OVERCOME GREED THROUGH THE GIVING OF DHARMA Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me tell you what it means to make offerings of the Dharma. It is to be genuinely kind to others and to give others wholeheartedly. By virtue of such offerings, you will not hanker for worldly blessings, not even wisdom. When you desire […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 9. Refrain from leading a life of extreme leisure and comfort Ninth, this last one is refrain from leading a life of extreme leisure and comfort. Those who always stay at home, not wanting to venture beyond the […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 8. Refrain from overexerting yourself Eighth, refrain from overexerting yourself. After all, there is a limit as to how far we can stretch ourselves. Some people, by nature, do not have the ability to withstand heavy workloads. When […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 7. Refrain from walking too fast Seventh, refrain from walking too fast. Remember, if you are healthy, do not always replace walking with driving, rather, you should replace driving with walking. Why is it that “one should not […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 6. Refrain from living in an excessively large house Sixth, refrain from living in an excessively large house, that is, your house should not be too spacious. One should be flexible enough to live in any space as […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 5. Refrain from overeating Fifth, refrain from overeating. You should not overeat during meals. On top of this, there is a principle that goes like this, “Do not wait till you are famished to eat and if you […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 4. Refrain going overboard when dressing warm in cold weather Fourth, refrain going overboard when dressing warm in cold weather First and foremost, I would like to share the meaning of ‘not desiring extreme warmth during winter’. What […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 3. Refrain from excessive pursuance of personal gains Third, refrain from excessive pursuance of personal gains. Greed is like a dry well in the desert, capable of absorbing all rainwater, but will never use its privilege to offer […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 2. Refrain from being covetous of fame Second, refrain from being covetous of fame which essentially means, one should not be excessive in their desire for fame. In the past, it was said that fame and riches are […]
‘THE NINE REFRAINMENTS IN LIFE’ WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE, MATTERS AND IN TAKING CARE OF OUR HEALTH 1. Refrain from excessive anger First, you should refrain from excessive anger. Essentially, it means you should not let your anger take hold of you. A famous person once said, “There is nothing in this world that is […]
AFFLICTIONS ABOUNDS FOR THOSE WHO LACK EQUANIMITY Master Jun Hong Lu: Many of us are constantly being tested mentally and physically. In reality, it is a reflection of our inability to liberate ourselves, and the lack of an equanimous view in life. Many people frequently ask, “Why do I have to endure such injustices in […]
IT IS YOUR CONDITIONS, NOT YOUR ABILITY, THAT DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS Master Jun Hong Lu: Remember: It is your conditions, not your ability, that determine whether you can succeed perfectly in your endeavours. No matter how much effort you put in, or how capable you are, you may still fail. This is because blessings in […]
REGARD EVERY SITUATION AS A NORMAL PHENOMENON Master Jun Hong Lu: It is a must that all Buddhist practitioners uphold the Buddhist precepts in all their actions. As mentioned before, as long as you do not impose yourself on others, you will not be planting bad karma. Instead, you should regard everything in this world […]
SUFFERING CEASES WHEN WE LET GO OF OUR ATTACHMENTS Master Jun Hong Lu: We should let go of the idea that we are entitled to happiness. Many people think they deserve happiness, when what they should do is to relinquish the notion of entitlement to happiness and success. Only then will they find their life […]
PAIN STEMS FROM OUR UNWILLINGNESS TO FACE REALITY Master Jun Hong Lu: One of the humans’ greatest pains is living with regret. We should never regret things that have happened. After all, it is said in the Buddhist scriptures that even the Buddha cannot change the past. The Buddha will accept whatever happens and He […]
ON EQUANIMITY Master Jun Hong Lu: Our thoughts, be it kind or evil, are all the same in the eyes of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Just like how a mother would perceive the good and bad deeds of her child – they are of no difference to her. As the mother feels sorry for the child, […]
UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUDDHIST PRACTICE AND WORKING LIFE Caller: Master, lastly I would like to seek your advice on this matter: I’ve just joined the workforce, and have not been able to balance between Buddhist practice and career. Please enlighten me. Master Jun Hong Lu: With regards to balancing Buddhist practice and career, it […]
NEGATIVE KARMA IS CREATED IF ONE CHEATS IN EXAMINATION Caller: Am I right to say that negative karma is created if one cheats in examination? Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s correct. Do you know what type of negative karma this is? It’s considered stealing. Caller: Am I right to say that stealing happens if someone […]
ONE WILL GAIN WISDOM THROUGH THE GIVING OF DHARMA Master Jun Hong Lu: If you sow the seeds of Dharma Giving and help others to awaken spiritually, you will reap the fruit of wisdom. Many people ask, “Why are some people so smart and wise?” It came from the Giving of Dharma that he has […]
IS IT APPROPRIATE TO USE OUR PARENTS’ MONEY TO PERFORM MERITORIOUS ACT WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT? Caller: The parents of a fellow Buddhist practitioner are in poor health. With the savings passbook that the parents entrusted to him, he will withdraw and send money to his parents regularly. Whenever he withdraws money for his parents, he […]
DEBUNK THE MYTH OF DILIGENCE: IT IS NOT ABOUT TRYING HARD Master Jun Hong Lu: If you are diligent in your spiritual cultivation, you will immediately correct any shortcomings pointed out to you – this is what being “diligent” is about. However, this explanation is not what you would usually hear from other venerables, whereby, […]
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU HELP AWAKEN SPIRITUALLY CORRESPONDS WITH THE CONTENT VIEWS Caller: I would like to ask about Buddhist teachings posted online whose content views are ever increasing. Does it mean that the number of people we help awaken spiritually is also increasing? Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, that’s considered as helping others […]
PRAYER REQUEST FOR MAKING A VOW TO RECITE 100,000 TIMES OF THE MANTRA TO UNTIE KARMIC KNOTS TO ELIMINATE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING DEMENTIA Caller: Master has previously mentioned that one can make a vow to recite 100,000 times of the Mantra To Untie Karmic Knots to eliminate the risk of developing dementia in the […]
VIOLATION OF THE PRECEPTS WILL INCUR RETRIBUTIVE EFFECTS Master Jun Hong Lu: As Buddhist practitioners, you must be just and honourable in your speech. If you speak ill of others behind their back, you commit the act of stealthy speech. If you eavesdrop of things that others are reluctant to tell you, you commit the […]
FIVE METHODS TO CULTIVATE FORBEARANCE: COMPASSIONATE FORBEARANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: The last method of forbearance is “Compassionate Forbearance”. At this stage, you regard yourself as a Bodhisattva. Hence, in times of adversities or humiliation, not only do you not hate others, you are compassionate towards them, and you feel that they are really pitiable. […]
FIVE METHODS TO CULTIVATE FORBEARANCE: REFLECTIVE FORBEARANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: The fourth type of forbearance is “Reflective Forbearance”. What do you do when others dishonour you or pick a fight with you? You need to elevate your state-of-mind, which is to reflect on the wisdom of emptiness. You imagine the light of the Buddha […]
FIVE METHODS TO CULTIVATE FORBEARANCE: CAUSAL FORBEARANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: The third type of forbearance is “Causal Forbearance”. This is when others insult you, you apply wisdom to observe its causes and conditions. The practice of patience is made possible through a good understanding of causes and conditions. You need to understand that the […]
MERITS WILL BE DERIVED FROM PRINTING OF DHARMA BOOKS EVEN IF THE DISTRIBUTION IS DONE BY OTHERS Caller: I managed to convince a few of my friends to practise Buddhism when they were at my place. They then passed me some funds for the purpose of printing dharma books which were subsequently distributed by others […]
THE PRECEPTS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF UNSURPASSED ENLIGHTENMENT Master Jun Hong Lu: In Buddhist practice, observing the precepts is of the utmost importance. This explains why the Lord Buddha told His disciples, “Treat the precepts as your teacher” before He entered Nirvana. By observing the precepts, you avoid committing mistakes. Only those who can observe […]
FIVE METHODS TO CULTIVATE FORBEARANCE: STRENGTH FORBEARANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: The second type is “Strength Forbearance”. When others insult or slander you, first of all, you have to use your own mental strength to tell yourself, “I did not do any of those things they claimed I did. I am not like how they […]
