For the rest of your life, you are to be marooned on an isolated island all by yourself. In addition to the basic needs of food, water, clothing, and shelter, you are given a choice of just three additional things to bring along. What would you bring and why?

The majority of people who replied emphasized the Surangama Sutra. Apparently, this is the sutra many of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Youth look to for guidance. Below are excerpts from responses that we received.

“A portrait of mom and dad to remember where I came from.
A statue of Venerable Master Hua to remember where I'm going.
A Surangama Sutra to keep me occupied.”
-- Peter  

“The Shurangama Sutra with Master Hua's commentary. This will be my guide for cultivation, and will be plenty to keep my mind occupied. Also, in the front pages of the Sutra, there is a picture of Master Hua, so I can look at our teacher when I want to.

The Amitabha Sutra with commentary, because I want to get familiar with my future home and keep my spirits up. How can you be depressed when you’re going to the Pure Land soon? Also, in the beginning of this Sutra there is an image of Amitabha Buddha that I particularly adore. I can use it as a general reference for creating my own images using resources from the island.

I'll bring a book about both plant identification and their medicinal uses. This is for when I get sick or something, I can try to keep myself alive."
--Minty

“A computer with super-fast internet access, so I can browse all the Buddhist website.
A big screen TV with DVD player, so I can watch all the Buddhist movies.
Sunglasses and sun tan lotion so I can meditate under the sun.”
-- Victor  

“A copy of the Avatamsaka Sutra for inspiration to begin and stay on the Bodhisattva path.
A copy of the Surangama Sutra so I can always have a teacher in meditation.
A nice Buddha image. (I am also assuming that the island has warm sandy beach to meditate on without need for meditation cushion and leg blanket).”
--Franklyn  

“Nothing.…Yeah, that would be my quote; I meant it to be short and succinct to further
emphasize n-o-t-h-i-n-g.”
--Jason K  

“The Surangama Sutra in Chinese so I have a guide for practice, a wonderful text to memorize, and plenty of Chinese to keep me busy.
A really good and really big Buddhist Chinese dictionary for reference.
My favorite photograph of my teacher, the Venerable Master Hua, to help me remember my goals and for encouragement.”
-- Sarah  

“My computer, a Mac Powerbook, so I can type my thoughts, and look at pictures, watch DVDs, listen to music, and email my DRBY friends (if some how I could rig, on the island, Internet access)
My favorite book Growing Up by Russell Baker, which has much humor and worldly dharma.
A friend so that I may discuss Buddha Dharma with as well as life on the island. Life is too short and would be too dull by myself."
-- Tina

“Lots and lots of chocolate.”
-- Anonymous

D|M

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