WHAT IS THE END-OF-YEAR ASSESSMENT IN BUDDHISM CONTEXT?
Question: Master has previously mentioned that there will be an end-of-year assessment which begins in December every year. What are the standards and criteria for these assessments? Are there any specific requirements? If one has made many vows, do these assessments follow a particular sequence? Please enlighten us, Master. Thank you, Master!
Answer: In fact, what is an assessment all about? It is based on the things that you did throughout the year, which were recorded by the Dharma Protectors, Heavenly Officials as well as Tai Sui Bodhisattva. As for the scope of the test, it will be based on the weakest aspect of your cultivation that showed up during the year.
Take for instance, one, who succumbs easily to lust, will be tested in this area. If you are having a hard time keeping up with your vegetarian lifestyle and you often yield to non-vegetarian dishes, you will be tested on this front. If you consume meat in your dreams, you will have a strike-off, which indicates that you have failed the assessment. When this happens, your merits accrued for being a vegetarian during the year would be substantially depleted – as much as 30% or 40%. This is how it works.
Basically, the weakest aspect of your cultivation will be the subject of focus in the dream test. In fact, many men will dream of encountering attractive ladies who, though unfamiliar but are friendly towards them. The moment they start hugging these ladies in the dreams, what follows is a big strike-off to indicate that they have flopped their end-of-year assessment. Accordingly, the merits they accrued will be substantially discounted, that is, a large portion of them will go down the drain.
Question: Master, does it mean that one has to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) after failing to pass the test? Are there any other remedial methods?
Answer: Basically, deep down in your heart, you would have known that you did not pass the dream test. In this regard, you should quickly recite the LIFO and renew your vow before Bodhisattva and state the following prayer:
“May Guan Yin Bodhisattva forgive me, <your full name>. On this front, I have been resolute in adhering to my vow, but as a mere mortal, my willpower is clearly lacking. May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bestow upon me greater strength so that I am able to eliminate my karmic obstacles in this aspect”.
Question: Thank you, Master. Generally, how many repetitions of the LIFO should we chant specifically for this?
Answer: Typically, 108 repetitions of the LIFO are necessary for failing your dream test.
Question: Alright, Thank you, Master.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Macau, China, 13 February 2016