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Book 140 : Mysterious Phenomena
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Preface: Heavenly Trip
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Written by: Living Buddha Lian-sheng,
Sheng-yen Lu
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Translated by: Jessie
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Edited by: Dance Smith
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Proofread by: Wilhall Lee
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Preface: Heavenly Trip
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 (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 Jambunadasuvarna
. 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.
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