QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RECITATION OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE ON THE EVE AND FIRST DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR
Caller: How many times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) can we recite on the eve and first day of Lunar New Year?
Master Jun Hong Lu: 87 times.
Caller: Is it right to say that we can recite 87 times daily for these two days?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That works too*. The more LIFO you recite during these two days, through the blessings of Bodhisattvas, you are able to eliminate a hefty amount of your karmic obstacles. The wise will continuously recite LIFO at the Practice Centre or before their Buddhist altar at home. This is what the wise will do. With so many Bodhisattvas around, you should take the opportunity to confide your wrongdoings to Them.
This is very much like in cases where in the presence of many superiors, when you say, “It was my mistake”, you are likely to be pardoned. Otherwise, you will have to face the consequences. It’s a pity that many ignorant people do not know about this.
Of all days in a year, you should go on leave during Chinese New Year. Echoing this is the Chinese saying, “Morning sets the tone for the rest of the day, while spring sets the tone for the rest of the year”. This goes to show the significance of this festival.
Instead of going on leave, if you choose to work on Chinese New Year’s Eve, you are bound to work for the rest of your life. For overseas Chinese like us, we will go on leave on this day. All of us know it’s the Chinese New Year.
There is an ancient saying, “For whatever you do on the first day of Chinese New Year, so shall you do for the rest of the year”. Hence, if you work on the first day of Chinese New Year, you will be working throughout the year.
Caller: Can we offer the First Incense on Chinese New Year’s Eve?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, you should offer the First Incense and take advantage of this period to perform more recitation. This applies to LIFO, the Great Compassion Mantra and the Heart Sutra. You should recite them because you will complete your recitation in a flash.
The more LIFO you recite, the faster your recitation gets. You may think that it is difficult to recite LIFO given its length. Let me tell you this, the more you recite, the more at ease you will feel. You must understand that it is very much like unloading goods, you are eliminating all your karmic obstacles. Separately, you must remember to recite Dharani to Purify Karma from Speech more often.
Caller: I will do so.
[* Based on the latest discourses of Master Lu, we can recite up to a total of 87 times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance on the eve and first day of Chinese New Year.]
Source: Wenda20140126B 22:41, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program