Wenda20160826 40:30
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
PRACTICING DHARMA INAPPROPRIATELY CAUSES CANCER, ONE NEEDS TO REPENT DEEPLY; CAUSING ANOTHER PERSON TO WITHDRAW FROM HIS CULTIVATION WILL CONTRIVE A HEAVIER NEGATIVE KARMA
Caller: Master Lu, a Buddhist practitioner who appears to be very diligent in his cultivation has been diagnosed with cancer. In reality, the cause is his improper relationships and the handling of financial matters. If this practitioner does not repent and disclose his inappropriate actions, and that leads to other practitioners to doubt or even waver, will this practitioner create a greater negative karma for himself? Please enlighten us, Master Lu.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, the negative karma will be more significant unless he reveals his misdeeds himself. He must disclose it himself since he has already been diagnosed with cancer. He can say, “I have committed many wrongdoings.” He does not have to disclose the details, simply says: “I know I have done many improper things. Everyone please remember that Bodhisattva will not mistreat us, we bear the burden of our own karma. I may be very diligent today but my karmic debt is also very heavy. Therefore, I am undergoing my karmic retribution. I hope everyone practise Buddhism more diligently.” This way, he will not create further karmic debts but will gain merit and virtue. However, if he does not repent and thinks to himself “I’m behaving well, why do I deserve cancer?” He will have to bear the consequences if his misdeeds cause anyone to stop practise Buddhism. He is bluffing and telling lies. He won’t be able to go up to the heavenly realm. In fact, he should have repented soon after he was diagnosed with cancer. He should have said: “I have let Bodhisattva down. I will share my experience and be a living testimony after I recover, and help others to develop faith in Buddhism.” Saying so will generate merits.
Caller: I understand now. We really need to set the records straight so that people don’t lose faith in practicing Buddhism. He must share his story and learn his lesson.
Master Jun Hong Lu: What is the use of bluffing? You can fool people but you
cannot deceive Bodhisattva or other spiritual beings. I have told you many times. The biggest event when a person departs from this world is his memorial service, where all the speeches made about him are good without faults to the point that he seemed to be a perfect person, never make any mistakes. Regardless of how people heap praises on him or even thousands of people come to bid him farewell, no matter how well others treated him…all this remains within the human realm. After he passed away, he will still have to undergo retribution. What is the use of having a grand memorial service?