Deepest Gratitude to the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Deepest Gratitude to all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors.
Deepest Gratitude to Master Jun Hong Lu.
Good afternoon to all shi xiongs.
I’d like to share with you about my personal experience in relation to strong family opposition that I encountered following my Buddhism practice. First and foremost, allow me to take this opportunity to repent for being an unfilial son before I embarked on my Buddhism cultivation journey.
My Buddhism practice with Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door started early this year. From the outset, I knew that this was the right dharma door for me. I can feel a strong affinity for the dharma door and daily recitations give me indescribable inner joy. The Practice Centre, where like-minded Buddhist friends congregate, gives me a strong sense of belonging.
The only fly in the ointment was my mother’s outright objection to my Buddhism cultivation. She was clearly influenced by online articles that slander Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door and Master Lu. She held on tightly to her negative perception and was not receptive to my explanation, making every attempt to iron things out a frustrating one, both for her and myself.
The confrontation culminated when one day, out of the blue, my mother inundated me with various articles that cast Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door in a negative light. Knowing that arguing with her would not help resolve the conflict, I kept my composure and walked into my bedroom.
Looking back in retrospect, the many weeks of immersing myself in dharma bliss through the learning of Buddhism in Plain Terms have prepared me for this day when my forbearance and compassion were put to a real test.
I could hardly hold back my emotion the moment I stepped into my bedroom. With tears rolling down my cheeks, I implored to Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Dharma Protectors to forgive my mother for her ignorance of the law of karma. I contacted a Buddhist friend for advice.
I learned that this was a karmic obstacle that I had to face, but with a right mindset, it could only make me stronger in my spiritual cultivation path. Like what Master Lu once said, “The spiritual path to enlightenment is riddled with afflictions and obstacles. It takes the mind to overcome whatever hardship or calamity that comes our way”.
A few nights later, I dreamed of Master Lu blessing and encouraging me not to give up. He advised me to persevere. It then dawned on me that I needed to help my mother by eliminating her karmic obstacles that are preventing her from learning Buddhism.
With that, I made a vow to recite for my mother seven times of the Heart Sutra and 21 times of Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots on a daily basis for a month. It was not easy as I experienced throbbing headache whenever I recited for her.
Realising that this was due to my incapability to endure her karmic obstacles, I increased my daily recitation of the Great Compassion Mantra and the Heart Sutra from 21 to 49 times each. The increase has helped reduce my headache and glad to say, I have since been able to recite for her smoothly.
I started to apply Buddhism teachings in a more earnest way in my daily life, resonating with what Master Lu once said, “We must convince others with virtues, not reason”. I wanted to demonstrate to my mother that Buddhism has had a positive impact on me and hopefully, through this she would be convinced and adopt Buddhism as a way of life. After all, actions speak louder than words.
A month into reciting on my mother’s behalf, she decided to pay the Practice Centre a visit. I am extremely grateful to Bodhisattvas and Buddhas for making this possible. Since then, she has become more receptive to Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door.
Some Buddhism practices that used to be off limits in my family are slowly being relaxed. For example, my mother now has no issue of me to continuously replay the Great Compassion Mantra at home. She is also more at ease whenever I tell her that I am heading off to the Practice Centre.
Admittedly, I have also adopted a more tactful communication method when faced with some form of resistance. For instance, when seeking her permission for me to visit the Practice Centre, I would now tell her that I hope to learn ways to be a better son and person. In the past, I would have engaged into some argument with her.
I have slowly been introducing Buddhism teachings into my family interactions in recent one month. To speed up the process, I also lodged an application for convincing family members to Guan Yin Bodhisattva a month ago. It is my quest to keep motivating my parents to practise Buddhism so that they can understand the true meaning of life and ultimately find a way to transcend the cycle of rebirth.
The incident has taught me invaluable lessons that everything that has happened, is happening or about to happen is impermanent, so there is no point over thinking and getting ourselves, all stressed out, whenever the outcome is not in our favour.
This is also emphasised in Words of Wisdom volume 5, “Do not attempt to predict or make assumptions about the future; it is most important to look at the present. The future is still in the process of cultivation. Take good hold of the present and you will enjoy the dharma bliss”.
Deep down, I am grateful to have experienced this setback at such an early stage of my Buddhism cultivation journey, as it has spurred me on to be more diligent and steadfast in my cultivation. This echoes the saying “Affliction is equivalent to Bodhi”. I expect many more challenges ahead that would stretch my faith in Buddhism. Hence, it is critical for me to stay true in my spiritual cultivation path.
I am now nine months into my Buddhism practice and i can only say that may not seem long for most of us, but it has been a fruitful one for me. I have gained immeasurably during this period through daily recitations, Master Lu’s teachings and the weekly session of Buddhism in Plain Terms. Like-minded Buddhist friends that I am in constant contact with have also strengthened my resolve in my Buddhism cultivation journey. I am deeply grateful for everything.
Finally, allow me to share a simple phrase I live by “Never look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but be a buddha in the present”.
That is the end of my sharing.
If my sharing today was improper in anyway, I seek the forgiveness from Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Dharma Protectors.
Thank you.
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