WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERCEIVING THE BODY AS UNCLEAN, AND SELF REFLECTION IN GENERAL Caller: Master Lu, what is the difference between seeing the body as unclean, and self-reflection in general? Master Jun Hong Lu: Perceiving your body to be unclean allows you to see the impurities of your spiritual body. This knowledge can […]
HOW DO WE AVOID BEING CONSTANTLY BOTHERED BY WHAT OTHERS THINK Caller: In an effort to break the habit of selfishness, a Buddhist friend practised to see things from others’ perspective and learnt to put himself in others’ shoes. However, he ended up being caught in a predicament where he is constantly bothered by what […]
GENUINELY, WHOLEHEARTEDLY, AND DILIGENTLY LEARNING ABOUT BUDDHISM Master Jun Hong Lu: A lot of people study Buddhism during their lifetime. However, in the end some do not actually know what they are practising. They are putting on an act as a Buddhist practitioner to gain the respect of others, simply trying to fish for compliments. […]
RESENTMENT FOR OTHERS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A FORM OF GREED Caller: Master Lu often teaches us not to be greedy, expressing ideas such as, ‘Nobility is obtained through contentment’. May I ask, is resentment towards others considered a form of greed as well? Master Jun Hong Lu: Absolutely! Feelings of resentment for others arise […]
DISCOURSE ON CORRECTING WEAKNESSES Master Jun Hong Lu: Listeners, please remember it is painful to correct one’s weaknesses. But there cannot be any gains made without this pain. Many of your shortcomings are a result of wrong doings in the past. It is extremely difficult to correct your bad habits, as many were developed and […]
CONSTANTLY PERFORM GOOD DEEDS; RECITATION OF EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO) WILL EXTEND THE TIME IT TAKES FOR NEGATIVE KARMA TO COME TO FRUITION Caller: We often hear Master tells us Lord Buddha’s stories about the law of causation, mentioning, ‘May all my evil deeds not come to fruition.’. However, the law of causation is […]
ONE WILL GAIN ABUNDANCE WHEN ONE SEEKING BODHISATTVA’S BLESSING TO REACH OUT TO MORE SENTIENT BEINGS Caller: Master Lu, for fellow practitioners who are more spiritually able to adopt ingenious ways to help awaken sentient beings, can they seek Bodhisattva’s compassion in helping them to arrange for more opportunities to help similar sentient beings? How […]
HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH UNITY OF KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION? Caller: Some people are very articulate when preaching the principles of Buddhist teachings. However, their behaviour does not coincide with what they have preached. There are others who may not be very expressive but who are well-behaved. Master Lu, with these two scenarios, how do we […]
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT RAMPANT THOUGHTS THAT CAUSE DISTRACTION? Caller: Master Lu, lately, I have had rampant thoughts that distract me, and I simply cannot control them. What should I do? Master Jun Hong Lu: If you cannot control rampant thoughts, it just goes to show you are not cultivating yourself well. It requires […]
CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE WHO HANDLES AFFAIRS WITH HARMONIOUS PERFECTION Caller: Master, what characteristics should a person who handles affairs with harmonious perfection be equipped with? Master Jun Hong Lu: A person who gives space to others, never forces others into a corner; possesses a heart full of tolerance and compassion; and is without greed, hatred […]
CAN ONE STILL ACCUMULATE MERITS THROUGH DHARMA DANA (SHARING OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS) EVEN IF NO ONE SEES THE CONTENT SHARED? Caller: When one performs Dharma Dana by sharing Master’s Words of Wisdom, can he still accumulate merits even if the content shared is not seen by anyone? Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. Bodhisattvas will […]
WE MUST STRIVE TO OVERCOME THE TRIALS OF LIFE; QUITTERS NEVER WIN Master Jun Hong Lu: Life is about resilience in the face of trials and tribulations – this is of the utmost importance. Success will never come if we fail to embrace these trials and give up halfway. Source: Zongshu20190622 15:58, Master Jun Hong […]
UNDERSTANDING STRICTNESS – PAMPERING CAN ONLY CAUSE HARM Master Jun Hong Lu: It is hard for us to understand that the strictness of others towards us is for our own good. Do you think it is good to be indulged? To pamper is to cause harm. A child who does not learn strict obedience will […]
WHICH DHARMA DOOR YOU LEARN IS DICTATED BY YOUR KARMIC AFFINITIES Caller: Master Lu, can you explain the saying, ‘fate brings people together no matter how far apart they may be’? Master Jun Hong Lu: Karmic affinities are such that, regardless of whether you are hundreds or thousands of miles apart, you will be brought […]
HOW TO AVOID UNWHOLESOME THOUGHTS IN THE WORLDLY FIVE DESIRES & SIX SENSES Caller: Master, in Buddhism in Plain Terms, you mentioned that “The more worldly knowledge and perception one has, the more the mind succumbs to the creation of karma.” May I ask Master how can we exercise the right control of ourselves in […]
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO LEARN BUDDHIST TEACHINGS IN DEPTH IN THIS AGE OF DHARMA DECLINE Caller: Recently, we have been watching the video clips of Buddhism in Plain Terms lectures and realise that Master’s discourses are much more in depth compared to before. Is this because Bodhisattva and Master have increased expectations of us? Can […]
THE BAR FOR DISCIPLESHIP WILL BE SET HIGHER IN FUTURE Caller: A Buddhist friend dreamt of Master Lu telling him, “new disciples will now be chosen from amongst the elite”. Master Lu, what does this mean? Master Jun Hong Lu: In future, the requirements for discipleship application will increase greatly. They will need to be […]
A PERSON WITH WISDOM WILL ALSO HAVE SPIRITUAL ENERGY Caller: Master Lu, if we are able to calm our mind by practising meditative concentration of the Six Perfections (Paramitas), would our spiritual energy be enhanced? Master Jun Hong Lu: Definitely. Concentration develops wisdom, and those who possess wisdom will naturally have spiritual energy. Source: Wenda20200320 […]
ADOPTING A NOMINAL AGE IN THE YEAR WHEN ONE’S AGE ENDS WITH 3, 6 OR 9 WILL HELP SHUN CALAMITIES Caller: In the year when the last digit of our age ends with a 3, 6 or 9, we would generally mention our nominal age (i.e. based on the traditional Chinese method of age reckoning […]
IT IS ADVISABLE TO GET CHANGED IN THE BATHROOM WHEN AT HOME Caller: Is it true that we are not supposed to get changed anywhere in the bedroom if we have a Buddhist altar at home, and we should only change in the bathroom? Master Jun Hong Lu: Best not to. It is definitely not […]
RECITATION CAN HELP TO BALANCE OUR FIVE ELEMENTS Caller: Will the lack of any of the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire or Earth), affect one’s fortune? Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it will. However, there will not be a total scarcity. It is just that some may lack in the wood, fire or water […]
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AT WHAT TIME SHOULD WE OFFER INCENSE TO INVITE BODHISATTVA Caller: Master has mentioned that Bodhisattva will come at 6am and 8am daily, or even at 10am, 12 noon, 4pm, 6pm or 10pm. Is it true that as long as the incense is lit during these timings, and we have the predestined affinity, Bodhisattva will […]
NEVER SLACK IN SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION Master Jun Hong Lu: Go ahead and slack off in your spiritual cultivation – wait till you are confronted with challenges, and you will then cry your eyes out! If you want to spare yourself the tears, you’d better start to work hard now! Source: Wenda20200209 33:28, Master Jun Hong […]
STUDYING BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS FOR SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION CAN INCREASE ONE’S MERITORIOUS BLESSINGS Caller: Will our meritorious blessings increase if we make an effort to study Buddhism in Plain Terms for spiritual cultivation? Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it will. Caller: Thank you, Master Lu. Source: Wenda20160115 57:20, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
OBSTACLES ARE CATALYSTS TO TRANSFORM US INTO BUDDHAS Caller: Master Lu, your dharma-body once advised: “All the obstacles thrown at you are catalysts to transform you into a Buddha”. Can you explain this to us? Master Jun Hong Lu: All obstacles thrown at you drive you to greater progress. This is because obstacles are the […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS Caller: During Master’s call-in radio program, some Buddhist practitioners asked very good questions demonstrating fairly in-depth understanding of the dharma. Master Jun Hong Lu: Correct. Caller: Is it because our spiritual cultivation is not as good as theirs, hence we are unable to raise such questions? Master […]
STUDYING BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS CAN ELIMINATE ONE’S IGNORANCE AND ALLOW ONE TO BE BLESSED BY DHARMA PROTECTORS Caller: Master, please enlighten us on a simple way to overcome ignorance. Master Jun Hong Lu: Listen more and talk less; think more and act less; be vigilant and careful when dealing with people and refrain from […]
STUDYING BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS – THE KEY TO ATTAINING ENLIGHTENMENT IN THE MORTAL WORLD Caller: I have encountered a problem. I have been busy reciting Little Houses everyday, but do not feel enlightened. How are other Buddhist practitioners progressing so well in their spiritual cultivation? Master Jun Hong Lu: It is simple, in order […]
WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUE SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION? Caller: Master Lu, you have often mentioned in the radio program that there are not many who are true to their spiritual cultivation. What are the criteria of true cultivation? Is it right that, as long as we persist in our daily recitation, we can be considered as being true […]
