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（沙彌尼近白師生於1965年2月9日，2004年11月17日因癌症辭世，法名親宇，於2001年出家。）2004年11月16日一個尋常寧靜的下午，大殿窗門的尖銳聲劃破了禪坐的寂靜，大家立即意識到有異常的事件；到了傍晚，就得知近白師被送到急診室。認識她的人因此消息而憂懼，為她默禱，留守在廟上的法師們連同在家眾，當晚即開始為她徹夜念佛。
11月17日，一位法師趕到大殿，她找人發心去清理停車場旁邊的第四教室；雖然我們不明白為什麼要做，可是人多好辦事。醫院的單人床孤單地置於房中間，透露出一點線索；可是直到持法師告訴我們近白師於下午12:10往生了，我們才明白。午齋後，一群法師到醫院為她念阿彌陀佛，幾分鐘後她就往生了。
在送她回「般若觀音聖寺」前，醫院破例寬容給予法師們前未曾有的長時間來念佛號。回到道場，得知消息的居士趕來協助該做的事項。近白師遺體被安放在第四教室，持續念佛就開始；輾轉得知消息的居士不斷地湧到，「念佛社」也派了一群人來助念。念佛從17日下午開始，持續到19日止。
我們後來得知法總各道場有的在梁皇寶懺期間要為她設立牌位，有的也要為她做七七，誦念《地藏經》，更令人感動的消息，是要傳幽冥菩薩戒給她。近白師脾氣好，樂於助人，勤奮工作，精進修行的典範，在世時令許多人感動，現在全都來致最後之敬意，並且加入她家人與親友為她祝禱的行列。
18日晚間十點半，一道亮光穿透黑夜，光芒越來越亮，好奇的信眾出來觀看，大家看到一股白色溫暖的光在第四教室上方，照亮附近地區；手上有新型照相手機的人一直按快門，一心要記錄下這個景象。去五觀堂喝水的居士接著報告說，看到白色蓮花雲浮在夜空中。居士們急著用照相手機把此景象紀錄起來，過後飄落了幾分鐘的雨。
整天整晚，居士們與朋友們到靈柩旁來瞻仰近白師遺容。大家都感覺她看起來很安祥清朗，面容是非比尋常的玫瑰色，有位居士甚至大聲猜說她是否化了妝。與她短暫接觸過的法界幼兒苑的學生也來致敬，他們對她的遺容讚歎，而無懼於她已身亡。
19日午齋後舉行告別式，持法師為近白師致哀悼詞，並勸告家屬要節哀，讓近白師安心的走；但是她的姐姐們感到哀慟異常，近白師在家中極受疼愛，排行最小。家人才於今年農曆六月十九觀音出家日談妥，尊重她出家的決定。
下午12點半，由警察開導交通，護送送靈隊前往焚化場。法師乘坐四部車在靈車前，居士們搭一部巴士及其它交通工具。到了焚化場，居士們在棺木上擺置白玫瑰。法師誦經，〈往生咒〉及功德迴向，在棺木入焚化爐前，大家不斷地念阿彌陀佛。
這期間，許多人表示我們的會場看起來非常莊嚴，附近來參加其它告別式的人，也被我們吸引過來，受儀式感動而在附近流連片刻。第二天，法師們、幾位居士，以及近白師的家人到焚化場揀骨灰，發現一小堆各種顏色的舍利子，有綠色，橘色，紫色，粉紅色，此外還有一顆燒成黑色閃亮透明的牙齒，看似漆了亮光。
近白師如是來，如是去……。
近善行善菩薩道 誓度眾生無疏親
白蓮紅蓮極樂國 願弘淨土遍寰宇
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[Shramanerika Jin Bai was born on February 9, 1965 and passed away because of cancer on November 17, 2004. Her Dharma name was Chin Yu, and she left the home-life in 2001.] On the afternoon of November 16, the silence of the Chan Hall was broken by the sharp grating sound of the hall’s grille. We suddenly became aware of an uncharacteristic activity on a normally quiet afternoon. We learned later that Dharma Master Jin Bai had been admitted to the emergency room. Those who knew her recoiled at the news and said a silent prayer for her. The Dharma Masters who had not left for the hospital, together with lay disciples, recited the Buddha’s name throughout the night.
Just after lunch on the 17th, a Dharma Master came into the Chan Hall and asked for volunteers to clean up the classroom next to the car park. Later Dharma Master Chih informed us that Dharma Master Jin Bai had passed away at 12:10 p.m. Some Dharma Masters had stopped by the hospital to recite Amitabha’s name for her and she passed away a few minutes after that.
The hospital granted an unprecedented hour’s grace for the Dharma Masters to recite the Buddha’s name before sending her back to the monastery. Back at the monastery, lay disciples were at hand to help out. As soon as the late Dharma Master was settled in the classroom, the wake began. Disciples contacted others to inform them of Dharma Master Jin Bai’s passing. Disciples started streaming in. The Amitabha Buddhist Association also sent a group over. The recitation of the Buddha’s name continued from the late afternoon of November 17 to November 19.
Later we learned that a branch of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) would set up a plaque for her during its Emperor Liang’s Repentance and other DRBA branches pledged to recite the
Earth Store Sutra on each weekly anniversary for the 49 days. The Bodhisattva Precepts for the Deceased would also be transmitted to her.
Dharma Master Jin Bai had touched many hearts in her lifetime with her good temper, love to serve others, vigorous work and diligent cultivation. Now all turned up to pay their last respects and to join her family, friends and relatives in praying for her.
On the 18th at around 10:30 p.m., a bright glow penetrated the dark night. It grew brighter by the minute, and curious disciples went out to investigate. They saw a white, warm glow over the classroom, which lit up the surrounding area. Those who had digital hand phone cameras started to click away, determined to record the phenomenon. Later, disciples who had gone to get a drink in the Five Contemplations Dining Hall reported seeing a cloud formation which resembled a white lotus in the night sky. Disciples rushed down to record the sight using their phone cameras. Afterwards, there was a light shower lasting just a few seconds.
Throughout the day and night disciples and friends went up to the coffin to take a last look at Dharma Master Jin Bai. She looked very serene and radiant, with an unusual rosy hue on her face, which prompted one disciple to wonder whether we had used make-up on her. Students from the Dharma Realm Young Learners’ Meadow also came to pay their respects. They were fascinated by the sight of her and were not deterred by the fact that she was dead.
On the 19th the funeral was held after lunch. Dharma Master Chih gave an eloquent eulogy and advised family members to restrain their emotions and let the late Dharma Master go in peace. However, Dharma Master Jin Bai’s sisters were distraught with grief. She had been the youngest member of the family and dearly beloved by all. The family had just come to terms with her decision to leave home this year, on Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Leaving Home Day.
At 12:30 p.m. the cortege made its way to the crematorium under police escort. When we reached the crematorium, disciples lined up to lay white roses on her coffin. The Dharma Masters then recited the
Heart Sutra followed by 49 rounds of the Rebirth Mantra, the Transference of Merit, and the Buddha’s name.
During this time, many commented that our allocated area seemed very adorned and those who had attended other ceremonies in and around the complex itself were drawn towards us. They lingered for a while before leaving, somewhat awed by the proceedings.
The next morning a group of Dharma Masters, a few disciples and family members gathered at the crematorium to collect her remains. A small handful of
sharira [relics] of various hues of green, orange, purple and pink was discovered. A tooth burnt black was shining and translucent. It looked glazed.
Thus she came and left...。
Her wholesome practice brings her near the Bodhisattva Way.
She hopes to save countless beings—whether far or close.
From Ultimate Bliss with its white and red lotuses in array,
Her vows to propagate the Pure Land will spead throughout
the cosmos.
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