Testimonies

[100] How My Mother Departed For Pure Land Smoothly 母亲如何顺利往生净土

[100] How My Mother Departed For Pure Land Smoothly
母亲如何顺利往生净土

Teacher Shi’an, thank you for your kindness and compassion. My family and I again used what you have taught, to send my Mum for rebirth in Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛) Pure Land (净土). Below is my write-up for sharing, for benefitting others.

Since the end of February, we have placed an Āmítuófó picture before Mum at home, at the sofa area where she rested, as a reminder be mindful of his name. There was also a Buddha recitation device (念佛机) playing his name, for preparing her to be reborn in his Pure Land. In fact, she has practised much recitation of Guānshìyīn Bodhisattva’s name before, while I also shared on mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name before she became weak. She was already quite well prepared.

At the age of 92, my Mum (Madam Wee) passed away peacefully on 8 April 2023 at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. As the doctor said, it was due to ageing, that led to degeneration of the body. As her blood pressure and oxygen level dropped significantly (to below 60), she was admitted. As she had a fever caused by lung infection, antibiotics were given with oxygen.

I offered guidance (开示) according to the Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng’s (净土宗十三祖印光大师) teachings, also informing any possibly present karmic creditors (冤亲债主) of my hope that they all be mindful of the Buddha’s name together, and that all meritorious virtues (功德) will be dedicated to all for facilitating rebirth in Pure Land. The Repentance Verse (忏悔文) was chanted too, with beseeching of the Western Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss’ Three Noble Ones (西方三圣) to offer their blessings to purify everyone’s karmic obstacles (业障).

My sister and I did support-chanting (助念) for my Mum for many hours. I also let her see pictures of Āmítuófó and Guānshìyīn Bodhisattva (观世音菩萨) on my phone, before she fell asleep at around 9 pm.

Mum was much awake for the whole day until 9 pm, before falling asleep. At around midnight, her breathing stopped, but was still with her heart beating. (This sometimes happens.) My sister started wiping her body, changing to put on her hǎiqīng (海青: black lay robes). After that, I applied some gel (as an ‘adhesive’, which is optional), before sprinkling blessed Sand Of Golden Bright Light (金光明沙) and putting on the Rebirth Blanket (往生被). We did support-chanting until 2 am, when a nurse confirmed that her heartbeat has stopped, thereupon announcing her death, in the presence of most family members.

[Note: Usually, the ending of breathing marks physical death, but if the heart continues beating, it is best to see it as not actual death yet. Thus, the body should not be touched or moved, including for cleaning and changing of clothes too soon. It should be after death, after ample offering of guidance and support-chanting, as can be seen at https://purelanders.com/now. Even the dying person should not be touched unless really needed, as there will be magnified sensitivity and pain. On how to first touch the body after death for cleaning and changing, see step [4] onwards at https://purelanders.com/2015/12/30/important-guidelines-3-after-dying-pure-land-passport-section-4c. A streamlined sequence for support-chanting can be seen at https://purelanders.com/wake.]

The auspicious sign (瑞相) of ‘extraordinary fragrance filling the room’ (异香满堂) occurred a few times[1] The helper at Mum’s home smelled strong fragrance of flowers for 3 days before her passing, and on the night of passing. [2] My wife, a few others and myself smelled likewise when her body returned home for the wake. My wife and I also felt joyful and positive energy. [3] My nephew and niece-In-law both smelled likewise at the crematorium’s ash collection room. He said, ‘Hi Èrshū (二叔: Second Uncle), when we were in the room, there was a sweet scent of flowers when they opened the box with Ah Ma’s (Grandma) remains. The fragrance lasted a few seconds and slowly faded. 不可思议! (Inconceivable!)’

Āmítuófó! The above is the true account of my Mum’s rebirth in Pure Land. May everyone faithfully receive that the Buddha taught, that all Buddhas also praise, in ‘The Sūtra With Praises Of Inconceivable Meritorious Virtues And All Buddhas’ Mindful Protection’《称赞不可思议功德一切诸佛所护念经》(The Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Amitābha Buddha《佛说阿弥陀经》).

回向文

愿以此功德,庄严佛净土,
上报四重恩,下济三途苦。
若有见闻者,悉发菩提心,
尽此一报身,同生极乐国。

Verse For Sharing Of Merits

May these meritorious virtues, adorn the Buddha’s Pure Land [so as to be born there], repay the four weighty sources of kindness [which are our parents, the Triple Gem (Buddhas, Dharma, Saṃgha), society (country) and all sentient beings] above, and relieve suffering of the three paths [of hell-beings, hungry ghosts and animals] below. If there are those who see or hear this, may all give rise to the Bodhi Mind [(Bodhicitta) which is the aspiration to attain Buddhahood while guiding all sentient beings to the same goal], and at the end of this one retribution body [that is karmically subject to suffering], be born in the Land Of Ultimate Bliss [which is Āmítuófó’s Pure Land] together.

Námó Āmítuófó : CH Keay
12 April 2023

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