ALWAYS BE PREPARED IN LIFE Master Jun Hong Lu: In life, we have to be prepared in advance for anything. Bodhisattvas wish for us to practise Buddhism as early preparation. We should not wait until our body starts to fail us or for our family to meet with some mishaps to start performing recitation. By […]
READ THE BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS WITH A PURE MIND AND BODY Question: Can we read the Buddhism in Plain Terms in married couples’ rooms? Answer: As long as there is no close intimacy in the couples’ room, there shouldn’t be a problem. The teachings in the Buddhism in Plain Terms is a way to help […]
TO READ OR LISTEN TO BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS Question: I made a vow to Bodhisattva to read Buddhism in Plain Terms every day. However, when time does not permit, is it alright if I listen to the recording of the Buddhism in Plain Terms instead? Answer: Yes. Reading and listening are both acceptable. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s […]
BODHISATTVA WILL GRANT US BLESSINGS AS LONG AS WE HELP OTHERS SELFLESSLY Question: I dreamed that a senior Buddhist practitioner expended his meritorious blessings amassed from a month’s volunteer work, in helping another Buddhist practitioner to set up a Buddhist altar. What should he do now? Answer: Pray for Bodhisattva’s blessings. In the case where […]
WHY YOU SHOULD READ BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS Master Jun Hong Lu: Buddhism in Plain Terms is really very beneficial. At any time you are troubled, you can simply flip to any page and you will be able to get over your problems instantly. Hope everyone practises Buddhism and cultivates diligently. I wish everyone the […]
PAY A TOKEN SUM WHEN RECEIVING KNIFE, CLOCK OR SHOES AS GIFT Question: Master Lu mentioned before that shoes are not ideal to be given as a gift as it symbolises bad luck. Thus, even if we have to accept such gift out of our will, we have to give a token amount to the […]
HOW SHOULD WE KEEP OUR COOKING POTS WHEN NOT IN USE? Question: Should we keep our cooking pots at home upright or let it lie flat when not in use? Are there any guidelines to observe? Answer: Empty pots symbolise that the family has no grain to consume and it is inauspicious. Therefore, we must […]
DO NOT USE COMB WITH BROKEN TEETH Question: Is it fine to continue using a comb with broken teeth? Answer: No. Using a comb with broken teeth will bring bad luck; one will not achieve complete success in one’s undertakings. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 318), 30 June 2019
ACTION TO TAKE UPON RECEIVING SHARP OBJECTS, CLOCKS OR SHOES Question: When someone buys scissors on our behalf, is it compulsory to pay them back? Answer: If someone buys knives or scissors for you, you must pay them back. Otherwise, it would signify making a clean break from them or cutting off ties of love […]
WAIT HALF A YEAR BEFORE DISPOSING A SPOILT BUDDHIST RECITATION PLAYER Question: If the Buddhist recitation player is broken, should we wrap it up before disposing it? How long should we hold on to it before disposing of it? Answer: You should keep it for half a year before disposing of it. Source: Master Jun […]
AVOID WEARING BLACK FACE MASKS Question: What is the preferred colour for a face mask? I have bought some black masks, can I use them? Answer: Do not wear black masks, they are not good. Light or pale coloured ones are preferred. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 385), 23 May 2020
THE BED IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE HOUSE Question: Nowadays, there are many kinds of creative furniture in the market. For instance, a normal sleeping bed is designed to function as a storage space and there are children beds that come with a slide at the side. Are beds designed like these ideal to […]
DON’T LET LIFE PASS US BY Master Jun Hong Lu: Guan Yin Bodhisattva has always been blessing and protecting us. We must be diligent in performing recitations and spiritual cultivation, and remember that to be safe and well is a blessing. Time is pressing, hence, I hope all of you will not waste your time. […]
WRAP THE UMBRELLA THAT WE CARRY IN OUR BAGS WITH RED CLOTH Question: Master Lu has advised us against carrying an umbrella in our bags as it may result in dispersal of our affinities with others. If we need to do so on a daily basis, can we wrap it in a piece of red […]
IT IS ADVISABLE THAT WE EAT SITTING DOWN Question: Can we hold the plate in our hands during meals? Answer: It is best to eat sitting down. Beggars normally eat standing up, hence to do so was forbidden in rich families in the past. It is better to hold a plate while sitting down. Source: […]
CAN FRUIT OFFERINGS BE PLACED ON A CAR SEAT? Question: Master has mentioned in a radio program that fruit offerings or other items may be placed on a car seat. As we are aware that fruit offerings should not be placed on stools or chairs, doesn’t this apply to the car seats where someone has […]
USE LEFT HAND WHEN PERFORMING ONE-HANDED GESTURE OF “PUTTING BOTH PALMS TOGETHER” Question: When performing recitation before the Buddhist altar, we sometimes hold the sutra booklet with one hand and hold the other hand in the prayer position. When doing so, is there a rule in using left or right hand for males and females? […]
DO NOT LEAVE EMPTY CUP ON THE BUDDHIST ALTAR Question: If we will be away from home for a period of time and there is no one available to change the water offerings, is it alright to leave the cup used for water offerings empty while we are away? Answer: No, you can’t. It is […]
WHAT TO DO IF THE INCENSE WE OFFER IS TILTED? Question: If the incense we stick into the incense burner is tilted, can we remove then reinsert it? Thank you. Answer: Generally, you may make some adjustment to straighten it. Source: Reply from 2OR Secretariat to a written enquiry, 3 July 2019 (An Excerpt)
TIMINGS FOR DAILY OFFERING OF MORNING AND EVENING INCENSE Question: What are the timings for daily offering of morning and evening incense? Answer: Morning incense is not to be offered past noon. Only incense offered before 10am is considered as the morning incense. Between 10am till 12 noon, it is regarded as a different time […]
PLACING OF PENDANT WITH IMAGE OF BODHISATTVA ON BUDDHIST ALTAR Question: If we wish to place our pendant with image of Bodhisattva on the Buddhist altar before going to bed, which side of the altar should we place it on? Is there any sutra/mantra that we should recite for this? Answer: Either side of the […]
‘BUDDHA’ – A NEW INDIAN DRAMA ABOUT THE STORY OF BUDDHA IN HIS LIFELONG PURSUIT OF TRUTH Question: Recently there is a new Indian drama about the story of Buddha. A few of our fellow practitioners have watched it and feel that it is a great way to know about the life of Buddha, and […]
HANDLING OF LEFTOVERS Question: At times, Buddhist friends who gathered to dine at restaurants couldn’t finish all the dishes. Would this reduce their blessings if they do not take away the leftovers? What about if one of the Buddhist friends offered to take away the leftovers, will it help him to accrue merits and virtues? […]
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF “BACKSLIDE FROM CULTIVATION?” Question: A Buddhist friend asked me what is the meaning of “backsliding from cultivation”? Am I right to say that the determining factor is your heart? If you are determined in your faith and vows towards Bodhisattvas, it is not considered as a backslide even if you […]
REPENTANCE IS THE KEY Question: If one with a higher state of mind repents frequently, even towards matters that didn’t cause any karmic debts, does this generate merits? Answer: Frequent repentance is not regarded as a meritorious act, but is helpful in eliminating karmic debts speedily, thereby making your prayers more efficacious. Many people think […]
USE THE SAME TYPE OF OIL LAMPS ON AN ALTAR Question: I have two different types of oil lamps, can I use them on the same altar at home? Answer: No, it must be of the same type. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 265), 17 November 2018
HANDLING OF CLEANING CLOTH FOR BUDDHIST ALTAR Question: Is it proper for us to continue using the cloth used for cleaning fruits to be offered on the altar if it accidentally drops on the floor? Answer: If the floor is very dirty, do not use it anymore; otherwise, you may wash it before using it […]
DO NOT USE TRANSPARENT PLASTIC PLATES ON BUDDHIST ALTAR Question: Can we lay transparent or semi-transparent plastic fruit plates on the Buddhist altar? Answer: Do not use transparent fruit plates for the Buddhist altar. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 227), 11 May 2018
AFTER WASHING UNDERGARMENTS OR SOCKS, WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE OFFERING INCENSE Question: After washing undergarments or socks, how long should we wait before we can offer incense? Answer: Generally, it’s best to wait for 15 minutes. Also, ensure your hands are clean. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 211), 1 March 2018
USING A DRY CLOTH TO CLEAN A STATUE OF A BODHISATTVA Question: Can we use wet tissue to clean a statue or portrait of a Bodhisattva? Answer: If the statue is ceramic, you may use a wet tissue. However, as some types of wet tissues contain alcohol, using them may cause paint on some statues or […]
