Master Hui Lu - Story of Rebirth In the Land of Bliss in 400 AD 凈土聖賢錄 往生極樂世界故事 1/2

(English subtitles) Master Hui Lu (慧律法師) talk dharma.
Subtitle:
Let's talk about the story of rebirth in The Land of Bliss (Sukhavati). I'll give you a shot of cardiotonic. Master Sengji of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (400 AD). He was a bhikkhu. The content of today's talk is cited from the Book of the Sages of the Pure Land. I want to encourage everyone to Improve your faith with dharma talk and gain benefit. Let's see how the ancient people practiced. They had their expedience and approach. Master Sengji ever entered Mountain Lu.
I watched on TV. Mount Lu in Jiangxi Province has many features and exotic architecture. It's said the wealth is fine. Trees and trunks are very thick. It creates a lot of phytoncide every day. The laity there invited me to travel to Mount Lu when I am available. It is said that there are traces left by some ancient celebrities, sort of things. It's said Mount Lu is very beautiful. But I've never been there.
2:00
Then he followed Master Hui Yuan studying dharma. Master Sengji was skillful at the mind method also aware of the principle of dharma He was just over 30 years old, so he's pretty young. Then he went down the hill and gave courses to preach the dharma. He was able to preach dharma at 30 and often served as the head monk to teach the public. Master Hui Yuan thought highly of him and said approvingly: “The one who can promote Buddhism with me is probably you, Master Sengji.” Later, once he was so sick that he couldn't get up in bed. At that time, he was seriously sick. With single-minded sincerity, he prayed to be born in the Land of Bliss. So, he concentrated on visualizing the image of Amitabha Buddha. Hence, if a Buddhist can find a corresponding Buddha picture or statue, visualize it carefully. As long as you are corresponding to it. Master HuiYuan gave him a candle and said, “Remember, a candle means a single mind. From now on, look at this candle and single-mindedly visualize Amitabha to seek rebirth in the Land of Bliss. Now that the venerable master said so, Master Sengji concentrated on visualizing Amitabha.
4:00
He held the candle and prayed devoutly, hoping to be reborn in the Land of Bliss. However, he was so ill that he could not stand. So, he leaned on the table and chanted Amitabha. I want to be reborn in the Land of Bliss. No matter what, must receive me to the Land of Bliss. So, he concentrated on it, without distraction. No distraction is critical. At the end of life, he was fearless. This buddha name is so important. The Chan Sect often criticize us practicing Pure Land and say, why do people only look forward to the afterlife? I have contacted both Hinayana and Chan Sect. They show contempt for the dharma of Pure Land, and I don't argue with them. Chan Sect is all about returning to the present moment. Buddhism, Dharma, and Sangha are inseparable from the pure self nature.
But I read Avatamsaka Sūtra (Flower Adornment Sutra). The great wisdom of Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's vow of dharma realm. Both finally lead to the Land of Bliss. Our wisdom does not surpass Manjushri Bodhisattva, nor do we have the immeasurable actions of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and they converted to the Pure Land eventually. We would rather benefit everybody.
In this way, Master Sengji was so dedicated without distraction. Namely, not only was he always mindful of the buddha, but he was single-minded. In addition, he had a lot of insights into dharma teaching. One day, he asked people to recite the Infinite Life Sutra for him.
6:00
At dawn, he passed the candle to his disciple and asked him to hold it. Take this candle for me, walk with people and recite the sutra. At the moment, due to serious symptoms he lay down and took a rest for a while. As soon as he closed his eyes, an auspicious sight immediately appeared. People dream about their daytime thoughts. He was mindful of the Buddha during the daytime. So an inconceivable scene emerged at night. Then he dreamt he was also holding a candle and walking in the air. Walking in the air, everyone. According to the sutras, once karma has been completely eliminated, one won't be affected by gravity. Those who are standing on the ground and affected by gravity are the beings with karma. Now he was walking in the air in his dreams, which meant he had fully eliminated his karma, soon he would be reborn in the Land of Bliss. He saw Amitabha Buddha in his dream, he also held a candle in the air, floating in the void. He saw Amitabha who put him in the palm and travelled around the universe with him. Suddenly, Master Sengji woke up and joyfully told the disciples around him and those who came to help chanting.