WEALTH IS DERIVED FROM THE GIVING OF WEALTH
Caller: Is wealth only derived from the giving of wealth? Can we also derive wealth from the giving of dharma or fearlessness?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Generally, it is from the giving of wealth that one derives wealth. Why is it that prayer for wealth tends to be inefficacious? Wealth is generally a result of one’s deeds in his past lives.
For a prayer for wealth to come true is a long-drawn process that may take decades for you to see any returns. In other words, from the day that the seeds of wealth are planted to the day that you get to reap the reward involves a protracted period. It is unlike other types of giving, such as the giving of dharma and the giving of fearlessness, which may draw imminent returns.
Further on the giving of wealth – generally speaking, if you do not practise Buddhism in your present life, though you may have had some wealth in your past life, if you do not pray for it in this life, you will just go with what your destiny serves you.
Caller: I understand.
Master Jun Hong Lu: On that note, if you do not practise the giving of wealth, even if you practise the giving of dharma or the giving of fearlessness, you will still not have any wealth luck whatsoever.
You gain wealth from the giving of wealth. You gain wisdom from the giving of dharma. You could also flip it around and say, “With wisdom, I can naturally make money”. However, it still involves a transformative process.
You gain strength and spiritual power from the giving of fearlessness. As you can see, they are distinctively differentiated. If you can’t bear to part with money, others will never spend it on you. This is just like when you are willing to invest, you stand to reap the rewards, right?
Caller: Yes, Master. I suppose there is a correlation between wealth and the extent of giving. A poor man has nothing much to begin with and hence, as much as he would like to give, there is only so much that he can part with.
Master Jun Hong Lu: As a matter of fact, this is a form of retribution. To be poor in this life is just the karmic consequence for your lack of generosity in your past lives and hence, you have to suffer poverty in this life. This is why it is often said, “Fortune and virtue, and one needs to cultivate both fortune and wisdom”. You must understand that those who have good fortune, are in actuality endowed with merits and virtues. Having performed a multitude of kind deeds in their past lives, these people get to enjoy the fortune in this life.
This also explains why it is much easier for those with good fortune to encounter Buddhism. There is nothing to be jealous of. Those with good fortune, assuming it is in the form of wealth, if they practise giving, it’s much easier for them to receive help in their endeavours. After all, in itself, one’s wealth stems from the fortune and virtues accrued, right?
Caller: Yes.
Source: Shuohua20130118 12:16, Master Jun Hong Lu’s radio call-in program
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