OVERCOMING DEPRESSION WITH BUDDHISM Master Jun Hong Lu: Buddhism can help us overcome depression, come around a problem and help us to be clear-headed. Through Buddhism, we can walk out from self-isolation and learn to loosen our grips on things so that we can have a healthier ideal in life. Its wisdom motivates us to […]
Only by aiming for a high level of spirituality can you become a Buddha; Look at the human realm from the perspective of a Bodhisattva Disciple’s Question: Every sentient being is a future Buddha, and all possess the wisdom and virtuous capability of a Buddha. If we place ourselves in that state of mind in […]
FILIAL PIETY TOWARDS PARENTS IS A WAY TO ACCUMULATE MERITS Caller: Master, I notice that people who are particularly filial would receive lots of blessings from Bodhisattvas. Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course, and it comes with meritorious rewards as well. These days, many people simply lack merit because they are not very filial to […]
COMPASSION OVER COMPETITION Master Jun Hong Lu: In the 1960s, the United States Customs and Border Protection was auctioning off a large batch of confiscated bicycles. During the auction, a 10-year-old boy would always kick-start the bidding process with a five-dollar bid, only to have the rest of the participants jump in to take the […]
BE PATIENT WHEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM BUDDHIST FRIENDS; THE TASK ASSIGNED TO EACH VOLUNTEER MUST BE BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE CHARACTER Caller: Some long-practising Buddhist practitioners seem to be taking a nonchalant attitude when handling questions raised by a new Buddhist practitioner. For some reason, they don’t seem to put themselves in others’ shoes and […]
ALWAYS BE TOLERANT TOWARDS MINOR MISTAKES MADE BY VOLUNTEERS Question: It’s not uncommon to find some volunteers incorporating personal opinions that do not adhere to Master’s advice when taking questions from Buddhist friends at the Practice Centre. Separately, there are also volunteers who habitually turn up late for their duty. After being reminded, they improve […]
WITH THE SPIRIT OF CONFORMITY YOU ALIGN WITH THE NEEDS OF SENTIENT BEINGS Caller: In a practice group that is committed to the right faith and mindfulness, the spirit of conformity is a prerequisite for unity within the group. Am I right in saying that such a characteristic is essentially the spirit of selflessness? Master […]
UNITY SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF EVERY BUDDHIST PRACTITIONER’S MIND Caller: The third rule of the “Code of Conduct for Disciples” states, “Disciples should respect each other and work hand in hand with the Master to propagate Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. As disciples, you should help people become spiritually awakened, be free from […]
HOW TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE AT GUAN YIN HALL? Question: When managing administrative tasks at Guan Yin Hall within our practice group, how do we determine when to use worldly wisdom versus Buddhist principles? Being too stringent may stir up dissatisfaction among volunteers, while being overly compassionate may make it difficult to efficiently resolve […]
THE DEFINITION OF TOLERANCE FOR WORDS, PEOPLE AND MATTERS Caller: Master has mentioned before that, there are three aspects of tolerance, namely the tolerance for words, people and matters. Would you please elaborate further, Master? Master Jun Hong Lu: ‘Tolerance for appearance’ is to be tolerant of others regardless of their physical appearance. Similarly, when […]
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REPENT; REPENTANCE HELPS TO MITIGATE NEGATIVE KARMA AND ELEVATE OUR STATE OF MIND Caller: Master, I would like to seek repentance. I used to work in a hotel before I started practising Buddhism. Our main responsibilities included environmental monitoring and safeguarding the spare keys of the hotel. Whenever I was scheduled […]
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW YOUR PAST, LOOK INTO YOUR PRESENT CONDITION Master Jun Hong Lu: There is a proverb that goes, ‘If you want to know your past life, look at your present conditions’. Therefore, we should live in harmony with others and treasure our predestined relationships. When two people fall in love in […]
ALL RELATIONSHIPS HAVE LINKS BACK TO ONE’S PAST LIVES Master Jun Hong Lu: Do you know what the most common thing I see through totem reading? Many mothers and sons were couples in their past lives. Once, a couple came to see me in my office, and during our conversation, they started to quarrel. I […]
HOW DO WE NURTURE A COMPASSIONATE HEART AND ROOT OUT OUR DEEP-SEATED BAD HABITS? Caller: Hi Master, there are people who can’t shed any emotional tears. What should these people do to nurture a heart of compassion? Would it help if they perform more life liberation and show more empathy towards others? Master Jun Hong […]
CULTIVATING A HEART OF FORBEARANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: Buddhist practice is about cultivating one’s heart, a heart that can endure humiliation. Spiritual cultivation is about being able to remain patient even when you have been wronged. Mastering this will ensure a smooth-sailing career. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 8 […]
SALES JUMP NINE-FOLD AFTER PRACTISING GUAN YIN CITTA Caller: Do you remember me, Master? We spoke over the phone sometime last year. I am the supplier of car spare parts. Besides giving me a new name, you also advised me on starting my own business. It’s been almost a year. Let me share with everyone […]
‘AMASSING ILLICIT GAIN IN THE NAME OF BUDDHISM’ IS COMMITTED WHEN YOU ACCEPT MONEY FOR BOOKS MEANT FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION Caller: In their effort to propagate Buddhism, our fellow Buddhist friends may give away dharma books and/or dharma items for free, but there are bound to be people who are unwilling to accept them free […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATING FORBEARANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: In the dharma realm, forbearance can nurture blessings and kindness can nurture virtues. Forbearance is a huge vessel that is capable of navigating you through all hardships and adversities. Forbearance is an antidote that is capable of saving all sentient beings. Therefore, one who is able […]
THE GIVING OF DHARMA IN NON-BUDDHISM CHAT GROUPS SHOULD BE DONE IN MODERATION AND WITH CONSIDERATION Question: Master mentioned previously that there will be karmic obstacles if we stop others from performing the Giving of Dharma. What about asking fellow practitioners to post less in those chat groups created for different interests and are not […]
DEBUNK THE MYTH OF DILIGENCE: IT IS NOT ABOUT THE TIME SPENT! Caller: Master, with reference to the definition of diligence, does it have to do with the amount of time we spend on Buddhism-related efforts? For example, the amount of time spent on reciting sutras, dharma propagation, studying Buddhism in Plain Terms etc. How […]
NOTHING MORE THAN THREE CHANCES Question: The Dharma Protectors said, “We, by the decree of Guan Di Bodhisattva and Tai Sui Bodhisattva – General Xie Tai – summoned the spirit of the Heavenly Child to Heaven. We, the Dharma Protectors, would like to forewarn all Buddhist practitioners of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door not to […]
BE CAUTIOUS WHEN SHARING POSTS ONLINE, ONE WILL BEAR KARMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR MISLEADING OTHERS Caller: I have come across online postings without any source citation, which could cause others to perceive that they were Master’s teachings, only to find at a later stage that they were personal insights of some Buddhist friends. Master Jun Hong […]
REASON WE FAIL TO BE DILIGENT: YOU ARE LAZY! Question: Master once said that practising Buddhism is akin to sailing against the current – if one fails to advance, they will retreat. This is a test every practitioner will encounter. Is “non-diligent” a function of one’s karmic hindrances, lack of faith, or one’s ‘unenlightened’ state? […]
DO NOT GET CARRIED AWAY BY COMPLIMENTS Master Jun Hong Lu: When someone scolds or slanders you, you may be able to practise tolerance, right? The hardest thing to do is not to get carried away by praises that others shower on you. When you are being complimented, you must remain unmoved. You have to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
