The Life Story of Shakymuni Buddha has long been circulating in the world, and it is considered a masterpiece within the Teachings, a precious raft upon which living beings can pass beyond this realm. Everybody likes to read it; one and all are delighted by the pictures that accompany the text. The book is easy to understand, truly a magnificent work that responds to potentials, a wondrous exposition that tallies with principle.

The author has long cherished a deep admiration for his teacher, Venerable Hsu Yun. This admiration extends to the Master's Way virtue, precept conduct, erudition wisdom, ascetic discipline, vow power and actual practice. It includes the Master's kindness, compassion, joy, and renunciation, his equanimity, giving, patience, vigor, Dhyana samadhi, as well as all the other Paramita doors. The numerous events that happened throughout his life can certainly act as a compass for those in the Dharma-ending Age, a saving force for this century.

Therefore, the author found an especially talented artist in Buddhist subjects, in preparing 200 scrolls, and after several years of careful planning and deliberation, this book has now been published. It is my hope that the Venerable Yun's virtuous conduct will be made known to the entire world. May many people through reading his life story be encouraged to bring forth the Bodhi resolve and accomplish the unsurpassed Way, and then, may they reverse the boast of compassion to come back and teach and transform living beings, so that together we attain irreversibility from the position of enlightenment.

Written respectfully by mountain monk Tu Lun, (Hsuan Hua)
In the Flower Adornment Study at the Buddhist Lecture Hall, Hong Kong,
On the holy day of Maitreya Bodhisattva,
The first day of the Lunar New Year, in the year 1960.