[116] How My Dad Departed With Six Auspicious Signs
Dear all fellow Purelanders,
Part 1 (On 12 August 2024):
On behalf of my family, I wish to express our deep gratitude to everyone who came to practise support-chanting (助念) at my Dad’s wake, even though you may not have known us personally.
My Dad had been suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease, which made swallowing and eating difficult. His condition worsened with urine retention recently, leading to a hospital visit, where he had cardiac arrest. We did support-chanting for him immediately after his passing.
When I showed my helper, who cared for my Dad around the clock, photos of him before and after the chanting, she remarked that after the chanting, my Dad [1] looked exactly like he did when he was healthy, [with facial appearance as if alive: 面相如生].
[2] His body in terms of hands and legs were also supple and soft (身心柔软) after 8 hours of support-chanting. Even his feet became full and ‘abundant’. This truly reflects the power of Niànfó (念佛). Thank you once again for your support in sending my Dad off. May he swiftly reach Pure Land (净土).
Part 2 (On 8 November 2024):
During the 49 days after departure, my [3] younger brother dreamt of my Dad with his whole body radiating light (全身发光). My [4] Mum and [5] eldest sister saw his ‘photo’ smiling at them on different days.
Another [6] relative living in Hong Kong (instead of Singapore, where we are) dreamt of him being well-dressed, young and handsome. [Being in the prime of youth is an auspicious sign too, as all in Pure Land are so.]
May these auspicious signs (瑞相) bring greater confidence to my family members on the efficacy of the Pure Land teachings.
🙏 Amituofo 🙏 Xīnyún (心云)
