Assist the Deceased Dharma Rite Testimonial
My father John was 71 when he died. He had experienced a very traumatic
life. Many things didn’t go very well for him. After two failed
marriages, estranged from his son’s, living with Diabetes and
Leukaemia and undergoing over 60 operations in 6 years, he had become
very angry and sad with the world. Piece by piece he lost both legs
under the knee.
John was also a very spiritual man. He loved nature and animals. Wanted
to be generous and loving and most of all felt that life was for living.
He managed to return home on two legs, and although his eye sight and
hearing was failing, he still managed to tell terrible jokes and have
fun.
It was through my fathers eyes I first thought about spirituality and
life. He suggested that God was everywhere and not just at church. He
felt others pain deeply and at times had great compassion. He struggled
though to leave his painful childhood memory’s behind and was
at times cruel and bitter.
When I first heard about the Dharma Rite which could assist the deceased
to move from the ‘soup’ to a better place, I knew instinctively
that this was something which I wanted for my father. I asked for the
opportunity, but for many reasons had to wait several months. I did
not know what I would experience or what would happen for me or my father
during the 7 day process, but I was sure that this was an important
thing for me to do.
The rite is held at a temple or shrine, empowered by the Esoteric Buddhist
Masters. Practitioners of this school carry out a ceremony where bells
and drums are sounded and mantras are chanted. I sat in the middle on
a chair and for the most part had my eyes closed and my hands upturned
on my knees. The ceremony took around 45 minutes and was both magical
and daunting.
I should mention that I do have experience of clairvoyance and that
not everyone undertaking this process would necessarily experience the
same as I. Each Dharma Rite is different! The ceremony took place daily
and each day the experience was different.
On day one, I felt the presence of my father very strongly in the room.
He looked old and tired, although he did appear with both legs! He came
and stood by my shoulder and was present with his father Philip. I was
overwhelmed with a feeling of sorrow and despair. Tears streamed down
my face as I connected with his torment and sadness. Towards the end
of the rite, my father got on his knees and bowed down to the Buddha’s.
My father smiled and faded, but I continued to feel sad for a short
while after.
On day two the feelings changed. My father appeared dressed smartly
and looking healthly, whilst still old. I had some sensations of tightening
around my chest and head and it seemed as If I was experiencing his
physical pain. He was on his own and this time he came with requests!
He bowed throughout the rite and also spoke of his needs. My father
asked for three things. He asked that I buy particular flowers for the
alter. White – all white! No colour just white. This was very
strange to me and he gave me a picture to go by in my mind. He then
asked that my sisters request be supported and that I give her some
financial assistance for her to fulfil her ambition of becoming a student.
Thirdly (and most crazy of all!) he requested that I ask the Abbot if
he could take refuge with Master and become a Buddhist student. I thought
this was the craziest thing I had heard, but he was insistent. I later
put this to the Abbot thinking he would raise his eyebrows, but he reassured
me it was possible but that Master would have to play a part in this
request.
On the third day, my father appeared in a white suit, looking middle
aged and healthy. This was the gentlest of days and I felt as if a great
burden had been lifted from us all. He thanked me for all of the effort
that we were undertaking and smiled brightly. I felt a great deal of
healing through my hands and body.
The fourth day, my father began to glow with an inner light. He still
maintained his bows and showed his gratitude to all Buddha’s.
On this day, the energy was very strong and I became very, very hot.
At one point I seemed to loose time and only was present for the beginning
and the end of a mantra sequence.
The fifth day and sixth days continued to build with intensity. My father
becoming more and more transparent and shining with a bright light.
My experiences varied from seeing a demon and experiencing it taking
payment to feeling very calm, relaxed and joyous.
The last and final day of the Dharma Rite was an incredible experience.
There were 21 practitioners sharing the burden of karmic debt and together
processing and transforming it. From the first set of mantras I was
unable to speak out loud. I felt a strong presence in the room. Time
was changed. My fathers sparking essence was present, but was formless.
I was taken to a beautiful place where I saw 6 of myself all facing
the alter, together with myself still sitting on the chair. I had no
way of knowing for sure, but felt it was representative of my three
past and future lives, and my current life time. I was in the presence
of a beautiful being who reached in to my heart and gave me a burst
of light energy. I was transported to an amazing space where time was
still and boundless. My heart was filled with joy and boundless compassion.
I felt overwhelmingly grateful to all those who had supported me on
this journey. I asked if I could stay in this place and was told no,
I had to return as I had work to do! I was very resistant to this but
could feel myself being drawn back to the room. I was heavy and knew
I was unable to speak. This feeling lasted for about three hours. I
wanted to be alone but knew that I needed to ground myself and re-connect.
Sounds were exaggerated and everything was so loud!. We went for a drive
and I became more and more re-connected. I could still feel the wonderful
and perfect feelings and will forever be thankful for this amazing experience.
Jules Gibson-Cranch – August 2009