ELIMINATE ALL TRACES OF IGNORANCE THROUGH RESPECTING THE MASTER AND REVERING HIS TEACHINGS (PART 2) Master Jun Hong Lu: While we may be unable to see the Buddha, we know that the Buddha is in our heart, guiding us along and helping us every single day. Not able to see the Buddha with our naked […]
ELIMINATE ALL TRACES OF IGNORANCE THROUGH RESPECTING THE MASTER AND REVERING HIS TEACHINGS (PART 1) Master Jun Hong Lu: How can we be free from ignorance and let go of our attachments? To transcend the six realms of rebirth requires us to be spiritually awakened and see our true nature. What does this mean? It […]
WHAT KIND OF HAPPINESS DOES BODHISATTVA WANT US TO HAVE? Master Jun Hong Lu: Knowing that there is no eternal happiness in this world, you must begin to learn to truly understand the attributes of happiness based on the Buddha’s teachings. In Buddhism, it is said that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas want us to be happy. […]
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY Caller: A Buddhist practitioner would like to attend the public talk, but he is worried he may not be able to make it. How should he pray to Bodhisattva to enable him to attend the event？ Master Jun Hong Lu: With willpower you can accomplish everything you want […]
THOUGH I ASPIRE TO LIBERATE ALL SENTIENT BEINGS, NOT A SINGLE BEING IS LIBERATED BY ME Master Jun Hong Lu: “Though I aspire to liberate all sentient beings, not a single being is liberated by me.” What does this sentence mean? The Bodhisattva is telling us that we shouldn’t think too highly of ourselves in […]
DESIRE IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL Master Jun Hong Lu: While living in this world, we must bear in mind that, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. Why do we get others to do the things that we are not willing to get our hands dirty doing? What gives […]
RESENTMENT IS THE CATALYST FOR THE THOUGHT OF KILLING TO ARISE Master Jun Hong Lu: Killing is committed when one takes the life of another living being out of resentment or hatred. In other words, resentment is the impetus that drives someone to kill. For example, a person was afraid of slaughtering a chicken at […]
UNDERSTANDING “AFFLICTION GIVES RISE TO BODHI” Caller: How are you, Master? I would like to ask a question pertaining to the phrase, “Affliction gives rise to Bodhi (enlightenment)”. Does this mean that when we are eventually free of affliction, we will lose our wisdom as well? Master Jun Hong Lu: A person who is free […]
THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF BEING NARROW-MINDED AND SENSITIVE Caller: What is the cause and effect for someone to be narrow-minded and sensitive? Master Jun Hong Lu: Being narrow-minded and sensitive are results from badmouthing and suspecting others in one’s previous life. Even in your current life, if you suspect that others are mistreating you […]
IGNORANT BAD HABITS LIKE ENVY, JEALOUSY AND HATRED ARE CONSIDERED KARMIC OBSTACLES Caller: Are the ignorant bad habits of humans for example, envy, jealousy and hatred considered karmic obstacles? Master Jun Hong Lu: The ignorant bad habits of human such as jealousy, hatred, etc are considered karmic obstacles. To be infected by these shortcomings is […]
GIVING EXPLANATIONS FOR OUR OWN MISTAKES IS ALSO A FORM OF IGNORANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: If a person does something wrong, and is always trying to absolve himself from his mistakes, this is ignorance. Many people are simply foolish. They like to give all sorts of explanations and they do so incessantly. In fact, […]
TO ILLUMINATE OUR MIND Master Jun Hong Lu: If we are to condense the Heart Sutra into a single word, that will be ‘To Illuminate’, that is to be in the quest to watch over. Just like how you need to watch over your child. Why is the word ‘To illuminate’ mentioned in the Heart […]
THOSE WHO ARE OFTEN CONFUSED WILL FALL INTO A STATE OF DELUSION Master Jun Hong Lu: Humans are often assailed by confusion in life. Confusion (迷惑) can cause one’s mind to fall into a state of delusion, oscillating between left and right, high and low, and back and forth. In Chinese writing, the second word, […]
THE ROOT OF EVIL Master Jun Hong Lu: A man went to seek advice from an eminent Master, who looked at him with compassion and said, “A heart with no evil will not experience any pain. If there is pain, it means that a corresponding evil still remains in your heart. If you often suffer, […]
LEARN TO WALK THE MIDDLE PATH; ATTACHMENTS WILL ONLY BRING HARM UPON ONESELF Caller: Hi Master, could you please give me some advice? I feel honoured to be able to get through your line today. I really miss you, Master. Master Jun Hong Lu: You must not think too much as you can’t afford a […]
DO NOT CLING TO THE NOTION OF SELF Master Jun Hong Lu: A person who clings to the notion of self, will gradually become arrogant, self-righteous, feel dejected and depressed even with just one word of reprimand from others. Then, they will start to slack off, sleep more, become degenerate, etc. Source: Wenda20131025 15:01, Master […]
THE FIELD OF OUR MIND Master Jun Hong Lu: The heart of a Buddhist practitioner is just like a field where innumerable desires and worries will sprout; these are the weeds of the mind. However, good crops will also grow in our hearts, and we should sow more of these kind and compassionate crops. Remember, […]
THE CONCEPTS OF THE TEMPORARY AND PERPETUAL Master Jun Hong Lu: Buddhist practitioners must understand this: wealth is only your friend for a moment, but a friend is a form of everlasting wealth; glory only grants you honour for a moment, but helping others is the true foundation for honour; academic qualifications only grants you […]
THE CRUX OF DILIGENCE AND LEARNING BUDDHISM Master Jun Hong Lu: The crux of diligence lies not in speed, but in the strength of one’s faith and resolution. The crux of learning Buddhism also lies not in speed, but in whether one can fulfil their vows. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, […]
OUR MIND SHOULD BE KEPT PURE Master Jun Hong Lu: The cultivation of mind and moral conduct is the only path to Buddhahood. But, how do you get down to doing it? You must elevate your state-of-mind. This is because you are not able to take along your physical body when passing on, neither your […]
RELY ON BODHISATTVA Master Jun Hong Lu: On the journey of learning Buddhism, only diligence can give you the greatest sense of security and bliss. On the journey of growth, only faith in Bodhisattva can serve as the greatest source of support, protection and blessings. Mountains may fall and people may fail you, but relying […]
A GRATEFUL HEART REKINDLES A COMPASSIONATE HEART Master Jun Hong Lu: One must understand that an unsurpassed mind of gratitude rekindles the compassion in us. Being grateful to others will allow you to have a good future. If you do not know the meaning of gratitude, you may develop hatred in your heart. Many people, […]
A TRUE SAGE WILL NEVER GET HIMSELF WORKED UP OVER ANY MATTERS Master Jun Hong Lu: The word of a sage, ‘The foundation of the world is in the states, the foundation of the state is in the families, the foundation of the family is in oneself’. By ‘oneself’, it means one’s conditions. Therefore, we […]
LEARN TO ADJUST OUR MENTAL ATTITUDE Master Jun Hong Lu: We must learn how to adjust our mental attitude. As always, nothing is smooth sailing in this world; no matter what you do, you must learn to accord to changes, learn to become wiser, and learn to let go. Our destiny is impermanent and nothing […]
BREAK FREE FROM THE KARMIC OBSTACLES THAT BIND US Master Jun Hong Lu: In this boundless, illusory world of suffering, your karmic obstacles are like the sharks in the sea. Their sights are set on you, and they are waiting for every opportunity to bite you, just like your karmic obstacles. They are your past […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF SINCERITY Master Jun Hong Lu: The key to differentiating whether you are a good or evil person lies in the sincerity of mind in your dealings with others. If you treat others with sincerity, you are likely a kind person. On the other hand, if you treat others with a callously, you […]
ACCORD WITH CONDITIONS; DO NOT DO WHAT YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO Master Jun Hong Lu: Regardless of what happens, we must accord with the conditions in a lot of matters in this world. Act only when action is called for, and otherwise refrain; Listen only when listening is called for, otherwise, turn a deaf […]
ALWAYS TREAT OTHERS WITH SINCERITY Master Jun Hong Lu: As the saying goes, ‘sincerity can move mountains’. Sincerity can shift even one’s mind and natural instincts. Hence, always treat others well and with sincerity, and you will be able to manage the direction of their inclinations. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, […]
DO NOT THINK TOO MUCH, NEITHER SHOULD WE NOT THINK, TAKE THE MIDDLE PATH Master Jun Hong Lu: We must learn Buddhism diligently in order to change ourselves for the better. There is no difficult task in the world, as long as we put our heart into it. Each of us exist within our thoughts, […]
AWARENESS OF IMPERMANENCE AND UNDERSTANDING THE LAW OF CAUSATION IS CRUCIAL Master Jun Hong Lu: Recognising life is impermanent, we must consider the ultimate consequences of all our actions. Because every seed we sow is the fruit we reap. Therefore, it is important to understand the Law of Causation. Being ignorant of causation will surely […]
