INCREASE THE RECITATION OF THE XIAO ZAI JI XIANG SHEN ZHOU DURING THE FIRST LUNAR MONTH
Caller: How are you Master Lu? You mentioned that one should recite 49 times of the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou daily in the first month of the lunar calendar. I’d like to ask whether this recitation can be counted as part of one’s daily homework or should it be considered as an add-on?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me repeat what I have said several years ago: Increasing the number of recitations of the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou in the first lunar month will ensure a safe and peaceful year ahead.
Like I said before, “Spring sets the tone for the rest of the year” and “Morning sets the tone for the rest of the day”. Similarly, there is a belief that a peaceful first day of Chinese New Year augurs well for the rest of the year. As such, one who recites the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou in the first lunar month will have an auspicious and calamity-free year ahead.
Caller: Does it mean that we should increase the recitation of this mantra over and above our daily fixed recitation amount of 49 times, for example. That means, during the first lunar month we may recite up to 78 times?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You may increase it to 80 odd times. In any case, 78 times are fine too.
Caller: What about 108 times?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That works as well.
Source: Wenda20140112A 30:18, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program