Master Jianyin ???? Queen's Journey to the Bliss World 荊王夫人 極樂遊記

(English subtitles) Master Jianyin, 鑑因法師 (1937-2024) , Talks Dharma. 極樂遊記 04
Subtitles:
In the Articles of Longshu, there is a story. Madam Wang in the Song Dynamsty was a devout Buddhist. She liked to chant Amitabha very much and asked her servants to chant Amitabha too, leading those servants to chant Amitabha, except a maid who was very slack. The Madam reprimanded her severely and asked her to reflect on herself and work hard.
In the past, a girl must be blessed before she could become a servant in the palace. The emperor would choose imperial concubine. Madam Wang was the queen, and told her: If you don't chant now, I will drive you out and won't let you live in the palace.
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This servant was afraid of being driven out, so she chanted the Buddha desperately. Not long later, this maid died and was reborn in the Bliss World. One day, she returned from the Bliss World. She entered her previous coworker's dream and said: “Would you please say thanks to the Madam for me. Without her spur, I wouldn't be reborn in the Bliss World today. I used to be slack, if not for her encouragement, I wouldn't come to the Bliss World. I'm so grateful to her.”
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The servant then said to the Madam: “Someone used to not chant the Buddha, after being reprimanded by you, she chanted Buddha. She was reborn recently and came to my dream from the Bliss World. Let me thank you on her behalf.”
“It doesn't count. Why didn't she tell me directly when she came back? Why did she say to you? You let her tell me in person, and that counts.”
When the two were talking, the maid heart it clearly in the Bliss World due to her divine power. The next night, she personally expressed her gratitude to the Madam.
“Madam, thank you so much. If you hadn't encouraged me so often,
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I wouldn't have gone to the Bliss World. I appreciate you so much.”
“I am not so convinced. Can you bring me there to see if you really are reborn in the Bliss World.”
She said: “Ok, let's go. Come on my lotus, I will bring you there.” Then she took her hand and sat on the lotus together. They whooshed to the Bliss World in an instant. As a result, the ground is really made of gold. There are railings, nets, and trees, all made of seven jewels. There are 7-jewel ponds filled with 8-merit water, with gold sands spread at the bottom. The surrounding steps are composed of gold, silver, glass, and glaze. It is exactly the same as described in the Amitabha Sutra. She saw that and felt delighted. Then she knew what the maid said was true. This servant of mine is really born in the Bliss World. She saw lotus flowers, some are flourishing and beautiful, and some others are withering and fading.
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She asked: “Why are some lotus flowers so beautiful while others wither?” For those who diligently chant the Buddha, their lotus flourish, and become big and beautiful. For those who chant the Buddha slackly and intermittently, their lotus wither and fade, and become small.
Hence, you have to chant the Buddha desperately, and your lotus won't fade, so you will be reborn with the upper grade.
Then she browsed around and said: “Why is there a man sitting on a lotus, looking so majestic? His clothes are fluttering, he is wearing a crown and jade necklaces, and his expression is solemn.
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He looks like someone from Middle Kingdom court. Who exactly is that person?”
The maid said: “That man is Yang Jie, another one is Ma Gan. They are officials from our imperial court.”
Then she asked: “Where is my lotus?”
“Your lotus is very big, I will show you.”
From afar, they saw a golden lotus, which was bright and shiny.
“Madam, this is your lotus.” It was large, bright, golden, and shiny. “You are always diligent, and you often lead us to worship and chant the Buddha.
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This is your lotus. You will be at the top level of the top grade.” On hearing that, the Madam was very happy. Then she was brought back. Afterwards, she woke up. It turns out that the Bliss World really exists.
Then she visited Yang Jie and Ma Gan, who were people of the imperial court. When she visited them, Yang Jie just passed away several days ago. Ma Gan remained well, single-minded in his practicing and didn't back down. So, if a person is devoted to chanting Amitabha in the Saha World, when his life ends, his consciousness will be reborn from his lotus in the Bliss World.