A Precious Pill Changed My Mother-in-Law, Who Had Wanted to Tear Down My Buddhist Shrine

I have been learning Buddhism for several years, but the journey has not been a smooth one. The greatest obstacles came from my family, especially my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law is elderly and cannot read, yet she likes to involve herself in just about everything. She often wore a gloomy expression and would frequently complain about me to my husband. My husband already did not believe in Buddhism, and my mother-in-law’s comments only added fuel to the fire. On top of that, I had lost money from a failed investment in the past, so my husband had many reasons to be dissatisfied with me, and I had little to say in my own defense. In order to attend Dharma-listening and group study sessions without conflict, I tried my best to fulfill my responsibilities at home. Before leaving, I would always clean the house and prepare the meals, hoping to gain their understanding and acceptance.

Although I sometimes felt unhappy about having to do all this, I reminded myself that I am a Buddhist disciple. In the Treasury Book Learning From Buddha, Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III teaches us:

“When others harm or slander me, I should not take it to heart at all. Instead, I should bless those who harm me, poison me, slander me, or defame me, wishing them happiness. I should also take concrete actions to support and help them, without letting them know that I am benefiting them or making sacrifices for their sake.”

Moreover, my mother-in-law was not deliberately trying to harm me. She simply did not believe in Buddhism and disapproved of what I was doing. This also showed that I still had not done well enough.

When I finally retired, I thought I would have more time to respectfully listen to prerecorded Dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. However, whenever I entered the Buddhist shrine room, both my mother-in-law and my husband became unhappy. Even when I turned the volume down as low as possible, they still complained that it was too loud, saying, “As long as you can hear it yourself, that’s enough. We don’t want to listen.” They thought I was wasting my time and that I would be better off finding a job and earning more money.

Under these circumstances, I made an even greater effort to keep the house tidy and prepare three meals a day to their satisfaction.

Yet my mother-in-law and husband still found fault with me from time to time. One day there was too much soy sauce; another day there was too little vinegar, and so on.

Then one day, the two of them discussed tearing down my Buddhist shrine and even made harsh threats about doing so. That crossed my “bottom line.” I told them firmly and solemnly, “No matter how you usually treat me, I can let it go. But if you dare to tear down the Buddhist shrine, the consequences will be unimaginable!”

After that incident, things remained peaceful for a few days. Every day, I dedicated the merit from my Buddhist practice to them, hoping that they would soon have the opportunity to learn the true Dharma of the Tathagata.

One day this April, my mother-in-law suddenly became ill. She was unable to get out of bed, her mind was confused, and the medicine she took did not seem to help. I went to the Buddhist shrine to offer incense and prayed to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to save her. I also gave her a Black Jewel Pill.

At first, she stubbornly refused to take it. But when there seemed to be no other good option, she finally agreed. A few seconds after chewing the pill, she experienced a blessing and immediately told me that she needed to vomit. I quickly brought her a basin. After vomiting, she repeatedly said how much better and more comfortable she felt. Soon afterward, she was even able to get out of bed. She later went to the hospital for an examination and was diagnosed with a cerebral infarction.

My mother-in-law has now recovered her health. The very next day after taking the Black Jewel Pill, she admitted that she had been wrong. She even bought fruit to make an offering at the Buddhist shrine and said that she now believed in Buddhism as well.

What an inspiring and moving transformation!

My husband no longer disapproves of my listening to the Dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and I can finally attend group study sessions without feeling pressured.

I am deeply grateful to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for saving my mother-in-law and changing their understanding. The great compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in saving and liberating living beings is indeed genuine and unfailing!

Now my home is filled with peace and harmony, and no one opposes my learning Buddhism anymore. While I am very happy about this, I know that even more importantly, I must repay the kindness of the Buddhas through my actual conduct. I must earnestly put into practice the teachings of Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, examine myself three times each day, correct my various bad habits, strive to become a qualified practitioner, and ultimately attain liberation myself and help others attain liberation as well.

Written by: Warm Sunshine
Edited by: Liju Bankai

Learn more about H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

Link: https://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/dorje-chang-buddha-iii-a-precious-pill-changed-my-mother-in-law/

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