[93] Very Peaceful Indeed!
Dear Shi’an 老师 (teacher), my Father passed away in December 2019. He was 93 years old. I was at Tan Tock Seng Hospital Pharmacy buying his medicine when I received a call on his departure.
I rushed back, bearing Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛) in mind. When I saw him, he looked as white as paper. With a heavy heart, but not allowing any tears to flow, we got organised and started our support-chanting (助念).
With your teachings, understanding what is required for the deceased, we chanted continuously till the undertaker arrived. By then, there were already more than 12 hours of chanting. His face was not white anymore, as if glowing, looking like a normal person in sleep. Very peaceful indeed.
老师, thank you very much for your teachings. I hope more people can benefit from them, as much as me.
Námó Āmítuófó : Lilian T.
2 February 2023
Notes:
[1] The teachings refer to ‘The Three Great Essentials When Approaching Death’《临终三大要》taught in the ‘Destination Pureland: How To Have The Best Rebirth’ course in detail: https://purelanders.com/now.
[2] For the dying and just deceased, after offering of guidance (开示), as at https://purelanders.com/wake, there should be sincere reciting of Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) name (念佛), to motivate and guide the person’s consciousness (if still around), to be likewise mindful, so as to connect to the Buddha, to be received for reaching his Pure Land (净土).
[3] Post-death support-chanting (往生助念), without touching or moving (搬动) the body, should be for 3 to 8 or even more hours, to allow ample time for the consciousness, which is likely to still be in or near the body, to connect to the Buddha, and to depart for Pure Land safely. Handling of the body before that, with the consciousness still within, will cause magnified pain and suffering, which might lead to an unfortunate rebirth if reborn at that moment. Even if 3 hours is not possible, there should still be as much support-chanting as possible.
[4] Looking radiant and with deep peace and bliss (安乐), even many hours after death is an auspicious sign (瑞相). This is called the ‘facial appearance like when alive’ (面相如生), which expresses the state of well-being. Without mindfulness of Buddha and connection to him, this is not easy to attain.
[5] The wake chanting practice recommended can be seen at https://purelanders.com/wake.
