WILLINGNESS TO BE AT A DISADVANTAGE AND ENDURING HARDSHIPS ARE WAYS TO ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES
Caller: Master Lu often advises us to learn to endure hardships and always be willing to take the shorter end of the stick. In this present life, if we suffer from humiliations and are on the losing end, does it mean that we had sown the corresponding seeds in our previous lifetimes? If we learn to endure such experiences, is it as good as we have ‘made repayment’ for our karmic debts and eliminated our karmic obstacles?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That is right. Young lady, you have just asked a very good question; one that has obviously been thoroughly thought through. I am very happy.
In reality, to take on this life in the human realm is already a form of retribution. Therefore, the retributive suffering will permeate our entire life. If you are angered when you suffer from such retributions, there you go, new karma is generated. It is only through enduring the hardship and taking the shorter end of the stick in life that your negative karma gets eliminated.
Caller: So, we must practise patient endurance.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course! To practise patient endurance is not easy but it is absolutely necessary. There is an ancient Chinese saying that “Great plans can be ruined by just a touch of impatience”. Endurance and tolerance are of utmost importance. If you can’t even bear worldly hardships, how is it possible for you to wish to make your way to heaven?
Caller: Does this mean ‘an eye for an eye’, or ‘tit for tat’ is not the way to go for Buddhist practitioners?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course. Compassion is of utmost importance. Societies nowadays are advocating harmony – retaliation in kind is never the way to go. However, for some principle-driven issues, one must then exercise great caution to ensure the action taken accords with the dharma and path of rightness.
Source: Wenda20121230B 21:23, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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