The seven-day Earth Store Merits Chanting Class has concluded auspiciously!
In this precious and exceptional Chanting Class, over fifty students had the opportunity to participate and chant for the benefit of their ancestors and departed loved ones. They prayed for the blessings and protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Through sincere and heartfelt chanting, they sought to eliminate negative karma and accumulate merit for their ancestors, thereby changing the fate of their entire family, ensuring peace, health, and good fortune for themselves and future generations.
During this class, everyone had the privilege of studying and reciting the Earth Store Sutra under the guidance of Grandmaster JinBodhi. They learned and understood the principles of cause and effect, seizing the opportunity to make amends for the past, cherish the present, and prepare for the future.
Through the heartfelt chanting of “Om Ha Ha Ha Vismaye Svāhā,” participants learned to let go of attachments, repent for past mistakes and harm caused unknowingly, and express their deep sense of responsibility and love for their ancestors and relatives.
In just seven short days of the Chanting class, participants experienced numerous benefits. Their physical ailments disappeared, their spirits brightened, and family relationships harmonized. They shared joy and happiness, all of which they attribute to the compassionate teachings of the Grandmaster.
Chi Wei
In these seven days of the class, I have gained a lot! Gratitude to Grandmaster, gratitude to the blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! In my daily life, both of my legs used to ache when I walked. When I sat on the lotus cushion, I couldn’t sit comfortably and would constantly fidget due to the pain. On the fifth day of the class, my legs no longer hurt. I felt relaxed and comfortable walking to the station for 30 minutes in the morning. I could also sit comfortably, and my inner state became softer. Gratitude for the blessings of Grandmaster and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
My eldest son has suffered from polio and had difficulty walking, couldn’t take care of himself in daily life, and easily got angry. He depended on me for his three meals. On the second morning of the class, I lit a lamp for Earth Store Bodhisattva on his behalf. When I returned home that evening, he told me that he could order takeout by himself for the next few days and asked me not to worry about him. During these days, he not only took care of himself but also helped me take care of our little dog. I feel that he has become smarter. He used to often upset me with his words, but these days he seems to speak and act very wisely, which brings me great joy. Not only has my son become more responsible, but my husband has also been less nagging these days. Our family has not quarreled over trivial matters during these days. Gratitude to Grandmaster and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for making our home harmonious and happy!
During these days, I have felt very happy and joyful. I feel like I have become younger and more beautiful, with rosy and radiant skin. After surgery last year, I felt weak, but now I feel full of energy, and my health has improved. I want to turn my gratitude to Grandmaster and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas into action. I have filled out a volunteer application form, and I want to come back to the Meditation Center to serve and do what I should do. Gratitude to Grandmaster.
Lamp Offering and Bodhi Meditation Attire Have Led to the Rapid Recovery of My Husband’s Sprained Back!
On the evening of July 29th, I went to attend Grandmaster’s 32nd Anniversary Dharma Propagation Banquet. Just 10 minutes after leaving home, my husband called me, saying that he had sprained his back while moving flower pots in the backyard. He was in so much pain that he couldn’t move, and our daughter had to help him into the house. When I arrived at the Meditation Center, I quickly lit a lamp for him and also obtained some blessed water and blessed paper, praying for Grandmaster and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to bless my husband’s speedy recovery. During the dinner, I was lucky enough to win a set of beige sports attire blessed by Grandmaster, and the size happened to be just right for my husband. Despite his injury, he wore this beige sports attire along with his Energy Bagua waist belt and followed the instructions of a Chinese bone-setting doctor. Originally, it would have taken at least two weeks to recover, but in less than a week, he completely healed and was able to return to work! Gratitude for the blessings of Grandmaster and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Rong Wang
More than a year ago, one morning I woke up, and suddenly my right arm was in a lot of pain, and I couldn’t lift it. When I managed to lift it, I couldn’t put it down without rotating it halfway. This severely affected my daily life, such as taking off clothes. I had to be very careful, and every time I took off my clothes, I would be in so much pain that I had to kneel on the ground for 3 minutes to recover. I had an X-ray done, and the doctor said there was nothing wrong with the bones in my arm, but they found nodules in my lungs. The doctor wanted me to undergo further testing, but it was complicated. I decided to practice Energy Bagua.
A few days ago, while I was chanting, I felt my right arm pulsating continuously for about two or three hours. I thought it must be Grandmaster’s blessings. When I got home, it was clear that my arm was no longer in pain, and I didn’t need to kneel when taking off my clothes. This was a significant improvement, and I felt about 80% better.
I have a genetic condition, bronchiectasis, which causes me to have blood-tinged phlegm and sometimes even bleed a little when my throat feels slightly uncomfortable. My bronchi easily get inflamed, and I often lose my voice. Before the class, I couldn’t speak, but on the second day of the class, my voice improved, and my complexion got better.
I also had a spider-like black spot on my waist for a long time, which has faded a lot these days, and the smaller spots next to it have almost disappeared. This time, while practicing the “Meditation of Greater Illumination,” I have been able to be more focused.
My wife has not been very supportive of me coming to the Meditation Center over the years and would often argue with me before I came here. But these days, she has been behaving very well and hasn’t argued with me. When I told her I wanted to go to the Meditation Center, she said, “Go ahead!” Gratitude for Grandmaster’s compassionate protection!
Chi Huo
In recent years, my mother’s health has been deteriorating, and she has been bedridden. On July 30th, I visited the New York Bodhi Meditation Center. I knelt in front of the Guan Yin Bodhisattva statue with my eyes closed, sincerely praying for Grandmaster JinBodhi and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to bless my mother. Suddenly, I saw a white light surrounding me, and I saw my mother. However, when the light shone on her, it turned black, and her face also became black. I was surprised and wondered why her face turned black when the light was on her.
On the morning of July 31st, I received a call from my sister in China, telling me that my mother was in critical condition and didn’t have much time left. I accompanied my mother through her passing over the phone. I hurried to the Meditation Center to light a 49-day lamp for her, praying for Grandmaster JinBodhi and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to guide her to the Pure Land. Due to the urgency, I couldn’t attend my mother’s funeral in person, which made me very sad. Instead, I channeled my grief into continuous chanting.
One hour before my mother’s cremation on the following day, while chanting, I suddenly saw my mother lying in a massive black pit. I also saw the Guan Yin Bodhisattva from the Meditation Center emitting light on her. I witnessed my mother’s soul ascending and leaving the black pit, eventually disappearing. I felt immense gratitude toward Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
On August 19th, I attended a 7-day Chanting Class at the New York Bodhi Meditation Center. Every day, I knelt and prayed for my mother, asking for blessings from Grandmaster JinBodhi, Guan Yin Bodhisattva, and Earth Store Bodhisattva to guide my mother to the Pure Land. On the second day of the class, I saw a gigantic Bodhisattva along with Grandmaster and my mother floating on a white cloud. Witnessing this scene brought me great peace, joy, and deep emotions. I bow in gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Grandmaster JinBodhi, and Earth Store Bodhisattva for guiding my mother to a world of auspicious radiance.
Additionally, during the class, I experienced significant improvements in my physical health. Five years ago, I was in a car accident that caused severe pain in my back, lungs, and waist. My left side, from the waist down to the ankles, was constantly in pain. I underwent various physical therapies, but there was no improvement. Due to my sensitive stomach, taking painkillers would lead to gastric issues, so I endured the pain over these past four to five years. At night, I had to use two thick pillows under my waist to be able to lie down. Since the accident, my sleep quality had been poor due to unbearable pain. I could hardly sleep for more than two hours and often suffered from insomnia.
In the first three days of the Chanting Class, while practicing the “Meditation of Greater Illumination,” I experienced pain throughout my body. On the fourth day, my ankles became swollen, painful, and I had muscle spasms in my legs. It was excruciating. During the last two repetitions of the “MGI,” I had to sit in a chair to practice. On the fifth day, while practicing “MGI,” I suddenly felt a powerful energy circulating above my head. My whole body became hot, and I sweated profusely. I’m not someone who typically sweats easily. When I returned home in the evening, my ankles were still warm. Around 11 o’clock at night, I went to sleep, and I slept soundly until morning. This was the first time in four to five years that I slept so deeply without being awakened by pain. When I woke up, I realized I didn’t have the pillows under my waist. When I turned, the pain in my waist, back, lungs, and legs seemed to have disappeared. Before, climbing stairs felt like carrying a heavy stone, and I had to hold onto the railing with great effort. Today, my legs are incredibly light, and I can easily climb the stairs without any difficulty. Previously, during the concluding exercises, while others could jump, I had to move my legs slowly with the help of a chair. Now, I can jump along with everyone else. All I could feel is gratitude! I’m incredibly grateful to Grandmaster JinBodhi and the blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Grandmaster’s teachings are truly incredible!
Stella
Following Grandmaster JinBodhi’s teachings, I have benefited greatly in body, mind, and spirit. I am deeply grateful for Grandmaster’s compassionate guidance! Today, I want to share a story of how my personal practice has benefited my family. During this year’s Chinese New Year, I made offerings to the Yellow Jambhala for my son. Shortly after, my son voluntarily expressed his desire to find a part-time job on weekends in addition to his regular five-day work week. He also mentioned his intention to seek a better job. In July, my son successfully found a job he liked, and after a three-month probation period, he would become a permanent employee with a higher salary than his previous job. He was very happy and motivated every day! I was delighted to hear this news, especially as my son is approaching the age to get married. His responsible attitude fills me with immense gratitude for the opportunities Grandmaster has provided us to accumulate merits.
On August 19th, I participated in the Earth Store Merits Chanting Class. On the third evening of the class, when I returned home, my son hugged me and joyfully said, “Mom, I’m officially employed now!” He then kissed me. Originally, he was supposed to complete a three-month probation period before becoming a permanent employee, but he achieved this in just one month. His boss even praised him for being diligent and reliable!
The Chanting Class brought continuous good fortune, and another joyous event occurred. Over the past two years, my husband had been giving me only half of his salary, keeping the rest as personal savings. Although we had arguments about it, these discussions never ended well, and I had to give up. On the fourth evening of the class, my husband spontaneously decided to entrust all his salary to me. I was elated. This change isn’t just about money; it signifies something more significant. I came to the United States alone, and my husband joined me ten years later. Due to our long separation, there seemed to be some emotional distance and a lack of trust between us. Now, him willingly handing over his entire salary indicates that he fully trusts me, and all the lingering emotional barriers between us have disappeared! From now on, we will rely on each other and grow old together. I feel an unprecedented happiness and contentment! I have been accumulating merits for them on my own, and seeing the changes in my family, I am sincerely grateful for the blessings of Grandmaster JinBodhi and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
On the fifth day of the course, considering the timing, I should have been menstruating. Typically, during my period, I experience headaches, body aches, weakness, and cannot work. However, this time was completely different; I didn’t feel any discomfort. Starting from the afternoon of the fourth day, I didn’t feel like eating, and on the fifth day in the morning, I entered a spontaneous fasting state. After two days, I felt relaxed and at ease throughout my body, feeling light and liberated as if I had shed a heavy burden. It was a wonderful feeling. When I returned home last night, I discovered a merit cinnabar mark on my arm. All these wonderful experiences are blessings from Grandmaster. Gratitude to Grandmaster JinBodhi!
Yang Yang
In 2018, over a period of one to two months, my husband experienced severe health problems, and additionally, my younger brother, aged 39, had a brain tumor, and his life was in jeopardy. A few months later, my younger brother passed away. I was devastated, and my mental state deteriorated. I felt lost, emotionally drained, and depressed. At that time, a fellow practitioner introduced me to Bodhi Meditation, but due to taking care of my ailing father-in-law at home, I couldn’t go to the Meditation Center regularly. So, I began listening to Grandmaster JinBodhi’s teachings every day at home. Gradually, my heart began to open up, and I emerged from the grip of depression. Without Grandmaster’s guidance, I don’t know if I could have made it through that difficult period.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have been following Grandmaster’s online broadcasts, learning many valuable life lessons. I am grateful to Grandmaster for allowing me to learn the precious “Earth Store Sutra,” understand the principles of cause and effect, and comprehend the importance of accepting, making amends, and accumulating merits.
My father-in-law has been ill for over a decade. Ever since I started learning from Grandmaster, I regularly offered lamps and chanted for him, hoping for his well-being. A little over a month ago, as my father-in-law was nearing the end, I continuously played Buddha’s chant by his bedside. Even his eldest son, with whom he had a difficult relationship for many years, finally came to see him. In his final moments, all his descendants gathered around him. I held his hand, and he passed away peacefully. Grandmaster reminded us during the explanation of the “Earth Store Sutra” that when our loved ones pass away, we should quickly offer lamps and accumulate merits. So, I offered a 49-day lamp for my father-in-law, hoping that the Buddha and Grandmaster would guide him to the Pure Land. This way, we could let go of our sadness more quickly and ensure that everything was completed satisfactorily.
I recently attended the “Earth Store Merits Chanting Class” at the New York Bodhi Meditation Center. During this class, I continued to chant, hoping to help my father-in-law reduce his karmic burdens. In the past, when I chanted at home, I couldn’t kneel. However, during this class, I knelt throughout. It was slightly painful during the kneeling, but after chanting, I felt completely free of pain. Moreover, while chanting, I broke into a heavy sweat, and all my clothes were soaked. My body felt exceptionally unblocked and comfortable. I felt that my father-in-law had indeed received the guidance of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas and had gone to a better place. After chanting, I found merit cinnabar marks on my arms, and my palms became fuller.
During this chanting class, I attended each day with a heart full of gratitude and joy. It was like going to school with a schoolbag on my back, eagerly looking forward to each day. I used to get tired easily, but these past few days, I felt light and energetic throughout the day.
Family Changes
Both my mother-in-law and my husband didn’t have any religious beliefs, but this time, they were supportive and joyful about me attending the chanting class. I am grateful for their support. Previously, my daughter would need constant reminders from me to take a shower every night. However, during these days of the class, she started taking showers on her own, showing maturity and responsibility.
Change in Temperament
One early morning at 5 o’clock, a neighbor upstairs forgot to turn off the faucet, causing water leakage into our home. My mother-in-law woke me up to deal with the situation. In the past, I would have been very angry, but this time I empathized with the elderly neighbor, thinking that he must have difficulties due to his old age and forgetfulness. I handled the situation calmly. Later that day, during my chanting, I thought of the elderly neighbor and prayed to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas to bless him with better memory.
The Miracles of Blessed Tissue Paper
I would like to share a miraculous incident. Once, I brought a blessed tissue paper home for my mother-in-law to use. She had pain in her right index finger’s trigger finger condition. Remarkably, the pain disappeared immediately. I am deeply grateful to have encountered Grandmaster in this lifetime, allowing me to learn the true Dharma, understand the law of cause and effect, and become a more grateful, content, and enlightened person.
Xu Jinfeng, Guo Yuelian, Lin Saizhen (Family)
Xu Jinfeng
In the past, I had a stubborn temper, and if my family didn’t listen to me, I would get angry. I never thought it was my fault. During this chanting class, I learned to reflect and repent. On the fifth evening when I returned home, I apologized to my daughter and my husband. It was the first time I had ever apologized to them. My daughter was moved to tears, and my husband also cried. We embraced each other with tears of happiness, our hearts coming closer together as a family. It felt so warm and joyful! I’m grateful for Grandmaster’s teachings, which softened my personality from being irritable to having a gentle heart, gave me confidence in life, and made my family happier and more harmonious! What’s even more amazing is that I now have 15 merit cinnabar marks on my body!
Guo Yuelian
The large, hard lump on the back of my neck, known as a “wealth bump” in common parlance, has been there for over ten years, and it was quite prominent when viewed from behind. I often felt discomfort in my upper back, as if the energy flow was blocked, and my neck and upper back were very stiff and tight, making it uncomfortable to stand up straight and walk. Over the past few days of the class, this hard lump has significantly reduced in size, and my back can now naturally straighten up. Additionally, I have developed prominence on my hands, which gives them a more auspicious appearance! I feel happy every day at Bodhi Meditation!
Lin Saizhen
I am 86 years old, and seeing the remarkable changes in the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of my two daughters and my eldest daughter-in-law after they started practicing meditation here truly amazed me. This is indeed a miraculous place! I have also attended a Stress Relief Class and a Chanting Class here, and the benefits for me have been very apparent. During this Chanting Class, my decades-long headache has improved, my stomach problems of over ten years have also gotten better, and the lingering pain from a previous lower back injury has improved significantly. Last night, I dreamt of coming to the meditation center to recite the Earth Store Sutra, and I woke up before dawn. These seven days of classes have been very engaging, and I am grateful to the Grandmaster. Our whole family loves Grandmaster very much!
We extend the blessings to all fellow practitioners, wishing for their physical and mental well-being and a happy and harmonious family life!
For more photos, please go to New York Bodhi Meditation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=BodhiMeditationNewYorkEnglish&set=a.863129698595509
The intent of the testimonial is to offer wellness information of a general nature. Individual results of practice may vary.