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Witnessing “light orbs” are subject to many
interpretations. In photography, it is
common to explain it as an artefact of water droplets on the lens,
filter or window that the cameras shot through.
While many Buddhists wish to believe there
were miraculous phenomena associated with sightings of lights, so
that they may develop some faith in their religion, I think that
the interpretations of such images were nonetheless very much
misinterpreted. It is not my intention
to disparage anyone for their devotion to their religion/beliefs,
however, too often, people are quick to seek the miraculous and may
interpret every day phenomena as miracle, even though it may not
be. For example, when one look at the
clouds and see images formed, no one would react or think it is
special if the clouds look like some animal figures but if it looks
like some deity, there is a tendency to misinterpret it and some
may even perceive it as miraculous phenomena. Changes in temperature, sunlight and water vapour,
etc. may cause all these to happen in the sky.
Although I am a skeptic, I am willing to
believe what you have seen because I have experienced
it. It was not rounded luminous orbs
though but a yellowish white light about 2 inch thick and 8 inch
long, shining down 45 degrees on the Sakyamuni Buddha while I was
doing my daily practice, in the morning. I was not meditating at this point but was
chanting mantras and doing my usual prostrations. This happens just a few seconds and too short for
me to grab my camera to capture this brief occurrence. Usually, you
don’t get to see it the second time after it happens each
time.
However, in my case, there isn’t any clap
of thunder as shared by someone I personally know from her personal
experience. In her case, she witnessed
the “Buddha’s Light”, which was a round, huge and luminous ball,
followed by a clap of thunder, in a few seconds, in mid-afternoon.
She was washing dishes when it appeared in front of her, not in any
meditation session though.
Very beautiful sight indeed! Inspiring but
I have to agree with Aik TC that such sightings should not be
regarded as a sign of some supramundane attainment and as such I
personally do not regard it significant and did not let any such
phenomena affect my daily practice. I
believe the miraculous is possible even though it may be difficult
to prove the authenticity of these phenomena.
My advice is, continue diligently with your
daily practice, with the right motivation and correct understanding
of the fundamentals of the Buddhist path to enlightenment [i.e.
renunciation, bodhicitta and the correct view of emptiness], come
what may.
TAYATHA OM GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE
BODHI SVAHA!