DO NOT PLACE PORTRAIT/STATUE OF BODHISATTVA ON THE STOOL Caller: A Buddhist practitioner planned to set up an altar after moving into a new house. As he has yet moved in, the portrait/statue of the Bodhisattva is kept on a stool. Is this proper? Master Jun Hong Lu: No, it’s not proper! Stools are for […]
LOTUS LAMPS WITH BENT RODS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALTARS Caller: Hello Master Lu. I heard from the radio program a couple of days ago about red lotus lamps. For those who have already placed them on their altars, what should they do? Master Jun Hong Lu: Red lotus lamps are perfectly fine as long […]
CAN WE PERFORM PROSTRATION IN FRONT OF ALTAR AT HOME WITHOUT OFFERING INCENSE Caller: A Buddhist friend sometimes recites the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (Li Fo Da Chan Hui Wen) in front of altar without offering incense beforehand. Master Lu, can we perform prostration while reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance even if there is no incenses […]
DO NOT PUT SAND IN INCENSE BURNER Caller: Hello Master Lu. I heard from a Buddhist friend who had just set up a new altar, said that he put rice grains in the incense burner for offering of incense, but it ended up catching fire. I don’t understand why do they use rice grains instead […]
FRUIT OFFERING TO BODHISATTVA Question: Is it alright to use watermelon as an offering to Bodhisattva on our Buddhist altar? Answer: You may do so. However, please ensure that you do not angle the bottom of the watermelon to face the image of Bodhisattva. You will have to rest the watermelon on its side, with […]
DO NOT SHARE YOUR OWN HOME’S ALTAR PICTURE IN GROUP CHATS Caller: When fellow group cultivators post each individual’s Bodhisattva picture from their home altars to group chats to encourage each other in their cultivation, is this justifiable? Master Jun Hong Lu: I feel there is no necessity to do so, as each individual will […]
IS IT APPROPRIATE TO OFFER INCENSE TO BODHISATTVA AND ANCESTORS AT THE SAME TIME? Question: I have an altar at home where I have enshrined Bodhisattva, deities and ancestors. Though I have always ensured I worship with utmost sincerity, I may have some wrongdoings which I may not be aware of, and in such cases […]
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN INCENSE BREAKS OR IS EXTINGUISHED IN THE PROCESS OF PLACEMENT INTO THE INCENSE BURNER Caller: Master Lu, when we offer incense to Bodhisattva, if one of the incense sticks breaks or it is extinguished after we place it into the incense burner, do we have to offer three new incenses, […]
PROPER WAY TO PRAY Master Jun Hong Lu: Many people do not know the proper way to pray. Please keep this in mind: When you bow down, close your eyes as this will help you to concentrate and stay free from distracting thoughts. When you lift up your head, open your eyes, gaze at Guan […]
WITH BODHISATTVA IN YOUR HEART, ANY PLACE IS A GOOD PLACE FOR AN ALTAR Caller: How are you Master? Please excuse me, as I am not sure if my question involves dream interpretation or a Totem enquiry. On a few occasions my daughter has dreamed that Guan Yin Bodhisattva has visited our house. At present we […]
WHAT TO OBSERVE POST EXAMINATION Question: While awaiting the results of a college entrance examination, should we continue to recite additional Cundi Dharani daily? Is there a limit that we should observe? Answer: Generally, based on normal circumstances, reciting 108 times per day will be sufficient. Question: Is it all right for us to offer […]
HOW TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE THROUGH RECITATION Caller: Master Lu, I have been wishing to improve my academic performance lately. Do you think my current recitations are sufficient? Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, but you will have to strengthen your Heart Sutra (Xin Jing). For the purpose of improving academic performance, you need to recite […]
Q: Dear Master Lu, I am very thankful that I get to know your Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. I have a friend who suffers from cancer. How can I help him to save his life? Thank you very much. A: First of all, the question is whether your friend has a religious belief or not. […]
…
Q: Master Lu, could you please kindly spend some time teaching us a good method to determine whether our Application for Change of Name is successful? A: How to determine whether the Application for Change of Name is successful? Your instincts play an important role. First of all, it is mostly based on the feelings of the person who changes […]
Q: Dear Master Lu, according to traditional Chinese folklore, those who are destined to be pure children usually experience extreme difficulties in life. What sutras and mantras should they recite? A: The idea of “pure children” or “pure boys and pure girls”, originated from the Chinese countryside in ancient times. There is a saying that they […]
Q: Master Lu, the Ullambana Festival is approaching, what should we be aware of? A: The Ullambana Festival is also known as the “Hungry Ghost Festival” and it is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. During the 7th lunar month, or similar occasions such as Ching Ming (Tomb Sweeping Day) and Winter Solstice, people tend […]
Q: Master Lu, as lay Buddhist practitioners, should we transfer merits and virtues when we recite Buddhist scriptures? A: We perform daily recitation and recite Little Houses on a regular basis. Should we transfer the merits and virtues thus obtained? It is best to act in accordance with karmic conditions. Transferring merits and virtues is a major undertaking […]
Q: Dear Master Lu, my neighbour does not have a Buddhist altar with a statue or image of Guan Yin Bodhisattva in his home, but I do have one in my store. Can I let my neighbour come to my store and burn their Little Houses? Another neighbour of mine also wants to do that. Alternatively, can […]
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Deepest gratitude to the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva! Deepest gratitude to all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors of the Ten Directions and Three Periods of Time! Deepest gratitude to Master Jun Hong Lu! Good day to all I will begin my sharing by talking about food. I come from Northeast China […]
Deepest gratitude to the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva Deepest gratitude to all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors of the Ten Directions and Three Periods of Time Deepest gratitude to Master Lu My name is Cai Zhi Wei and I am from Singapore. If my sharing today is improper in any way, […]
