Purple Lotus Publisher > Journal > Volumn NO. 16

Saying Goodbye to Depression

By Ru Yu

Translated by Janny Chow

Modern life can be so hectic and demanding that people often find themselves unable to cope with the stresses in their daily lives. Some struggle all day just to make a living, some are saddened by unemployment or illness, while many silently suffer emotional losses and alienation. Worldwide cases of depression are escalating. Many severely depressed patients become so fixated on looking at things a certain way, that they are unable to extricate themselves from these states of mind. They contemplate and seek suicide as an end to their pain. The causes of depression are many and complicated, and in many patients, often include psychic interference and influences from the invisible realm.

Miss Lu, the niece of Dharma Sister Fu of Guang Xi Tang, a local chapter in Taiwan, has been severely depressed for almost two decades. She has seen many western and eastern medical doctors, but none has been able to help her. In Miss Lu's case, her depression can be traced to an unhappy childhood. Her mother had remarried when she was young, and she had developed the extreme view that her mother and stepfather only cared for her younger brother and not her. She began developing violent tantrums at home, tossing and breaking household items, and even hitting people, throwing her entire household into chaos. One night, her stepfather became so upset with her that he actually tried to crack her skull in her sleep. She would have been killed had it not been for her younger brother who heard her screams and intervened to save her.

After that episode, Miss Lu became severely emotionally traumatized and introverted. These childhood events, coupled with many years of psychic interference from invisible spirits, led her to exhibit erratic behaviors and suicidal thoughts. In recent years, her condition worsened, and she has threatened to jump off buildings and kill herself with carbon monoxide poisoning. Her family has suffered alongside her, desperate but unable to help her. Her mother was so worried of not being able to guard her all the time that she would often entreat Dharma Sister Fu to talk to Miss Lu. The situation deteriorated to the point where imminent tragedy seemed unavoidable. Just at this time, in August 2003, Master Samantha arrived in Taiwan to conduct an Emperor Liang Repentance Liturgy Ceremony. Dharma Sister Fu took the opportunity to seek help from Master Samantha. During the consultation, Master explained that Miss Lu had in a previous life killed five people, and the spirits were now exacting their vengeance upon her. Master Samantha suggested that she immediately register Miss Lu as a vice primary-sponsor for the ceremony, sincerely repent during the ceremony, and dedicate the merits to resolving her karmic retribution. Dharma Sister Fu immediately followed the instructions and registered her niece for the repentance ceremony as well as for the subsequent thirty-eight fire pujas that Master was to conduct at the Fu You Lei Zhang Temple. Additionally, at the Guang Xi Tang, she registered the attached spirits of Miss Lu in the Ksitigarbha shrine so that they would receive the merits of regular prayers and offerings.

After sincerely repenting throughout the ceremony and after the dedication of meritorious deeds for the attached spirits, there was a happy outcome to Miss Lu's story. Soon after the conclusion of the repentance ceremony, the karmic knot from that previous life was resolved. Miss Lu's condition gradually improved. At the time of this writing, she has transformed into a new person, completely refreshed and invigorated. She has resumed a normal life and gets along harmoniously with her family. The overcast shadows from her past have been swept away, and Miss Lu is now facing life with a positive outlook. In their hearts, her family is greatly appreciative of the wonderful Dharma transmitted by Root Guru Living Buddha Lian-sheng as well for the help rendered by Master Samantha.