The Poisoning on the Plane and Unshakeable Faith

**Summary:** The story of a teacher's brush with death after being poisoned on a plane, where his only refuge was the recitation of Guanyin's name to overcome the mortal peril.

The dim yellow lights in the cabin had long since been extinguished. The steady hum of the jet engines seemed to lull the hundreds of passengers into deep slumber as they dreamt through the night sky. The frigid air pumped from the ventilation system rendered the thin blankets useless against the shivering cold.

Among those deep in sleep was a teacher seated near the aisle. He had just removed his brown robe, folded it neatly on the seat beside him, and intended to walk to the restroom at the back. A violent wave of nausea surged up, accompanied by a numbness that gradually spread from his fingertips up his arms. He realized instantly: he had been food-poisoned. The toxin was spreading faster than he had imagined.

As he tried to stand, his legs suddenly lost all strength. His hand, reaching for the armrest for support, could not even be lifted. His mouth gaped, but no cry came out; his throat was choked and rigid. His heart constricted as a primal fear invaded his mind. If the poison grew even slightly stronger, by the time the plane landed, they would find a lifeless corpse instead of an ordinary passenger.

Just as his body was giving in and his consciousness began to blur, the teacher had no other choice but to turn to the sole spiritual refuge he had held dear since childhood. Amidst the profound darkness of his inner and outer world, he silently recited the name of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Not with words, but with his faint breath and absolute faith.

“Namo Great Compassionate One who Saves from Suffering and Peril, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara...”

That recitation repeated in his mind, like an anchor securing the last fragment of his life. He remembered the words from the *Universal Gate* chapter he had once read: “If there are beings who encounter disasters of fire, flood, or sword... and recite the name of Avalokitesvara, they are immediately liberated.” Now, the “water” was the blood flowing sluggishly through his veins, and the “fire” was the fever of the toxin burning his organs.

Time felt both endless and fleeting. The initial discomfort and pain seemed to gradually dissolve, making way for a strange, serene stillness. The teacher lay motionless on his seat, eyes half-closed, focusing solely on the recitation. He did not know how many life-and-death moments had passed, only that with each inhalation, he entrusted everything to the Bodhisattva’s compassion; with each exhalation, he let go of all worries.

Then the familiar announcement rang out: “The plane is preparing to land...” The teacher opened his eyes. His body was still weary, but the ability to move had returned. He slowly stood, adjusted his robes, and walked out of the plane door with the crowd. No one knew that just a few hours prior, he had nearly departed from this world forever. He descended the stairs, merging into the bustling rhythm of the airport, as calm as if nothing had happened. Yet in his deepest heart, the lesson about faith and the miraculous efficacy of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was etched more profoundly than ever.

**The Meaning of the Story:**

This story illustrates the aspect of “Faith” in Buddhism, specifically the divine protection of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. When a person falls into a desperate, critical situation, unable to rely on physical strength or ordinary knowledge, their pure faith in the Three Jewels—specifically, reciting the name of Avalokitesvara—can generate a spiritual power to overcome calamity. This is a manifestation of the compassionate vow to relieve suffering, a firm spiritual support for those on the path of practice.

*Compiled from a Dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang*