Register: http://tinyurl.com/dabeiclass
Enquiry: tpbc@dabei.org.sg
Feedback from participants of 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th run:
“Dear Bro. Shi’an, ‘The Gift of Truth Excels All Other Gifts.’ Thank you for sharing the Pure Land Teachings with us. You have delivered the teachings in a very concise, interesting and creative manner. We enjoyed the lessons very much and have benefitted a lot from them. We are glad to have an excellent Dharma teacher like you in the Buddhist world. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! Amituofo!” – With appreciation, Tuck Khuen, Amy, Ivy, Doris & Joey
“I am in your class. I like the way you teach – very funny and not boring. Otherwise, I can fall asleep quite fast!” – Diana
“Dear Teacher Shi’an, I would like to thank you for sharing your [email] write-up… I truly enjoy reading it and understand Buddhism better. Appreciate your constant sharing with us.” – Eliza
“Thank you so much for teaching us about Amituofo and Pure land. Truthfully speaking, I was amazed and didn’t expect that there’s so many teachings for the above.” – Silvi
“8 lessons had attended (so far), I had turn with conviction. Thanks.” – Andrew
“This is rare opportunity hearing a good Dharma session about the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha. Please accept my deepest bow and true appreciation of what you have organized.” – Hardy
Enjoyable class and topic. Always looked forward to Saturdays because of the class. Thank you! – KM Teo
“I would like to thank you very much for your tireless teaching during your stay in Jakarta. The seminar really gave me a whole new perspective on Buddhism… I couldn’t have made a better decision than registering. A lot of the teachings were affirmative and complementing of what I’ve understood about Buddhism so far.” – William
“I had the impression that it would be a ‘dry’ and boring class initially. Thank Buddha you have the ability to make us giggle or laugh during class. It is a ‘good investment’ to sign up for your class.” – Irene
“Thanks for the very interesting sessions. It has been an enjoyable experience attending your class… Thanks for the very inspiring 10 sessions.” – Bee Lay
“Dear Brother Shi’an, We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to you for conducting the Amitabha Sutra class. You are able to explain the sutra clearly and have provided excellent examples and illustrations. My husband, Lawrence, and I, together with our friends truly enjoy your class and we have gained a better understanding Amitabha Sutra. We also want to thank the volunteers for manning the registration booth every Saturday and the ushers… Once again, thank you for your excellent teaching. Rejoice. Namo Amituofo!” – Lay Ling & Lawrence
“The Amitabha Sutra class that you are conducting is really Great, Informative, Enlightening and Beneficial. We start to appreciate the Sutra and Buddha’s Teaching more… Amituofo.” – Choon Fah
“Thanks very much for weeks of enlightening and insightful edutainment. The ‘before/after effect’ (like Marie France) of Pureland teachings is indeed profound. I must say I’ve progressed rapidly in ‘faith, vows and practice’, thanks to your passionate and generous sharing.” – Han
“Thank you for the insightful answers! I look forward to Lesson 2 this Saturday.” – Amituofo, Yong Guan
“I should also thank you because you have inspired me to spread these wonderful Dharma especially about the Pureland to more people.” – Amituofo, Huan Ghee
“Ha ha ha u are a funny guy. Every time during the class, we look at your action and the way u give us example really make me laugh. Tks and keep up the good job.” – Sherlis
“U r one of the best teachers I ever seen.” – Maggie
“Creative presentation… Very motivated and knowledgeable.” – Brenda
“Very relevant, very well-researched, very informative, knowledgeable and inspiring.” – AL Lim
“Instructor is very very very good.” – KH Lee
“Very applicable [lessons]… He [teacher] knows how to relate to people and make suitable analogies.” – Lay Eng
“Teaching is very lively, interesting, [and teacher is] knowledgeable.” – Irene Ng
“[Teacher is] very skilful and very knowledgeable.” – Lay Keow
“[Teacher is] approachable, knowledgeable and helpful.” – CC Lim
“[Teacher] interacts with the audience well.” – Melvin
“[Teacher is] very resourceful and speaks clearly. [Course is] very informative. I am glad I attended this course. I found my spiritual goal.” – Meow Lin
“Interesting mix of visuals, videos, testimonials, slides and co-relation between the different [Buddhist] practices.” – Suzanne
“Use of analogies and examples help for understanding concepts. Testimonials help to to strengthen faith. Use of graphics and videos make the contents more interesting.” – Rebecca
“Good introduction, especially to the curious.” – HH Lau
“Very informative… It’s interesting to listen again [by attending again in future].” – Nicole
“[Teacher is] very skilful, informative and interesting… Very good, should make it more lessons.” – CF Lim
“The course has let me know more about Amitabha Buddha and his Pure Land and increased by faith more and more.” – Ruth
“Great. Thank you.” – Cathy
“[Teacher is] relatable, able to explain concepts well. [Course is] informative, entertaining and interesting.” – Wei Ting
“Good knowledge and enthusiasm demonstrated. Good research and presentation…” “Thank you for your kind effort in promoting Pure Land practice. Amituofo!” – Anon8
“Keep up the good work – sure go Pure Land.” – FS Lam
“[Teacher is] very good, experienced, able to explain things in simple concise manner, and is friendly and approachable…” “Look forward to more of such courses in English. Well done!” – LK Loh
“[Teacher is] well versed in Buddhism and able to explain clearly.” – SH Voon
“His passion and compassion for the Pure Land teaching is very evident!” – LH Heng
“[Lessons] flow smoothly with ample examples… [Teacher is] knowledgeable and proficient.” – CH Kok
“Well presented. [Teacher] has passion for whatever he is teaching.” – Siying
“Very comprehensive notes complemented by informative emails. Excellent teacher. Teacher Shi’an is a very dedicated teacher. He is able to relate the sutra to us in an easy-to-understand manner. The lessons flow very well and are well paced.” – Lay Ling & Lawrence
“[Teacher is] very skilful, passionate and knowledgeable. This is a very good course. It helped to clarify a lot of my doubts and strengthened my faith.” – VM Ho
“[Teacher is] humorous and adorable.” – WK Koh
“Just want to let you know that I have enjoyed your 10 lessons on Understanding Amituofo. I now have a better understanding about Buddhism. I am looking forward to your new classes, please let me know the dates and place when available.” – Josephine Yap
“The instructor is very motivational and impactful.” – Meilin
“I think your lessons are very much well prepared. You have done much research. I can understand that it is difficult to do that. Well done! What matters most to me is the content. And you are humourous and friendly as well. Excellent!” – PS Chan
“Thank you for an educational and interactive first lesson. Fresh perspective and insight gained. My hubby and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Look forward to the next class. We enjoy every lesson. The path to Pure Land is simple and fuss free. Coming from the past 15 years of Theravada Buddhist teachings’ background, this is refreshing and would certainly add depth on our Dharma pursuits. We have never had a structured and systematic education on Buddhism of any branch although all our lives we are connected to it from birth. The laoshi (teacher) Shen Shi’an is engaging, witty and knowledgeable. Teacher is very well prepared, eloquent, knowledgeable and systematic. – Lye Wai Fun
“I really enjoy the class. Thanks for making the class interesting and engaging.” – Hazel
“Thank you for conducting the class on Pureland Buddhism. It was funny yet insightful.” – Louisa
“Information is well put across in a congruent and easy to absorb and systematic manner.” – Tingji
“Thanks for delivering such an interesting presentation that is beneficial for us to have a better fundamental understanding of Buddhism. The organising committee is very committed to make this class a success, and tried their best to provide a conducive environment for the participants.” – Yong Leow
“[The teacher is] very knowledgeable.” – Candy
“Many thanks for your interesting lesson at the Amitabha Sutra class yesterday. I enjoyed it thoroughly.” – Kok Leong
“The trainer has done an excellent job in bringing Mahayana teachings to English-speaking Buddhists. He is able to dispel the myth that Chinese Buddhism is suitable only to illiterate old men and women. May the trainer be able to help more sentient beings to contact the teachings. May Buddhas and Bodhisattvas support him in his endeavor.” – Anon3
“It was an enlightening session for the lesson that you have conducted today. Thank you for imparting the knowledge on the ‘crash course’ (on Buddhism for the first lesson). Things I learn in your lesson today: To re-ignite my compassion to all beings, including those that I previously do not like due to heavy office politics. Your passion in Buddhism that energised my learnings. It was another informative session yesterday and I can understand the concept well, through your interesting presentation.” – Jeffrey
“[The teacher] is lively and can sustain attention.” – Anon4
“There are many comparisons to our daily lives to reinforce learning.” – Anon1
“This is a great course. I am thankful for this affinity that led me to this course and enable me to start walking the spiritual path.” – Anon2
“[The teacher] can explain very well!” – Bee Ting
“[The teacher is] well researched and well prepared.”– Jono
“Instructor allows us to email him questions in doubt which benefits beginners.”– Anon5
“Yes, very good and very relevant. You have also made it very interesting.” – Pearly
“[The teacher is] knowledgeable and humorous. The course is very informative and interesting.”– Anon6
“[The teacher is] a well learned practitioner.”– Richard
“Very engaging style of presentation.”– Anon7
“Straight to the point with good illustrations.”– Lam
“I enjoyed the first lesson yesterday night as you were an engaging and humourous teacher. Thanks.”– Yingying
“Many thanks for the inspiring sharing on 10 July.”– Hui Ping
“I find the course informative and delivered in an interesting manner.”– CH
“Many thanks, Shi’an! It was a very fruitful learning experience! Amitoufo!” – Jennifer
“Must tell you that we enjoy your class. It is very comprehensive, with easy to understand and lively presentation.”– Rita
“Your clarion call on high importance and high urgency of learning the route to Pureland was depicted with a ‘think out of the box’ (manner) effectively. Witty dialogue on the multi-purpose use of Amituofo’s name remains vividly in my mind. Leaves us much to practice. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher by bringing the Dharma to us in a simple, interesting and fun way. In all the classes, we had been educated and entertained! It was the very first time that we ever attended a structured course, though we are ‘Buddhists” all our lives. Lessons were joyfully taught by a highly knowledgeable and energetic instructor who engaged your attention and captivated your imagination by the power of interesting visuals and sometimes comical parables.” – Lye Wai Fun
“Dear Bro Shi’an, I really enjoy your class on Amituofo. Learn many things everytime I go for the class. Today’s testimonial is also really inspiring! Amituofo” – Tiong Han
“Brother Shi’an, You are a great teacher; your teachings alone are a tremendous inspiration to those like me who have good karmic affinity to listen to you. You sold and I bought the ticket to Pureland on the very first lesson in March last year. That’s how inspiring you are! Thank you. 阿弥陀佛 _()_ ” – Steven
“Thanks for the guidance. I have re-evaluated your advice and implemented it. The outcome is encouraging. Thank you for your statement that kept me motivated and not giving up. Thanks for making a difference in our lives.” – Jeffrey
“Hi Shi’an, I want to thank you for giving me better insights of the sutra, as well as instilling in me more faith. I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to attend your class. It is very difficult to find good English Buddhist classes and interesting teachers. I hope you can conduct more classes so we English educated ones would not miss the opportunity to understand and appreciate the Buddhist teaching and to reach Pure Land. Your class is super, never one moment boring and time just flies. I wish it never ends. Every moment is motivating, interesting, soft-selling but never forcing, well presented and delivered. Very good visual and presentation material. I believe that only those with faith and passion like you could conduct such classes. Academics would present and speak without conviction, but your easy style and passion makes the class alive, interesting and motivating. Shi’an good job!! Please don’t stop, we need your guidance. Thank you again.” – Amituofo, Pauline
About Shen Shi’an 沈时安: An independent Buddhist teacher and writer, he was one of the founding members of the Dharma Propagation Division of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (Bright Hill Temple in Singapore) in 1997. Holding an MA in Buddhist Studies, which covered the major Buddhist traditions, he recently served as a Dharma Trainer and Project Coordinator in its Community Development & Training Department till 2011, focusing on Buddhist research, writing, teaching and answering of media queries. He was the founder of the temple’s Youth Mission (now ‘KMS Youth’), a book purchaser for its Awareness Place project, and the Chief Editor of the Web (and Library) Department, which co-supported Buddhanet.net, one of the world’s most popular Buddhist websites.
He is the founder and editor of TheDailyEnlightenment.com
Specialising in the Pure Land teachings, he has taught the subject at Singapore Buddhist Federation, Pu Ji Si Buddhist Research Centre and Poh Ming Tse, while leading the ongoing weekly Pureland Practice Fellowship at Kong Meng San, where he continues to teach various Dharma courses. He is also frequently invited to conduct Dharma discussions for youths for tertiary institutions’ Buddhist societies (SPBS, NPBS, NYPBS, NUSBS, NTUBS) on various subjects, along with the sharing Buddhist perspectives at Secondary Schools (SPS, Manjusri School), Junior Colleges (CJC) and International Schools (UWCSEA, SJII).
He was also a guest speaker for Dharma activities hosted by Dharma Drum Mountain (Singapore), Fo Guang Shan (Singapore), Tai Pei Buddhist Centre, Singapore Buddhist Mission Youth, Singapore Buddhist Youth Mission, Wat Ananda Youth, Buddha of Medicine Welfare Society and Kampung Senang. He has represented Buddhist views at governmental events conducted by NACLI, NHB, NHG, SAF, SPF, MHA, ACM, STB and OnePeople.sg, and was a committee member of the Inter-Religious Organisation, co-representing the Buddhist faith, through which he served in interfaith harmony projects such as giving of public talks to introduce Buddhism. He also co-runs Moonpointer.com, which is a community blog that promotes sharing of Buddhism via creative writing through thousands of articles. (He can be reached at moonpointer@gmail.com for invitations to share the Dharma via talks and classes.)
Is the Pureland an extremely abode to be reborn into? A novice monk once told me that even experienced high monks couldn’t gain rebirth there after many years of cultivation. If this is true, then how can common folks like us find salvation there?
With all due respect, looks like the novice monk is truly just a novice, who lacks understanding and clear explaining, because whether Pure Land is difficult or easy to be born in depends on the presence or absence of effort in cultivating right faith, aspiration and practice.
This course shares on the detailed definitions of these requiremnents. It is highly recommended. It is the 9th round already and about a thousand have attended it by now. You can ask your questions there, where the right expertise is available, instead of here.
In history and even today, there are countless accounts of people from all walks of life who have manifested birth in Pure Land by passing away very peacefully, smiling, even able to amazingly foretell the exact time of their passing, as indicated to them by Amituofo, so as to inspire those they leave behind. Here are some cases, both ancient and modern.
念佛成佛20則
01。念佛可免難。吳允升
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8eGBUJQMBJM
02. 念佛保康寧。周乃勳
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EIgEmMFszZA
03。念佛能解厄。台中阿俊嫂
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CVKyEVAj9Y4
04。念佛蒙接引。李顯貞
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3Ouc2LmMe3A
05。念佛得安樂。徐雷
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lluE5G7r-J8
06。佛為大醫王。沈中旭
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PCCp6cmYBoY
07。念佛開智慧。王呆頭。站著往生。靈瑞舍利
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qKLG6IEt6XY
08。念佛救冥苦。張元壽
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ebTo5IWcX90
09。念佛化熱惱。黃打鐵。站著往生。天樂異香
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Qh_acb5MdY
10。佛為大寶藏。新定少康。口出金佛
http://youtube.com/watch?v=u07QLwbva0E
11。念佛能賣苦。慈溪老婦
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-_XMd3-5EMw
12。佛為大明燈。顧源。坐蓮半月。異香三日
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pp3BJUwJpV0
13。念佛可延年。羅允枚。勝蓮。
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uu4Xht4qZRA
14。佛為甘露雨。雲棲蓮池大師
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QMQsxbC6hDE
15。念佛上蓮臺。慈覺母陳氏
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NvikNk6L_jk
16。念佛放光明。道昂法師
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sAb8sODdTSg
17。念佛結善緣。文彥博。十萬人念佛
http://youtube.com/watch?v=z8wVZIxm4TY
18。念佛決定往生。僧衒。啟芳。圓果
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZbVuoMSGRHM
19。佛為大法王。廬山東林。慧遠大師
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c5Q8Mxap5to
20。念佛蒙開示。法照大師。念佛是諸法之王
Talking about effort, aspiration and practice. I once watch a VCD on Dharma Teachings titled 7 days Recitation of Buddha’s name. It shows numerous Buddhists walking in circles and chanting Amitabha continuously without stop. The venerable monk said that if you do this ritual for seven consecutive days, it is sure that you will be reborn in the Pureland, provided it is wholehearted chanting, with no distractions. I haven’t seen the website you recommended but I am sure there are easier ways. Is there?
Do see the weblinks. They are testimonials each of just a few minutes.
7-day retreats are traditionally preferred. For actual birth in Pure Land, on the deathbed, it can require as few as 10 truly sincere, single-minded wholehearted moments of mindfulness with right faith and aspiration. You can see more in the weblinks.
I think it’s not systematic enough to learn just by asking only whatever comes to mind. Good to join this course to learn in a more comprehensive manner, to know what are the essentials. Amituofo