[138] Why I Attend Pureland Practice Fellowship Sessions Regularly
In the past, I had landed myself in three ‘Buddhist’ cult organisations. This was due to ignorance, greed and wrong motivation for learning the Dharma. After breaking clean from those organisations and teachers, I returned to PPF (Pureland Practice Fellowship: 净行会) at the end of 2020.
First paying attention to Shi’an Laoshi’s (teacher) sharing of Dharma quotes in the PPF WhatsApp group, I next attended PPF sessions (for weekly group cultivation and Dharma discussion) when they resumed after COVID restrictions were lifted.
I was very relieved and felt blessed that PPF (which was founded in 2008) was still around, that I could continue to learn the Dharma through it. Otherwise, I think I would have nowhere to go, as I am very shy to go into unfamiliar settings. PPF sessions were what I was familiar with, although I have yet to make friends with anyone then.
I got to know Laoshi when he conducted courses at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (光明山普觉禅寺). During that time, being not contented, I searched around for other temples to fit in, for a sense of belonging, and monastic teachers to learn from. Later, when my health issues got worse, I hoped to find cures through them, which was a terribly wrong move.
Even though I began learning Buddhism in my Secondary Three school days, I did not have enough faith in Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛) and understanding about his Pure Land (净土) yet. Having studied Pure Land Buddhism through Laoshi over the years, I got to know that Āmítuófó is the true healer. Reciting his name is like taking Āgada Medicine (阿伽陀药), which can cure all illnesses, mental and physical. (See https://purelanders.com/2023/03/29/70-mindfulness-of-buddha-is-like-taking-agada-medicine and https://youtu.be/WlZxBUZ47ns?is=CNgYiTHgOL79ugQT.)
Āmítuófó is always around. It was a shame that I did not have enough wisdom and blessings earlier, to Niànfó (念佛: be mindful of Budddha) for receiving Āmítuófó’s blessings to heal myself. Now, I do, and Niànfó is my Main Practice (正行). I am most grateful to Āmítuófó. Although I still have issues of aches and pains, they have become manageable. These sufferings are results of my past wrongdoings and I have to receive these retributions. In fact, these discomforts are my reminders and motivation to strive on. In fact, at times, I am afraid that I will slacken spiritually if my health improves too much, if I become too comfortable.
For PPF sessions, Laoshi continues to translate precious teachings passed down from the Chinese Pure Land Tradition’s Patriarchs (净土宗祖师) for sharing them. (See their biographies at https://purelanders.com/zushi.) Some of these Patriarchs are Buddha and Bodhisattva’s manifestations. For example, the 2nd Patriarch (二祖) Great Master Shàndǎo (善导大师) and the 6th Patriarch (六祖) Great Master Yǒngmíng (永明大师) are Āmítuófó’s manifestations (化身)! (See https://purelanders.com/2018/01/03/great-master-yongming-is-amituofo.)
And the 13th Patriarch (十三祖) Great Master Yìnguāng (印光大师) was Great Power Arrived Bodhisattva’s (大势至菩萨) manifestation! (See https://purelanders.com/2021/12/17/biography-of-the-thirteenth-patriarch-great-master-yinguang and https://purelanders.com/2021/03/18/how-master-yinguang-was-recognised-as-great-power-arrived-bodhisattvas-manifestation.) As all Great Bodhisattvas (大菩萨) are ancient Buddhas (古佛), Great Power Arrived Bodhisattva is a Buddha too! This means learning from Great Master Yìnguāng is equivalent to learning from another Buddha! Isn’t this amazing? We are so blessed to still have these opportunities to learn their teachings. We should not think lightly of them, or miss them!
Nowadays, many turn to TikTok, Facebook and YouTube etc. to find interesting, short and eye-catching materials, to learn the Dharma or just to pass time. However, for long-term benefitting of more with more detailed teachings, Laoshi has created and maintains three websites (https://purelanders.com, https://thedailyenlightenment.com and https://moonpointer.com) with thousands of sūtras (经) and treatises’ (论) translations, quotes, excerpts, reflections, film reviews (with the Dharma), Q&A letters, (contemporary and ancient) Pure Land testimonies and more. With references to the sacred texts, unlike many other online materials, if I immerse myself in these sites when I go online, I will never go wrong.
Having been in a problematic organisation to receive wrong teachings from a ‘teacher’ (who was supposed to live and practise as a monk, but did not), I tell myself that I have to be extra careful. But being naïve and maybe too trusting in nature, I sometimes forget. However, I do not have to worry anymore as PPF is the safest and best place to learn about Pure Land and Buddhism. I don’t have to be constantly on guard against learning anything unorthodox.
Laoshi is a very well-learned, respectable and strict teacher, but at the same time, patient, understanding and affable. He always welcomes and even encourages us to ask questions, and readily answers with his wisdom. What I really appreciate is that he gives practicable suggestions and solutions aligned with the precepts laid down by Buddha. He is a figure I looked up to.
I used to have obstacles learning the Dharma as I could not remember well or relate to what was taught. It was difficult for me to read Dharma books, forgetting what read earlier, needing to go through the same sentences and paragraphs again and again, without grasping anything. Gradually, I find myself reading with more clarity and understanding. Slowly but surely, this is happening. This is from Āmítuófó’s blessings. I feel that I have to repay his kindness to me, and mindfulness of his name is the best way to do it! (念佛报佛恩!)
Āmítuófó!
Eunice Cheng
7 September 2026
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https://purelanders.com/2023/12/26/23-top-ten-reasons-to-join-pureland-practice-fellowship-sessions
为何参加净行会？
Why Join Pureland Practice Fellowship (PPF)?
https://purelanders.com/2017/02/03/why-join-pureland-practice-fellowship
