Rejoicing with the Buddha: Living Buddha Lian Sheng and Shimu Revisit Snoqualmie Falls
[Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple News / By Shi Lian Yi]
 
On the afternoon of May 28, 2026, Elders, Masters, Reverends, and fellow practitioners from Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple and Rainbow Temple traveled together to visit the famous Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State. Although Living Buddha Lian Sheng has resided in the Seattle area for many years, it had been more than a decade since he last visited this scenic landmark. On this occasion, Grand Master and Shimu, Vajra Master Lian Hsiang, returned to the falls together, allowing disciples the rare opportunity to accompany them and enjoy the mountain breeze and mist from the cascading waters.
 
Snoqualmie Falls is located in the Snoqualmie Valley east of Seattle. The waterfall drops approximately 268 feet (82 meters) into a deep gorge below. The rushing waters plunge from the cliff with tremendous force, creating a magnificent and awe-inspiring spectacle. The name “Snoqualmie” originates from the local Native American tribe, the Snoqualmie people, who refer to themselves as the “People of the Moon.” To the Snoqualmie Tribe, the falls are not merely a scenic attraction but a sacred place of origin. The mist rising from the waterfall is regarded as a spiritual pathway connecting heaven and earth and carrying prayers upward.
 
During the journey to the falls, an unexpected turn in the route briefly led the group to Snoqualmie Casino. Seeing this, Grand Master humorously remarked, “That’s alright—this is sightseeing too.” He then jokingly added that perhaps they had been influenced by a “gambling spirit.” His playful comments filled the vehicles with laughter and transformed the small detour into a memorable and amusing part of the trip.
 
As the group passed through valleys and small towns, Grand Master remained in excellent spirits. Upon seeing an open mountain slope, he smiled and said, “Let’s go paragliding.” The remark was delivered with such lighthearted ease that everyone laughed. Passing through areas of rolling terrain, Grand Master also spoke about feng shui, explaining that when observing a dragon vein, one must look not only at the dragon’s head and tail but also at its legs in order to understand how the dragon moves. In just a few brief sentences, he transformed a complex feng shui concept into something vivid and engaging.
 
The town of Snoqualmie retains the rustic charm of a historic Northwestern mountain town. Since the late nineteenth century, its development has been closely tied to railroads, logging, and hydroelectric power generation, making it a place rich in both natural beauty and cultural history.
 
Upon arriving at the falls, the group gathered at the upper observation deck. Water poured over the cliff in a continuous white cascade, while mist filled the air and the roar of the falls echoed throughout the valley. Grand Master has written about Snoqualmie Falls many times in his books, describing it as a white silk ribbon suspended from the heavens, with waters sounding like thunder reverberating through an empty valley. Amid the spray and mist, one feels as though worldly worries are carried away by the flowing waters.
 
For Grand Master, the falls have never been merely a scenic attraction. He has spoken of seeing within the waterfall the power of diligence and perseverance, and within the torrents after rainfall the determination to press forward fearlessly. He has even taught disciples to form mudras, recite mantras, and enter meditation beneath a waterfall, allowing body and mind to merge with its energy and experience the unstoppable force of spiritual effort. As disciples returned to this place with Grand Master and listened once more to the thunderous waters, they could deeply appreciate that what he wrote in his books was not only about the beauty of nature but also about the strength and awareness required of spiritual practitioners facing the currents of life.
 
Standing before the waterfall today, Grand Master gazed at the rushing waters and joked, “I should enter retreat here for three years. When my divine powers are fully perfected, I’ll fly out.” He then laughed and asked whether he might discover a secret martial arts manual hidden nearby. He spoke of the familiar scenes found in novels and dramas, including Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, from the Water Curtain Cave on Flower-Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Continent. His humorous storytelling once again brought waves of laughter from the group. The waterfall was already magnificent, but Grand Master’s pearls of wisdom and wit added a touch of mythology, childlike wonder, and carefree joy.
 
Master Lian Chi also gave an on-site explanation of the history of hydroelectric power generation below the falls, helping everyone gain a deeper appreciation of the valley and its significance.
 
Grand Master also reminisced about his childhood, recalling memories of climbing trees to pick fruit and swimming in the Dajia River. His stories were warm, natural, and full of life. Another pleasant surprise during the outing came from Shimu, Vajra Master Lian Hsiang. Many expected the mountain paths and observation trails to require a slow pace, but Shimu walked energetically and swiftly, even reaching certain points ahead of the group. Fellow practitioners were delighted to see her vibrant spirit and quick steps, which added even more joy to the excursion.
 
At approximately 5:00 p.m., the outing concluded successfully. While everyone remained immersed in the grandeur of the waterfall and the happiness of traveling alongside their teacher, Grand Master was already thinking about returning to the temple to bless letters, create paintings, and attend to various Dharma affairs. Even during this rare half-day excursion, his thoughts remained with sentient beings. After a brief moment of relaxation, he returned to his disciplined and tireless life of Dharma propagation.
 
On the journey back, Grand Master once again demonstrated his remarkable memory. Although he had not visited the area for many years, he still remembered the names, appearance, and routes of the towns along the way as if recounting familiar treasures. The disciples listening nearby could only marvel at his extraordinary recollection.
 
The waterfall descended like a stream of white silk, its roar resembling the sound of Dharma teachings. The mountain breeze drifted gently through the valley, while laughter still lingered in the air. Carrying with them the memories of this special day, the disciples returned home with hearts filled with Dharma joy.