Will there be any disasters caused by chanting sutras and reciting Buddha’s name?

Question: In many places in the Ksitigarbha Sutra, it is said that the ghosts and gods of heaven and earth protect those who recite the Buddha’s name, pay homage to the Buddha and offer incense, and prevent evil things from entering the door, water, fire, thieves, and all evil things will be eliminated. However, I have seen many lay people who worship Buddha and recite sutras, and even myself often have unsatisfactory things happen to me, such as illness, encounters with evil people, and even car accidents, plane crashes, etc. There are even highly respected eminent monks and lay people who have suddenly passed away from serious illnesses. Although I don’t doubt the truth in the Ksitigarbha Sutra, I can’t help but have doubts. Could you please give me your opinion?

Answer: Please read every sentence in the “Ksitigarbha Sutra” carefully, and do not take it out of context. Whenever the Buddha and Bodhisattva talk about the benefits received, there must be the words “good man, good woman” in front of this sentence. For example: “If there are good men and good women who can play music, sing and praise, offer incense and flowers in front of the statue of Bodhisattva, and even persuade one person or many people, in this way and in the future, they will often gain hundreds and thousands of things.” The ghosts and gods guard you day and night, so that evil things are not heard, let alone being subjected to all kinds of evil…”

That is to say, only good men and women who chant the name of the Buddha, offer incense and flowers to the Buddha, and persuade people to believe in Buddhism and learn Buddhism can be protected by hundreds of thousands of ghosts and gods day and night. In other words, it is not that good men and women offer homage to Buddha and encourage others to learn Buddhism. They are just forming a relationship with others to plant good seeds. They cannot immediately move the heaven, earth, ghosts and gods to protect them, because such people only believe in Buddhism and do not truly believe in Buddhism. If you study Buddhism and practice Buddhism, if you don’t sow good causes, how will you get good results? So there is no real benefit yet.

So what are the standards for a good man and a good woman?

The explanation of good men and good women in the “Buddhist Dictionary” is: The Buddha calls men and women who are monks at home good men and good women. A good person is praised for his belief in the Buddha and his listening to the Dharma. “A monk at home”, as the name suggests, although he has a wife and a husband, all his words and deeds are the same as those of a monk. If you eat meat, play cards and gamble, quarrel and curse, engage in extramarital affairs, steal and tell lies, or commit any of the ten evil things, you cannot be called a good man or a good woman, because sowing evil causes will lead to evil consequences. How can you expect the ghosts and gods of heaven and earth to be your protectors? Woolen cloth!

For example, there is a Canadian layman who is very successful in his career. He spends no less than hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the temple and print scriptures, maybe more. However, he was suddenly seriously injured in a car accident not long ago. After the injury, he kept chanting the Buddha’s name, and he continued to chant the Buddha’s name until his death. He was less than 50 years old. As a result, many people had doubts about Buddhism. Among them, Ms. Lin, who recognized Master Miaofa, flew to China specifically to ask for advice from the old monk.

The old monk asked her: “Do you know this layman’s private life?” He replied that he didn’t know much. The old monk said: “Before he converted to Buddhism, he had affairs with many girls. After converting to Buddhism, although he restrained himself a lot, he was still not pure. Moreover, he could not truly repent of such promiscuous behavior because he could chant the name of the Buddha until his deathbed. , his countless sins and karma were wiped out, and a temple recited sutras for him to save him. It was also because of his merits in offering sutras to the temples that he was born in the Trayasa Heaven. If he had not had the merits of making offerings to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and reciting the Buddha’s name before his death, he would have been ” Sexualized spiritual disability.”

If you have an extramarital affair, half of your spiritual consciousness (commonly known as soul) after death will be divided and combined with half of the other person’s spiritual consciousness. If you have two extramarital affairs, your spiritual consciousness will be divided again and combined with half of the other person’s spiritual consciousness. , if you have three extramarital affairs, you will be divided into three parts, and so on. The more extramarital affairs you have, the more you will be divided into. Your main spirit will be sexualized and disabled. If you want to get back together, it will be even more difficult. . The consciousness that is half-integrated with the other person, after going to hell and receiving retribution, will be born as a hermaphrodite with a low IQ when he has the opportunity to become a human being. He will not only suffer but also be discriminated against by others. Therefore, disciples who convert to Buddhism must stop If you practice evil and do good, don’t think that by making offerings to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and printing sutras, you will be reborn in bliss and have peace of mind. You must know that good will be rewarded with good and evil will be rewarded with evil. This is an unchanging law that exists throughout the universe and the Dharma Realm. The Buddha cannot Disciples who fail to observe the precepts are also helpless. How can we expect that everything will go well just by burning a few sticks of incense or reciting a few sutras? You must understand that the precepts established by the Buddha are not used to control disciples, but to warn them that if they do not strictly abide by the precepts, they will fall and be punished by the laws of nature. Just like the various laws of the country, whoever violates them, whether it is the people or the leaders of the country, will be punished by the law. Therefore, all those who do not want to fall into hell after death or go to prison alive must consciously abide by Buddhist precepts and national laws, otherwise it will be too late to regret it.

Ms. Lin asked again: “It has only been 30 days since his death. Canadian monasteries have already performed salvation for him. Can we still help him now? Can he still go to the Paradise of Paradise?”

The old monk said: “He has heard my talk with you, has understood the truth, and has felt great repentance in his heart. At the same time, he has ascended to the Guangyin Heaven, no! It is the Fuai Heaven. He will rise again. When I arrived at Guangguo Heaven, I saw Guangguo Heaven shining brightly.”

Lin asked: “Why is it still shining?”

The teacher replied: “It’s just like an elevator going upstairs. When you get to a certain floor, the indicator light on that floor will light up first.”

Lin asked: “Can I go to the Paradise?”

The master replied: “Not necessarily. It requires a virtuous and pure person to recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra forty-nine times and the Lotus Sutra three times.”

Lin asked: “What is a pure person?”

The master replied: “A pure person is a practitioner who has no more adultery, killing or stealing. He can be a monk or nun at home.”

Lin asked: “Can’t we ask a monk from a Canadian monastery to give me salvation?”

The teacher replied: “I don’t know.”

Ms. Lin added: “Then, can I ask you to give me salvation?”

Answer: “I don’t have enough strength to recite the sutra so many times.”

Lin: “He rose up just as you were talking. If you say a few more words to tell him to go to the Paradise, it might help.”

The Master replied: “If it were possible to speak words, Amitabha Buddha would have spoken long ago and asked all sentient beings to go to the Land of Ultimate Bliss. The virtuous pure disciples of the four groups chanted sutras and recited the Buddha’s name. Many sentient beings came to listen to the Dharma in the sky, and many people benefited. Among them, With merit and the current faith and vows of the deceased’s spiritual consciousness, he may go to the Land of Ultimate Bliss, but he will stay in the lotus for a while and will not immediately see the Buddha. Among his fellow practitioners in Canada, there are virtuous and pure people. , you can think of it.”

Lin: “Then I’ll call and ask everyone to think about it. However, it’s almost 49 days. What should I do if I can’t finish reading it so many times?”

The master replied: “He has now ascended to the Guangguo Heaven. He is not in the bardo. He is no longer bound by the forty-nine days. He can finish the recitation on any day.”

Lin: “Okay, can I call you after I ask someone to read it?”

Master nodded and said, “Okay.”

Regarding the question of why great virtuous monks can also die from serious diseases, Sakyamuni Buddha and great virtuous monks of all generations were born in the world in the form of ordinary people, and their bodies were nourished by earth, water, fire and wind. Birth, old age, illness, and death are the laws. The more closely a practitioner is integrated with all living beings, after completing their mission in the world, most of the symptoms of illness will disappear. But generally, although there are symptoms of illness, there is no pain, such as liver cancer, lung cancer, Gastric cancer, etc. Because there is no pain, there is no need to use pethidine and other analgesics. This is to show the public the miracle of reciting the Buddha’s power and blessing, and encourages disciples or fellow practitioners to recite the Buddha’s sutra and welcome the arrival of impermanence.

Of course, there are also cases where people appear sitting or lying down and die without illness. This is also an auspicious sign that educates people to practice diligently. In Tibetan Buddhism, there is also a living Buddha who appears and turns into a rainbow light and soars into the sky, which can really shock people’s hearts and wake up those who are dull. I heard from the old monk Miaofa that when Master Xuanhua was sick, he would sometimes show signs of illness in front of his disciples. But when he heard a disciple crying, he would immediately put on a smiling face and say, “That’s all you have.” Ah.” Then they started talking and laughing. Later, the disciples realized that the master was testing people!

In 1995, when the old monk Miaofa was with the ill Master, a verse suddenly appeared in front of him:

The old monk has nothing to do in his free time. He is lying in bed playing catch-and-seek.

I always have empty ambitions in my chest, and my brows are furrowed to gather spiritual light.

The pain is unbearable every time I bend down. I will never forget the things I use to live my life.

The crowd has been searching for him for thousands of kalpas, but the person facing him has no patience to think about it.

Seeing existence, observing emptiness and not being empty, diagnosing diseases and asking whether the source is the source or not.

Dealing with the situation without ups and downs; Those who are tired and confused will cross Cihang

I heard from my mentor, the old monk Miaofa, that when he went to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to visit Master Xuanhua, he happened to meet a lay protector who lived in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and died in a car accident. This layman was driving from the airport to pick up his wife and son, whom he had not seen for several years, back to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. When he was approaching the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, for some unknown reason, the car ran off the road and hit a tree. His wife and son were slightly injured and only suffered minor injuries. He died on the spot.

Someone asked the old monk Miaofa: This layman abandoned his family in Taiwan and worked alone in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to protect the Dharma, including being a teacher for the students in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He is so pious, why did he encounter such a misfortune? ? The old monk replied: This man is waiting for the Enlightenment Bodhisattva to come back to help Master Xuangong protect the Dharma. This is his vow, and it is also a debt he has incurred for hurting two big birds many lives ago (Note on the Book of Life and Death: Another historical fact of taking the initiative to repay life debts – Master An Shigao) can also serve as a warning to people about the impermanence of life and to practice diligently. When it was time for him to go back, two large birds spread their wings and covered the windshield in front of the car, causing the accident.

The old monk went out of his way to comfort his wife and son: “Your husband specifically asked you to come to the United States, right?” His wife said, “Yes.” He also said that he had warned her and his son several times on the phone before. , even if he is not with them, he still has to practice well. At first, I thought he was wordy, but now it seems that he is well prepared.

The old monk said: “He specially asked you to come to see him for the last time and to see him off.” The old monk’s words greatly comforted the couple who had lost their loved ones and inspired their confidence in learning Buddhism. The old monk also made a special point of bowing to this “Awakening Bodhisattva”. Many people present also kowtowed because they believed in the old monk’s words.

However, some objections also reached the ears of the old monk: “Old monk Miaofa is talking nonsense. A certain layman is too ordinary and has not made any great contribution to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. How can he wait for the Enlightenment Bodhisattva to come again?” “What if he is? When the Bodhisattva awakens, I will be the Buddha again!”

The Buddha made it very clear in the Surangama Sutra’s Four Purities and Clear Instructions that even people like “harlots, widows, traitors and butchers” may be Bodhisattva Arhats again, not to mention lay people and ascetics! After these people took refuge in Buddhism and became enlightened, they “never said to themselves that I am a true Bodhisattva and a true Arahant, except for the fact that I am a true Bodhisattva and an Arhat, except that I will die and have a legacy.” Why didn’t he tell his true identity himself, because he knew that there were beginners who were learning Buddhism. People will slander him because they don’t believe it, and slandering Bodhisattvas and Arhats will lead to hell, and because this is the Buddha’s arrangement, they cannot be divulged casually (revealing the secrets of the Buddha, speaking lightly without learning).

But some people will tell or leave a verse to people around them about what happened to them before they die, and some people will have discerning people to tell them after they die. There are also those who come without a sound and leave without a sound. These are the needs of educating people and show the truth of the impermanence of life. They are all arranged by the Buddha. When we ourselves become enlightened, we will naturally understand it. .

The story of Master Hanshan and Master Shide has been told by many masters when giving lectures. When ordinary people like us do not understand, we must not dare to talk nonsense, so as not to create boundless sins. Guan Yunchang killed some people in order to save more people, and finally showed the appearance of being killed. Master Zu Sheng’an, the eleventh generation of Jingzong, passed away at the age of 49. We cannot say from a mortal perspective that his life was short because he did not cultivate well.

All the realms in front of you are a test for a cultivator. “If you are a true cultivator, you will not see the faults of the world.” “Not seeing the faults of the world” does not mean not to stop or criticize others when you see them doing bad things, but to not stop them or criticize them. Face it from a Buddhist perspective. That’s why Master Xuanhua said: “Everything is a test. It depends on how you do it. If the other person doesn’t know it, you have to practice it from the beginning.”

The beloved Premier Zhou Enlai worked hard for the prosperity of China and the happiness of the people, and ended his great life in long-term illness; Jiao Yulu became ill from overwork and fought against the disease to fight against the disease and sacrificed his precious life. There are many scientists, politicians, musicians and entrepreneurs in the world who have made great contributions to the people, but then returned after completing their missions. “Traveling to and from the three realms, it shows one’s return.” These people are probably the Bodhisattvas who have returned, but we just don’t know them.

To this day, in newspapers and television, there are endless numbers of people who have dedicated their wisdom, money and even lives to the country and the people. Some people say that “good people don’t live long” and “good people don’t get good rewards”. These are the words of people who don’t understand Buddhism. In fact, these heroes of the people and the pride of the country are the powerful good teachers mentioned in the “Ksitigarbha Sutra” He came to the world to “relieve the burden” and “recover all the burdens” for the people who were in hardship, so that they could escape suffering and gain happiness. They are all Bodhisattvas and Arhats sent by Buddha. In today’s sea of suffering where countries are fighting for money and wealth, families are fighting against each other, and people are fighting against each other, they can emerge from the mud untainted, sacrifice their lives for the interests of the country and others, and erect a banner for the people of the country. A flag, a bright light, and an example to arouse the conscience of all sentient beings, to turn around, to avoid the suffering of hell, and to teach the Dharma with their own lives. These people are our true great virtuous teachers.

The reason why Master Xuanhua became ill was precisely because he had been treating illnesses and relieving suffering for sentient beings since he became a monk. He hit you with a cane and slapped you, and you felt that your illness was relieved or recovered at that time. In fact, your karma was shouldered by the old monk. One of the wishes made by the old monk was: May the illness and suffering of all sentient beings in the world be replaced by him alone. by. The disease that the Master suffered from in his later years was to “reduce the burden” of all sentient beings or to end the “fullness and burden”. This is the state and manifestation of Buddha and great Bodhisattvas.

It is the Buddha’s wish to sacrifice his body to feed tigers, cut his flesh to feed eagles, and suffer on behalf of all sentient beings. And as long as hell is not empty, they will come again. This is true for eminent monks and great virtuous lay people. So they often seem to have been taken away by illness, but in fact it is their will.

And those who are self-reliant, practitioners, and those who recite the Buddha’s name will also have auspicious signs of passing away. They will come to save sentient beings after they become Bodhisattvas and Buddhas in the future.

The former is originally the return of Buddha, Bodhisattva or Arhat. Their reincarnation is Nirvana and death, and they directly return to Sakyamuni Buddha to “report work”. The latter is reborn in heaven or goes to university in the Paradise.

The former is a good teacher sent by Buddhism to the human world to save sentient beings, and the latter is a middle school student who comes to the human world to further his studies. If we don’t have wisdom, we should not talk nonsense about the merits of saints. If we slander Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Arhats, we will know what the crime is. Please read the Ksitigarbha Sutra.