Buddhist Binh Minh escaped the suffering of losing her child, thanks to practicing the right Dharma

Summary of Mrs. Binh Minh's Story

Mrs. Binh Minh, a mother and Buddhist follower, who overcame the pain of losing her son to find peace and a deep understanding of the Buddha's teachings on karma, impermanence, and letting go. Her story serves as a beacon of light for those lost in suffering and misguided beliefs in feng shui, numerology, and ritual offerings.

Mrs. Binh Minh's Introduction to the Dharma of Venerable Elder Thich Thong Lac

Mrs. Binh Minh shares that she learned about the Dharma of Venerable Thich Thong Lac in 2007, after her son passed away due to illness. In her grief, a Mahayana monk who came to chant prayers introduced her to the book "The Path to Buddha's Land" (Đường Về Xứ Phật). She found that the book clearly answered all her life's questions and wrote to the Venerable, receiving two letters in response.

Mrs. Binh Minh's Question to the Venerable Regarding Her Son's Death

Mrs. Binh Minh recounted that after building their house, her son fell ill and passed away. Despite the family being meticulous with feng shui, using a Lu Ban ruler to avoid inauspicious sectors like "sickness" or "death," her son still died. She asked the Venerable if her son's death was caused by building the house.

The Venerable's Explanation on Karma and Impermanence

The Venerable responded to Mrs. Binh Minh, stating that her son's death was not due to building the house but to karma. Her suffering was because the karma had not yet dissipated. The Venerable emphasized that everything in life is due to karma, nothing belongs to us forever, and life is impermanent. The Venerable advised her to "let go, don't hold on" because "all things are impermanent."

The Mahayana Monk Introducing the Venerable's Book

Mrs. Binh Minh further explained how a Mahayana monk introduced her to the Venerable's book. This Mahayana monk mentioned that his teacher had attained Arhatship and gave her "The Path to Buddha's Land," cautioning her not to speak ill of it. She had read many other scriptures but felt confused until she read "The Path to Buddha's Land," which brought clarity and answered all her questions.

Changes in Ms. Binh Minh's Life

After reading the book and receiving the Venerable's letters, Mrs. Binh Minh stayed up all night reading, feeling clearer and finding answers to all her life's questions. She began to eat vegetarian and live according to the Venerable's Dharma, not causing suffering to herself, others, or living beings. She realized that letting go was a way to repay her teacher and felt more at peace and serene.

Understanding Karma and Abandoning Superstition

Mrs. Binh Minh shared that through the Venerable's teachings, she understood that believing in auspicious dates and times was not related to her suffering but rather to the karma she herself had sown. She gave an example: a heroin dealer will surely be caught, and no amount of prayers can prevent it. She realized that believing in auspicious numbers to avoid illness was a mistake, as evidenced by her son's death despite the family's meticulous efforts.

Overcoming the Pain of Losing a Child Through the Dharma

Mrs. Binh Minh shared that when she read "The Path to Buddha's Land" and received the Venerable's explanation, she stopped creating negative karma and lived according to good Dharma. She lived without causing suffering to herself, others, or living beings. The Venerable's teaching about "if life isn't impermanent, what's the point of practicing?" helped her maintain a peaceful and untroubled mind in the face of everything that came her way.