BE PATIENT WHEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM BUDDHIST FRIENDS; THE TASK ASSIGNED TO EACH VOLUNTEER MUST BE BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE CHARACTER
Caller: Some long-practising Buddhist practitioners seem to be taking a nonchalant attitude when handling questions raised by a new Buddhist practitioner. For some reason, they don’t seem to put themselves in others’ shoes and hence, they are unable to stay patient when answering questions.
In this regard, I’d like to ask Master if we are able to exercise patience in offering the appropriate answers and guidance to a new Buddhist practitioner so that he has the right faith and right mindfulness to begin recitation of Buddhist scriptures, the merits generated are comparable to those garnered from introducing Buddhism to a new person?
Master Jun Hong Lu: I’ve said this before when teaching to those Buddhist class teachers in Malaysia. The Practice Centre must look for those who are patient, and assign them to purely focus on addressing those long-winded questions raised by Buddhist friends. This would be an opportunity for them to perform merits.
On the flip side, you can assign tasks that require speed to those who lack patience. This is how it should be.
Caller: I see. Am I right to say this is because every person is different? After all, every deed is meritorious.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Absolutely! Take a look at those people who have been assigned to answer phone calls. Actually, I may slowly do some reshuffling in future to make sure that only those with patience can answer calls at Oriental Radio. If there is one who is extremely patient, the other one is moderately patient and the next one is impatient. How is it possible for them to do a good job? Sooner or later, you must reshuffle their roles unless these people make the conscious effort to change. Failing which, their roles need to be switched.
For those impatient people who are reluctant to remain cool-headed when answering questions, you must remove them from their roles. There is no point in letting them stay on to carry out such a meritorious deed. Give them something else to do.
Caller: I see.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Why is it that different Bodhisattvas have different temperaments? Do you think Dharma Protectors have patience? They will not hesitate to act when they need to.
Caller: The Dharma Protectors are extremely strict.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Can you see my point now? Why is it that some Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are so earnest in Their quest to guide us? The spiritual state of every Bodhisattva differs. In fact, Their spiritual foundation from which They attain Buddhahood varies.
There are some who do so by focusing on helping others, while others focus on performing meritorious deeds, or the giving of wealth, fearlessness or sharing the dharma. This is why there are so many different Buddhas. Do you understand?
Caller: I do. Thank you Master for your explanation.
Source: Wenda20160103B 21:39, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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