A Non-Buddhist Onlooker Witnesses the Deceased Ascending on a Lotus— Record of the “Badminton Court” Nianfo (Buddha-Name Chanting) Ceremony for the Departed
A Non-Buddhist Onlooker Witnesses the Deceased Ascending on a Lotus
— Record of the “Badminton Court” Nianfo (Buddha-Name Chanting) Ceremony for the Departed
On December 2, 2024, the Pure Land Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, received an unexpected request from Mr. Fo Ying: he wished to invite Venerable Jingben to conduct a Buddhist memorial service for a deceased neighbor, Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang had passed away suddenly from a heart attack while playing badminton at the age of sixty. Hearing that Mr. Fo Ying often participates in Nianfo sessions at the center, the Zhang family asked him to request an on-site ceremony.
Following the usual protocol, volunteers from the center first gathered basic information—such as whether the wake was at home or at a funeral parlor, along with possible dates. They were surprised when Mr. Fo Ying replied, “Actually, Mr. Zhang passed away two weeks ago, and the funeral is already over…”
Venerable Jingben then asked, “Since the funeral is over, do you want us to perform the service at home, or would you like to come to the center?”
To everyone’s surprise, Mr. Fo Ying responded, “Neither. We’d like you to conduct the ceremony at the badminton court where Mr. Zhang passed away.”
All were curious: “At the badminton court? There’s no casket, no mourning hall, and no Buddha statue there. How can we hold the ceremony?”
Mr. Fo Ying explained that the Zhang family believed Mr. Zhang’s spirit was still wandering in the badminton court, unable to find release. They hoped Venerable Jingben could go there to help guide him. Initially, the Master hesitated: “We’ve never held such a service at a badminton court. If there are people playing and it’s noisy, how would we proceed?”
However, the family was insistent and assured the Master, “We have already reserved the entire court and made arrangements with the manager. There won’t be any problem.”
Seeing the family’s sincere request and empathizing with their grief over the sudden passing, Venerable Jingben agreed to conduct the ceremony. He and a few volunteers arrived at the badminton court with a portable standing statue of Amitabha Buddha. They set up a simple altar with a few chairs for the family, and thus began a modest yet solemn Nianfo ceremony for the departed.
During the circumambulation and chanting, a woman of Sikh heritage walked in and sat to one side. She was an employee managing the venue; around her neck hung a cross, suggesting a Christian background. Surprisingly, she seemed to be mouthing along with the chant of “Namo Amitabha Buddha.” As everyone was focused on chanting, they didn’t inquire further. They only noticed that she kept gazing upward, as if she saw something in a particular direction.
After the ceremony, Venerable Jingben encouraged the family to dedicate as much chanting as possible during the 49 days following Mr. Zhang’s passing. The family mentioned they had dabbled in various Buddhist practices. The Venerable advised, “If you genuinely wish your father to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, it’s most reliable to chant ‘Namo Amitabha Buddha’ exclusively.”
Concerned, the family asked, “Master, how will we know if our father has truly been reborn in the Pure Land? Do we have to wait for him to appear in our dreams?” Venerable Jingben replied, “Seeing him in a dream depends on conditions. Some people do have dreams, but not everyone. Just keep chanting and entrust everything to Amitabha Buddha. There’s no need to cling too tightly to such signs.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a fellow practitioner said, “Venerable Master, that Sikh lady would like to speak to you.”
It turned out the lady wanted to share something with the Master and everyone present in English: “Excuse me, I hope I’m not interrupting. I knew Mr. Zhang, the man who died here. Ever since he passed away, I’ve felt like his presence remained in the badminton court. When I came in just now, I saw him pacing around in the corner.”
She continued, “But when you started chanting and walking around the court, I saw him suddenly radiate a brilliant, purple-golden light. A giant lotus appeared under his feet. He smiled at me, then vanished.”
Someone asked, “Could you tell which direction he went?”
She answered, “It was toward the west, where the sun sets. Of course, I don’t really know what that means.”
Moments earlier, Venerable Jingben had reminded the family not to become overly attached to the idea of seeing or dreaming of the departed. Yet here was an immediate testimony—unexpectedly from someone outside the Buddhist faith, someone who didn’t speak Chinese or know about Amitabha. She had personally witnessed Mr. Zhang’s transformation into a golden body, standing on a lotus and heading west. This left the family and fellow practitioners both astonished and comforted.
A practitioner who had traveled a long way exclaimed, “I’ve read similar accounts in stories of auspicious passing, but this is the first time I’ve heard it first-hand from a non-Buddhist!”
Venerable Jingben simply responded with calm gratitude: “All we did was lead the chanting as we normally do, without seeking any particular manifestation. Yet the compassionate power of Amitabha Buddha can be truly inconceivable.”
He later offered this reflection: “Even what seems like ordinary chanting is imbued with the boundless light and guiding power of Amitabha Buddha. As Great Master Shandao said, ‘Other practices, though they may be called good, cannot compare to Nianfo.’ Likewise, Master Yin Guang also said, ‘Of all forms of Buddhist practice, Nianfo carries the greatest merit.’ Simply recite ‘Namo Amitabha Buddha,’ and one will surely receive the Buddha’s empowering grace.”
We are profoundly grateful for Amitabha Buddha’s compassionate guidance.
Namo Amitabha Buddha.
Venerable Jingben’s Note:
“Simple chanting can transcend the departed;
A non-Buddhist sees him rise on a lotus.
Sudden death need not be a hindrance;
Just chant, and Buddha will come.”
Recorded by the Editorial Department, Malaysia Pure Land Center, Kuala Lumpur
Date of Record: February 10, 2025
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