[140] Pureland Practice Fellowship Sessions Are My Weekly Retreats
I have always been someone who thinks and worries a lot. The ultimate question I always ponder on is ‘What happens after death?’ So, I am very grateful to my husband, Leo, who introduced me to Pure Land Buddhism and to teacher Shi’an’s Destination Pureland class. That course was eye-opening and the beginning of my doubts being cleared one by one.
I only started to attend PPF (Pureland Practice Fellowship) sessions (which are for those who have completed at least one Pure Land course) when they resumed after COVID in February 2023. Due to the backlog of successful support-chanting testimonies being shared in person, I heard inspiring testimonies week after week, which made me very excited as I found it very practical to learn from real-life experiences. Since then, Leo and I have not missed a session unless we are sick or overseas.
Attending PPF sessions has become my weekly ‘retreat’. During the three hours, my mind can take a break from work. Most importantly, I feel happy that I can ask questions, which teacher Shi’an never fails to answer. I have never been to a class where the teacher encourages so much to ask questions. This saying that teacher shared, ‘大疑大悟，小疑小悟，不疑不悟’ (Great doubt leads to great awakening, little doubt leads to little awakening, no doubt leads to no awakening) left a deep impression on me.
During PPF sessions, we would Niànfó (念佛) and/or chant Āmítuójīng《阿弥陀经》together, before having Dharma discussions furthering our understanding. Most wonderfully, I feel very warm being with so many good-knowing friends (善知识), and am very encouraged by everyone’s journey on this Pure Land path.
There are always some takeaways after each session. The most important message so far for me is, ‘担心没有功德；不如念佛造功德’ (What is the point of worrying, since it does not create any merits. We might as well Niànfó, which will create merits.) Although it is something so simple, we all need to be reminded, as our minds can be overwhelmed by worries easily.
Another great takeaway from PPF is the line, ‘念佛不念痛’ (Be mindful of Āmítuófó; not mindful of pain). Sister Jacqueline’s testimony-sharing reminded me again, that one might be in pain, but one can choose not to suffer (痛而不苦).
As mentioned during the lunch gathering on 5 September 2026, I feel that the best way to thank teacher, who puts in so much effort to prepare for PPF sessions, is to attend them regularly. I sincerely hope to see more Purelanders in PPF soon.
Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛) : Ang Shen
13 September 2026
