A Biography of Doctor Huang Xixun黄锡勋 and his attainment of a rebirth- Told by Upasika Huang Shi Cui Er
The attainment of rebirth of Huang Xixun is truly magnificent. Many things happened and we could only describe it as inconceivable. He had not read much on Buddhism. The length of time of his recitation of the Buddha’s Name is not too long. He is not a vegetarian. In fact, he had attained a rebirth without the ceremony of taking refuge in the Triple Gems. His story spreads widely and many people have asked me to write down the whole incidence. I hope that those who have a chance to read this will have their faith In the rescue of Amitabha Buddha enhanced.
Biography-
Huang Xixun was born in the year 1934 in the Xinguan village梓官乡, the Province of Gaoxiong, Taiwan. In 1961 he was graduated from the Medical College in Taiwan University. Then he worked at Hospital MaJie马偕医院 for one year before going for further study in America, in the famous University, John Hopkins University. He was trained as a doctor specialized in Pediatrics and Pediatric Gastroenterology. In the year 1966 he was invited by the Baltimore Medical Centre to open a Regional Centre on Health Care. He often reminded the Administrators and the Board of Directors, ‘The responsibility of the hospitals and doctors is not limited to treating the patients who are rich and who have bought the insurance. We should also provide service for the poor.’
The medical health centre is about ten roads away from the city centre. This is the most chaos area in the town which consists of five units of flats built by the government for the poor citizens. ( in Mandarin it is known as the slum.) In the nearby areas about one and a half miles in diameter, 75 percent of the families are without the male figures. Most of them are mothers who bring up a few children alone. They rely on the government aids to survive. Every day we can hear about drugs trafficking, man slaughtering and robbing. The Baltimore Sun News had its Headline, stating that it is not a place meant for humans. They went into details to report this area for four to five days, describing it as a region with the most acute sufferings, extreme sadness in this world of five turbidities.
But Huang Xixun managed to successfully reorganize this region that finally it was listed as the Superior model of the Regional Health Care Centre in the whole country, with an honour record in the Book of Congress. For 27 years, this centre had provided service to 55 thousand patients who are from the slum, which amounts to eight percent of the total citizens in Baltimore.
Huang Xixun often encouraged the youth in the regions not to give up, that they should always try their best to learn something as a mean to support themselves and to free themselves from poverty and ignorance. He was not only a doctor to the citizens there, he was more like their father, brother, adviser, friend and their lantern in spiritual support. He listened to their worries and sadness, and he rejoiced in their happiness and success. Not only that he provided them the regional healthcare service, he had given guidance to many bad youths to return to the proper way of living. Finally, they managed to become the good supporters to the society. Presently, many of them are teachers, army officers and some hold the jobs as pharmacists, accountants and good football players.
In the spring, 1992 Huang XiXun fell sick and had to retire earlier. After the announcement of his retirement, thousands of letters resemble the flying snowflakes were sent to him. The state mayor of Maryland gave him a certificate of merits. The town mayor of Baltimore declared the twelfth of March as the Day of Huang Xixun for Baltimore city. In 1993, the 26th of April the famous Sun Morning Daily and Evening Daily had special reports on the accomplishment of Huang Xixun and news on his retirement. He was highly praised by people.
After Doctor Huang Xixun knew about his illness, he underwent a tedious treatment but he seemed not to be affected by it. Instead, he started to write on Humorous matters in Medical, Memoirs, a booklet on medical terms in English and Mandarin, the Medicinal Health Care booklet and many others. He continued to give his service to the Chinese Community on what he had learnt.
2. He realized that he had cancer.
Most of the time, Xixun was quite healthy, very energetic. He worked hard every day settling lot of matters. In 1991, October we planned to go back to Taiwan to join the celebration in Medical College in Taiwan University for those who had graduated for thirty years. We went to take injection for the influenza vaccination in the hospital where we work. He was asked by a nurse to go for X-ray in the chest and found that there was a growth of tumor about the size of two cm in diameter.
3. The Learning of the Buddha Dharma
Even though Xixun and I are born in to the Buddhist families, we only follow the family to light incense and bow to the Buddha. We do not know much about Buddhism. We have not read any Sutras or listen to any lecture on the Sutras.
Later, I started to recite Sutras and I will introduce them to Xixun. The only Sutra that he put his heart to study is the Buddha speaks the Sutra of Amitabha. At that time the cancer cells had spread to his brain and he was undergoing the radiotherapy, and at time he lost his memory. This is especially true at night when he did not answer properly to the nurse on duty. It means he cannot read a sutra like a normal person. But once he told me, ‘Every page of Amitabha Sutra is filled with tiny Amitabha Buddhas.’
After that, I met Huang Ying Zhu 黄莹珠while I was looking for people to help in Amitabha recitation. She is a very helpful lady. She gave me a book which was compiled by the Old Upasaka Xia Lian Ju夏莲居, the Sutra of Immeasurable Lifespan, a book by Huang Nian Zhu 黄念祖,the Old Upasaka on the simple explanation on Immeasurable Lifespan Sutra and Commentary on Immeasurable Lifespan Sutra and other good books such as the Contemplation of Immeasurable Lifespan Sutra instructional talks, Important points of Amitabha Sutra by the Elder Dao Yuan道源长老. We started to learn the Sutra of Immeasurable Lifespan. After reading the ‘Words from my mind’ only then we realize the benefit of Amitabha Recitation and the supremacy of the Pure Land Dharma Door. We reminded each other that we should recite more Namo Amitabha Buddha. When we were busy, we decided to listen to the taped recitation or a recital device.
Later, before we recite the Immeasurable Lifespan Sutra, we will start our practice by reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha, seeking the Buddha’s protection so that I could teach the Sutra well and he could understand my teaching. This is a good method.
Many a time he was so happy, praising me for teaching so well. I also feel that I can really talk about the Dharma. When he fell asleep, I would continue with the Sutra recitation. When he woke up I would ask him, ‘Did you hear what I was reading just now?’ He answered, ‘Yes, I did.’ Besides, when he fell asleep, he would often dream of Amitabha Buddha and the World of Ultimate Bliss in the Western Direction. So, in this way we it took us five to six weeks to study the Immeasurable Lifespan Sutra. The main aspect we stressed on was the 48 Vows of Amitabha Buddha and the Proper and dependent rewards of that land so that he could have a understanding of the world of Ultimate Bliss, that his faith and vows to attain a rebirth would be enhanced.
Whenever he fell asleep, I would sit by his side to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. The American nurse would also sit by one side when she was free, saying prayers to God on his behalf.
After reading the Sutras and Buddhist booklets, I asked my relatives and friends how to help the deceased when he passed away.
In 1994, March, Gong Chen拱辰 brought me a booklet from Taiwan, title: The most important matter in life and helping the deceased at the death bed. I let Xixun read hoping that he would know the importance of Amitabha recitation at the death bed. I was worried how I was going to recite the Buddha’s Names alone for eight hours.
Later I met with Liu Qi Yi刘启义 who was the former president of the Buddhist Association in Washington. He came to my house on the 13th of October and became good friend with Xixun as they were both from Taiwan University. He came again with another twelve friends who were the members of the Buddhist Association and Tzu Chi. After talking for a while, they started to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. Xixun was crying as he was touched to have so many good men and good women who travelled so far for his sake. After the recitation, Liu Qi Xun again explained the eighteenth vow of the forty -eight Vows, stressing that one will surely attain a rebirth by calling on the Buddha’s Name ten times, to enhance his faith.
4. The attainment of a rebirth
After September, Xixun’s health deteriorated and he was very weak. Most of the time he was sleeping and he ate very little. It is like a tree that withers and dries up gradually. Twelve days before his attainment of rebirth he could not eat anything, not even a sip of water. He had already written his Will, stating that it was unnecessary to feed him if he could not eat by himself. He did not want to use artificial instrument to prolong his life as this would only add in more sufferings.
On the tenth of October I sat beside him reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha while he was sleeping. I sought the help of Amitabha Buddha so that he would face no hindrances at his death bed, so that he could leave peacefully. I sought the Buddha to come to bring him to the World of Ultimate Bliss in the west. After half an hour, he woke up. He said that he dreamt of Amitabha Buddha. He said, ’The Buddha says that I am a good man, that I have save many lives, that I have done many good deeds. Now there are many bodhisattvas and people who are praying for me, bowing to the Buddha on my behalf, reciting the Buddha’s Name on my behalf and they transfer the merits to me. At the end of my life, he will surely come to receive me!’ When he was telling me this, he looked so peaceful and full of faith. He was no longer worried about not attaining a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss. I was also very surprised and grateful to Amitabha Buddha who is greatly kind and compassionate, who gave him a guarantee that he would come to receive him personally. The next day, the eleventh of October, he was unable to talk anymore.
On the 14th of October, at about four o’clock I came back from the Supermarket. I touched him and found that his hand and legs were ice cold. His breathing was very little. I asked my son Mark to check on him and he found that the heart beats were very weak. I was massaging his head and his head turned a little and he passed away. It was 4.30 pm on Friday. Mark and I quickly recited Amitabha Buddha loudly. We took turns to call on Amitabha Buddha at his ears so that he could recite with us. I felt that his head was very hot. After half an hour, I went out to light the incense and bowed to the Buddha, seeking the Buddha and Bodhisattvas to come and receive him.
I closed my eyes to Nianfo. Suddenly I saw a bright shiny colourful lights which changed continually covered Xixun’s bed. I felt a force was sucking me out. I dared not open my eyes and I dare not think either. I concentrated on my recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha. Even though with my eyes closed, I could clearly see the Buddha Lights which consists of pink, light purple, gold and light blue. Among the lights the white light is the most shining. This light resembles the shine of a golden diamond. The whole picture of Buddha lights resemble an intricate and refine art piece which is most beautiful and wonderful, which changes and transforms continually just as stated in the Sutra of Immeasurable Lifespan. It is thus stated, ‘Even those with the heavenly eyes are unable to differentiate its form colours and brightness.’ The Buddha’s lights and the force remain for about one to two seconds before they disappear.
At about eight o’clock, the people from Washington Buddhist Association and Tze Chi came gradually. We took turns to recite the Buddha’s Name. We recite the Buddha’s Name until 2.30 am in the morning of Saturday. I was closing my eyes to recite the Buddha’s name. Suddenly I saw a very big white lotus before me. After a few seconds, it disappeared. After another one to two seconds Huang Xixun appeared before me. His body was purplish gold in colour. I only saw the top part of his body in a sitting posture. I could see his face features clearly. He looked much younger, about 30 plus. He was so adorned and he looked like a Buddha Statue. We continued to recite until 5.30 am the next day. The recitation was complete. The Buddha’s lights, the lotus and the purplish golden body of Xixun were witnessed by me alone. When I told them about this, everyone was so glad of its supremacy as everything was stated as the Sutra of Immeasurable Lifespan.
5.The Miracles before His attainment of Rebirth
In 1994, the 16th of January which coincide with his birthday, he dreamt of the Western World of Ultimate Bliss while he was taking a nap in the afternoon. At that time, we did not know about the Sutra of Immeasurable Lifespan. So, he called that place the heaven. He said, ‘The whole world was lit up with lights. The trees emit lights, the ground emits lights, the heaven is very bright.’ Then he said, ‘I feel very comfortable there. It is so joyful, adorned and beautiful.’ Even though he knew he was not very well, he started to write a memoir from January,1994. He recorded his memoir while lying on the bed. When he thought of certain thing, he would record it down. Then he asked me to help him to write out. If he is not satisfied with it he will rerecord the whole thing again.
In March he dreamt of Amitabha Buddha who told him, ‘Do not be afraid of death. It is just like falling asleep. There will be no pain.’ As he was a doctor, he had witnessed many cancer patients who were tormented by great pain at the death bed. Amitabha Buddha is greatly kind and compassionate who consoled him so that this knot in his heart is untied.
After he had finished writing the memoir, he became very weak and all the side effects came forth. But they are all gradually cured. We started to learn the Contemplation of Immeasurable Lifespan Sutra in July or August. We sought the Buddha and Bodhisattvas to help him to let go of everything, to be free from all hindrances, to attain a rebirth in the western world of Ultimate Bliss. Even the priest in the hospital asked him to let go. But even though we tried our best to ask him to let go, he was still unable to let go of us. During this period, he again dreamt of Amitabha Buddha who asked him, ‘Are you ready to come here?’ He answered, ‘I haven’t decided.’ This dream was repeated many times. And every time he did not give Amitabha Buddha a resolute answer. Then in the early September, one night he dreamt of Amitabha Buddha who organized a big party to welcome him. When he awoke, he told me, ‘Last night the great party was too magnificent and extraordinary. The Buddhas, the Bodhisattvas and the lotuses are so beautiful. The Buddha told me there were about 500 Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in this welcoming party.’ He told me the Western World is truly terrific. He said, ‘I must go there. I will have no more consideration! The instructional talk by Amitabha Buddha is terrific!’
After he had the dream on the big welcoming party, he often saw the three Sages come down from the altar and walk up to him. Besides he said there were many bodhisattvas following behind Amitabha Buddha. He often saw the circular lights on my head and the head of our youngest son. But we did not see anything. Only he saw it.
On the tenth of October, he dreamt of Amitabha Buddha who told him that he had done lots of good deeds in this life and he would come to receive him when he was about to go. It is a rare case indeed for the Buddha to assure him of his rebirth. Amitabha Buddha also knew that many people prayed to the Buddha on his behalf, recited the Buddha’s Name on his behalf and transferred the merits to him. They are his relatives, his friends in China and America, the members of Washington Buddhist Association, the sub-branch of Tzu Chi in Washington and the Enlightened Society headed by You Qi游琦. The Enlightened Society webpage of transference of merits cover more than twenty states in America. Indeed, the number of people added up is quite great.
In 1993, November, the cancerous cells have spread to his brain and the doctor said that the most he could live is two to three months. Finally, he lived on for nearly a year. It is truly inconceivable! I could only say it was a miracle. It means that without our knowledge the Buddha and Bodhisattvas are protecting us. Now, I feel it is Xixun who came to rescue us. If he did not fall sick, my sons and I will not have a chance to learn the Buddha Dharma, read so many Sutras, and make friends with so many selfless Buddhists. They are the Good Knowing Advisers sent by Amitabha Buddha. I am most grateful to Amitabha Buddha and all these honest and good people who care and help us.
The author is Huang Shi Cui Er from Zhanghua Taiwan. She was graduated from the Teacher College and married to Huang Xixun. After their marriage they moved to America. She obtained the Master degree in Library management in the University of Catholic in Washington. They have two sons. This is an extract of her article from the America Buddha Wisdom magazine, serial no. 37美佛慧讯三十七期
黄锡勋的往生经过非常殊胜，其中所发生的许多事情，只能用「不可思议」这四个字来形容。他并没读过多少佛书，念佛的时间亦不长，也没有吃素，还来不及作皈依的仪式就往生了。事情传开来，好多朋友都要我把事情经过写出来，让大家看了生欢喜心，并坚定往生西方的信心。
生平介绍
黄锡勋公元一九三四年生於台湾高雄县的梓官乡，一九六一年台大医学院毕业，在马偕医院服务一年，即来美进修，在世界著名的约翰霍普金斯大学（John Hopkins University）接受小儿科及小儿胃肠科的训练。一九六六年应聘至巴尔地摩（Baltimore）医学中心，负责设立「社区医疗保健中心」。他时时提醒医院的行政主管及董事会的人说：「医院和医生的任务，不只是要治有钱和有保险的人的病，我们也有责任为穷人服务。
这个医疗保健中心，距市中心点只有十条街，是该市最乱的地区，包括五个政府为穷人设置的公寓区（等於中国人形容的「贫民窟」），附近一哩半周边地区，有百分之七十五的家庭没有男人，多半是一个母亲带著好几个孩子，靠政府的救济金过活。贩毒、杀人、抢劫等事件天天都有。巴尔的摩的太阳报去年曾以「不是人住的地方」为标题，连续四、五天深入报导这个「五浊恶世」最「剧苦极悲」的地区。
黄锡勋把这个地方办得非常成功，曾被编入国会纪录，列为全国社区医疗中心的典范。廿七年来，这个中心看过五万五千余名的病患，都属贫民，约占巴城人口的百分之八。
黄锡勋经常勉励社区的青年，劝他们不要自暴自弃，要努力向上，学得一技之长，才能自力更生，脱离贫穷和无知。他不但是民众的医师，也像父兄、顾问、朋友、更是他们的精神灯塔。他分担了他们的忧虑和沮丧，也分享了他们的欢乐与荣耀。他不仅提供这个社区的医疗服务，更将无数不良少年拉回正轨，造就他们成为社会的中坚份子，如今有的成为老师、军官，有的则成为药剂师、会计师和杰出的球员。
一九九二年春，黄锡勋因病不得不提早退休，他宣布退休后，各地感谢信如雪片飞来，其中包括了马利兰州州长的奖状，巴尔地摩市长更宣布三月十二日为巴尔地摩市的「黄锡勋医师日」。一九九三年四月廿六日，著名的太阳报在其早报及晚报中特别报导黄锡勋的成就事迹与退休消息，并大大的嘉奖一番。
黄锡勋医师自生病以来，治疗过程相当艰辛，但他并不因此而气馁，反而著手编著《医学趣谈》及《回忆录》，也协助中华妇女联合会大华府分会编印《中英文医疗用语手册》、《医学保健手册》等，继续以所学服务华人社区。
2.发现自己患了癌症
锡勋一向很健康，精力充沛，日理万机。一九九一年十月中，我们因办理回台参加台大医学院毕业三十周年庆，去自己服务的医院注射流行性感冒预防针时，被护士拉去照了一张胸腔的X光片，才发现肺部有个二公分（直径）大的瘤。
3.开始学佛法
虽然锡勋和我都生长在佛教家庭，除了会跟著人家燃香拜佛菩萨之外，对佛教的了解非常有限。我们没读过佛经，更没听过法师讲经。
他真正用心读过的是《佛说阿弥陀经》。这时癌细胞已经扩展到脑部，他正在做放疗，脑子开始有些失灵，尤其到了晚上，护士发现他有时答非所问。所以没办法像正常人一样集中精神看书，但他告诉我说：「《阿弥陀经》里每一页都充满了一尊一尊小小的阿弥陀佛。」
不久，因为要找助念的人而认识了黄莹珠；她很热心助人，寄给我夏莲居老居士会集的《无量寿经》、黄念祖老居士所著的《无量寿经白话解》和《无量寿经解》、道源长老讲述的《观无量寿经讲记》和《阿弥陀经要解》等好书。就凭这几本参考书，我俩就开始共修《无量寿经》。读了《心声录》后，才知道持念《阿弥陀佛》名号的好处与净土法门的殊胜。我们开始提醒自己要多念佛号，若没空念就多听念佛机和五会念佛的录音带。
后来每次要读《无量寿经》时，就一起先念「阿弥陀佛」名号，请求阿弥陀佛加持，让我讲得好，让他听得懂。这个方法很有用，好几次他听得很高兴，说我讲得很好；我自己也觉得讲的蛮不错呢！看他睡了，我继续读，稍过片刻他醒来时，我问他：「刚刚我读的，你听到了吗？」他说：「听到了。」不只是这样，他睡觉时常常梦见阿弥陀佛和西方极乐世界。就这样，大约五、六个星期的时间，我们把《无量寿经》共修完了，我们著重在阿弥陀佛的四十八愿和西方极乐世界的依报环境，让他认识环境，向往极乐世界，增加往生的信心和愿力。
他睡时，我们就坐在他旁边念佛；美国护士没事时，也坐在床边替锡勋祷告。
读了佛经和佛书后，我开始问亲友，佛教的临终处理是怎麽一回事。
一九九四年三月，拱辰自台湾带回来一本《饬终须知和人生最大的一件事》。这一本书没几页，而且很容易看懂，我故意拿给锡勋看，
我很高兴和刘启义联络上，他是前任华府佛教会的会长。
第二次他带来了十二个人（张俪耘、郑李实先、郑怀松、叶安舜、翁淑娟、锺兴健、潘明、赫崇恺、汤金玉、周琇珊、刘向明、黄陈玉桂），他们都是华府佛教会或慈济的会员。大伙儿先去锡勋房里和他聊聊，然后一起念佛。锡勋见这麽多善男子善女人，老远因他而来，感动得一直流泪。念完佛，刘启义为锡勋讲《无量寿经》的阿弥陀佛四十八愿的第十八愿「十念必往生」，以增加锡勋的信心，
4.往生的经过
锡勋自九月中开始衰弱得更快，睡得多，吃得很少，像一棵树慢慢地乾枯了
往生前的十二天就什麽都不能吃了，连水也吞不下去。他事先写好书面的申明，经过公证，一旦他不能自己吃东西，就不要用人工的方法输进营养，不要用人工方式来延长生命，他认为这只是延长受罪而已。
十月十日晚上七点多，他在睡，我坐在旁边念佛，我求阿弥陀佛让锡勋临终无障碍，安祥地去，并且一定来接他往生西方极乐世界。半小时后他醒过来，说他梦见阿弥陀佛，他说：「佛告诉我，他知道我是个好人。说我这一生救了很多人的生命，做了很多善事，现在有很多菩萨和人，在为我拜佛，念佛和回向，到时他一定来接我。」他说这话时，显得非常安心和自信，不再担心他去不了极乐世界了。我也很感激阿弥陀佛大慈大悲，保证一定来接他。第二天十月十一日他就开始不能说话了。
十月十四日下午四点多，我从超级市场买菜回来，赶到他房里查看，我替他按摩时，发现他的手脚冰冷，并且觉得他的呼吸很微弱，马上哄小儿子Mark来（我知道这个星期锡勋的情况非常危险，所以叫Mark向医院请假，在家照顾）。Mark一按他的手脉也觉得跳动几乎是若有若无，我正在按摩头部时，他头一钩，就去了。我看了表，刚好是星期五下午四点半。
我和Mark赶快大声念阿弥陀佛，我们二人轮流在锡勋的耳边念佛，让锡勋能跟著念，我觉察到他的头部很热，约半小时后，我出来燃香礼佛，请佛菩萨来接引。
我闭著眼念佛，眼前突然出现一道光彩鲜明，千变万化的光，罩住锡勋的床，同时觉得有一股很强的吸力要把我吸到外面去。这时我不敢睁开眼，亦不敢想别的，只是一心念佛。虽然闭著眼，还是看得很清楚，佛光有淡粉红色、浅紫色、金色和淡蓝色，最多最耀眼的是白色，这种光像是最好的金光钻的光泽。整道佛光是一幅编织得穷微极妙的图案，光色参回，千变万化，真像《无量寿经》讲的「虽具天眼也不能辨其形色光相」；佛光和吸力大约持续了一、两分钟才消失。
八点左右，华府佛教会和慈济的人陆续来到，我们开始轮班念佛。林少光夫妇和刘启义约十二点过后才离开。我们念佛念到星期六清晨两点半左右（当时房里有七、八人在助念），我闭眼念佛，眼前突然现出一朵很大的白莲花，几秒钟后莲花消失，大约一、两分钟后出现黄锡勋的紫磨真金色身。我只看见上半身（坐的姿势），他的五官我看得非常清楚，看来比较年轻，好像他三十多岁时的样子，端正庄严，好看极了，简直就是一尊佛像。我们继续念到第二天早上五点半，才圆满结束。佛光、莲花和锡勋的紫磨真金色身，只我一人看见，大家听了都觉得这一切实在太殊胜了，一切都像《无量寿经》讲的那样。
5.往生前的种种奇迹
一九九四年一月十六日是他六十岁生日，就在这一天，午睡时，他梦见西方极乐世界（那时我们尚未接触《无量寿经》，他把这个地方称做天堂。他说：「整个世界都是光，树发光，地发光，天空亦是光。」又说：「这个地方一看就使人觉得非常舒服、欢喜，而且庄严美丽。」
虽然知道自己情况很不好，他从一九九四年一月开始写回忆录。躺在床上用录音的方式，想到什麽就录什麽，录好我们再帮他整理出来，他看了不满意就改，甚至重录。
大约三月时，他梦见阿弥陀佛，佛告诉他，不用怕「死」这一关，佛说死最后就像沉睡一样，一点痛苦都没有。因为他是医生，他看到很多癌症病人到最后都很痛苦，阿弥陀佛大慈大悲，替他解开了这个心结。
我和他都求佛菩萨让他能放下一切，临终无障碍，往生西方极乐世界；医院的牧师亦劝他要放下。虽然我们想尽办法开导他，但他怎麽舍得离开我们呢？就在这期间，他又梦见了阿弥陀佛，佛问他：「是否已准备好要来了？」他说：「我还不能下决心。」以后又梦见好几次，总是没给阿弥陀佛一个肯定的回答。大约九月初，有一天他梦见阿弥陀佛为他开了一个场面非常盛大的欢迎大会。醒来他告诉我，昨天晚上那个欢迎大会实在太棒了，那些佛、菩萨和莲花都好漂亮。佛告诉他大约来了五百位佛菩萨，他还说西方世界真的很殊胜，我一定要去，不再考虑了。阿弥陀佛这个开示实在太好了。
自从梦见欢迎大会后，他常常看见西方三圣自镜框里走到他前面，还说有好多菩萨跟在阿弥陀佛后面。他也常常看见我和小儿子头顶上有光环；他讲的这些我们都看不见，只有他一人看见。
十月十日晚上，他梦见阿弥陀佛，佛告诉他，因他这一生做了许多善事，到时候一定来接他。像这样能得到佛保证来接他的例子实在太稀有难得了。阿弥陀佛亦知道有好多人为他拜佛、念佛做回向。现在想想为锡勋念佛、拜佛和做回向的有亲戚、中美朋友，除了华府佛教会，华府慈济分会，还有游琦所创立的觉社。觉社的回向网遍布美国近二十州，这些人数加起来，实在可观。
自一九九三年十一月发现癌细胞扩散到脑部后，医生们都说他顶多再活两、三个月，结果他活了将近一年。现在想想这一切实在太不可思议了，只能以「奇迹」这两字来形容，亦是冥冥之中有佛菩萨在加持我们。现在可以说是锡勋来度我们的，如果他没有生这场病，我和儿子们就没有机会接触佛法，读那麽多佛书，和认识这麽多热心无私的佛教朋友。他们都是阿弥陀佛送来帮助我们的善知识，我衷心感谢阿弥陀佛和这些诚心帮助和关心我们的诸上善人。
作者介绍：黄施翠娥台湾彰化市人，师大毕业，与黄锡勋结婚后来美，在华府天主教大学取得图书馆理硕士学位，育有两子。–本文转载自美佛慧讯三十七期
感恩南无阿弥陀佛
祝愿一切众生父母皆得遇善知识，念佛往生净土。
I'm ORI the Light 