha's ten disciples, would you like to become a practicing Buddhist? The Buddha once told his disciples, “From now on, all you have to do to become a Buddhist is to practice the teachings that I have taught you and actualize them in your everyday life.” The Buddha's teachings are thus transmitted from generation to generation by his disciples.
　　What then did the Buddha actually teach? Simply put, it is to know how to help others by doing good deeds, speaking kind words, and having good thoughts at all times. If you could abide by the “Three Wholesome Acts of Body, Speech and Mind” and carry them out, then you are a Buddhist, a disciple of the Buddha.