WISDOM IS WHEN YOU SEE THROUGH THE EMPTINESS OF THE UNIVERSE Master Jun Hong Lu: When you see through the emptiness of the universe, you are actually in possession of the wisdom and virtue. Therefore, those who can see through the reality of things are in possession of wisdom. You must understand that to become […]
TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN; YOU CAN ONLY DEPEND ON YOURSELF Master Jun Hong Lu: You still have a long way to go. If you are not diligent, you will only have yourself to blame when you suffer in the future. I have talked to you for so many years, how many more […]
WHY SHOULD WE BE SINGLE-MINDED AND DILIGENT IN OUR METHOD OF SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION? Master Jun Hong Lu: In Buddhism studies, why should we be single-minded and diligent in our method of cultivation? Once you have identified the dharma door that is most suitable for you, it is important that you must learn and cultivate the […]
REASONS FOR ONE TO DROP OUT OF THE SPIRITUAL PATH; DILIGENCE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS Caller: There is a saying that goes, “Uncrowded is the path to the Lotus Pond in the West” because there are too many who will drop out of this path of spiritual cultivation, arising from: 1. The disappearance of […]
THE STORY OF CONFUCIUS AND HIS MOST-TRUSTED DISCIPLE YAN HUI Master Jun Hong Lu: During the Spring and Autumn-Warring States period, Confucius and his disciples went around the country that had been ravaged by the turmoil and tumult of a war. It was a physically-gruelling journey. Having gone without even a grain of rice for […]
WHERE DOES HATRED COME FROM? NEGATIVE AFFINITIES GIVE RISE TO HATRED Master Jun Hong Lu: Now that we have started practising Buddhism, why is it that we still can’t stand the sight of certain people and bear grudges towards others? It all comes down to affinities. When negative affinities come along, ignorance starts to arise. […]
BEFORE RECITING THE HEART SUTRA, ONE CAN PRAY TO GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA TO SHOWER BLESSINGS ON ONE’S SPIRITUAL ROOT Caller: Master once said, “All of you must know how to pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva to shower blessings on your spiritual roots. To do so, you can say, “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate […]
BUDDHA-DHARMA IS TO LIBERATE SUFFERING IN THE HUMAN REALM Master Jun Hong Lu: In learning Buddhism, we should treat people with a sense of equanimity. What is equanimity? It is to see everyone as equal and we do things fairly. Equanimity is equivalent to the Four Boundless States: loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity. Equanimity […]
AVOID BUYING SHOES DURING THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Caller: Master, there is a folk belief that we should not buy shoes or clothes throughout the 7th lunar month simply because it is the Ullambana Festival. Master has advised against buying shoes during this period, what is your view about buying clothes then? Master Jun Hong […]
WHEN PAYING RESPECT TO THE DECEASED ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, IS IT ALRIGHT TO BURN LITTLE HOUSES FOR THEM WITHOUT DISPLAYING THEIR PHOTOS? Caller: When offering Little Houses to the deceased on special occasions, such as their birthdays or the Ullambana Festival, is it alright to do so without displaying their photos? Master Jun Hong Lu: […]
STAY UPBEAT DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL; SPIRITS ARE EASILY ATTRACTED TO THOSE WHO ARE SAD OR WORRIED Master Jun Hong Lu: During the Ullambana Festival, it is best that you go about your chores steadily. By doing so, you avert inviting the unwanted attention of the foreign spirits. This is because a slightest change in […]
AVOID HAVING A HAIRCUT DURING PERIODS OF MOURNING Question: Is it alright to have a haircut on our birthday? Answer: It’s up to you. It’s good to have a haircut as it makes one appear neat and tidy. Typically, we must avoid having a haircut on the Ching Ming Festival, Zhong Yuan Festival (Ullambana Festival) […]
PAYING RESPECT TO THE DECEASED DURING THE ULLAMBANA, CHING MING, AND WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVALS Question: During the Ullambana, Ching Ming or Winter Solstice Festivals, certain households may have to pay respect to a few deceased at the same time. In a scenario where based on a totem reading performed by Master, one of the deceased […]
HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH FRUIT OFFERINGS TO THE DECEASED? Caller: Master, generally during Ching Ming and Zhong Yuan (Ullambana) Festivals, we will make offerings to our deceased parents at home. At the end of the ceremony, how should we handle these fruits and other consumables? Master has said before that we can leave the […]
IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO SET UP A BUDDHIST ALTAR DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL; EXERCISE GREATER CARE WHEN PERFORMING LIFE LIBERATION DURING THIS PERIOD Caller: Master, the Ullambana Festival is fast approaching. It so happens that this year is the Year of Geng Zi (the 37th year of the Chinese 60-year cycle). In light of […]
AVOID HOME RENOVATION ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Question: Can home renovation commence after the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, that is, to start on the 16th day? Answer: Yes, as long as you do so after the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Question: What about having […]
IT IS BEST TO OFFER MORE LITTLE HOUSES TO THE KARMIC CREDITORS OF THE HOUSE WHEN MOVING HOUSE IN THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Caller: Can one move house during the 7th lunar month? Master Jun Hong Lu: It should be fine. However, you better be cautious and offer more Little Houses. Caller: Should I offer […]
HOW DOES THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH DIFFER FROM THE 15TH OF THE OTHER LUNAR MONTHS? Caller: Next Wednesday is the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. What is so different about this day, as compared to the 15th of the other lunar months? Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course, there […]
IT IS BEST TO SET A TARGETED NUMBER OF LITTLE HOUSES TO BE OFFERED TO A SPECIFIC ANCESTOR DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL Caller: Master, the Ullambana Festival is fast approaching, generally how many Little Houses should a diligent Buddhist practitioner commit to offering to his karmic creditors? Please advise, Master. Master Jun Hong Lu: It […]
DO NOT HOLD WEDDINGS ON THE DRAGON BOAT, CHING MING, ULLAMBANA AND THE WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVALS Question: A Buddhist practitioner’s son has selected 7th October for his wedding, only to find out that it is the Double Ninth Festival (Chong Yang Festival) on the lunar calendar. Unfortunately, the booking deposit for the hotel has been […]
START OFFERING 49 LITTLE HOUSES A MONTH PRIOR TO THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL Question: Master has previously mentioned that one should offer 49 Little Houses during the Ullambana Festival. Should we start preparing a month before, starting from the 15th day of the 6th lunar month? Is it better to offer Little Houses earlier? Are Little […]
DO NOT CHANGE BEDS DURING THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH; EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN CALLING ONE’S SOUL BACK Question: Is it alright to change the bed that my spouse and I have been sleeping on during the 7th lunar month? Can we do the same to our son’s bed? Answer: It is not recommended to do so […]
WAYS TO HANDLE THE PORTRAIT OF A DECEASED AFTER THIRD DEATH ANNIVERSARY Question: Upon the passing of someone, is it a must to take out his memorial portrait on his death anniversary to pay respect to? Is there a time limit as to how long we can do this for? In the event that we […]
RECITE MORE LITTLE HOUSES AND THE GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL Question: In light of the fast approaching Ullambana Festival, which Buddhist scripture should we recite more of? Answer: Recite more Little Houses. On top of this, increase the recitation of the Great Compassion Mantra. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 11), […]
IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO LODGE AN APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF NAME ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Caller: Is it advisable to lodge an application for Change of Name on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month? Master Jun Hong Lu: Why must you do so on the 15th day […]
TOOTH EXTRACTION DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL Question: Is it alright to go for a tooth extraction one week before the Ullambana Festival? This is because my dental appointment is a few days prior to the festival. Answer: There are a lot more foreign spirits during the Ullambana Festival. If it’s not urgent, it would be […]
OFFER LITTLE HOUSES TO THE DECEASED ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Caller: Master, should we offer Little Houses on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month or at the tail-end of the 7th lunar month? Master Jun Hong Lu: You should offer Little Houses on a piecemeal basis throughout the […]
HOW MANY LITTLE HOUSES ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL? Caller: Master, the Ullambana Festival, which falls on the 15th Day of the 7th lunar month, is around the corner. If we pray to Bodhisattva to keep us safe and well during this period, what’s the minimum number of Little Houses […]
PERFORMING VIRTUOUS DEEDS ON BEHALF OF THE DECEASED AND THE RELATED PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE TRANSFER OF MERITS Caller: Is it alright to perform virtuous deeds such as releasing captive lives and donating for the purpose of printing the sutra booklets on behalf of the deceased? Master Jun Hong Lu: Definitely! Caller: How should we […]
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL Caller: As the “Ghost Festival” is coming up next month, is there anything that we should be aware of? For instance, what should we take note of during the night or whenever we are performing recitations? Master Jun Hong Lu: Firstly, do not speak carelessly – […]