Q: Dear Master Lu, could you please tell us which particular sutras or mantras we should recite for the Chong Yang Festival (the Double Ninth Festival)? A: Chong Yang is a special festival. According to the latest teachings by Master Lu, you can perform recitations as follows: You can recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance no more than […]
Q: Master Lu has previously explained that during Chinese New Year and other important festivals and special days, we can eliminate many karmic obstacles by completing more recitations of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance. What is the maximum number of recitations that we can do? Do we need to complement this with the recitation of Little Houses? […]
Q: Master Lu, how should we celebrate the Lantern Festival as Buddhists? What should we be aware of? A: No matter what festival is being celebrated, many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and officers from the underworld will be in touch with us on these special occasions. The Lantern Festival is no exception. The Lantern Festival is celebrated on […]
Q: Today is the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. How do we welcome the Bodhisattva of Wealth? What sutras and mantras should we recite? A: Master Lu mentioned the following during one of his Dharma talks: On the fifth day of Chinese New Year, keep in mind that we should not openly state that […]
Q: Master Lu, Chinese New Year is approaching. How do we offer the “First Incense” on the first day of the Chinese New Year? What should we be aware of? A: Contrary to popular belief, the offering of the First Incense on the first day of the Chinese New Year does not refer to […]
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, we would like to invite ancestral tablets and a general tablet for ancestors from past generations to come down from the altar. Please advise us on the correct procedure. Thank you. A: For photos of the deceased hung on the wall: Prior to inviting a photo down from the wall, recite and […]
Q: Dear Master Lu and the Secretariat: Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s birthday is approaching. As lay Buddhist practitioners, what should we do to commemorate the day and how should we do it? Thank you! A: The Birthday, Enlightenment Day, and Renunciation Day of Guan Yin Bodhisattva are all very important dates. It is recommended that you […]
Q: Dear Master Lu, the Ching Ming Festival (or Qingming Festival, Tomb-sweeping Day) is approaching and I plan to visit the cemetery. Can I burn Little Houses there? Which sutras or mantras should I recite while I am there? Also, is there anything else that I should be aware of? Thank you. A: Festivals celebrated based on the […]
Q: Master Lu, I have a question. On the first day of Chinese New Year, can I go to several temples to offer incense and make vows? All these temples have the statues or portraits of the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva. I make the same vows at each temple. According to […]
Q: Master Lu, the Chinese New Year is approaching. What is the significance of setting off firecrackers during Chinese New Year (the Spring Festival)? A: It is generally good to set off firecrackers in celebration of Chinese New Year. Firecrackers can drive away evil spirits and enhance positive Yang energy. They can therefore prevent unwholesome entities […]
Q141: Master Lu, how should we celebrate the Lantern Festival as Buddhists? What should we be aware of? A141: Regardless of which one of the 24 Solar Terms it is, many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and officers from the spiritual worlds would visit us on special occasions, including the Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the […]
Q: Dear Master Lu, could you please tell us which particular sutras or mantras we should recite for the Chong Yang Festival (the Double Ninth Festival)? A: Chong Yang is a special festival. According to the latest teachings by Master Lu, you can perform recitations as follows: You can recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance no more […]
