Good Karma Music Stories

I am a member of the Pure Karma Society in Gold Mountain Monastery, San Francisco. I went to two end-of-life caring cases – chant Amitabha Buddha’s name, Heart Sutra, etc. in a funeral and in a cremation ceremony in the past.On July 10, 2009, it was my first time to go to a hospital to help someone who was dying at the moment.The patient was a Buddhist and he wished to have someone/a group who can recite Buddhism Sutra and Buddha’s name around him when he was dying.However, none of his relatives is Buddhist so his family had no resource at all.Here the story begins:His request came from an email sent by his friend’s mother (who lives in New York City and also does the end of life caring with the Buddha Light Buddhist Association).The email got passed to the director of the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care (she lives in Sacramento) and she passed the email to Tzu Chi and Dharma Drum Mountain chapters in San Francisco Bay areas.I also help out in the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association San Francisco Chapter so I got this forwarded email (NYC-Sacramento-San Francisco).After I read the email (3:30pm), I called the director of the Pure Karma Society in Gold Mountain Monastery and she started to call out some volunteers in Gold Mountain Monastery.We (7 volunteers) arrived in the hospital at 7:30 PM. The families already unplugged the oxygen machine (4:00pm) and they were told by the doctor that the patient could die any time within 8 hours.When we arrived, the patient was breathing heavily in coma. The director stood very close to the patient and explained that we were from GGM and came to recite Buddha’s name for him. We started to chant Na Mo Amitofo for about one hour in a very peaceful ton of voice. Then, the director explained the importance of taking refuges with triple jewels to the patient. We chanted the Amitabha Sutra for another hour. Suddenly, the patient body started shivering for a few seconds and I clearly heard the last breath (sigh) of the patient. Honestly, at that moment, I completed lost my word because I knew that the patient just died in front of us. Every volunteer continuously chanted Buddha’s name around him peacefully and harmonically. After the patient passed away, we continued to recite the Heart Sutra until 11:00pm.The whole experience was just unbelievable. We clearly saw the complexion of the patient became brighter and nicer after he died. Two of the volunteers even smelled fragrant around the room when the patient passed away. We truly hope that the patient has been to the Pure Land.

A few days ago, I was at the airport to go to San Francisco from Seattle. There was a man in front of me who looked really agitated and angry. When I saw him, my mind said oh no he doesn’t look nice he looks angry. Then my body softened and I remembered that when I feel angry or agitated its usually that my mind is telling me something mean or aggressive and it really hurts because I can’t relax. So I turned to him and said boy these lines are a pain and smiled. He immediately smiled too and his shoulders relaxed.I thought oh that’s just what I need when I feel that way and that was so simple. Thanks for doing this!Caroline

I heard about this cool initiative while listening to the talk by Venerable Reverend Heng Sure “Being Buddhist in America” that I downloaded from iTunes. And I decided to go for it, not in the least part because I would like to listen to the CD!Right, so, as I was listening to the talk, I started thinking about what I good deed I can do. the thing is, I already volunteer for Amnesty International and for a local sustainability organisation. So, whatever I would have done for them could not really count, ‘cos I would have done it anyway. I caught the train home and when I was preparing to get off the train in front of me there was an old lady. I smiled at her and we started waiting until the train stops at the station. Then I noticed she had a suitcase with her, so I offered her to carry her suitcase off the train and down the stairs (as this particlular platform does not have a ramp). I told her that I myself sometimes require assistance of strong men when I travel ith my baby in a pushchair. It was only afterwards that I realised that it was a good deed for the CD. It all felt natural and nice. And being part of community in my nice town that I live in. I know it falls into the “helping old ladies across the road” category that the Venerable mentioned, but here we go.And today as well there was another case. One of my friends is extremely hectic and requires assistance almost constantly. At the moment, for example, she has no access to the Internet, and I check her e-mails for he.r She rang me and asked me to check if she could change the date of her flight (which I also helped her to book a couple of days ago) on a travel agents’ websites. Here, I must admit, I felt reluctant doing so. I myself get very tense and nervous when dealing with online bookings and travel agents, and fees and charges. But I forced myself to go ahead. Mostly, because my firend is in fact helpless. Partially, because I decided this to be my good deed. So, I e-mailed the travel agent with the question, giving my friend’s e-mail, and then checked her e-mail for her when she rang again, also telling her which otehr e-mails she got. I felt quite tense and not very happy, a bit annoyed at my friend, perhaps. But it needed to be done, I helped her, and I am happy that it is done. I will continue to assist her in any way I can, because, if I or our other mutual friend do not support her, no one will.

Many people visit the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and I always feel it is quite meaningful helping the visitors that come through. People come with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, but always seem to take away something beneficial or useful from their stay or visit here.

I’ve given rides to strangers, picked up clothes and toys from the playground, to hang up to be more easily found and not watered by the sprinklers, but I guess my favorite thing now is to but diapers for my “Sunday Friends”, that helps families in need in San Jose, and encourage others to give as well. My wish is that charitable donations replace trinkets as gifts to others. And you can give for free on THe Hunger Site.

Dear Sirs in Paramita!I`m Mohammad Najafi.the translator of Buddhist and meditation books in Iran.I decided to take task for translate some books about introduction of Buddhism and meditation also about interpretation of dreams in Buddhism.as you know there is not any Buddhist center in Iran and all Iranian people don`t know anything about Buddhism.Then if it`s possible for you please send me the books.Also I need some Buddha`s picture to install in my Meditation room.I tried to get that books from on line shops but there is not any international banks in Iran for getting credit cards and I could not to buy any book .I have many information about Buddhism religion and interested to publication for all Iranians.Faithfully yours:Mohammad Najafimy address and tel:P.O.Box 31465-1394 Karaj Irantel:+98 936 6006909

I was going into the Gallaria Mall in Houston a few weeks ago. I got out of my car and was walking to the door and noticed an elderly lady looking around confused. I asked her if she needed help and she said she lost her car. I asked her what level she parked on. she said she was not sure. I asked her the type of car and color and if she had any distinquising bumper stickers or such. She told me it was a dark blue La baron with a bumper sticker that said ” I love my poodle” on it. I walked around the area to find it, but no luck. I tried the level above and the level below, no luck. I went back to her and asked what was the first store she visited after she parked the car. She told me that she parked and went straight into Dillards. I knew that Dillards was on the far side of the Mall, so I gave her a ride over there and we found her car on the street level. She was so happy and thankful that she offered my money for my help. I told her that is was a pleasure helping her and that was payment enough.