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@ Sabrina
According to the Buddha, we are the makers
of our own destiny. We alone are
responsible for our lives. We created
everything. All our grief, perils and
misfortunes are of our own creation. We
spring from no other source than our own imperfections of heart and
mind. We are the results of our
good and bad actions committed in the past under the influence of
greed and delusion. And since we
ourselves brought them into being, it is within our power to
overcome bad effects and cultivate good natures.
Many years ago, a close friend came to me
for advice. I am just a lay Buddhist
practioner, not any great master.
Her friend had experienced something
similar to the extent that the being appeared in front of family
members which spooked them. Of course,
there were also many strange things that happened which I will not
go into great length.
I advised the family to do purification
themselves. They had
difficulties. To cut the story short, I
recorded my own chanting of The 100-syllable Purification Mantra of
Vajrasattva for them to play it in their house instead. I also gave
them a picture of the Vajrasattva Buddha and the verses for them to
chant along with the recording. I was
told that the being has since left and their home has been peaceful
since. There were no more strange
sightings.
I believe that spirits that haunt a place
have been there longer than you or I think they exist. Perhaps, we could be the one disturbing
them. Perhaps, they were the first
occupants of the place before us.
Perhaps, it was their home before we came. However, do not jump to any conclusion that they
are here to harm or not to harm us. Do
not attempt to communicate to them as this will bring more harm
than help.
Do not be scared Sabrina. Seek refuge with the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma
and Sangha) and once you have taken genuine refuge, you must
develop strong faith that the Buddha will protect you and your
family. Do not believe in any master
who claimed that they have clairvoyance but does nothing to offer
good advice or genuine help. There are
many con-artistes out there who out-perform
actors/actresses.
Taking refuge in the Buddha is a confident
acceptance of the fact that one can become fully enlightened and
perfected as the Buddha was.
Taking refuge in the Dharma means
understanding the Four Noble Truths and basing one’s life on the
Noble Eightfold Path.
Taking refuge in the Sangha means looking
for support, inspiration and guidance from all who walk the Noble
Eightfold Path.
Sabrina, if you believe this, doing this,
one becomes a Buddhist, and thus takes the first step on the path
towards enlightenment and liberation.
This is the refuge whereby one is freed from all
suffering. If you take refuge in the
Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, you will be free from fear and
trembling.
