Tag: Pureland

The Best Buddhist Dharma to Rebirth at Paradise of Ultimate Bliss

linda changLeave a comment

Buddhist Devotee Hou Yushan Passed Away, Leaving a Legacy of Spiritual Journey

On June 1st, 2002 Buddhist disciple Hou Yushan peacefully passed away at his home in Los Angeles. Witnessed by his wife, Hou Li Qingqiu, the celestial realm appeared before him as Shakyamuni, Amitabha Buddha, and Avalokiteshvara, guiding him towards the ultimate state of bliss. Prior to his passing, Hou Yushan expressed his unwavering determination to learn Buddhism in this lifetime under the guidance of his master.

Hou Liqingqiu, a devoted practitioner of Chinese medicine in California, addressed over 20 monks who gathered in their home for a Buddhist practice session in honor of Hou Yushan. She shared the remarkable journey of her husband, stating that he had dedicated many years to the study of Buddhism. Diagnosed with lung cancer four years ago, Hou Yushan had endured arduous and prolonged treatments. However, his life took a transformative turn a year and a half ago when he and his wife attended the Yiyungao International Cultural Foundation, where they listened to the enlightening teachings of Master Yiyungao (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III).

Deeply inspired by the teachings on the pre-recorded dharma discourse, Hou Yushan developed profound admiration and sincerity towards Great Master Yi. He actively participated in the group cultivation programs of the foundation, he never missed an opportunity to listen to the pre-recorded dharma discourse. Despite the advice of others to focus on rest and recovery, Hou Yushan insisted on continuing his full-time volunteer work at the foundation, driven by his desire to meet Master Yun Gao Yi as soon as possible.

In February of year 2002, Hou Yushan and his wife sought refuge under the guidance of Great Master Yi Yungao (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) through the American Master Yiyungao International Cultural Foundation, led by Lobsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Upon meeting the revered master, they were pleasantly surprised to find that their preconceived notions were far from reality. Master Yi was not the distant figure they had imagined, instead, he displayed approachability and warmth. With utmost sincerity, they sought empowerment to learn the Dharma, presenting their offerings. However, Master Yi, without even glancing at them, humbly declined their offerings, explaining that he could not set such a precedent. Nonetheless, Great Master Yi graciously provided them with the empowerment and transmission of the Dharma. Hou Yushan diligently practiced the teachings and swiftly progressed, experiencing a sudden disappearance of his cancer pains.

Hou Yushan’s wife Hou Liqingqiu shared the incredible experience with the monastery

On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Bathing Day in May 2002, Hou Yushan and Hou Liqingqiu had the opportunity to reunite with Master Yi Yungao (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III). When asked about his wishes, despite his terminal illness, Hou Yushan expressed his sole desire to learn how to attain a stable rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. In response, Master Yi advised him to adopt a different practice method, specifically the Pure Land School’s method of reciting Buddha, with a particular emphasis on Amitabha. Additionally, Master Yi imparted a secret handprint of rebirth, promising that through this method, Hou Yushan would soon witness the state of Amitabha and be guided by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to the Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. The compassion demonstrated by the master was profound, as he called Hou Yushan to his side and secretly shared the sacred handprint with him. Hou Yushan experienced indescribable excitement and joy upon receiving this precious gift—the profound Great Dharma of the Supreme PureLand Buddha Dharma.

Ever since Hou Yushan received the transmission of Amitabha Dharma on the Buddha Bathing Festival, his wife has witnessed a remarkable transformation in his condition. Hou Liqingqiu, the wife saw golden rays of yellow and red light radiating from his head and back at any given time. As a result, all the cancer-related pains in his body have vanished, along with the swelling. He no longer required the morphine painkillers prescribed by the hospital.

One day, Hou Yushan asked his daughter Lily, who worked as an anesthetist in the hospital, about his complexion. Lily responded, saying, “Dad, your complexion is genuinely vibrant, and your spirits are high. One would never guess that you are a patient.” On the morning of May 25, Hou Yushan shared with his wife that during his Dharma practice the previous night, he entered a state of samaya and visited the Land of Ultimate Bliss. He described the indescribable beauty of the paradise, filled with captivating shades of red, green, and purple.

Hou Liqingqiu eagerly inquired, “Can you provide me with an analogy to illustrate its beauty?” After a moment of contemplation, Hou Yushan responded, “The Paradise of Ultimate Bliss surpasses any scenery in this world. Do you recall our visit to West Lake when we were young? In the early morning, the misty air and the colorful reflections on the lake created a breathtaking view. However, the beauty of the Paradise surpasses even that. Furthermore, the Buddha informed me that he would come to fetch me in seven days, urging me to proclaim to the world that the greatest Dharma in existence is with our master.”

On May 31, Hou Yushan carefully settled all family matters and left final words for his daughter. He advised her, “Do not hold your mother responsible for everything in her life. However, there is one thing you can admonish her for: if your mother ever strays from Buddhism and deviates from following Vajra Master (Master Yi Yungao – H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III), remind her to earnestly practice under our Master Yungao’s guidance without hesitation.” Then, he turned to his wife, Hou Li Qingqiu, and earnestly said, “In your life, it doesn’t matter if you make other mistakes, but there is one thing you must not falter in: wholeheartedly follow the Vajra Master in dedicated practice. Your success lies solely in following his guidance, as his Dharma is the true path.”

Hou Yushan informed his wife that he would pass away that night and advised her, “Pay close attention tonight. At the moment of my passing, I fear I may fall into drowsiness and enter a demonic realm. Do not sleep, but remind me to visualize the Vajra Master above my head and Amitabha Buddha atop my head, while reciting the mantra wholeheartedly.” That night, in their seaside home, Hou Li Qingqiu had already foreseen that her husband, Hou Yushan, would depart to the Buddhist realm. Therefore, she set four alarms to ring at different times, once every hour. True to her premonition, at 6:15 a.m. on June 1st, Hou Yushan’s pulse and breathing slowed down. Hou Li Qingqiu shook his bed, and together they chanted, “Namo Vajra Guru! Namo Amitabha!” Hou Yushan held the secret handprint taught by Master Yi Yungao.

At that moment, Hou Li Qingqiu heard heavenly music, and Hou Yushan’s body emitted increasingly powerful golden light. She witnessed the appearance of Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the sky by the seaside. The merging rays of light grew more potent. After about five minutes, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, along with the celestial splendor, disappeared. It was then that she remembered to check Hou Yushan’s pulse, which had ceased along with his heartbeat.

Zhang Tianyou, the president of the American Master Yi Yungao International Cultural Foundation, was the first to arrive at Hou Yushan’s residence after his passing. He observed Hou Yushan, who appeared peacefully asleep, with no signs of pain on his face. Hou Yushan’s hands held the secret handprint from his previous life.

The incident deeply moved Long Hui, the chairman of the International Federation of Buddhist Monks and Nuns and the abbot of Huazang Temple. She continuously praised the greatness of Master Yi, stating that she often witnessed the suffering experienced by lung cancer patients at the end of their lives. However, the Pure Land method of reciting Buddha taught by Master Yi could transform a lung cancer patient’s condition within a month, filling their surroundings with auspicious golden light and relieving their pain. This would ultimately lead them to be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss under the guidance of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Long Hui marveled at the tremendous power of Tathagata-rectification, beyond the capacity of words to express.

On the night before his passing, Hou Yushan personally prepared gifts and $5,000, and said to his wife, “The master never accepts offerings. He did not accept my offerings. Tonight, as I pass away, tomorrow you shall make the offerings and send them to the master. Please ensure he accepts them.” On June 1st, Hou Li Qingqiu faithfully followed her husband’s final instructions and sent the offering package to Yi Yungao, kneeling on the ground with tears in her eyes. She implored Master Yi to accept the offering, shouting loudly, “My supreme Buddha Vajra Master!” The master replied, “Do not address me as such, for I am not a Buddha. I am merely an ordinary practitioner, just like everyone else.” Hou Li Qingqiu explained that it was Hou Yushan’s testamentary offering, to which the master responded, “It seems there is no other way. These relics of Layman Hou shall be displayed in the temple and not for individual use.” The master immediately transferred $6,000 from his personal funds for Layman Hou’s burial expenses and informed the masters of two prominent temples to offer their support in accumulating merit for the deceased.

Photo from weixin.com

Buddhist Devotee Hou Yushan Passed Away, Leaving a Legacy of Spiritual Journey

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2023/06/09/the-best-buddhist-dharma-to-rebirth-at-paradise-of-ultimate-bliss/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII#DorjeChangBuddha #PureLand #Shakyamuni Buddha #AmitabhaBuddha #Avalokiteshvara #Cancer #ParadiseofUltimateBliss #MasterYiYungao #HouYunshan #Compassion #SupremeBuddhaDharma

Amitabha Pureland Practice and Amituofo Chanting

linda changLeave a comment

Amitabha Pureland Practice and Amituofo Chanting

Pure Land Buddhism (Chinese: 淨土宗) is a broad branch of Mahayana Buddhism focused on achieving rebirth in a Buddha’s Buddha-field or Pure Land. It is one of the most widely practiced traditions of Buddhism in East Asia. 

Pure Land is a tradition which is primarily focused on achieving rebirth in a Buddha’s “pure land” or buddha-field (Sanskrit: buddhakṣetra), which generally speaking is a Buddha’s field of influence. Some Buddha-fields are considered to be superior places to spiritually train for full Buddhahood, since a Buddha has compassionately “purified” it for this purpose and since in these realms, one can meet a Buddha face to face and study under them. The most common pure land today is that of Amitābha, called Sukhavati, “Land of Bliss”.

For many Buddhists, simply chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, is a complete mindfulness and devotional practice. Taking refuge in this way brings a feeling of immediate peace. Shakyamuni Buddha taught this method in the Amitabha Sutra. This simple, yet divinely rich practice combines devotion with mindfulness, of the sacred name of the Buddha.

The Buddha taught us many ways to practice in decades of teaching the Buddha Dharma, mapped out in 80,000 discourses and Sutras. Some of these are “learning practices” such as “Sutra recitation.” Others are vastly intricate and beautiful, such as Vajrayana visualization Sadhanas. Yet, for most of us, the sublimely simple practices are the best way to approach the Dharma, from mindfulness practice, to the most misunderstood of practices, chanting Amituofo. Ten Benefits of Chanting Namo Amituofo Practice Shakyamuni Buddha taught the 10 great benefits of chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha, as a complete practice, in the Amitabha Sutra. This is a devotional mindfulness practice. Single-Pointed focus and mindfulness is the ultimate goal, and can be achieved a number of ways.

Three Holy Beings in Western Pure Land

Zen Koans are blissfully challenging. Watching the breath is a relaxing mindfulness practice. Chanting the Name or Name Praise of Amitabha is another quintessentially simple — yet penetratingly deep — practice. It makes the focus of our mindfulness, the Perfect Buddha. These ten great benefits of chanting Amitabha, as taught in sutra, include protection, support of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, purification of negative karmas, restful sleep, a peaceful mind, and rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land. When you participate in this elegant and powerful practice, you feel immediate peace and comfort.

The entire practice is to mindfully chant the name — sometimes just the name, sometimes as a praise — of the Buddha of Infinite Light, Amitabha. Often this is embellished with the wondrous sound of the hypnotic fish drum, or the regular gong of a bell. Sometimes it is chanted musically; sometimes spoken; sometimes whispered. The immediate reward: a feeling of peace and protection. Many Buddhists — in Non-Pureland traditions — tend to think the practice is too simple, too reliant on faith and praise. If we think this way, we are missing the point. Single-Pointed Focus on Amitabha Like other traditions with single-focus meditation methods, Pureland Buddhist’s chant the name of Amitabha over and over. Mindfulness of the name of Amitabha is a powerful and profound practice. Instead of remaining mindful of something mundane, such as breath, or your walk in the park, Amituofo chanting keeps our mind focused in the present moment on the Enlightened Perfection of Amitabha Buddha. The entire practice is to simply chant, or say, with mindfulness: Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha… nothing else. Or using the Chinese version of the name Amituofo, Amituofo, Amituofo. Fo translates as Buddha. Keep the mind focused, in the present moment, on just the sound of your own voice: Amituofo, Amituofo, Amituofo.

Amitabha Pureland Practice and Amituofo Chanting

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2022/12/16/amitabha-pureland-practice-and-amituofo-chanting/

#AmitabhaBuddha#WesternParadise#BuddhaStatue#BuddhaNameChanting#PureLand#BuddhistSutra#AmituofoChanting

What is pure land? Can I rebirth in the pure land after I die?

linda chang2 Comments

What is pure land? Can I rebirth in the pure land after I die?

Ever since I heard that Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, entered parinirvana, I felt my dreamy plan shattered. For many years I have thought: I will definitely die before Buddha enters parinirvana, and Buddha will kindly deliver me to the Pure Land — West paradise. Now that Buddha has entered parinirvana, what should I do with the matter of my own death? This woke me up, and I asked myself what Dharma I have learned that can help me on this. I remembered I haven’t listened to the Dharma discourses for a while, and have not touched the Dharma books lying on the altar for several months.

It was time for me to earnestly read the Buddha’s Dharma books and listen to the Buddha’s discourses.
A small booklet, “Learning from Buddha”, I have read many times. We even had a group study on it. And Buddha required every disciple to study it, and to always bring it whenever we have the chance to see Buddha. I thought I completely understood the book, and that I always followed Buddha’s teaching in my daily cultivation. But I was so wrong, for until now I realize that I didn’t even understand what is pure land. In the book, Buddha clearly told us: a member of any of the Buddha-land worlds does not have the slightest dark karma or impure karma in his conduct. That is why those worlds are called Buddha-land worlds of pure karma. For example, the pure land of Amitabha Buddha is the Western World of Ultimate Bliss , which is also called the Pure Land. The Eastern World of Lapis Lazuli is called a Pure Land of Peace and Bliss. It is also a pure land.

There are as many as ten trillion such worlds, which are called the rigorously pure Buddha-lands. What is called “rigorously pure Buddha-lands” means that they are rigorously governed, and pure karma is mandatory. There is not an iota of contamination; only absolutely pure karma. Dark karma is forbidden. The pureness is due to good karma and merit. The pureness is due to the state of holy beings there who have ended cyclic birth and death. Those are called the pure lands.

I felt I was so foolish and ignorant. I had dreamed that Buddha will kindly deliver me to the pure land after I die on this earth. I did not ponder to myself if I was really qualified to be a member of pure land. Do I still have a mind of selfish thoughts, a mind of differentiation, hatred, greed, jealousy, presumptuousness, arrogance, or shamelessness, a mind that considers oneself always in the right, or a mind that deceives others? If evil or bad people carrying impure karma could ascend to a pure land, there would long ago have been nobody left in this world. Everybody would have gone to the World of Ultimate Bliss. The World-Honored One also would not have taught people to practice the Ten Wholesome Behaviors and the Four Limitless States of Mind. The Buddha would simply have come to receive people, sending both the good and the bad ones to a pure land.

I felt ashamed that I have read this book many times before, but failed to introspect and examine myself; I always falsely considered myself as truly following Buddha’s teaching. Yet, indeed I did not. Today I searched deeply for the reason why. It is because I still didn’t attain a state of mind that truly fears impermanence, thus I could not establish a firm mind that gives rise to thoughts of leaving the cycle of reincarnation. I still naively and selfishly wish to rely upon Buddha’s great compassion to re-birth in the pure land, to live a grand, wonderful, blissful life. In pure land I can learn from Buddha and all the holy beings without any worries, struggling, sufferings… only well-being and happiness. I deeply and sincerely repent that I treated Buddha’s teaching so lightly, and didn’t use my mind and heart to think carefully about Buddha’s teachings, let alone to practice Buddha’s teachings correctly.

After this several days continually study the book, I finally understood if I want to go to pure land, I must completely cleanse my own dark karma by being patient under humiliation and adversity and cultivating myself, practicing the Ten Wholesome Courses of Action, practicing the Four Limitless States of Mind and Six Paramitas, and arousing bodhicitta. Following the simple and easy guidance from Buddha in daily life: “Before I went to sleep at night, did I think of anything unbeneficial to living beings? Did I think about doing those things? Did I think of doing something not good to others for the sake of myself, my children, or my relatives? Did I think of doing something not good to my fellow brothers and sisters? Did I crave credit or merit for myself? If I did, I must repent at once, I must correct myself!” By doing that every day, I will naturally and gradually become purified and will become a great holy person.

I have no excuse for not doing “the three daily introspections”, because I want to leave the death and birth cycle. I want to go to the pure land, and when I become a holy being, I will come back to this Saha world to help other people and living beings to reach the liberation. I deeply feel the great compassion of the Buddha. He never tires of repeating the Dharma for us –foolish beings. He never tires of helping us to reach the enlightenment and liberation.

Great compassionate Buddha and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva! Thank you boundlessly for using your life to sound the alarm of impermanence for me. And thank you boundlessly for using your life to bring Buddhist disciples the extraordinary cause and condition to study the Tathagata Dharma. I vow to use my own real actions to wash away my sins, and benefit all beings with compassion and pure goodness in order to repay Buddha’s grace!

Great compassionate Buddha and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva! I, a disciple, still want to hold on to a glimmer of hope and beg you all to return to the Saha world and give us foolish beings another chance!

What is pure land? Can I rebirth in the pure land after I die?

Learning From Buddha : https: //www.wbahq.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Learning_From_Buddha_English_Translation_Published_20200924.pdf

What is Cultivation: https://peacelilysite.com/2021/11/30/the-dharma-of-cultivation-transmitted-by-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2022/03/25/what-is-pure-land-can-i-rebirth-in-the-pure-land-after-i-die/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII#FomuHolyMother#GreatMahasattva#LearningfromBuddha#FourlimitlessStateofMind#Sixparamitas#Parinirvana#PureLand#WesternParadise

Wish to live in the Pure Land of Bliss

linda chang1 Comment

Wish to live in the pure land of bliss

In life there are always some unforeseen things that happen and disrupt our arrangements. We planned to go back to my country to see my mom, after my younger son finished high school. The new coronavirus that suddenly swept the world prevented us from traveling. I had not seen my mom for almost 7 years. However, thanks to new digital technologies, we can use video call to chat and see each other. That bring us much closer, the vast distance between us not feeling that far apart. The best part is that she can talk to her grandchildren. Whenever she talks to my sons, she opens her eyes wide and has the happiest smile on her face. She seems to get energy and joy from the youngsters. My mom always says to them, “ Oh my, you guys grew up so big now, more handsome, when you will come to visit me, I miss you guys……”. All the grandma’s style talk.

That reminds me my grandmother, who used to talk to me exactly like that. My grandmother was my childhood best friend in the family. She lived with us since I was in elementary school until I went to high school. Grandma and I lived in the same one room, slept in the same one bed, and I had so many secret talks with her. She taught me how to sew, how to cook, how to clean the house, and told me the best bedtime stories…. She is a very strong and gentle lady. My grandma lived a very hard life. My grandfather, her husband, died when she was only 28 years old. She never married again, and raised up their two kids by herself.

That hard life hurt her health. She got chronic bronchitis. When the weather got cold especially in winter, she coughed severely. Sometimes at night she couldn’t lay down to sleep. She had to roll up and with her face on the pillow to prevent the choking cough. When I saw this I felt so painful and helpless. How I wished my grandma could live happily, healthily and never die. Grandma told me: when you get old you will understand, everyone will get old and sick and die. When I heard this, my heart generated great fear; someday I will be as old as grandma and as sick as grandma and die? I will follow the same life path as my grandma?

I want to know why we come to this world, just to suffer, get old, and die. Is that true what Buddhism says, that life is a cycle of death and birth? Sometimes I went to the temple to burn incense and bow to the Buddha Statues, just wanting to be blessed and protected. At that time I didn’t know what was Buddhism about, didn’t know what cultivation was or what the goal of cultivation was. To me Buddhism was more like myth, and the Buddha and Bodhisattva are wizards, with magical powers. The only thing I knew was the name of Amitaba Buddha and Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, so I just prayed to them, wishing they will somehow grant me a long and healthy life.

It is very fortunate that I then encountered the correct Buddha Dharma about fifteen years ago. I understand everything is following the law of the cause and effects. We live in the web of reincarnation of life and death woven by our own karma. One can get out of the birth and death cycle through practicing the true Buddha Dharma. The goal of believing in and learning Buddhism is for attaining liberation, accomplishment and becoming a holy one. 
How lucky I am to be able to listen to the Dharma discourses imparted by the living Buddha H.H. Dojre Chang III. I feel so grateful that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha came to this world again, bringing us the original supreme Buddha Dharma with great compassion.

Now my mom is a grandma, and I can feel the trace of aging of myself. H.H Dorje Chang Buddha III told us the very truth about life in “What is Cultivation”: “My body is impermanent, is changing every nanosecond, and is moving toward decline, old age, and death. I compare why my face has aged over a ten-year period, over a forty-year period, or over a seventy-year period. The degree of agedness of my skin has changed. I will soon enter old age, sickness, and death and continue revolving in the cycle of reincarnation, where I will experience suffering. I also contemplate that joyfully innocent, newborn, fresh, and lively look I had when I was a small child. I contemplate how I no longer have that childlike appearance. My face and skin have aged. My energy has declined. I often fall ill. That quality of youth is gone. The power of impermanence will end my life. My relatives and old friends will all die one after another. Like a dream, it will soon be all over. …….”

How I wished that I could learn about Buddhism earlier; maybe then I could help my dearest grandma to rebirth in the happiest Pure Land.

I hope that I can slow down the steps of impermanence, so I can have time to share the benefits and merits I got from practicing the correct Dharma with my mom. Even though my mom believes in Buddhism, her belief is superstitious and she dose’t truly understand the goal of cultivation. She just wants the Buddha to bless her and her family living healthy and peacefully. I often tell her, you need to vow to re-birth in the Amitaba western paradise; in that world you can have everything that you want to, you will live happiest life and never die; don’t worry about other stuff and don’t be attached to material things you have in this world. I hope I can soon visit her, and listen to the dharma discourse by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III together.

All the Buddha and Bodhisattva in the ten directions, please beseech my mom to encounter the true Dharma, and lead her to the Western Paradise when she is at the end of her life. Please beseech my grandma and me as well so we can all live in the western pure land altogether and forever.

Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo GuanShiYin Bodhisattva!

By Peace Lily

Wish to live in the pure land of bliss

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2021/12/03/wish-to-live-in-the-pure-land-of-bliss/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII#PureLand#Amitabha#GuanShiYinBodhisattva