2013-10-02

【Thus I have Heard】 39


Thus I have heard #39
Interviewed and reported by Moon in the Water of TBSN

There is a disease, known as ’Steve Johnson’, so rare that the incidence rate is one case in 30 million people. Patients with this disease suffer multiple organs failure resulting in death.

To most people, this disease is practically unheard of. But in July last year, 2012, this truly happened to Dharma Sister Sandy, the wife of Acharya Lian Long.

She went through tremendous pain, suffering from burn wound on 90% of her body skin and ultimately multiple organs failure. The Chicago Hospital twice informed the family of the grave danger, leaving her family on the brink of hope.

Acharya Lian Long beseeched Living Buddha Lian-Sheng Sheng-Yen Lu to receive Dharma Sister Sandy. But at the very last moment, after the compassionate blessing from Grand Master Lu, Sandy miraculously woke up from a 2-month long coma.

Dharma Sister Sandy gave the writer the permission for this interview with immense enthusiasm. She knew this article could serve as further proof to the encompassing compassion of Guru Grand Master Sheng-Yen Lu. Below is the detailed account of Dharma Sister Sandy after her ’rebirth’ upon receiving the great blessing from Guru Master.

Testimony of rebirth, from Lotus Shu Huang Sandy of Chicago

Moon in the Water: Dharma Sister Sandy, please recount your personal experience of how you fell sick and how you recovered in the last 3 months.

Sandy: In July 2012, my over-exhaustion led to cramps. After visiting the doctor, I started on the medication prescribed for my cramps. I was never one to have allergy of any sorts, however I developed a severe allergy to this medicine. This was the beginning of the torment and the terrifying abyss of pain I experienced. At that moment, I knew this was the manifestation of my karmic obstacle.

One week later, my body could not take it anymore. I went to get emergency treatment at Chicago Hospital and was admitted immediately. I thought I would be discharged very soon but unexpectedly, one month later, my body functions deteriorated rapidly. My legs could not walk and I had to lie down. By the end of August that year, my condition worsened and I was immediately transferred to the Intensive Care Unit before I lapsed into a deep coma. Later on, the medical team diagnosed that I had contracted a disease of the medical name ’Steve Johnson’, one of the most severe kind of rare diseases.

After I fell into a coma, my body organs began deteriorating within the next 2 months, with only my heartbeat going strong. My body was inserted with tubes of all sizes. 90% of my skin was severely burnt and my whole body was swollen with ulceration. Some parts of the festering were so bad that my bones could be seen. I had to wear a metal protective shield for stabilization. By the end of November, my condition was life-threatening and I had to rely on tracheostomy to maintain my life.

At that time, there were many people who prayed for me, even performing homas, mantra chanting and sutra recitals to dedicate the merits to me. When all medical help became hopeless, Acharya Lian Long immediately beseeched Grand Master to compassionately receive and guide me to be reborn in the Pureland. He also put Grand Master’s dragon robe over my body. Then the unimaginable happened. Three days after being blessed by Grand Master and covered by the Dragon Robe, I woke up from my coma miraculously. My body began to recover its functions. Apart from my kidneys which degenerated badly due to over-consumption of medication, all other organs began recovering miraculously. I managed to be discharged from the hospital.

A special thing to note, whenever I went back for medical check-up, and the medical team at Chicago Hospital would shout out, 鐈allelujah?every time they see me. Because, according to past medical records, majority of patients did not make it through. Hence, my recovery was seen as a miracle to the medical team. A Divine miracle!

Moon in the Water: During your 2 months in coma, did you have any sensation or feeling?
Sandy: Actually during this long time period, I lost consciousness and had no idea that I was in a coma for such a long period of time. However, after I woke up, I recalled 3 scenes that appeared in my consciousness. I could not stop crying as the impression was very deep.

In the first scene, I saw how people were bearing hatred and vengeance in their hearts while fighting over money and power, causing mutual harm to one another. I was terrified at that moment and could not stop crying.

In the second scene, I saw Grand Master conducting the puja ceremony and Dharma transmission of Visnu. I was floating in the air and could see the whole place and the grand reception team. I cried again as I did not have the good fortune to participate in this ceremony.

In the third scene, I saw my family preparing for my funeral and even placing my body into the coffin. But I had this thought that I was not dead yet! I was still breathing and I banged against the coffin cover with my last might, roaring out, 廍ave me, Grand Master! Save me, Grand Master!?

In the end, unexpectedly, I woke up.

Moon in the Water: After this near-death experience, what do you wish to tell everyone?
Sandy: I wish to say to all fellow disciples, including those who had lost their faith and defamed Living Buddha Lian-Sheng Grand Master Sheng-Yen Lu that Grand Master Lu is truly a enlightened being and an accomplished Root Guru. We should always hold on to kind thought, and repent earnestly should we lost our faith in our Guru Master and defame Him. In addition, everybody must take good care of their health and have compassion in our heart. Refrain from speaking ill of other cultivators and causing harm to a genuine cultivator with malicious words as this will bring about retribution.

After an hour of interview, the writer could deeply feel how lucky and happy Dharma Sister Sandy is to receive the blessing from Root Guru, bringing her back from the brink of death and gaining a new life.
Nowadays, Sandy chants the Root Guru mantra ’Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom’ repeatedly every day. Seeing her energetic smile, we can also learn from her true-life account the meaning of 尞ife may be precious but the fruits of spiritual cultivation are more valuable.?Thank you to Living Buddha Lian-Sheng His Holiness Sheng-Yen Lu for bestowing the most precious life of wisdom. May we cherish this with care and cultivate well!

Translated by蓮花季謙和

Dharma Sister Sandy with Root Guru

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