Time : Saturday 2pm-4pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : Knowing When Not To Act, You Can Live Your True Self
On 18 July 2020, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held yet another online Buddhism in Plain Terms (BIPT) Group Study (in English). The session centred around understanding our mind and letting nature take its course.
Buddhist friends learnt more about the Four Boundless States of Mind through multiple modes of learning such as verbal explanations, insightful cross-references, mental exercises, as well as prompts and questions that allow for all to unravel the topic before a practice in applying theory into reality.
Indeed, as shown by invigorating exchanges between both speakers and participants, the spirit of the group study as a platform for collective and open learning shone through. From the session, participants also debunked the common misconception between according to conditions and being resigned to fate. Hence, the session provided Buddhist practitioners with the meaningful reminder to always understand and regulate one’s state of mind, especially when faced with clinging attachments. As Master Lu said, everything happens for a reason. A truly wise person is one who can look beyond and let go.
Let us now look at some comments from participants:
“The sharing was conducted analytically with some good examples. The case studies were relatable and brought a new practical dimension to theory. The teachings were related to various Q&A sessions of Master Lu, greatly enhancing one’s understanding of the teachings. Deeply appreciate this session!”
“I learnt more about the Four Boundless States. I have heard of this concept many times, but to put it in practice is not easy. Therefore, I was inspired and reminded that I have to cultivate Buddhism progressively with Master Lu’s teachings and Buddhist friends in this sharing session. Thank you!”
? Join us in our next session
Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information
⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 25 July 2020
2-4 pm
Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:
BHFF_Summary_Episode 4 (Part2)_180720
Buddhism in Plain Terms – Episode 4 (Part 2)
Topic 1: “UNDERSTANDING OUR MIND”
Your state of mind determines your speech and behaviour meaning that the thoughts on your mind will decide your words and conduct. The words that you utter must have been conceived in your mind and things that you do must have been premeditated. Only when you have conceived of the idea will you manifest it through your words and behaviour. Thus, the kind of life that you wish to have in the future depends on the arising of your thoughts.
If your thoughts are wholesome your life will take a turn for the better and out of danger. If your thoughts are full of hatred, ignorance jealousy or worries, then your mentality in future will direct your speech and actions making you more foolish and worrisome, so, it is pitiful that many people live a life full of worries. It’s all because they conceive of unwholesome thoughts that result in obstacles to whatever they do in future and insolent speech.
We must live our lives detached from the notion of self. In other words, you must live your life detached from your ego. Don’t always harp on about “I” – “This is mine and that is mine, I’m in agony and I’m troubled, why should I be suffering and so on”. If you can be detached from the notion of self, you will naturally not contend with others. What is there to compare with if there is no “self”? You won’t mind what people may say about you when you are no longer attached to the form of self.
There are people who are too sensitive, “Why? Why must they say this in front of me? Aren’t they talking about me intentionally?” If you are attached to “self”, you would care what people say about you. In fact, they were not talking about you, but you took it personally, ”If you aren’t talking about me, who else?” This shows you are unable to detach yourself from the form of “self”.
If you can detach yourself from “self”, you will slowly become optimistic and open-minded. Your life will then become simpler. Let me ask you, is a young child innocent and pure? They do not have the notion of self, everything doesn’t matter to them, so they are always at ease.
Just think about it – to each and every one of us, every night may be a test in our life. Each night could spell death for us. Each dawn ushers in a new lease on life, hence, in those days when people woke up in the morning, the first thing they would say was “Thank you Bodhisattva, I’m still alive. Thank you Bodhisattva for your compassion.”
Do not be emotionally affected by the joys and sorrows in life which bring about inner conflicts. Thus, we must truly understand that the best reward in life is to be able to let go of afflictions and be free of suffering. Don’t let yourself be bound by desires.
Topic 2: “LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE”
People who live for themselves will be particular about petty gains every day, that is why we say not to keep a record of petty accounts. How many petty accounts can we have throughout our life? What a hassle to keep a record of this and that. We must learn to let go, and resist temptations. Those who can resist temptations will be rewarded with new opportunities. If you give in to temptations，you will find yourself burdened with a heavy load which drags at your feet. It’s all because you refuse to let go of it – you carry it on your back. As time goes by, you will have difficulty walking.
Here is our motto in life: “When times are good, the mind is not blank; When times are bad, our mind is unperturbed; Have no fears in performing important tasks; Do not take unimportant tasks lightly”. Let me explain these lines: When times are good and there is no trouble, we must still perform chanting and always have sentient beings at heart. Then you won’t feel demoralised, dispirited and meaningless.
If there is trouble, our mind should remain unperturbed. No matter what trouble you face, your mind must not be disturbed. Tackle the problems one by one, solve them one by one. Have no fears in dealing with a major task. When we tackle a major task, we must not have fears or be afraid because we have to do it, be it big or small. We are able to do a major task well, but we must not take a minor task lightly. We need to do it well, too. This is what I mean not to take minor tasks lightly.
For people who can think everything through, they view partings or reunions, joys and sorrows in life as the creation of our mind. Your sadness is created by your mind. Your bitterness is created by your mind. Your happiness is also created by your mind, so is the agitating sensation that you feel, joys and sorrows are all created by your mind. So, you must have a good mentality. There is no trouble too difficult to overcome. You have come a long way in life. In this world of mortals, it is fine as long as your actions are based on kindness.
There is something to be done, something not to be done. You have done something, but it seems as though you have not done it; You have done it, so be it. You have not done it, so be it. You’ve done it but it seems as though you haven’t done it, you haven’t done it, but it seems as though you have done it. When there is no affliction on your mind, your mind will be calm and tranquil, like a lotus in full bloom, natural and composed, it neither blooms for anyone nor withers for anyone. Thus, Buddhist practitioners who don’t take things to heart will let nature take its course.
What should belong to you will be yours, what shouldn’t belong to you will not be yours, what you should possess is yours, what you shouldn’t possess will bring calamities to you.
There is not only a single path in life. Many people are in despair because they have come to the dead end of a road and they think they have no other road to take, so they choose to end their lives. Buddhist practitioners must distance themselves from grief and pain. Grief and pain are a form of test to us, sometimes they will be over in no time, sometimes they will last for some time, but everything will be over eventually.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s related discourses (cross references):
<UNDERSTANDING OUR MIND>
Words of Wisdom from Buddhist Master Jun Hong Lu (Volume 3)
Good karma stems from doing good;
Loneliness stems from selfishness;
Suspicion stems from fear and fear stems from hatred.
Thus, only when we cultivate a calm and peaceful state of mind can we turn our mortal heart into a Buddha’s heart.
Zongshu20170624 31:27
NEGATIVE KARMA IS A BY-PRODUCT OF UNWHOLESOME THOUGHTS.
ACQUIRE EMPTINESS OF MIND AS TAUGHT IN BUDDHISM OR LEARN TO ONLY GENERATE KIND THOUGHTS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Please remember that unwholesome thoughts led to the creation of negative karma. It is our thoughts that led to the chained reactions in our body, actions, and speeches. Therefore, it is imperative to learn empty mindedness in Buddhist cultivation. Without any thoughts in mind, you will not create any karma.
If you have thoughts surfacing in your mind, they have to be wholesome. There are some people with unwholesome thoughts, thus, created negative karma for themselves.
To create karma is to plant a cause. Why do you think a person has such heavy negative karma? It is because he keeps creating it incessantly.
Wenda20131011 52:35
NEGATIVE ENERGY FIELD WILL EXPEND OUR ENERGY OR MERITS?
Caller: How would negative energy field affect a person? Will it expend his energy or merits?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Depending on which aspect of negativity is in question, negative energy field will expend both the energy and merits of a person. For example, if you scold your elderly, your merits will be expended, whereas having unwholesome thoughts will expend your positive energy.
Caller: I understand now.
The Consequences of Having Unwholesome Thoughts
- Leads to the creation of negative karma
- Narrows our perspectives
- loneliness, suspicion, fear, etc
- Provokes hostility
- Invites enemies
- Obstructs our advancement
- Expends positive energy and merits
- Etc
< How to deal with our unwholesome thoughts? >
The four great aspirations (四大愿力) refer to:
The Four Boundless States of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.
< The Four Boundless States 四无量心>
Buddhism in Plain Terms Vol. 3 Chapter 5 (an excerpt)
TRANSFORMATION TO DHARMA BLISS; TRIUMPH AGAINST DESIRES
In Buddhism, loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity are known as the Four Boundless States (四无量心). To constantly think about the suffering of others is known as loving-kindness(慈). Compassion(悲) is to feel the suffering of others. To give others strength and help others with a joyful heart is known as empathetic joy(喜). Equanimity(舍) is to dedicate your time, wealth or even your life to helping others. When you see Master giving it my all to read people’s Totem, propagate the dharma and spiritually awakening others, am I not desperately dedicating my life to helping others?
Many people mentioned how Master has aged so much in recent years, don’t you call this ‘equanimity’ (舍) of the Four Boundless States? By forgoing monetary gain and not promoting for sponsorship, Master is instead spending all of my time to save others, even at the cost of my life. That’s the essence of the Four Boundless States. When you attain the Four Boundless States, you can reach a very high level in heaven, which is the Buddha realm. Therefore, we must persevere with our cultivation of the Four Boundless States.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Episode 14) by Master Jun Hong Lu (an excerpt)
CONTROL YOUR AFFLICTIONS TO CULTIVATE PRAJNA WISDOM
We always think that mind cultivation is difficult. In fact, it can be very simple too, that is, by practising the Four Boundless States of loving-kindness, compassionate, empathetic joy and equanimity. You have to control yourself well with the Four Boundless States. You have to be kind and compassionate towards all sentient beings. You should have a heart of joy, always put on a smiling face when you see anyone, and be happy to do anything.
Equanimity(舍) is the practice of giving. Be it the Giving of Wealth, Giving of Dharma or Giving of Fearlessness, you should help others as long as you can. Then, aren’t you doing what Bodhisattvas would do? Don’t you have the Four Boundless States by doing so? Many people say, “I can’t be a Bodhisattva, I can’t be a Buddha, because I’m too selfish.” No, you are not selfish, you are just afraid to overcome your self-centred desires; if you can overcome these, you will be able to attain the boundless states.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Episode 14) by Master Jun Hong Lu (an excerpt)
CONTROL YOUR AFFLICTIONS TO CULTIVATE PRAJNA WISDOM
Even cancer cells will be intimidated by someone who has a heart of joy. Do you think these bad cancer cells will be afraid when they see Bodhisattvas? This is for sure. On one hand, the cancer cells will be frightened when one’s mind is as strong as Vajra Bodhisattva (金刚菩萨). On the other hand, they will also be terrified of Maitreya Bodhisattva(弥勒菩萨) and will run around everywhere when Maitreya Bodhisattva laughs. Therefore, a person who is filled with Dharma Joy can also save others. A lot of people, once their spirits are lifted, will change their mindset and no longer immerse in sadness or sorrow.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Vol. 10 Chapter 16 (an excerpt)
GIVING IS WISDOM AND RECEIVING IS THE RESULT OF KARMA
Today I would like to tell everyone that, the word ‘equanimity’(舍) from the Four Boundless States (四无量心) of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity is very important for Buddhist practitioners. While it is easier to practise loving-kindness, to be compassionate and to help others with a joyful heart, it is more difficult to practise equanimity. This is because everyone is selfish and tends to expect gains without the willingness to give. So we should counter our greed with the act of giving.
If you are still desperately thinking about how to receive more, then you should give more. If you are a person who is not willing to help others, then you should devote your time to help others. If you are a person who is reluctant to spend, then you should spend more on performing life liberation. Many people are not even willing to perform life liberation as they feel that it is a waste of money. Thus it is very difficult for such people to practise the act of giving.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Vol. 4 Chapter 36 (an excerpt)
BUDDHA-DHARMA IS TO LIBERATE SUFFERING IN THE HUMAN REALM
In learning Buddhism, we should treat people with a sense of equanimity (平等心). What is equanimity? It is to see everyone as equal and do things fairly. Equanimity is equivalent to the Four Boundless States of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity (平等心就是四无量心). Equanimity is a sense of non-attachment, where there is nothing to compare, nothing that can make me angry or jealous, and nothing that I cannot let go of.
Shuohua20160429 25:20<
COUNTER PETTINESS BY HAVING MORE COMPASSION AND FIND JOY IN GIVING
Caller: If a person is petty, how do we counter the fundamental of this temperament? In the recent Public Talk on Buddhism, Master Lu said that I’m very petty. You also mentioned that a person with small eyes, generally has a petty disposition.
Master Jun Hong Lu: While you perform recitation of the Heart Sutra, you must also understand the importance of compassion and the joy in giving. Once you have gained more compassion, you will be more generous. Those who are generous are those who are magnanimous. Your finding of joy in giving relies on the compassion you have. Being able to find joy in giving is a matter of state of mind. On the contrary, if you are asked to give but you do not find any joy in doing so, there is nothing I can do to help. Do you understand?
Caller: Yes.
Words of Wisdom from Buddhist Master Jun Hong Lu (Volume 1)
A Buddhist practitioner should first learn to forgive.
Forgiveness brings about miracles, helping save broken relationships.
Forgiveness helps us understand others like a lamp that illuminates our hearts, enabling us to let go of resentment, vengeance, and jealousy.
Forgiveness is the path to a healthy state of mind.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Vol. 1 Chapter 5 (an excerpt)
MEANING OF LIFE FROM DHARMA PERSPECTIVE
To transcend an ordinary person into a sage is to transform ourselves into sages. An ordinary person will have endless worries and insatiable desires. It is a well-known fact that Confucius from China, is a sage who taught Chinese Culture. The main characteristic of a sage is his forgiving nature.
In fact, forgiving others is the beginning of developing compassion. How could you be compassionate if you are unable to forgive others? If you are unforgiving towards others, you will eventually develop hatred for them. As a result, cultivating a compassionate heart will be impossible since hatred and compassion do not co-exist.
Wenda20160501A 13:54
HOW TO ELIMINATE THE UNHEALTHY MENTALITY OF BEING SAD WHEN SEEING OTHERS SUCCEED?
Caller: Master Lu has mentioned multiple times that nowadays people have a bad mentality: they feel sad when seeing others doing better than them. Equally, when seeing those who are worse than them, they feel happy. How can one eradicate this kind of unhealthy mentality?
Master Lu: Be compassionate. When you see others succeed, you can feel that it was not easy for them to have achieved it. It is not easy for anyone to attain any sort of fame, status, or wealth. Be happy for others and have Dharma joy (法喜、随喜人家). This is a particularly high level of spiritual cultivation.
For example, when a mother gives birth to a son, many people would envy her and say ‘Oh, your family got a son.’ Why can’t their family give birth to a son? Those who can’t give birth to a son would then be jealous. Should we be jealous? The mother also had to endure pregnancy for ten months. She might even have vomited severely during her second and third months of pregnancy, right? This is how it works.
< What are the Benefits of Cultivating the Four Boundless States? >
Buddhism in Plain Terms Vol. 11 Chapter 11 (an excerpt)
COMPREHENDING THE SIX PERFECTIONS BY PRACTISING THE FOUR BOUNDLESS STATES
What will you gain if you practise the Four Boundless States to benefit boundless sentient beings? If you always cultivate the Four Boundless States of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity, it will lead you to boundless blessings (会引来无量的福分). This is what you like best. A lot of people say, “I want to have blessings. Why do others have blessings but me?” How did people derive their good fortune?”
They cultivate the Four Boundless States of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity. Have you practised the act of giving? Are you happy for the happiness of others? Do you feel sad when others are sad? How can you have blessings when you always mock others and hope that others will be unlucky? In fact, boundless states is equivalent to immense magnanimity (心量大得不得了).
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Sydney, Australia
26 January 2019 THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATING COMPASSION
Master Jun Hong Lu: Compassion can increase one’s longevity and nurture one’s positive energy. When we witness the compassion of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, we learn that one should always aim to be free from the notion of self — never to be overly selfish but instead, to be ever willing to sacrifice ourselves in the service of others. Only then can we advance from a superficial understanding of Buddhist teachings towards grasping the true essence of Buddha wisdom (般若实相).
The Benefits of Cultivating the Four Boundless States
- Boundless blessings
- Increase one’s longevity
- Nurture one’s positive energy
- Grasp the true essence of Buddha wisdom
- Etc
< Let Nature Take its Course >
shuohua20130215 03:15
UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS “GO WITH THE FLOW” AND “RESIGN TO FATE”
Caller: I would like to ask a question about “Go with the Flow (随缘)” and “Resign to Fate (认命)”. Before we practise Buddhism, due to our low state of spirituality, we tend to resign to fate, and never thought about going with the flow. My understanding on: “to go with the flow” is when we understand the law of cause and effect and with that understanding, from a higher ground we look at the matter in hand.
While to “resign to fate” means one is at the mercy of one’s destiny (任自己的命运摆布). Even after studying Buddhism, practically speaking, we may not be able to tell if we are resigning to fate or going with the flow. In this case, we know well that what the person is encountering is a bad affinity; in fact Bodhisattva had sent this person premonition dreams about it. However, he still insisted on his way. I am not sure what’s the best way to persuade him.
Master Jun Hong Lu: You are very wise in asking this question. ‘To accord with conditions (随缘)’ and to ‘resign to fate (认命)’ are two different concepts. There is a molecular structure that defines our going with the flow, that is: to ‘transform positive affinity and eliminate negative affinity’ (改变善缘、去除恶缘); whereas in the concept of ‘resigning to fate’ there is no transformation nor elimination of this sort.
Caller: How should I advise this Buddhist friend?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Those who do not practise Buddhism will not understand these principles including the law of causality. Hence, they can only resign to fate.
Caller: He is a Buddhist practitioner and he is quite good in preaching Buddhism.
Master Jun Hong Lu: He must have gone astray in his practice. The ultimate purpose of learning Buddhism is to change our destiny, not to resign to fate (改变命运，而不是认命). Those who fail to transform themselves are those who are not diligent in their practice. Therefore they are not able to make any progress.
wenda20160605B 28:26 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
WHAT IT MEANT TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAUSAL CONDITIONS?
Caller: A Buddhist friend developed a sentiment while performing recitation. He said, “In Buddhism, the accord to causal conditions begins with our heart’s resolve. (随缘是要先发心) Thereafter, we will flow along with the conditions to fulfil our resolve (然后随着缘分的条件去实现).
A resolve made with focus in Buddhism (发心落在佛法上）will enable us to let go of our tenacious grip on the outcome (不会执著结果), whilst a resolve made with worldliness in mind is often met with obstacles in one’s way (罣碍结果).
If a person says he would go along with the causal conditions without heart’s’ resolve, actually it is fate that is responsible for the modulation of happenings in this world instead of according one’s life events to casual conditions. May I seek Master Lu’s advice on the accuracy of this notion?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, you are right. This is 70% accurate.
Caller: Master Lu, can you delve deeper into elaboration for this topic?
Master Jun Hong Lu: This definitely has to be explained. Many people say “I will accord my life’s events to causal conditions. When I take a liking to a particular girl, I will accord it to my causal condition and continue with my gaze.” This is not according oneself to causal conditions but going against it. So, what is meant by according life’s event to causal conditions? As mentioned by the caller, whatever fate brings, you will have to make the initial resolve for moral virtue and positive affinity (善德、善缘).
This is because it is only with moral virtue that positive affinities will develop. If negative affinities arise, can you still go along with it? If someone asks you to commit robbery or take part in drug trafficking due to negative affinity, will you simply say, “Oh no, I have no choice but to comply and go along with the situation?” Do you understand now?
Caller: I understand, Master Lu.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Just two phrases would give you the answer: Go along with causal condition arising from positive affinities, and eliminate the condition arising from negative affinities. Accord only to positive causal condition. If you are unable to make sense of a situation and develop suicidal thoughts, then do not go along with it. Say for example, if you want to commit suicide and ask for a rope from your mum, your mum obliged and pass it to you, and your dad also subscribed to the idea and pass a knife to you, all these done in the name of according life’s events to causal condition? Do you understand now?
Buddhism In Plain Terms Vol. 7 Chapter 32 (an excerpt)
EMPTINESS IS TO ACCORD WITH CONDITIONS
Master Jun Hong Lu: No matter what life throws at us, remain firm in our reaction (随缘不变). This is the quality of a broadminded person. When ill fate is served, we face it with magnanimity and when good affinity knocks on our door, we accept it happily.
To be able to accord with conditions is a kind of maturity and self-confidence. A person who is able to let nature take its course is able to find their way forward in changing circumstances and when things get difficult and rough in life.
To accord with conditions is when we have the correct and clear understanding of reality. When something happens, we are clear-headed and we have the correct understanding (很清醒地、正确地理解它). This is what it means by “to accord with conditions”.
In fact, our ability to let nature take its course is the spiritual freedom we gained through our thorough understanding of life (对人生彻悟之后的精神自由).
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting
Sydney, Australia – 26 January 2019
THE BUDDHIST MENTALITY OF LETTING GO
Master Jun Hong Lu: We live in agony because we care too much; we hurt ourselves and others because we are filled with doubt. Take things lightly and we will live life happily; learn to let go and we will gain wisdom. After all, we exist as mere visitors in heaven and earth — our relationships with all matters in the world are entirely governed by the law of causality and the affairs of our youth are lost in the past. Hence, the Buddhist mentality of letting go is about understanding the law of causality and having the ability to accord with all conditions.
Shuohua20130503 17:00 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
HOW TO ACCORD WITH CONDITIONS WISELY? (an excerpt)
Caller: There is a phrase that is very commonly used by Buddhists, i.e. to accord with conditions/let nature takes its course/go with the flow (随缘). At times, being able to accord with conditions is indeed a very good mental attitude that allows us to let go and learn not be so attached; but sometimes it can be taken on as an excuse for laziness and not putting in effort. For example, a person is very busy with work, he will accord with his conditions and do not perform daily recitation; he will also go with the flow with his bad habits. May I know if there is a way to accord with conditions with wisdom. How do we define the scope when it comes to going with the flow?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It‘s very simple. The notion of ‘going with the flow’ must be progressive and not regressive in nature (“精进随缘”，而不是“倒退随缘”). There are some people who uses the excuse of ‘going with the flow’ to regress. This is not good. One must be making progress instead.
Caller: In the event that we failed in something we do and we took the stand of going with the flow. Is this considered progressive accordance with conditions (精进随缘)?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it is because at least at the beginning, you have dedicated yourself to progress. It’s just that it did not turn out to be successful. Hence, it cannot be considered as regressive.
For example, you did your best to help others, but you failed, and you let nature take its course.
Were your intention good in the first place? Yes.
By you trying to help him, is it good gesture? Yes.
Now that you don’t cling on to the end result, is it a good sign? Yes.
Caller: Thank you, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Sydney, Australia – 26 January 2019
HOW SHOULD WE ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONDITIONS
Master Jun Hong Lu: An objective of Buddhism is for us to learn to let nature take its course and bear with all vexations, setbacks and failures we meet with in the course of our journey. Correspondingly, acting in accordance with conditions is encapsulated in our non-susceptibility to material happiness or low self-esteem and when we are sincere but undistinguished in dealing with others.
Wenda20170709A 12:59 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
A WISE PERSON IS ONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO LET GO
Master Jun Hong Lu:
We should feel happy while following the path of Buddhism. If a person frequently gossip, he or she will have already become entwined within themselves. Why do I keep reiterating to the Buddhist monks and my disciples the importance of being magnanimous (心胸要宽阔), not allowing ourselves to become entwined in the right and wrong of this human realm (被是非所缠绕), and learn to let nature take its course?
To break away from affliction (断烦恼) is to stop dwelling on matters we should not be thinking about, not doing things that we aren’t supposed to do, and not saying things that we shouldn’t be saying. Afflictions are a by-product of our speech, actions, and thoughts.
Therefore, a truly wise person is characterised by his or her magnanimity and righteousness. He or she knows that one’s true nature can only be revealed via a pure heart, and only a wise person can attain enlightenment (明心方见性，悟者识菩提).
Let me tell you, everything happens for a reason. Be it love or hatred, it has something to do with your previous life. Therefore, a truly wise person is one who can look beyond and let go!
Wenda20160108 01:07 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
HOW TO DETERMINE IF OUR PURSUIT IS NOT A FORM OF ATTACHMENT OR EXPLOITING CONDITIONS
Caller: How to determine if our pursuit is not a form of attachment or exploiting conditions?
Master Jun Hong Lu: First of all, the thing you ask for is not beyond your means. For example, if you are penniless now, you say, “I want to strike the lottery”, this is termed as exploiting conditions and attachment. If you are going to college, you said, “May Bodhisattva bless me with a smooth entrance exam”, then it’s not called exploiting conditions, it is an accord to conditions.
If you are longing for something that is out of your reach even if you pray for it, this is called exploiting conditions. Moreover, it is also a form of attachment as you are desperately finding ways and means to obtain it, despite knowing that it is hard to reach.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting
Amsterdam, Netherlands – 9 September 2019
DO NOT DEMAND INSISTENTLY ON WORLDLY AFFAIRS
Master Jun Hong Lu: In this world we are living in, do not try to force things to happen. Instead, let things unfold naturally. Do remember what I said before. When your prayer comes true, it is due to your karmic affinities. If it is not destined to happen, no amount of effort will help. Therefore, we must cultivate diligently with the mindset of worldliness. That is to say, we have to do our best in planting the good karmic seeds, but harvest with the mindset of worldliness. As the saying goes, “the planning lies with man, the outcome with heaven.”
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享
