Book 140 – Mysterious Phenomena
Preface – Heavenly Trip
Written by: Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by: Jessie
Edit by: Dance Smith
Proofread by: Wilhall Lee
Padmakumara Translation Team
www.padmakumara.org
Throughout my entire life, I have experienced uncountable mystical happenings. Although many of the activities surrounding me in the ten directions are so unusual that they leave deep impressions, none can match the impression made by my first heavenly trip. At that time, I was only 25 years old.
My experience during my first heavenly trip, what I truly saw, served to strengthen my resolution to devote myself to cultivation and follow the Bodhisattvas’ advice and teachings unwaveringly. My heart became more resolute than ever. Indeed, if it weren’t for what I saw and my true spiritual response, I would have given up after all the pressure, setbacks and harm done to me!
Here’s what I saw in my first heavenly trip –
I saw a bright circle before my eyes. The circle was as bright and shiny as a mirror, surrounded by an immense golden radiance with golden rays as fine as silk strands.
I flew into the circle.
I saw many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and we all greeted one another with bows of respect.
I saw lotuses as big as car cartwheels. Each of the lotuses emitted a color, and a Bodhisattva stood on each flower. Each Padmakumara held a lotus of a different color in His hand.
I also saw Golden Armored Deities, towers and pagodas, and radiant mists enshrouding the whole landscape.
I saw the entity that was my past life – a bright, clear radiance so effulgent that the brightness projected in all directions.
They called me “Padmakumara.”
……..
My first heavenly trip lasted from nightfall until seven the next morning. After returning to the world of samsara, I immediately told my father and mother.
My father, who had seen “Register of Gods” , said to me, “If you are Padmakumara, then I must be the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing 1(Devaraja Vaisravana)!”
My first heavenly trip left an exceptionally deep impression on me.
Some criticized, “You were dreaming!”, but I say, “No, it wasn't a dream. Absolutely not!”
Some said, “You’re joking.” I reply, “My first heavenly trip took place more than 30 years ago. Now I am 56 years old, and as I write this book, I would like to stress again that the memory of my first heavenly tour is still completely true and clear!”
******
I always tell people that I can see the “intangibles”.
Many people do not really believe me, but I still want to tell everyone, that what I saw was real, a true sight. I was always clearheaded and not hallucinating. When I see such things, My heart simply screams out: “I saw it! It’s true!”
One other incident left a great impression on me. The year was 1996. I was taking a plane from Beijing to Shanxi, Taiyuan. Using mudra and mantra, I called upon Amitabha Buddha to rest upon my crown, and then I entered into samadhi.
In an instant, Amitabha Buddha appeared.
Amitabha Buddha was so huge that from where He stood, He filled up the whole void!
I could see the standing Amitabha Buddha very distinctly – He was wearing a radiant red cassock and standing on a precious lotus. His whole body was emitting the golden light of Jambunadasuvarna2 . His features were so sacred and solemn, His appearance was so magnificent, the colors were so beautiful, and His Buddha blaze was so divine that you simply couldn’t describe them !
Most impressive and marvelous of all were Amitabha Buddha’s toes! Every toe was so big, round, smooth and beautiful!
And the toes emitted radiance!
Amitabha Buddha originally emitted twelve resplendent lights:
"Wu Liang Guang" (Unlimited Light), "Wu Bian Guang" ( Light Without Boundaries), "Wu Ai Guang" (Light Without Hindrances), "Wu Dui Guang" (Light Without Comparison), Yan Wang Guang (Light of the Fire King), "Qing Jing Guang" (Light of Purity), "Huan Xi Guang" (Light of Joy), "Zhi Hui Guang" (Light of Wisdom), "Bu Duan Guang" (Uninterrupted Light), "Nan Si Guang" ( Inconceivable Light), “Wu Cheng Guang” (Unnamed Light), "Chao Ri Ye Guang" (Surpasses-the-moon-and-sun Light).
The reason for my deep impression:
At that time, it was simply inconceivable to me that even Amitabha's toes would emit such beautiful radiance! I think Amitabha Buddha was using the radiance of His feet to bless me with a safe journey.
I want to tell everyone:
I really saw Amitabha Buddha!
I was not dreaming.
I am not lying.
These two true incidents shall initiate this book – “Mysterious Phenomena”. They shall serve as a prelude to the remaining chapters.
Sept 2000, Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu writing from US, Washington State, Redmond, True Buddha Tantric Quarter
Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
17102 NE 40th Ct.,
Redmond,WA98052,U.S.A.
***************************************
footnote
1. An ancient Chinese mythology of heavenly deities.
2. Jambu River gold, the golden sand of Jambu, belonging or coming from the Jambu river, a special type of gold.
Preface – Heavenly Trip
Written by: Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by: Jessie
Edit by: Dance Smith
Proofread by: Wilhall Lee
Padmakumara Translation Team
www.padmakumara.org
Throughout my entire life, I have experienced uncountable mystical happenings. Although many of the activities surrounding me in the ten directions are so unusual that they leave deep impressions, none can match the impression made by my first heavenly trip. At that time, I was only 25 years old.
My experience during my first heavenly trip, what I truly saw, served to strengthen my resolution to devote myself to cultivation and follow the Bodhisattvas’ advice and teachings unwaveringly. My heart became more resolute than ever. Indeed, if it weren’t for what I saw and my true spiritual response, I would have given up after all the pressure, setbacks and harm done to me!
Here’s what I saw in my first heavenly trip –
I saw a bright circle before my eyes. The circle was as bright and shiny as a mirror, surrounded by an immense golden radiance with golden rays as fine as silk strands.
I flew into the circle.
I saw many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and we all greeted one another with bows of respect.
I saw lotuses as big as car cartwheels. Each of the lotuses emitted a color, and a Bodhisattva stood on each flower. Each Padmakumara held a lotus of a different color in His hand.
I also saw Golden Armored Deities, towers and pagodas, and radiant mists enshrouding the whole landscape.
I saw the entity that was my past life – a bright, clear radiance so effulgent that the brightness projected in all directions.
They called me “Padmakumara.”
……..
My first heavenly trip lasted from nightfall until seven the next morning. After returning to the world of samsara, I immediately told my father and mother.
My father, who had seen “Register of Gods” , said to me, “If you are Padmakumara, then I must be the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing 1(Devaraja Vaisravana)!”
My first heavenly trip left an exceptionally deep impression on me.
Some criticized, “You were dreaming!”, but I say, “No, it wasn't a dream. Absolutely not!”
Some said, “You’re joking.” I reply, “My first heavenly trip took place more than 30 years ago. Now I am 56 years old, and as I write this book, I would like to stress again that the memory of my first heavenly tour is still completely true and clear!”
******
I always tell people that I can see the “intangibles”.
Many people do not really believe me, but I still want to tell everyone, that what I saw was real, a true sight. I was always clearheaded and not hallucinating. When I see such things, My heart simply screams out: “I saw it! It’s true!”
One other incident left a great impression on me. The year was 1996. I was taking a plane from Beijing to Shanxi, Taiyuan. Using mudra and mantra, I called upon Amitabha Buddha to rest upon my crown, and then I entered into samadhi.
In an instant, Amitabha Buddha appeared.
Amitabha Buddha was so huge that from where He stood, He filled up the whole void!
I could see the standing Amitabha Buddha very distinctly – He was wearing a radiant red cassock and standing on a precious lotus. His whole body was emitting the golden light of Jambunadasuvarna2 . His features were so sacred and solemn, His appearance was so magnificent, the colors were so beautiful, and His Buddha blaze was so divine that you simply couldn’t describe them !
Most impressive and marvelous of all were Amitabha Buddha’s toes! Every toe was so big, round, smooth and beautiful!
And the toes emitted radiance!
Amitabha Buddha originally emitted twelve resplendent lights:
"Wu Liang Guang" (Unlimited Light), "Wu Bian Guang" ( Light Without Boundaries), "Wu Ai Guang" (Light Without Hindrances), "Wu Dui Guang" (Light Without Comparison), Yan Wang Guang (Light of the Fire King), "Qing Jing Guang" (Light of Purity), "Huan Xi Guang" (Light of Joy), "Zhi Hui Guang" (Light of Wisdom), "Bu Duan Guang" (Uninterrupted Light), "Nan Si Guang" ( Inconceivable Light), “Wu Cheng Guang” (Unnamed Light), "Chao Ri Ye Guang" (Surpasses-the-moon-and-sun Light).
The reason for my deep impression:
At that time, it was simply inconceivable to me that even Amitabha's toes would emit such beautiful radiance! I think Amitabha Buddha was using the radiance of His feet to bless me with a safe journey.
I want to tell everyone:
I really saw Amitabha Buddha!
I was not dreaming.
I am not lying.
These two true incidents shall initiate this book – “Mysterious Phenomena”. They shall serve as a prelude to the remaining chapters.
Sept 2000, Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu writing from US, Washington State, Redmond, True Buddha Tantric Quarter
Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
17102 NE 40th Ct.,
Redmond,WA98052,U.S.A.
***************************************
footnote
1. An ancient Chinese mythology of heavenly deities.
2. Jambu River gold, the golden sand of Jambu, belonging or coming from the Jambu river, a special type of gold.
Last edited 01/01/03 at 21:15:16 by mimosa