Time : Saturday 2pm-4.00pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LITTLE HOUSES?
On 2 October 2021, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held yet another online English Buddhism in Plain Terms Group Study. This session reiterated the importance of recitation of the Little Houses, with the sharing of an array of discourses and videos.
The participants were first awed by an inspirational opening video where Master used an apt analogy of a jar to describe our heart and reminded us to always fill it with compassion and positive energy.
In this Age of Dharma Decline, Little Houses come in handy for many people to resolve or overcome the numerous obstacles in life. However, when we are in urgent need, we have to put in more effort and time by kneeling before Bodhisattva and confiding in Her.
Spotlight was also given to the suitable time, weather conditions and environment when reciting or burning the Little Houses. The facilitator pointed out that the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance is the criterion to attain the merits from the recitation of the Little Houses. We thus have to recite the former with utmost sincerity and respect.
The most intriguing quote of the session was none other than “Fate is in our hands. We must have a strong willpower, repent sincerely and we shall overcome any obstacle that comes our way”.
The discussion session received a flurry of enthusiastic inputs, participants understood the purpose of self-reserved Little Houses and its relevant prayers.
The facilitator also emphasised that the quality of Little Houses can be affected by our own spiritual energy and that we should recite more of the Great Compassion Mantra before reciting for others.
In the upcoming session, on 9 Oct, we will be sharing ‘Everything you need to know about KARMA’.
? Let us now look at some comments from participants:
I got hit when the facilitator said she got angry when she remembered her husband doing nasty things to her but when she reminded the husband, he forgot. How silly we are to keep remembering past nonsense and keep it in our hearts. Keeping nonsense and painful memories in our heart causes bad quality Little Houses. So I must learn to just let go of the past.
?Join us in our next session
Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information
⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 9 Oct 2021 (2pm – 4pm)
Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:
Summary Slides_How much do you know about the Little House?
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
-
The efficacy of Little House
-
Things to note when reciting Little House
-
FAQ: Filling, dotting and burning of Little Houses, etc.
< To Fill Our Hearts with Compassion and Kindness >
One’s heart is like a jar. We must fill our life with compassion and kindness to its capacity. When someone is unkind to you, you must let go, otherwise you would be like a computer infected by a virus, your heart would eventually burst and break into pieces.
Only by practising compassion and tolerance, can we gain peace and happiness in this world. And by learning the great compassion and mercy of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, we can conquer ourselves.
LATEST MESSAGE FROM MASTER LU
MEDICINE BUDDHA DHARANI
Master Lu, with his compassion, has given us the following discourse:
- In the Age of Dharma Decline, it is recommended that all Buddhist friends of Guan Yin Citta include Yao Shi Guan Ding Zhen Yan in their daily recitation.
- In this Age of Dharma Decline, everyone must recite a minimum of seven times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) as part of their daily homework. (Beginners may get started with a lower number and work their way up over time.)
Medicine Buddha Dharani (Yao Shi Guan Ding Zhen Yan)
< THE EFFICACY OF THE LITTLE HOUSE >
Wenda20150612 08:15 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
THE RECITATION QUALITY OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE WILL AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LITTLE HOUSE (An Excerpt)
Master Jun Hong Lu:
The quality of the Little House is closely related to that of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO). With an impure mind, one’s recitation of LIFO will be of questionable quality.
Bear in mind that reciting Little House is a type of merit, while reciting LIFO is the criterion to attain this merit (小房子是你的一个功德，礼佛大忏悔文是功德的标准).
If you are diligent in your recitation of LIFO and your repentance is sincere, some of the Buddhas cited in the sutra are the judges who will examine if you meet this criterion.
You may have recited the Little Houses really well, but if your recitation of LIFO is of questionable quality, the judges will still concur otherwise (法官照样不同意).
Wenda20180304B 32:30 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
THE NUMBER OF LITTLE HOUSES RECITED DAILY REFLECTS THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT; HOW TO MAKE YOUR PRAYER MORE EFFICACIOUS
Caller: This morning a Buddhist friend dreamed of Master Lu saying, “The number of Little Houses recited daily reflects the different levels of achievement – one to two pieces is one level; two to three pieces is another; and so is three to five pieces. I hope that you will be sincere in your recitation and persevere, as it is my aspiration that one day all of you will become Buddhas.
Caller: Let me share with you a way to go about praying to the Bodhisattva when you have an urgent request. After offering the Little Houses and expressing your gratitude to the Bodhisattva (when the oil lamp and incense are still burning), do not stand up immediately, you should continue to kneel and turn your thoughts to the Bodhisattva.
Generally, under such circumstances, the Bodhisattva will come to you and when you seize this moment to make your prayer request, it will be very efficacious.” Master Lu, please enlighten us on this dream.
Master Jun Hong Lu: This is indeed true. It is typical of me, together with my dharma body, I go out to help all of you. After praying and completing your recitation, do not stand up immediately. Kneel down a bit longer and try to feel the presence of the Bodhisattva before you start confiding to Her.
Buddhism Your Questions Answered | Q&A 171
DEDICATED MINI BUDDHIST ALTAR FOR PERFORMING RECITATION (An Excerpt)
Question:
A Buddhist practitioner has a designated table where he sits when performing recitation of Buddhist scriptures. Master Lu, you once mentioned that it is best if he can place a small image of the Bodhisattva on this table and offer incense before he performs recitation. May I know how to go about it?
Answer:
The table designated to performing recitation needs to be tidy. If you wish to enhance the efficacy of your Little Houses, prepare a small incense burner that can be used for offering an incense. Make an incense offering, before reciting the Buddhist scriptures and you may also dot your Little Houses at this table. It will enhance the energy of Little Houses by multifold.
This is an area that the Buddhist fraternity pays particular attention to. I have been to the personal chambers of many highly virtuous monks. All of them have a mini Buddhist altar in their room where they place their scripture booklet, a small incense burner and a statue of Bodhisattva. In our practice, we worship Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Q&A 171. Dedicated mini Buddhist altar for performing recitation
Wenda20151225 17:00 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
IT IS BEST NOT TO EXPEND OUR MERITS IN ORDER TO SEND FOREIGN SPIRITS AWAY
Caller: Hi Master, you have mentioned in one of the radio programs that merits can be used to eliminate foreign spirits
(消掉灵性). In this regard, can we transfer merits accrued from volunteering at dharma conventions to our karmic creditors?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is not advisable to do so at all. By doing so, you will diminish your merits which in turn will significantly harm your vital energy (人的元气会伤掉很多).
Merits are something of great value and hence it’s best to reserve them for your loved ones. Alternatively, you can even put them to great use when beset by ill health. It is really not worthwhile to use your merits to send foreign spirits away; instead, you should offer them Little Houses.
That said, for certain foreign spirits, who are adamant of not leaving your body, the moment they say, “I’m not interested in your Little Houses because I’m here to claim your life”, this is when you may transfer merits to them, and they will gradually leave you.
Caller: I see. What happens if we transfer our merits accrued from volunteering work to a deceased person?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is alright to transfer merits to the deceased, as this will help them ascend to higher spiritual realm.
Wenda20200322 07:14 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RECITING THE HEART SUTRA AFTER OFFERING LITTLE HOUSES TO THE DECEASED
Caller: Hello, Master. A few days ago, Master said that we can recite one time of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) or three times of the Heart Sutra for the deceased, after offering Little Houses to them.
In that case, assuming that we are offering 21 Little Houses to the deceased, should we recite the said Buddhist scriptures soon after burning each of the Little Houses, or after burning the entire batch of 21 Little Houses?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Either way works.
Caller: When we recite the Heart Sutra for the deceased, do we pray for them to gain wisdom? What should our prayer request be?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Why are you praying for wisdom? Who told him to recite the Heart Sutra for the deceased?
Caller: He said that he heard it from one of Master’s recent discourses.
Master Jun Hong Lu: The recitation of the Heart Sutra signifies the wish for perfection (圆满) of an undertaking that you have accomplished. The recitation should come at the end in order to help you eliminate calamities. It is not meant for the deceased.
Wenda20161021 01:07:24 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
DREAMT OF THE UNDERWORLD KEEPING A BOOK OF MERITS THAT RECORDS AND SCORES LITTLE HOUSES OFFERED. GOOD QUALITY RECITATIONS WILL SCORE HIGHLY
Caller: Master, a Buddhist practitioner dreamt of descending to the Underworld, where he noticed a Book of Merits (功德簿) that records the quality of Little Houses recited by us. In the dream, he was told that an ordinary person’s Little Houses would only garner a 50% score, whereas those recited by him scored 1,000%. Master Lu, why is he able to obtain such a high score?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is very simple. Let me ask you, do you think it is possible for a person to consistently recite Little Houses that are of the same quality?
Caller: That’s not possible.
Master Jun Hong Lu: The Underworld does have a book that records Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door’s Little Houses; otherwise it would be chaotic as many people do not recite properly.
Let me pose you a question and you will understand: If Master and you each were to recite one time of the Great Compassion Mantra, do you think there will be any difference?
Caller: Oh dear! The difference will be poles apart.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Alright, a difference of 1,000 times or 10,000 times?
Caller: He must be really powerful to score 1,000%.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Now you know, he can recite very well.
Caller: Master, he also dreamt that his Little Houses were as large as a table. In the dream, Master showcased his Little House to many people. Master said his Little House was very well dotted.
Master, does dotting even have any impact on the quality of Little Houses? Does it mean that both dotting and recitation have a significant impact on the quality of Little Houses?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The quality has nothing to do with how the Little Houses are being dotted. It all boils down to the quality of his recitation. Every dot represents one time of recitation and the high score goes to show that his recitation is superb.
Caller: Master, this person suffers from kidney problems and he made the vow to offer 5,000 Little Houses solely to address this specific health issue. After offering an approximate 500 Little Houses, his health issue has improved significantly. It is that efficacious.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes! It is very efficacious, very good.
Caller: He is amazing as he can recite seven Little Houses a day.
Master Jun Hong Lu: I can tell you that his capability is not solely from this life but has to do with his past lives.
Caller: Do you mean he has a strong foundation (根基) in Buddhism practice?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s for sure!
< Things to Note When Reciting Little Houses >
SAYING PRAYERS BEFORE RECITING LITTLE HOUSES
Question:
Master Lu, what should we say before we recite Little Houses? How do we pray to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for their blessings and protection before the recitation?
Answer:
Before reciting Little Houses, you can say the following prayer: “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva help me, <your full name>, to give these Little Houses to <name of the recipient> (The recipient can be your karmic creditor, a deceased relative or friend, an aborted or miscarried child, or a karmic creditor of your house).
Keep your prayer short and simple; it is fine even if you do not say anything at all. Because as soon as our thoughts arise, they will be precisely recorded in the spirit world.
At first, you may write down the prayer, and read it each time before you recite Little Houses. Eventually, you will be able to memorise it.
Some foreign spirits, usually in the Underworld or in the Asura realm (阿修罗道), tend to transform the sutras and mantras they receive into money or energy and spend it all, rather than going to a higher spiritual realm.
If you have recited a large number of Little Houses but the spirits have not ascended to a higher spiritual realm, it is best to pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva so that the spirits can transform the sutras and mantras into energy and ascend to a higher spiritual realm.
Buddhism Your Questions Answered | Q&A 57
RECITING AND BURNING LITTLE HOUSES AT NIGHT AND DURING BAD WEATHER
Question: Master Lu, many of us have the following question: We are not sure if we can recite or burn Little Houses at night, or on cloudy/rainy days?
Answer:
First of all, the recitation of the Heart Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra can easily attract foreign spirits, who may ‘steal’ the recited Buddhist scriptures. It is best to recite the Heart Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra during the daytime and on fine, sunny days.
However, this does not apply to the Great Compassion Mantra or the Qi Fo Mie Zui Zhen Yan. You can recite them day or night, on sunny, cloudy or rainy days.
If the weather is pleasant at night, you can recite the Heart Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra till 10pm.
During the daytime, even if it’s cloudy or rainy, you can recite the Heart Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra. However, it is best to avoid reciting them during extreme weather conditions, such as extremely cloudy weather, heavy rain, lightning, thunderstorms, etc.
During harsh weather conditions, with roaring thunder, you can only recite the Great Compassion Mantra.
In addition, if you feel physically weak, and you experience discomfort after reciting the Heart Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra at night and on cloudy or rainy days, it is best for you to stop doing so.
The best times for burning Little Houses are 6am, 8am and 10am in the morning, and 4pm in the afternoon. Any other times during the day would also be alright as long as the weather is fine.
In special circumstances where you cannot avoid burning Little Houses on a cloudy or rainy day, e.g. if a karmic creditor urgently requires you to offer Little Houses or you (or the person you are reciting for) are suffering from a severe illness, etc., it is best to burn the Little Houses at noon when Yang energy is at its peak.
It is best to avoid burning Little Houses at night.
Q&A 57. Reciting and burning Little Houses at night and during bad weather
Buddhism Your Questions Answered | Q&A 125
PERFORMING RECITATIONS AT HOSPITALS
Question: Dear Master Lu, I am taking care of a family member who is currently in hospital. I heard that it is not recommended to perform recitations at hospitals. In that case, what is your advice on performing our own daily recitations, the patient’s daily recitations, and the recitation of Little Houses? Does this mean that hospital staff should not perform recitations at work?
Answer:
For patients, it is best to ceaselessly recite the Great Compassion Mantra. Since the patients are physically weak, they should only recite the Great Compassion Mantra and avoid reciting the Heart Sutra or the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra. If they have to recite Little Houses in hospital as they need them and no one can help recite on their behalf, only do so during the daytime.
If you are a caregiver or a hospital staff member, you can perform your daily recitation as well as the recitation of Little Houses. However, it is best to avoid reciting the Heart Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra. If you must recite them, do so only in fine weather during the daytime. In addition, you should perform more recitations of the Great Compassion Mantra to protect yourself. You should also recite more Little Houses for your own karmic creditors.
If you are a caregiver or a hospital staff member, you can perform your daily recitation as well as the recitation of Little Houses. However, it is best to avoid reciting the Heart Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra. If you must recite them, do so only in fine weather during the daytime. In addition, you should perform more recitations of the Great Compassion Mantra to protect yourself. You should also recite more Little Houses for your own karmic creditors.
The Yin energy in hospitals is relatively strong, and the energy field is complex. Therefore, whether you are a hospital staff member, a patient or a caregiver, you should recite more of the Great Compassion Mantra, and diligently recite Little Houses.
Generally, avoid reciting Little Houses in the hospital. If it is not possible for you to leave the hospital and you can only recite and dot the Little Houses in the hospital, you must ensure that you fill in the “Offer to” field on the right-hand side of the Little House before commencing your recitations. Recite Little Houses only during the daytime.
If you are a caregiver of a patient in the hospital, you can fill in the “Offer to” field on the right-hand side of the Little House at home first. While in the hospital, keep track of the recitations of the sutra/mantra that you have completed during the day.
Dot on the Little Houses when you get home.
Reciting Little Houses for Others
HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE HAVE THE POWER TO RECITE LITTLE HOUSES FOR OTHERS?
Question: Dear Master Lu, how do we determine if we have enough spiritual power to recite Little Houses for others?
Answer:
Helping and saving people is a good deed. However, if you do not have the capability, then you may even be dragged into the quagmire (连自己都会被拖下水). You should only help others if you have the ability and adequate amount of spiritual power.
A person who has enough spiritual power to recite Little Houses for others generally has the following characteristics:
- Does not have frequent nightmares;
- Does not feel fatigued or low in energy;
- Has a relatively smooth career and a good life; and
- Has good health and physical appearance, and is full of energy.
Conversely, if you frequently fall ill, suffer from nightmares, experience misfortune, have too much Yin energy, or always feel cold, then it would be best for you to recite Little Houses for yourself first before helping others.
If you are obliged to help others recite Little Houses, you must first complete more recitations of the Great Compassion Mantra for yourself.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse | Question 74 | 16 November 2015
TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT ENERGY, SUFFICIENT LITTLE HOUSES MUST BE SET ASIDE FOR ONE’S KARMIC CREDITORS WHEN HELPING OTHERS RECITE (An Excerpt)
Question: A Buddhist friend started practising Guan Yin Citta sometime end of June this year and she has since recited more than 600 Little Houses, of which only 10 of them were for her own karmic creditors. Just recently, her family found out that she was diagnosed with last stage breast cancer.
Answer: This is a telltale sign of shouldering the karmic obstacles of others. Her spiritual energy is simply lacking because she has recited too few Little Houses for herself.
Where is she going to find the energy to shoulder the karmic obstacles of others? To guarantee that your quest to help your loved ones does not go awry, you should recite a bit more for yourself, by setting aside 70% of the Little Houses for yourself with the remaining 30% for your loved ones.
This 70% is meant to shield yourself from your own karmic obstacles, of which 20% can offset new karma, while the remaining 50% assures that you have the capacity to help others.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Hong Kong, China | 21 June 2015
RECITING SELF-RESERVED LITTLE HOUSES FOR MASTER (An Excerpt)
Question: Hi Master, whenever we hear your husky and weary voice being transmitted through the radio programs, we will be overcome by emotions and can’t help but feel the pain and tear up.
In the past, we had always thought that with the blessings of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Master did not need to offer any Little Houses. It’s only now that we know you have shouldered the karmic obstacles of sentient beings, resulting in the foreign spirits looking for you.
Not only do you need to offer Little Houses, you have to practically burn tens or even up to hundreds of Little Houses on a daily basis.
During the recent dharma convention, out of goodwill, some Buddhist practitioners were resolved to voluntarily recite in excess of 14,000 self-reserved Little Houses for Master.
We have the following questions for Master:
First, what are things that we should take note of when we aspire to reciting self-reserved Little Houses for Master?
Second, does such an act help eliminate our karmic obstacles and accumulate good fortune, or engender merits?
Third, by doing so, will the reciters receive the blessings from the Bodhisattva and Master?
We would appreciate Master’s guidance.
Answer: First and foremost, the Principle of Heaven (天理) works in such a way that when you help others, you are in reality helping yourself. When a mother helps her child, doesn’t she in a way also help herself? Likewise, when you perform recitation for Master, wouldn’t you be rewarded with merits?
Similarly, if you help Master, wouldn’t Master shower you with blessings? Not only do I bestow you with blessings, I will also shower blessings on everyone in this world. You may be helping Master as an individual, but don’t you think you are also helping all sentient beings with predestined affinity with Buddhism at the same time? The reason is simple: Master is helping all sentient beings with predestined affinity.
With regards to reciting self-reserved Little Houses for Master, this is what I think: Please accord with conditions in whatever you do (一切随缘). I’d urge all of you to firstly be true to your cultivation (先把自己修好). As and when you have time or energy to spare, you can occasionally recite one Little House for Master every one to two months.
This is not a big issue and in fact, it does not matter even if you don’t do so. Most importantly, I hope to see that all of you are doing fine because when things are working out well for you, the Little Houses you recite for Master will be of good quality.
Conversely, if life is not running smoothly for you, it will not do you any good even if you recite Little Houses for Master. I will feel sad if I accept your Little Houses.
Totem Reading – Early Retribution To A Capable Lady
Fate is in our hands – through making great vows and praying sincerely to Bodhisattva, nothing is impossible.
One must have a strong willpower and repent sincerely.
The one person Bodhisattva is unable to save is the one who deprives himself of the chance to be saved.
< FAQ: Filling & Dotting of Little Houses >
Wenda20161230 01:08:13 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
WHILE DOTTING LITTLE HOUSES, WE CAN PERFORM RECITATION FOR THE NEXT LITTLE HOUSE PROVIDED IT IS MEANT FOR THE SAME KARMIC CREDITOR OR FOR SELF-RESERVATION PURPOSES
Caller: Master Lu, please verify a message from a WeChat group: a Buddhist practitioner rang up 2OR Secretariat and was told that in the process of dotting a Little House, we may proceed with the recitation of the next Little House, as long as it is meant for the same merit receiver.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Caller: We can’t do that if they are for different merit receivers?
Master Jun Hong Lu: No, the Secretariat has answered correctly.
Caller: Thank you, Master Lu. Attention to all Buddhist practitioners, when recording red dots after reciting Little Houses, do not recite sutras or mantras of Little House meant for different merit receivers. Doing so will result in the energy being channelled onto the Little House that you are dotting.
Caller: Hence, the next Little House would have insufficient energy. However, if the karmic creditors are the same, then you may do so. Is that correct, Master Lu?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Caller: Master Lu, if we are dotting the Little House for self-reservation purposes (自存小房子), it is alright to recite the next piece while dotting, right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right.
Wenda20171022B 41:51 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
SEQUENCE TO OBSERVE WHEN OFFERING DIFFERENT TYPES OF LITTLE HOUSES
(An Excerpt)
Caller: Is there a sequence to observe if we are to offer Little Houses to the karmic creditors of our family members, the deceased and our own karmic creditors?
Master Jun Hong Lu: I think it’s best for you to first offer the Little Houses to your karmic creditors, followed by those for the deceased. If you do it the other way round, where you ‘invite’ foreign spirits over first, it will not be so appropriate.
Bodhisattva and Dharma Protectors will be delighted when you offer the Little Houses to your karmic creditors, because as a Buddhist practitioner, your energy field will be more positive. As such, you will be blessed by Bodhisattva and Dharma Protectors the moment you offer Little Houses to your karmic creditors.
Conversely, if it is the foreign spirits who get ‘invited’ over first, Dharma Protectors will immediately retreat by 300 metres.
Even though Bodhisattva will be sympathetic towards these foreign spirits, there is a difference between dharma joy, sympathy and compassion, after all.
RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE IN OFFERING DIFFERENT TYPES OF LITTLE HOUSES
Reply from 2OR Secretariat to a written enquiry | 3 January 2020
RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE IN OFFERING DIFFERENT TYPES OF LITTLE HOUSES (An Excerpt)
1. Little Houses for:
| one’s karmic creditors (自己的要经者) |
resolve one’s karmic conflicts |
 |
 |
(Both can be offered in any sequence)
2. Little Houses for:
| the Deceased (亡人) |
miscarried/aborted children (流产、打胎的孩子) |
spirits occupying one’s property (房子的要经者) |
 |
 |
 |
(All three can be offered in any sequence)
3. Little Houses for:
|
Little Houses for others’ karmic creditors |
Little Houses to resolve others’ karmic conflicts |
 |
 |
(Both can be offered in any sequence)
Wenda20200327 28:07 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
THE SEQUENCE FOR RECITING THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE AND OFFERING OF LITTLE HOUSES
Caller: During some special days, we will recite more of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) and pair them with a certain number of Little Houses. What is the order of succession in terms of reciting LIFO and offering of Little Houses?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Generally, it depends on a case by case basis. For instance, if you are still unable to help a deceased ascend to the upper realm after some time, you should recite LIFO first.
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you are not sure whether a deceased has ascended to a higher realm or not, and you are reciting LIFO for him, then you should recite LIFO prior to offering the Little House. Spirits will usually leave as soon as they receive the Little Houses. In the event that they don’t, you will face a lot of troubles.
Caller: What if it is meant for our own karmic creditors?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The same rule applies for your own karmic creditors, try to complete recitation of LIFO beforehand. If you are not able to do so, recite at least three times of LIFO before offering the Little House. This way is much better.
Caller: I see. On days that we can recite LIFO up to 49, 13 or 21 times and so on, should we complete the recitation of LIFO prior to offering the Little House?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, that should be the way. Just like how it is in this world that we live in. You need to extend greetings to others first. In this case, you are saying, ‘Sorry, my apologies’ to Bodhisattvas or sentient beings before you present them with a gift (Little House). This gesture will make others more receptive to what you are offering.
Caller: That’s right. Thank you, Master.
Buddhism Your Questions Answered | Q&A 171
DEDICATED MINI BUDDHIST ALTAR FOR PERFORMING RECITATION (An Excerpt)
If you are offering Little Houses, you should follow the standard procedure, which is to prostrate and pray at the formal Buddhist altar.
If you do not have a formal altar at home, you may offer incense at the mini Buddhist altar first, and then follow the standard procedure of “Burning Little Houses without a Buddhist Altar”, that is, offering the “Heart Incense”.
Buddhism Your Questions Answered | Q&A 172
MAKING A VOW TO RECITE 100,000 TIMES OF A BUDDHIST SCRIPTURE (An Excerpt)
When you make a vow to recite a particular Buddhist scripture 100,000 times, it is best not to count these recitations as part of the daily recitation, Self-Cultivation Record Forms, or Little Houses. It is recommended that you make a separate vow and count the number of recitations separately.
For example, if you have made a vow to recite a particular short mantra 100,000 times, e.g. the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots to resolve karmic conflicts with your spouse and you have been making this prayer in your daily recitation, then you may combine your daily recitation with the vow to recite 100,000 times of the said mantra. If the prayer for their daily recitation differs from that of the vow, the recitations should be performed separately.
Perseverance is the key to happiness
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Penang, Malaysia | 16 April 2017
Life is just like noodles. It must go through the making process step by step, despite your reluctance. Only then your efforts may be rewarded. The process may be a bit painful, but these pains are only temporary illusions.
Therefore, in order to gain happiness, one must overcome their sufferings. As long as you persevere, you will achieve your desired happiness, ultimately.
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享