Wenda20150830A 20:24
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
CONSUMING THE FIVE PUNGENT SPICES CAN AFFECT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE’S RECITATION
Caller: Master, in the case where we have made a vow to become a full vegetarian but we accidentally consume food containing the five pungent spices while dining out, how many times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) should we recite?
Master Jun Hong Lu: This is not a big issue; reciting once will do.
Caller: Alright.
Master Jun Hong Lu: The main concern here is there will be some foul smell in your mouth after consuming these five pungent spices. Do you think your chanting can be heard by the Bodhisattvas when your mouth stinks?
Caller: Yes, indeed.
Master Jun Hong Lu: In the past, people said, “The garlic and onion you eat will just mess everything up”. Think about this: In the context of ‘burning incense’, why do we do so? Isn’t it for the pleasant smell? On a similar note, imagine you open your mouth to recite the Great Compassion Mantra and the Heart Sutra and along with it comes the smell of onions, chives or garlic, isn’t that awful? You are literally wrecking the Great Compassion Mantra you recite.
Caller: That’s true. How much would the value be, in terms of percentage, for Buddhist scripture we recite after consuming the five pungent spices?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Sometimes, it is not even worth 1%. No one will want it. It will not even penetrate into the heart of the reciter because it’s simply too smelly! Let me ask you a question: would you consume food that looks clean but stinks like anything?
Caller: Definitely not.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Exactly! For those who are fond of stinky tofu, they do not mind the intense odour that the tofu emits as it is the internal aroma that appeals to them. Needless to say, few people consume it as most people are put off by the smell. The same goes with durian, it smells awful but there are many who relish eating it. Do you know why? They can’t tell the difference between aroma and stench.”
Caller: I understand now. Thank you, Master.
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