Good Karma Music Stories

About 2 years ago, a friend came to me saying that her grandfather was admitted to the Hospital in coma. The doctor could not detect what was wrong with him. He, the patient, did not respond to any of the medicine the doctor applied or fed him. As he was still breathing, so they had to keep him alive by providing the respiratory aids + liquid foods. That went on for more than a week, and as the medical cost was running more and more, her father was thinking of pulling off the plug, but the doctor did not allow him to do so as the patient was still “alive”. They did not know what to do. I asked my friend her grandfather belonged to what religion, did he do any prayer? She said he did not prayed to anything at home, only occasionally go to temples, lighted joss-sticks, donated some money and left, and he did not quarrel nor having trouble with any body. With that an idea suddenly came to my mind. I went to Amitabha Buddhist centre, got a battery operated player (F.O.C), which could chant “Namo O MI thor FO” none stop (unless battery flat). I passed that player to my friend asking her to play the chanting at the grandfather’s bedside, at the same time asking her grandfather to chant together with the player (in his mind of course, eventhough he was in coma, his mind was still functioning, I suppose). By doing so, there were 2 possibilities:1) If the patient destined to survive, he would be able to recover.2) If the patient destined to die, he would die peacefully and would go for a better rebirth. So my friend tried and the feedback was:”I played the player beside my grandfather’s bedside and asked him to chant (in his mind) together the Namo O MI Thor fo”. Just within an hour or so, he passed away peacefully.” Hope this experience will not only help my friend’s grandfather, also others who need this kind of help (to recover, or die peacefully). Karuna,K.T. Chong

The Dharma talk came as a surprise. mum just came home from the temple last Sunday and said, Ven.Heng Sure would be having a dharma talk at Tzu Yun Tung next Sat night. I was very happy (an understatement) to hear that, the last time I saw him was nine years ago. Since it’s Saturday night, my usual evenings for dating purpose, I tried to get my bf to go too. He didn’t want to. I nagged, begged, and even told him, you might want to make the mistake of going,( then found that it’s not right for you), than to make the mistake of not going at all. Well, given that last straw of “threat”, he relented. After the Dharma talk, even his voice is “shining” and “brimming” with Dharma joy. It’s a gift for both of us. I’m really glad I’d successfully talked him into coming.

Yesterday, my family and I just came back from Cambodia. We heard that it is a very poor country and so I decided to bring along some food to give to the poor children there. When we were giving out the chocolate we brought, the children were fighting and snatching from the other smaller kids. We were a bit disturb at their conduct.It shows that they are hungry for the food. I know the food cannot help them much but I am instilling the kindness of giving to my children and not to waste food.

The loss of both my parents shook me into realising how inadequate attention and enough appreciation were extended to them despite their gift of life to me. A gift that is so unconditional that it touches my heart deeply despite moments of discontent felt during my adolescence age which at that time was considered unjustly meted to me. The guilt felt became so strong that I began radiating daily metta and merits to them. In addition I have also sponsored printing of dharma books dedicated in memory of them. Wishing that they rejoice in the merits of dharma-dana and may they take existence in a happier and more blissful state in their next rebirth. These unconditional acts have since brings intense and continuous blessings despite my contentment and not expecting any rewards. This learning had led me to share this experience for those whose parents who are still living not to have such remorse as I had. While you have the opportunity, you must give them all you can now and henceforth. This is most fulfilling and will make it easier on you to accept their passing away when it happened as death is certain for all living beings. Show your gratitude while you can is of exemplary merit you will always cherish.

Many years ago as a student I was in the middle of a graduation exam. We were in a group of four candidates each, and we had our exam appointment with the professor, who most of the time happened to be the head of the faculty or the dean himself. Getting grilled by the “prof” was certainly not very amusing, so we were all pretty stress out. One of my comrade was so nervous since it was her second try to pass the examination, so she was walking up and down the hall and couldn’t sit still for a minute, she even told me she had to take some pills to calm down the nerves. Normally I don’t like her too much b/c she is one of those people who would step over others to get what they want. But at that time I felt for her, so I told her “Hey don’t worry, it’s will be a piece of cake”. She said “how come”. And I explained, well the professor is well-known for always asking the same questions, and he has never failed someone who has to repeat the exam. “Really??” she was looking at me with those big eyes and I said yes. Of course it was not true but she really believed it and then all of a sudden her fear, her anxiety just vapored into thin air. At the end we all made it, and I was kind of happy that my “rumour” turned out to be closed to thruthful, and that I could give her some fearlessness in this stressful situation.

Where I live, you must get your mail from a group of mailboxes not far from the house. Whenever I go to get mail for my mom, I see junk mail and advertisements strewn all over the floor. Even though there are trashcans, people are careless and just throw them on the ground. Recently, I began to pick up the fallen junk mail to through in the trash. It feels good to be cleaning up the neighborhood and helping out the Earth.

These days I see so much trash on the ground. I want to help and clean up the trash. That’s why I’m trying to pick up at least 1 or more piece(s)of garbage each day.