Wenda20200322 31:45
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
PONDER EARNESTLY WHEN STUDYING THE BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS; PRAYER REQUEST TO BE MADE PRIOR TO TAKING DOWN NOTES
Caller: Master has mentioned before that studying Buddhism in Plain Terms in itself is a meritorious deed and as such it will be recorded by heaven. The same applies to taking down notes on it. I would like to ask Master about the best practices for such note-taking and would appreciate it if Master could provide some guidance.
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is good to take down notes. In studying the Buddhism in Plain Terms, what’s important is, we must ponder the teachings deeply. First and foremost, you must understand the true meaning of Buddhism in Plain Terms. For example, when you utter a word, how do you make others receptive of what you say? There is an abundance of Buddhism teachings out there. Why do you think that people are able to comprehend Master’s Buddhism in Plain Terms?
Let me give you an example. Don’t you agree that we are our worst enemy? Think about it, don’t you find it difficult when you have to force yourself to do things that you are not keen to do? On the flip side, it is equally challenging for one to exercise abstinence from the things that one deeply longs for. Regardless, you will be hard pressed in both circumstances.
You know well that you will be happy when you are forgiving towards others, however, there are many people who will think, “I choose to hate him instead of being forgiving towards him”. By adopting this attitude, it is yourself who will have to bear the pain and agony, don’t you agree? Hence, only when you fully comprehend this teaching, you are said to have realised the true essence of Buddhism in Plain Terms.
Master Jun Hong Lu: I have taught you that “Anger is quelled by forbearance”. When you don’t even feel that you are actually practising forbearance, how would hatred possibly arise? For example, you were born in the year of the pig and someone calls out to you, “Hei, the one with the pig zodiac!” You immediately became unhappy and said, “He called me a pig?!”. What harm does it do if someone calls you as such; after all, you were born in the year of the pig, weren’t you? With this mental attitude, you are set free! Nothing will affect you anymore. If this is the way you comprehend the Buddhism in Plain Terms, you have found yourself a mentor in life!
Caller: So it is all about coming to a realisation when we study the Buddhism in Plain Terms rather than merely making notes?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The purpose of note-taking is to make records. However, you must have the wisdom to know that your study of Buddhism in Plain Terms is to help you become enlightened. Otherwise, how would you expect to gain wisdom? Am I right?
When I teach you, “We must keep resentments at bay. Only then, would we be able to let our innermost tolerance shine through”. It serves no purpose if you merely jot down the phrase without grasping the underlying meaning. This phrase essentially means that we must make an effort to distance ourselves from resentments and choose not to bear any grudges towards anyone; only then will our inherent virtue of tolerance shine forth from within us. Conversely, if you give way to resentments, you have planted an eternal seed of hatred in your heart.
Caller: Correct. Master, how should we make our prayer requests prior to making notes of Buddhism in Plain Terms?
Master Jun Hong Lu: No particular prayer request is necessary. However, you may say, “May Guan Yin Bodhisattva grant me wisdom”.
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