Translated By Tara Lau
I once met a doctor named Liao in Hong Kong. He told me an incredible experience.
In around 1978, Dr. Liao was told by a nurse that she had received a call from the school. Four girls from a nearby school passed out and were taken to her clinic. At that time, there were several incidents of gas poisoning due to laboratory gas leaks. The nurse thought initially that might be that was just another case of gas poisoning. When the students arrived, it was found that they were not poisoned by gas, but were haunted by ghosts. It turned out that these four students were hiding in the bathroom playing “ouija board” during the recess. One of the students Chen said she saw two ghosts with disheveled hair and ferocious faces, standing behind them and watching them. She screamed loudly. The other students were Stretched frightened and rushed out of the bathroom.
Dr. Liao had a consultation with Chen. According to her, when they were playing ouija board, she saw the heads of two ghosts, a man and a woman, floating in the air. The ghosts were watching them while they were playing ouija board. The ghosts looked horrifying. Dr. Liao patiently consulted another student Zhao. Zhao said although she did not see a ghost, she could clearly feel a ghost following her from the bathroom to until now while she was talking to Dr Liao.
Medical science can cure diseases but when it comes to encounter of spirits, it is difficult to handle from the doctor’s perspective. Dr. Liao was hoping to chat more with the four students to calm them down. Dr. Liao changed the topic and talked about religion so everyone could feel relaxed.
Dr. Liao asked, “Do you have any religious beliefs?” Zhao replied: “No, but my parents worship the ancestors and there are ancestor tablets at home.”
Dr. Liao asked again: “So, do you worship Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva at home?” Zhao said: “Yes, but I don’t believe in Buddhism. I just do what my parents asked me to.”
Then, Dr. Liao asked Zhao: “Is the ghost following you still behind you?” Zhao replied: “No, it’s gone!”
Dr. Liao again: “Didn’t you just say the ghost has been following you from the time you found the ghost in the school bathroom until now?”
Classmate Zhao said with certainty: “It’s gone. When you mentioned the name Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva the ghost just left.”
Dr. Liao’s conversation with the students lasted for about ten minutes, he mentioned the holy name of “Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva” only once.
According to Buddhist scriptures, when a person recites the holy names of Buddha and Bodhisattvas, the Buddha and Bodhisattvas will give immediate blessings and radiate loving light. Ghosts are creatures from the dark and cannot bear the light, they will have to leave inevitably.
The Universal Gateway of Guanyin Bodhisattva in the Lotus Sutra says, “When sentient beings encounter adversities and are beset with countless woes, the power of Guanyin’s wisdom will save them from the world of suffering”. This incident confirms this. Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva shows great mercy and compassion that frees others from defilement and pain. He saves all sentient beings.
Let us sincerely chant: “Namo Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva!”
This is a true story based on a student’s encounter with a ghost. A chant of the holy name “Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva” can drive the spirits away . This is recorded in “Today’s Hong Kong Record of Amitabha-Recitation: Eyewitness Accounts”.
