How To Respond In Dreams With (Un)known Persons?
如何在梦中回应(不)认识者？
Question: In one dream I had, there was an unseen being, whose presence was felt. In another dream, there was a person who looked at me. (There was no malevolence and the environment was not frightening though.) What should I have done?
Answer: Sometimes, such unseen and seen beings in dreams are just ghostly sentient beings (i.e. wandering spirits and ghosts), with whom we have affinity (有缘众生), who happen to pass by and enter our dream states.
[1] To the seen or unseen, you should ask, ‘Who are you, and what do you want?’
[2] If the response, if any is vague, say, ‘念佛，见佛，跟佛’ (Be mindful of the Buddha, till you see the Buddha, and follow the Buddha).
[3] Sit (in the dream), close your eyes and recite the Buddha’s name (阿弥陀佛: Āmítuófó) sincerely all the way.
Step [2] is concise offering of guidance (开示), to urge giving rise to the Three Provisions (三资粮). If the beings are agreeable and follow the instruction, this means they have Faith (信) in Āmítuófó, Aspiration (愿) to follow Āmítuófó, and Practice (行) of reciting of Āmítuófó’s name. (Of course, if capable, one can offer more complex guidance. However, in such dreams, it is usually already quite challenging, to have enough presence of mind to offer the above.)
Step [3] is offering of support-chanting (助念), with the dreamer doing actual Practice personally. When there is sincere Practice, the beings, with their default supernormal power of sight, will see Āmítuófó’s golden light surrounding. This is how they can be further encouraged to follow the guidance, to also do the Practice sincerely, with which they will see the Buddha, and be able to follow the Buddha to his Pure Land.
If the dream is mind-made, it will end quickly. If not, as there will be protection, there is nothing to fear, and the dream will end quickly too. When awake, you can also do more mindfulness of Buddha, to dedicate more meritorious virtues (回向功德) to all beings in general.
Question: What if the beings introduce themselves or are recognised later, and have requests after asking what they want?
Answer: If the requests can be met, assure so, to give peace of mind. If unsure, reply that you will do what you can. After that, you should still do the following.
[2] Say, ‘念佛，见佛，跟佛’ (Be mindful of the Buddha, till you see the Buddha, and follow the Buddha).
[3] Sit (in the dream), close your eyes and recite the Buddha’s name (阿弥陀佛: Āmítuófó) sincerely all the way.
To prevent attachment, do not have long-drawn communication, with which there might be more and even unreasonable requests. What most important, whether their requests can be met or not, is that they follow your example of sincere mindfulness of Buddha, to swiftly have the best rebirth possible, with no more suffering. Since there is nothing else more helpful, if there are recurring dreams, stay focused and repeat the steps above.
