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方秀美居士的曾祖母從中國來到馬來西亞，一生誠心茹素誦《金剛經》，高齡往生時，親友們及左鄰右舍都聞到天樂鳴空。她的母親受此影響常帶全家人到寺廟禮佛。
1988年方居士皈依上人，可是還不知道把佛法實踐在生活上。
三年多前，法總在馬來西亞增添了蓮花精舍道場，與她家只有幾步之遙，才開始陪同母親去參加法會，或當義工。當時方居士深受情感所困，於是她求佛菩薩加持，在一次「佛七」之後，就很輕易的把這段情緣捨了。
兩年前方居士搬入蓮花精舍常住，同時申請來美簽證，但未獲准。不久即因喉部腫瘤開刀，第一次開刀心裡很害怕，於是在病床上結踟趺坐誦《地藏經》，直到被推入手術房麻醉為止。昏迷中記得自己還是在誦《地藏經》，醒來時一點疼痛也沒有。
開刀後確定是扁桃腺癌，需動第二次手術。醫生說手術的危險性更高，費用要增加一倍，聲帶也許會完全沙啞。方居士一心念佛，手術後她脫口問道：「現在是什麼時候？」聽到自己的聲音完好如初，她很開心地笑了。意外的是在醫生幫忙之下，醫療費用因而減半。
一向讚歎別人出家的母親，當自己的女兒提出這個請求時，竟然捨不下親情。但是哥哥一句話就化解了母親的執著。哥哥說：「她今天的選擇不正是您接引她的嗎？」於是方居士養好病，簽證竟也順利通過，在今年四月來到聖城修行，並在城裡的君康素食館當義工。
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Upasika Fang Xiu-mei's great grandmother went to Malaysia from China and was a devout Buddhist who ate vegetarian foods and recited the
Vajra Sutra her entire life. When her great grandmother passed away at an old age, relatives, friends and neighbors all heard celestial music reverberate in the skies. Upasika Fang's mother often brought the entire family to the temple to pay respects to the Buddhas as a result. In 1988, Upasika Fang took refuge with the Venerable Master but didn't know how to apply Buddhadharma in real life yet.
Over three years ago, Dharma Realm Buddhist Association acquired the Lotus Hermitage in Malaysia. The Hermitage was only a few steps away from Upasaka Fang's home, so she began to join her mother in Dharma assemblies and work as a volunteer. At the time, Upasika Fang was deeply afflicted with love, so she asked for the Buddhas' and Bodhisattvas' blessings. After a seven-day Amitabha session, she easily forwent the relationship.
About two years ago, Upasika Fang moved into Lotus Hermitage on a permanent basis and applied for a U.S. visa at the same time. Not long after her visa application was turned down, she had to undergo surgery for a tumor in her throat. She was quiet scared since this was her first surgery. She sat on the hospital bed in full lotus posture and recited the
Earth Store Sutra until she was rolled into the surgery room for anesthesia. Despite her drowsiness, she remembered to continue to recite the
Earth Treasury Sutra. She experienced no pain when she awoke.
The surgery confirmed that she had tonsilitis, which meant she would have to undergo a second surgery. The doctors said that the risk of another surgery was even higher, so the fee would be doubled; furthermore her vocal cords might become completely hoarse. Upasika Fang simply focused on reciting the Buddha's name. After the surgery, she opened her mouth and asked, "What time is it?" and heard that her voice was the same as before. She smiled with delight. Another pleasant surprise was that with the doctor's help, her hospital expenses were reduced by half.
While Upasika Fang's mother typically complimented others for leaving home, when it came to her own daughter's request, she couldn't give up the relationship so easily. However, a few words from Upasika Fang's older brother readily absolved her mother's attachment, "Didn't you invite and guide your daughter toward her choice today?" After Upasika Fang recuperated, her visa to the U.S. was approved. She arrived at the Sagely City this April to cultivate. She's currently working as a volunteer at Jun Kang Vegetarian Restaurant.
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