Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

quietness of his hermitage. Mr. Chen has himself said
that once he was in Shanghai and attended a theatrical
performance by the well known artist Dr. Mei Lan Fang.
While it was in progress he got a deep concentration,
much better than he had obtained living in a cave.
Although he has some neighbors living close to him their
voices give him no trouble…. It is surely only one very
well-practiced in meditation who can ignore all these.
When I had read a good many Taoist books, I went one
day to one of their Divine Altars. The diviner in charge
predicted that besides the mere attainment of long life, I
should become immortal if I practiced their teachings.
This was a turning point in my life, when my mind
became less concerned with worldly things.
The library also contained the works of Venerable Tai
Xu, the vigorous reformer of Chinese Buddhism and his
works I read enthusiastically while knowing but little of
the real meaning of Buddhism. Ven. Tai Xu's writings
were easy for the young and educated man to read as they
contained a blend of the modern scientific approach with
ancient wisdom.
In the Province of Hunan at that time there was no lay
Buddhist organization and progressively minded
upasakas desired very much that Ven. Tai Xu come to
assist them in forming an association and give them also
the benefits of his learning in lectures and advice. They
urged me to write on their behalf to invite the Venerable
one, but I did not want to do this since I knew little
Buddhism. They persuaded me, however, and
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