Nun’s body intact four years after death in A Missouri monastery

This May, Gower, a small rural town in Missouri, has unexpectedly gained recognition as a pilgrimage destination following an extraordinary occurrence related to the exhumation of a nun’s body. Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, the founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, was buried at the age of 95 in May 2019. Remarkably, when her body was exhumed four years later, it displayed no visible signs of decomposition, leading to a surge of visitors to the town, approximately 40 miles north of Kansas City.

The preservation of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s body has captivated the attention of hundreds of people, who have deemed it a “miracle in Missouri.” Despite expectations that only bones would remain due to her burial in a simple, unembalmed wooden coffin, the exhumation revealed her fully intact body, along with her religious habit impeccably preserved. Initially, the discovery was intended to remain private, but the news spread rapidly after a private email was mistakenly shared with the public.

While as a Buddhist disciple, I find this occurrence surprising, it is not unprecedented in Chinese Buddhist history. Throughout the annals of Chinese Buddhism, there have been quite a few revered masters and patriarchs who have left behind fully intact relics of their bodies after passing away. Notably, Nanhua Temple in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, houses three such relics: Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen; Master Hanshang; and Master Dantian. These examples from Buddhist history further highlight the profound reverence and awe associated with the preservation of such relics.

Master Huineng the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism

Huineng, widely recognized as the Sixth Patriarch or Sixth Ancestor of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, holds a significant place in the early history of Chinese Chan Buddhism. He is both a semi-legendary and a central figure in the development of this tradition. Huineng is renowned as the author of the influential Sixth Platform Sutra and is revered as the sixth patriarch of Chan Buddhism.

To this day, Huineng’s physical body remains preserved in the Nanhua Monastery in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province. Clad in a yellow robe and a red shawl, his corpse serves as a revered symbol within the monastery where he once taught. According to the Biography of the Great Master of Caoxi (Caoxi Dashi Zhuan, circa 781), Huineng’s body was removed from an urn on September 8, 714. After being desiccated for over a year, it was carefully covered with glue and lacquer before being enshrined in a stupa, where it has remained since.

This preservation of Huineng’s body and its continued veneration serve as a testament to his profound impact on the development of Zen Buddhism and his lasting influence on generations of practitioners. The presence of his preserved corpse stands as a tangible reminder of his teachings and spiritual legacy within the Nanhua Monastery.

Master HanShan (1546-1623)
Master Dantian (1535 – 1614)

Mount Jiuhua, located in China, has a significant historical and religious importance as a Buddhist Holy Land, boasting a rich heritage that spans over 1600 years. Its origins can be traced back to the year 401 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, when the esteemed monk known as “Beidu” journeyed from ancient India to Mount Jiuhua with the intention of constructing temples and spreading the teachings of Buddhism.

In 719 AD, when Kim Qiaoque, a prince hailing from Silla (present-day South Korea), arrived at Jiuhua Mountain. Kim Qiaoque dedicated himself to self-cultivation in this sacred place for an impressive span of 75 years. His life came to an end at the remarkable age of 99, and astonishingly, his physical body remained intact even after death. Due to the striking resemblance between Kim Qiaoque and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the revered monks residing in Mount Jiuhua firmly believed that the spirit of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had reincarnated within him. Consequently, Mount Jiuhua evolved into a significant site for conducting rites and rituals dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Throughout history, Mount Jiuhua has served as a dwelling place for countless enlightened masters. Historical records reveal an astounding tally of sixteen masters who achieved the extraordinary feat of leaving behind relics of their physical bodies, fully intact. To safeguard these precious remains, most of the relics were delicately adorned with a layer of gold, serving as a symbol of veneration from the people. These sacred relics not only stand as a testament to the spiritual accomplishments of these masters but also continue to evoke deep reverence and inspiration among devotees to this very day.

Mount Jiuhua Incarnation Grand Hall Enshrines Flesh Body of Ksitigarbha covered by a layer of gold

Master Mingjing (1928 – 1992)

Renyi Nun 仁义师太(1911—1995)enshrined at Mount Jiuhua Tonghui Zen temple
慈航法师 Master CiHang (1893—1954)Now enshrined in Taiwan Metriya Temple

Just a few years ago, the esteemed holy monk Yinhai, a devoted disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, departed this earthly realm, leaving behind a profound and awe-inspiring spiritual legacy. On January 15, 2017, Elder Monk Yinhai completed his earthly journey through impeccable spiritual practices. What followed after his passing was an extraordinary phenomenon that surpassed anything witnessed in Buddhist history.

Even after his physical demise, the holy monk’s body underwent a truly extraordinary and divine metamorphosis. In a stunning departure from the natural order of things, his fingers and nails continued to grow, presenting an unprecedented occurrence in the annals of Buddhist history. This majestic and wondrous manifestation set a remarkable new record that reverberated throughout the Buddhist community. Commencing on the tenth day following his passing, an awe-inspiring process of complete transformation unfolded within his flesh and bones. In a mere twenty days, his body underwent a magnificent metamorphosis, assuming a form that transcended all comparisons, resembling a sacred dharma image.

The astounding and sacred phenomenon demonstrated by the revered monk Yinhai stands as a powerful testament to the profound Buddha Dharma transmitted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in the annals of Buddhist history.

Photo on the left was taken 11 hours after the Holy Monk entered nirvana, on the right was taken after 24 days

Across various religions, there have been instances of inexplicable miracles that defy the understanding and explanations provided by current scientific knowledge. These miracles, although beyond the grasp of science, undeniably exist. It is my sincere hope that individuals refrain from hastily dismissing them as mere superstition and avoid judging them solely based on their personal knowledge and beliefs.

The realm of spirituality and faith often transcends the limitations of scientific understanding. It encompasses dimensions and experiences that extend beyond empirical observations and logical reasoning. Just because something cannot be readily explained by scientific means does not diminish its significance or validity. Rather, it calls for a humble recognition of the vast mysteries that exist beyond the boundaries of human comprehension.

By approaching these miracles with an open mind and a willingness to explore the depths of the unknown, we can cultivate a greater appreciation for the diverse expressions of spirituality across different belief systems. It is through this mindset that we can foster respect and understanding, recognizing that our individual perspectives may not encompass the entirety of the world’s wonders.

Nun’s body intact four years after death in A Missouri monastery

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2023/06/16/nuns-body-intact-four-years-after-death-in-a-missouri-monastery/

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/05/25/nuns-body-exhumed-years-after-death-shows-no-signs-of-decay/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII#BuddhaDharma#HolyMonkYinhai#ChanBuddhism#MasterHuineng # #YinhaiShengzun#Holyfeat#SixthPatriarchofChanBuddhism #ZenBuddhism #MountJiuhua #KsitigarbhaBodhisattva #NanhuaTemple #Relics #MasterHanshan

A Tremendously Holy Feat Manifested At the Holy Heavenly Lake Where the Buddhist City Will Be Established

A Tremendously Holy Feat Manifested At the Holy Heavenly Lake Where the Buddhist City Will Be Established

At February 14, 2019. The City of Hesperia where the Holy Heavenly Lake is located held a public hearing to discuss the matter of building the Buddhist City at the Holy Heavenly Lake and subdividing the land for various Buddhist sects to build temples in the city. The result was that the city agreed to let the project move forward. 

At the very next day February 15th, when the bright sun was shining in the sky, it was suddenly reported that at the riverbed above the underground river at the Holy Heavenly Lake, huge waves were seen flowing very fast from south to north. The magnitude of the water flow was inconceivably large. The river’s width was similar to that of the Yangtze River (the longest and largest river in China). The color of the river was transparently blue, resembling that of the Danube River. Seeing the rushing billows with the rapid torrents, many people were very astounded and did not know how to react. They were speculating but did not know what kind of situation might occur after all.

Huge rushing waves in the river
The water surface that is as wide as the Yangtze River, taken from the shore of the Holy Heavenly Lake

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said at that time, “You do not know the situation but you don’t have to worry. This is a greatly auspicious precursor. There will not be any harm or damage done in the Holy Heavenly Lake where buildings and temples are to be constructed, or to the nearby places where people inhabit. Now the only thing to be done is to inform the World Buddhism Association Headquarters since they will build the temple there. They should send people to record the holy feat.”

We asked about why this is called a holy feat. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “You were already told last year that the Holy Heavenly Lake is a holy site. Below the Holy Heavenly Lake, there is an underground river going from the south to the north, which is as wide as the Yangtze River. At that time, there were evil and demonic persons who slandered us to say that what we said was a rumor. For that, some people brought up scientific evidence to tell them that one of the world’s only two big underground rivers going from the south to the north is truly under the Holy Heavenly Lake. They were also told that there is a crystal lake with crystal gems lying 450 feet below the ground. But how could people with karmic hindrances believe my words? They are obstructed by dark karma and do not even believe science. You can think for yourself and then answer me: Why does clear water suddenly flow rapidly today with waves lifted by its billows over the riverbed above the underground river, although the riverbed has been dried for many years? What is the reason? It runs northward like an endless tide from a river of hundreds of miles in length. What holy, pure karmic condition can cause it after all?”

At this time, a Shangzun replied to His Holiness the Buddha, “Is this a river that holds the water flowing from the heavenly river into the big underground river at the entrance on the ground surface? This is truly a joyful celebration and an act of praise by the nagas and heavenly dharmapalas. The cause of it is an event that happened on February 14, 2019. The City of Hesperia where the Holy Heavenly Lake is located held a public hearing to discuss the matter of building the Buddhist City at the Holy Heavenly Lake and subdividing the land for various Buddhist sects to build temples in the city. The result was that the city agreed to let the project move forward. The nagas and heavenly dharmapalas are very pleased and give their praises!”

Following His Holiness the Buddha’s Dharma decree, we went to the shores of the Holy Heavenly Lake. All we heard was the rushing, pounding waves. It was really like what His Holiness the Buddha said. We saw the large river, just like the Yangtze River, appearing above ground in Holy Heavenly Lake. The river was flowing northward, with a huge volume of water in surging billows and waves at a very rapid speed,  taking away the remnants and dead leaves from the lakeside. There was no harm done to the trees and buildings at all, nor was there any damage to the houses across the river. The video also captured a rainbow.

The meeting was held on the first day, and the nagas and dharmapalas showed their praises through this tremendously holy manifestation on the next day. We believe that the Buddhist City at the Holy Heavenly Lake will fulfill the myriad wishes and bring about prosperity in every undertaking!

A Tremendously Holy Feat Manifested At the Holy Heavenly Lake Where the Buddhist City Will Be Established on February 15th 2019

A Tremendously Holy Feat Manifested At the Holy Heavenly Lake Where the Buddhist City Will Be Established

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2022/04/01/a-tremendously-holy-feat-manifested-at-the-holy-heavenly-lake-where-the-buddhist-city-will-be-established/

Source: https://thebodhiwish.com/a-tremendously-holy-feat-manifested-yesterday-at-the-holy-heavenly-lake-where-the-buddhist-city-will-be-established/

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Elder Monk Yin Hai Created an Unprecedented Holy Manifestation in the History of Buddhism after His Entering Nirvana

Elder Monk Yin Hai Created an Unprecedented Holy Manifestation in the History of Buddhism after His Entering Nirvana

Holy Monk Yinhai

On January 15 2017, Elder Monk Yinhai, has left us after perfect practices. A top-level great holy monk has forever gone in the world. Under the condition of having no sign of sickness, the Elder Monk went into a perfect passing in a sudden. According to U.S. laws, a doctor must file a death certificate with the government. The doctor, however, could not find any sickness as the cause of death, so he just wrote the heart stopped according to what happened. 

Wangzha Shangzun had already predicted in public when the holy examinations ended on December 30th, 2016: “There is a holy monk who ever shone light from His nine burn-marks and broke the darkness of the room. He is the number one high monk in this world today, whom I respect the most. He will leave us in the middle of January next year. After his passing, a holy feat that has never happened in Buddhist history shall happen. That will be a great joyful matter and is worthy of joyful celebration.” 

Wangzha Shangzun wrote a praise verse especially:

Monk Yinhai has merits that shine brightly in the universe
His nine burn-marks emitted light that broke darkness in the room
A greatly compassionate Bodhi incluse who now is known to the world,
On His own will, He returned to the Upper Lotus of Ultimate Bliss
After Shengzun’s passing, His flesh transformed with holy miracle
Creating a new sacred chapter on passing in Buddhist history
Earlier we went to reclusive practice in the deep mountain cave together
Lately, we were both close to the Buddha to receive true teachings

—the humbled Buddhist disciple, Wangzha Gongbo, holding palms together. February 15, 2017

Chinese praise verse written by WangZha ShangZun

Besides composing and writing the praise verse, Shangzun also talked about the Elder Monk’s holy feats, explained that the Elder Monk’s greatly compassionate Bodhi merits shone in the universe and spread the dharmic connection to true Buddha Dharma for the human Saha world. He let Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings show their positive energy and bright light once again; He exposed the dirty phenomena where evil masters and charlatans were wreaking havoc when Buddha Dharma gradually became chaotic two thousand years after Shakyamuni Buddha’s time under the daylight. He allowed Buddhists to find the path to return to the true and correct teachings by the Buddha. 

After the holy monk’s perfect passing, even His fingers and nails continued to grow, showing a tremendous divine transformation in the flesh, which has never happened in Buddhist history. The holy feat manifest that is so majestic and wonderful created a new record in Buddhist history where, on the tenth day after the passing, the flesh and the bones started undergoing a complete change. In twenty days, the body transformed to another dharma image that is majestic beyond compare. The awe-inspiring holy feat the Elder Monk Yinhai left the human world indeed verified the prediction made by Wangzha Shangzun. 

After the Holy Monk entered nirvana, Buddhist disciples of the seven types guarded the Holy Monk’s flesh body at all times day and night. Each shift had between 8 to 16 persons chanting the holy name of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, without pausing for even one minute. Additionally, three high dharma assemblies were held every day at the site. From the tenth day, people began to see that the Elder Dharma Master’s flesh body was changing miraculously day by day and also emitted unique scent and light. Dharma Master Jue Hui, Dharma Master Long Hui, Dharma Master Xiangge Qiongwa, Dharma Master Ruo Hui, Dharma Master Miao Kong, Long Zhou Rinpoche, and others touched and pressed the Elder Monk’s flesh body by hand. They found that it was substantial and hard as a stone. They were all stunned and spoke with full praises. For that, Wangzha Shangzun was furious and scolded them, “This is total misbehavior. How could one touch and press the revered flesh body of the venerable holy one with one’s hand?” The dharma masters could only say that touching was permitted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The Shang Zun did not know how to react and could only say, “You should read the article about what Lama Achuk told Ah Qiong Khempo. Then you will know why the flesh body cannot be touched. Fortunately, the holy venerable one’s stage and state of realization are truly very high. That is why there have not been many effects. Otherwise, this sole holy manifestation occurring for the first time in the history of Buddhism would no longer exist. You should never act so carelessly again.” 

Photo on the left was taken 11 hours after the Holy Monk entered nirvana, on the right was taken after 24 days

The professional staff at the Universal Chung Wah Funeral Home also kept praising and said that it was amazing. Twenty days after the perfect passing, not only there are no more wrinkles, but also the bones and flesh have become quite full, and it looked like a completely different person. The fingers and nails have also grown longer. We have never seen it nor heard it, working here at the funeral home for twenty or thirty years. The great master practiced Buddhism too well!” 

Yinhai Shengzun, with such vast merits, had never touched fame, wealth, or power. He stayed reclusive in deep mountains. The Elder Monk wrote a verse to Wangzha Shangzun which says:

From ancient times, the holy ones often endured being alone.
Only those the recluse left their names.
Abstain from all that is evil, engage in all that is good
Sans evil or fraud, have a tremendous compassionate mind.
I am not one belonging to a sect.
Doing good deeds to attain merit is my dharma gate.
If you want the pure Buddha Dharma to reach the apex
Then follow me to take refuge in the Buddha’s School

(Buddha’s School is the religion that belongs to all Buddhas in the ten directions and is the true Buddhism of Shakyamuni Buddha. It is not the Buddha Dharma which sectarian people of later generations altered and added with their personal views. Buddha’s School directly belongs to Buddha and has no such things as lineages or sectarian systems.) 

The Elder Monk also told the Shangzun that the best and the highest Buddha Dharma for cultivation is the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation. When first meeting the Elder Monk, Wangzha Shangzun already observed in contemplation that His Holiness the Buddha had descended to the world. He asked the Elder Monk to help introduce him to the Buddha. The Elder Monk kindly declined the Shangzun’s request, citing that His Holiness the Buddha was still young at that time and had not started the karmic cause of spreading Buddha Dharma. It was not until ten years ago when the Shangzun finally followed Elder Dharma Master Yinhai to become a disciple of His Holiness the Buddha to learn Buddha Dharma and entered the School of Buddha, i.e., the authentic Buddha’s teaching which is not the sectarian Buddhism of any patriarch. It is the personal transmission and education that belongs directly to His Holiness the Buddha.

Shangzun said that He practiced Buddha Dharma in a reclusive cave deep in the mountains together with the Elder Monk Yinhai in the early years and learned a lot of things from Him. The Elder Monk had holy realization powers and the state of conducting Himself with great compassion and great wisdom, which cannot possibly be exhaustively told. Among the things that He learned from the Elder Monk was the formation of the Vajra Array. The Vajra of the Vajra Array does not belong to any one particular esoteric or exoteric school but directly pertains to the Buddha’s Buddhism. Take, for example, the Eight Great Vajras mentioned in the Diamond Sutra, or the Ucchusma Vajra of the Tang Esoteric Sect, or the Kalachakra Vajra and the Yamantaka Vajra of the Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism. They are all contained in the meaning of the Dharma. Which sect or school would they belong to? It is not the Buddhism of any particular lineage. It is directly the authentic Buddhism. Therefore, it is the School of the Buddha that it belongs to, not any patriarchal sectarian lineage. 

The Elder Monk’s holy power is extreme. Wangzha Shangzun once saw by accident the nine burn-marks on the head of the Elder Monk emitting light rays, which brightened the dark retreat chamber as daylight. It allowed living beings of the non-human realms to raise to higher realms. That happened many years ago. Of late, He and the Elder Monk both got close to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. They received Buddhist highest State-Practice Initiation and the supreme Great Initiation of Buddha Bestowing Amrit. 

Shangzun said: “The Elder Monk is an exceedingly accomplished one from the combined practice of Mahamudra of Liberation and Great Compassionate Magnificent Ocean Red Avalokitesvara. He is a tremendously holy being who came to this world on His own will from the World of Ultimate Bliss. He has now returned to the Upper-Level Lotus Platform in the Pure Land. I am humbled by the level and the stage the Elder Monk has realized. The tremendous meritorious achievement He manifested with His flesh after His perfect passing has never happened in history. You can compare the pictures taken just eleven hours after His perfect passing and the ones taken about His miraculous transformation later. You can see right away that the miraculous transformation reaches such a magnificent and majestic degree, which has never happened in the entire history of the whole world. We can only say that it is terrific and dignified; it is an unparalleled holy feat; the source of true Buddha Dharma is there, and as such, all living beings are fortunate! This is the exact source of the true Dharma of the Tathagata. The holy feat of the miraculous transformation which the Elder Monk Yinhai manifests after His perfect passing lets people understand that the true Buddha Dharma, the great Dharma that allows people to attain liberation and accomplishment, is where H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is! 

Elder Monk Yin Hai Created an Unprecedented Holy Manifestation in the History of Buddhism after His Entering Nirvana

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2022/03/12/elder-monk-yin-hai-created-an-unprecedented-holy-manifestation-in-the-history-of-buddhism-after-his-entering-nirvana/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII#UnitedInternationalBuddhismAssociationHeadquarters#OfficeofHisHolinessDorjeChangBuddhaIII#BuddhaDharma#HolyMonkYinhai#WangzhaShangzun#YinhaiShengzun#Holyfeat

Source: https://thebodhiwish.com/elder-monk-yin-hai-created-an-unprecedented-holy-manifestation-in-the-history-of-buddhism-after-his-entering-nirvana/