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Reflecting on Teacher Shi’an’s discussion last Saturday during Pureland Practice Fellowship’s session on the instantaneous effect of calling out Amituofo’s name [i.e. 阿弥陀佛: Amita(bha) Buddha] sincerely in times of fear or need brought to mind an incident I experienced a few months ago.
That morning, I awoke to a terrible stench likened to rotting or decomposing trash. Still lying in bed, I wondered, ‘Smell of garbage in my bedroom? This cannot be! Why? Where? Here in my bedroom on the 17th floor? No way!’
What happened next caught me by surprise. The name of ‘Amituofo’ fleeted through my mind. I wasn’t ‘purposely’ thinking of it. I did not even voice it aloud.
What happened following that thought was even more amazing. As swiftly as the thought arose, the rotting smell was gone – in an instant! There was not a trace of any lingering whiff! Anyone who had taken out stinking garbage knows that we might have to spray disinfectant to rid lingering smells even after the garbage was thrown out. I sniffed and sniffed for traces, but there was absolutely none. Zilch!
My analytical mind then started reflecting on this brief experience of just a few minutes. If an unseen being paid me a visit, Amituofo was protecting me from potential harm, even when I didn’t even have the presence of mind to call for help the usual way. 感恩阿弥陀佛！(Gratitude to Amituofo!) A fleeting thought of his name was all it took for whoever it was present to leave instantly and without a trace. This has strengthened my faith in Amituofo, knowing that in the event of disasters or calamities, he will surely be there to protect his Pure Land ‘children’, who are habitually and sincerely connected to him.
Namo Amituofo : CP
Notes:
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Most ghostly disturbances encountered by humans are with wandering spirits, who have human-like forms based on their last appearances. Most active disturbances are not by hungry ghosts, who are seldom seen due to being of a more different ‘frequency’, though also wandering this shared world. Most of them also look very different from wandering spirits, with their big stomachs, thin necks, straggly hair, while having very foul smells, which are all manifestations of their negative karma.
Though seldom seen, there are occasional probably accidental scares when they are near, as they might be smelled. Like wandering spirits, sometimes, having some karmic affinity, they happen to pass by, or come near when curious. (Wandering spirits might have some issues they wish to settle though.) If ghosts and spirits are often near, due to energy clashes, this will not be good for human physical health, which is in turn not good for psychological health, if not already frightened and worried.
We should Nianfo (i.e. be mindful of Amituofo} compassionately to wish them well, first saying or thinking aloud, that they too should Nianfo sincerely, till they see Amituofo come, to follow him to his Pure Land, where there will be no more suffering. Though it is understandable if there is some Nianfo due to fear, and for protection, we should do our best to Nianfo with brave compassion, to guide them too, as above. There can also be more practice of repentance, Nianfo and sharing of merits later to assist.
When there is sudden yet still sincere Nianfo, beings who might have some ill intent to disturb, or were merely surprised will back off. This is so as with sincere Nianfo, there is the golden light of Amituofo resonated with, that surrounds and protects the one chanting. What important is to do our best to transform our fear to compassion, for the well-being of both ourselves and these beings, so as to transform any possibly negative karmic affinity to a pure one.
For more instinctively swift Nianfo to arise, there has to be more sincere, habitual, regular and diligent Nianfo practice in everyday life, such that even when caught off guard in unexpected situations, even if there is fear or desperation, we are still able to habitually Nianfo with utmost sincerity, even without ‘purposely’ thinking of doing so – though intention actually still arises, just very swiftly due to habitual conditioning. It is also possible to be swiftly prompted to Nianfo by other seen or unseen protective beings.
When able to Nianfo, as Sakyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) taught in the Immeasurable Life Sutra (无量寿经) below, firm connection to Amituofo can be made even in one single instant with utmost sincere mindfulness. This connection, when powered by Faith and Aspiration, enables swift reach of his Pure Land, for swiftest progress to Buddhahood. Utmost sincerity is key for such swift connection.
诸有众生，闻其名号，
信心欢喜，乃至一念，
至心回向，愿生彼国，
即得往生，住不退转。
唯除五逆，诽谤正法。All sentient beings, [who] hear [i.e. are mindful of] his name [‘Amituofo’, with the] faithful mind joyful, and even [with] one thought, [with the] sincere mind dedicate, aspire [to be] born [in] that land, [will] immediately attain rebirth [there, and] abide in non-retrogression. Only excluded [are those with the] Five Heinous [Transgressions, who] slandered [the] right Dharma.
Joy arises and increases with Faith in Amituofo and his vows to guide us to his Pure Land. To sincerely dedicate with the vow to be born there is to give rise to Aspiration. To hear his name is to have Practice of mindfulness of Amituofo. Faith, Aspiration and Practice are the Three Provisions to be born in this Pure Land, combined as one to be ‘[with] Faith and Aspiration mindful of Buddha’ (信愿念佛). The stronger one’s Faith and Aspiration are, the easier is it to connect to Amituofo swiftly, within a thought or few.
If unable to sincerely muster the Three Provisions completely and instantly within one thought when dying or deceased, there should be more Practice, with more thoughts – be they two to ten thoughts or more, for one day to seven days or more. When adequate with the Three Provisions, it is also within that final one adequate thought, that Amituofo will be firmly connected to, for reaching his Pure Land. Those with heinous misgivings can also give rise to the provisions if guided to repent and practise sincerely in time.
欲即时得阿弥陀佛护念，
即时以至心念阿弥陀佛。
欲时时得阿弥陀佛护念，
时时以至心念阿弥陀佛。To be instantly protected by Amituofo,
instantly be sincerely mindful of Amituofo.
To be constantly protected by Amituofo,
constantly be sincerely mindful of Amituofo.
