BUDDHISM: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED | 27 FEB 2021

< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享    

Time : Saturday 2pm-4.15pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : BUDDHISM: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

 

On 27 February 2021, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held another online English Group Study. The session covered frequently asked questions pertaining to various aspects of our spiritual cultivation and our daily practice.

Did you know this?
?? The moment you realise you have erred and a sense of shame arises within you while reading the Buddhism in Plain Terms and listening to Master’s discourses, a tremendous amount of karmic obstacles would be eliminated.
? The key to learning Buddhism is putting the theories learned into practice.
? It takes only ONE scattered thought to land us in numerous unavoidable calamities. On the flip side, ONE single kind thought can eradicate all past misdeeds.
? Great meritorious blessing is accrued when you repent your wrongdoings and educate others with your example.

 

To those who might have had challenges introducing Buddhism to their loved ones, who lack affinity with Buddhism, it was comforting to know that Bodhisattva once said, “Every person has the Buddhist affinity in them”. The participants were told to do their utmost to propagate Buddhism even to sentient beings with no predestined affinity by staying sincere through and through so that others are able to feel that Bodhisattva does exist.

 

During the session, the participants were warned against passing judgement on others lightly, especially when not knowing challenges that others have to undergo in life. Trying our best to understand others is the only way we can be of help to them.

 

The participants were given a mini run-down on ways to cultivate the virtue of forbearance:
1) never insist on getting to the heart of the matters;
2) applying compassion towards the other party as it helps spare us from the need to forbear; and
3) putting ourselves into others’ shoes.

 

During the session, the participants were cautioned against being hasty in the recitation of the LIFO. Maintaining sincerity during the course of the recitation of this mantra is critical in eliminating karmic obstacles and extending lifespans. To achieve the latter purpose, one must always pray to eliminate calamities first, followed by the prayer to extend one’s lifespan.

It was interesting to note that the transfer of merits for the benefits of sentient beings will see the merits all come back to the giver. This is because Bodhisattva will reward those who transfer merits for the good of others. In contrast, merits will be gone for good the moment you use them to satisfy your self-interests.

The participants were given a refresher on the importance of spiritual cultivation as the absence of it could lead to a speedy depletion of one’s meritorious blessings notwithstanding being actively involved in various meritorious activities.

 

In the upcoming session – scheduled on 6 March – the facilitator will walk us through the first of the five poisons: Greed.

Please join us to find out: 
The implications that could befall us if the Greed within us is left unchecked; 
Ways to identify the various types of Greed; and
How we go about in managing Greed.

 

? Let us now look at some comments from participants:

Now I know that elevating one’s state of mind and accumulating meritorious blessings are equally important.

In our spiritual cultivation journey, obstacles are unavoidable, we have to GRM(Go through it, Recover from it, Move on)
 

?Join us in our next session 

Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information

 

 ⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 6 Mar 2021 (2.oopm – 4.00pm)

 

Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:

   Summary Slides_Buddhism: Your Questions Answered

 

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WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?

 

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< FAQ on our Effort to help others/ Dharma propagation >

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Sydney, Australia – 11 January 2020
WAYS TO ENCOURAGE SERIOUSLY ILL NEW BUDDHIST PRACTITIONERS TO RECITE BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES AND PRACTISE BUDDHISM

Question: How should we help seriously ill people who are currently suffering due to karmic retributions (在受果报)? They want to start practising Buddhism but lack the confidence and determination. How can we help them to embark on this path? Some of them are unwilling to recite the Little House?  Is that alright?

Answer: For those who are unwilling to recite Little Houses, you can let them listen to or read the success stories of others. Just like those testimonies shared by the Buddhist practitioners earlier. Their stories can serve as your mouthpiece to convince those who lack faith. After all, the existence of something depends on one’s acceptance (信则有，不信则无). 

 

wenda20120812B  18:02 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

Caller: Master Lu, with regards to cultivating The Path of the Bodhisattva (行菩萨道) in this human realm, does it mean that while we cultivate ourselves, we also need to help others to be awakened spiritually (自己修行的同时也在度别人)?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Absolutely right! To cultivate The Path of the Bodhisattva (行菩萨道) means to help others and to help ourselves.

Caller: Yes. I feel that to be a Bodhisattva is all about ensuring that we are enlightened before we help others to be enlightened. If we are not entirely enlightened, and we teach others, wouldn’t it be like “the blind leading the blind”?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s not how it works. You are supposed to teach others whatever you know because you know more than the other party who has yet to have faith. We can’t wait to be knowledgeable in all aspects before we help others. We should try to teach as many people as we can with whatever knowledge we have. It is the same with our Chinese or English language teacher or any teacher for that matter. They, too, are not perfect in their knowledge when they teach us. The same applies to university lecturers. The theory you are advocating is flawed. 

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Sydney, Australia 10 January 2020 (Question 8)
CORRECTING OURSELVES IS KEY TO OUR QUEST TO HELP SENTIENT BEINGS

Question: After studying Buddhism in Plain Terms for a certain period of time, some Buddhist practitioners are aware that eliminating worldly mindset (逐渐去除人间的思维) is a critical ingredient in breaking free from the six realms of rebirth (一世修成). However, in the course of their Buddhism propagation, these Buddhist practitioners have had difficulty whenever they interact with new Buddhist friends or those who have yet to embark on the path of mind cultivation (不修心的同修). They are unable to get along harmoniously with the new Buddhist friends, let alone help them. In this regard, I’d like to seek Master’s guidance on a self-correction approach that these Buddhist practitioners should embrace to enhance their chances in helping more predestined sentient beings.

Answer: The crux of the matter lies in transforming oneself (改变自己). Who do you think you are? You must learn to let go your ego (放下自己). Whenever you are unable to help others to be awakened spiritually (度不了别人), help yourself to be awakened instead! This is what it means by ‘Help oneself in order to help others’ (自度度人). 

Failing to help others implies your positive energy is still lacking. You have seen how easy it is for me to promote vegetarianism to others, haven’t you? Why do some peoplefind it so difficult to do the same? The answer lies in your lack of positive energy. 

To enhance one’s positive energy, one should be upright and plainspoken (刚正不阿) in theirdealings with people and matters. This helps project a strong sense of reliability (可靠) and gives weight to every word you articulate. Only then, people would trust and believe in what you say.  On the flip side, if you are someone who speaks frivolously (讲话乱七八糟) or is careless in your work, who would believe you when you propagate Buddhism?

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Melbourne, Australia – 7 December 2019 (Question 28)
WAYS TO ENHANCE THE AFFINITY BETWEEN BODHISATTVA AND SENTIENT BEINGS

Question: It’s well understood that the success of our Buddhism propagation ultimately boils down to the level of affinity the prospective Buddhist friends have towards Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. Echoing this, the Lord Buddha once said, “The Buddha can only help those with predestined affinity” (佛不度无缘人). I’d like to seek Master’s guidance for ways to enhance the affinity between Bodhisattva and sentient beings (增加菩萨与众生的缘分). 

Answer: You must do all that is wholesome (众善奉行) and help more people. Be sincere when you help others, and they will be able to feel that Bodhisattva does exist. It does not matter if they lack affinity with Buddhism. You need to bear in mind what Bodhisattva once said, “Every person has the Buddhist affinity in them” (每一个人实际上都有佛缘的). As such, it’s important to propagate Buddhism to the best of our ability. Though they lack affinity with you in your past few lives, you can still turn it around in this life and transform them into sentient beings with predestined affinity (有缘众生).

Just do what you can to help them for now, so that their innate Buddha nature will start to take root. It is just a matter of time before your efforts will be paid off. The seeds you sowed will start to sprout (发芽) sooner or later. For those whom you managed to introduce Buddhism to, it is because their ‘seeds’ have already sprouted and started to bear fruit. Do you understand me?

Question: Yes, I do. I’d like to know, when we share the Buddha’s teachings with others (法布施), would it be appropriate to pray to Bodhisattva to help sow the seeds of Buddhism in the hearts of those we are trying to help?  My hope is that they will think of Buddhism and Guan Yin Citta when they encounter difficult situations in life.

Answer: That’s a beautiful intent (美好的愿望). You may certainly pray to Bodhisattva this way. Once you make such a statement, the dharma protectors will surely bless you. It is a good thing to do. 

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Paris, France – 5 September 2019
TO HELP OTHERS IS TO TRULY UNDERSTAND THEM

Master Jun Hong Lu:  You may not know what happened in the lives of others and what challenges they are going through if you view their situation from your personal standpoint. You can only draw inferences from what you see superficially and would not be able to experience their state of emotions (喜怒哀乐).

Many people would criticise or pass judgement (指责、评论) on others lightly.  The fact of the matter is, if you do not understand a person and you have no clue about the suffering that they are going through, you are unqualified to do so.

I hope that everyone would practise Buddhism diligently. Try your very best to understand others, as this is the only way you can be of help to them.

 

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< FAQ on Personal Cultivation >

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2020
FEAR NOT ABOUT KARMIC PASS; THE KEY LIES IN TRANSFORMING ONESELF

Question: There are some new Buddhist practitioners who fret over metaphysics concepts such as foreign spirits, the predestined karmic pass at the age ending 3, 6 or 9 (三六九劫), zodiac year of birth (本命年) and karmic grievances (冤结).

They have phobia and are tensed about imminent major calamities (有大灾) and fear over being punished for unknowingly committing wrongdoings looms large in their minds.  On top of that, they dread about their family members receiving their karmic retributions owing to their meat-based diet. These negative emotions have unfortunately affected their Buddhism practice. I’d like to seek Master’s advice as to how we should provide guidance to these Buddhist friends.

Answer: You must tell them to be kind to every sentient being and calmly embrace the harsh reality. No one is spared from predestined calamities (灾劫).

At the end, we will all perish. These are the facts we must bravely face. What matters most is how you live your life before you die.Some lead a purposeful life. At the other end of the spectrum, we find people who are wasting their precious lives, pursuing none other than their vested interests. If you have laid down your life for the noble cause of helping others (你活着为众生), what else is there for you to fear?

Pray for blessings from Guan Yin Bodhisattva and be diligent in reciting the Great Compassion Mantra. It’s an inescapable fact that everyone has their karmic obstacles (业障) and only through transforming oneself, the course of one’s  destiny can be changed. We will all go through various degrees of suffering in life; recover from it and move on! 

 

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Wenda20160327B  28:07 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
THE KEY TO SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION IS PRACTICE. ONE SHOULD CULTIVATE ONESELF WHILE HELPING OTHERS

 

Master Jun Hong Lu: When you have yet to attain a “cultivated” state (没有彻底修好), though you may understand or even be able to talk eloquently about these theories, that doesn’t necessarily mean you are capable of applying them to real life situations. 

 

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Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Melbourne, Australia 7 December 2019
A REMORSEFUL HEART HELPS IN ELIMINATING ONE’S KARMIC OBSTACLES

Question: How are you Master? When you give us your guidance (教育弟子) and if we immediately realise that we have erred and we felt ashamed and remorseful (惭愧、忏悔心), you mentioned that it is right this instance, the elimination of  karmic obstacles takes place.What about those disciples who do not have the opportunity to directly receive guidance from you? Would their karmic obstacles instantaneously be eliminated through reading the Buddhism in Plain Terms and listening to Master’s discourses, which result in their coming to a realisation of their own wrongdoing (instead of others) and giving rise to a sense of shame and remorse (惭愧、忏悔心) in them?

Answer: I can tell you without any shred of doubt that the answer is a definite yes. Bear this in mind: Bodhisattva knows the minute you give rise to an intention and a thought. Let me repeat this: The moment a sense of shame (惭愧心) arises within you and you say, “It was all my fault, I’m deeply sorry towards my mother and father for having been so unkind to them”.  The moment such a thought flashes through your mind, a tremendous amount of karmic obstacles would be eliminated.  

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Penang, Malaysia 22 January 2015 (Question 7)
IS IT CONSIDERED ‘SEEKING WORLDLY BLESSINGS’ IF WE PRAY FOR A LIFE FREE FROM SUFFERING AND FOR THINGS TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE?

Question: In introducing Buddhism to prospective Buddhist friends, we would typically tailor our sharing (based on the case in hand) of positive transformations experienced by other Buddhist friends after practising Buddhism. We would usually touch on common aspects such as good results in studies, career, marriage, relationship, sickness and health. However, doing this may result in others perceiving us as ‘seeking worldly blessings’ (求人天福报).

I’d like to ask for Master’s guidance whether it’s appropriate to give the following reply whenever the said issue crops up:

“Superficially, we may appear to be seeking worldly blessings (求人天福报) but in reality, a lot of the life challenges are a manifestation of karmic obstacles (所有的不顺都是由业障所致). As such, our priority is to eliminate these karmic obstacles through the Three Golden Buddhist Practices (三大法宝) of making vows, performing recitation and releasing captive lives. As we gradually gain an elevation of our state of spirituality (境界有所提高), we will be able to see through the reality of things and learn to let go (看破放下) in this Evil World of the Five Turbidities (the world of suffering) (五浊恶世). It is the compassion of Guan Yin Bodhisattva that has allowed us to have such an ingenious method (妙法) to save sentient beings.”

Answer: All of you must bear this in mind: Life in this world is riddled with pain and suffering. Do you remember what Guan Yin Bodhisattva once said? She is the “saviour of all sufferings and calamities” (救苦救难). Do you think suffering exists in heaven? What about where Bodhisattva is? There is none whatsoever. These phenomena are prevalent in the human realm and precisely for this reason, Bodhisattva is here to save us – to extricate us from such suffering and calamities of the human realm so that we can be rest assured and are able to focus on our Buddhism practice and spiritual cultivation (放下心来好好地学佛修心).

Hence, a prayer that aims to be liberated from sufferings is in itself a positive prayer. My advice to all of you is to practise Buddhism and at the same time liberate yourselves from sufferings. With that, you will definitely be able to ‘abandon sufferings and gain happiness’ (离苦得乐) one fine day. 

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Disciple Discourse No. 8
3 Dec 2012
HOW TO PRACTISE FORBEARANCE 忍辱

Question: How are you Master? I’d like to know whether there is any easy-to-apply method to cultivate forbearance (忍辱) which can serve as a targeted way to improve our spiritual cultivation. The reason I ask is because the virtue of forbearance is one of the hardest to cultivate. 

Answer: The key to practising forbearance is our intention to resolve the matter in hand (忍辱要靠化解).

Firstly, in moments when you are faced with something distressing, it is not easy to practise forbearance. That is why one should learn not to insist on getting to the heart of matters (不要去追根寻源). Take for instance, you have just been scolded by someone, what you need to do is learn not to dwell on the episode. If you do, you will end up entrapping yourself and finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate the humiliation.

Secondly, we must be compassionate towards the other party and feel that they are really pitiable (很可怜). Your compassion will then spare you from the need to forbear. For example, when someone messes with you, you should think to yourself, “He is so pitiable, and he will receive his karmic retribution (报应) as I am a Buddhist practitioner”. You need to bring forth the intention to resolve this matter. There is no such thing as unresolvable or intolerable. It  boils down to your lack of compassion (没有慈悲心) ! Do you think it’s even likely for Guan Yin Bodhisattva to lose Her tolerance or choke in anger?

The third approach is to put yourself in others’ shoes (换位思考). When someone scolds you, try to feel for the other party as this will eliminate the urge for you to retaliate. Put yourself in his shoes and think, there must be a reason behind his outburst, and ask yourself this question: What would you do if you were him? By doing so, you will not pick a fight with him and realisethat it is all your fault. Henceforth, there isn’t a need for you to even exercise self-restraint or forbearance (用不着克制，忍耐). 

 

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< Guard the Quality of Your Thoughts >

It takes only one scattered thought to land us in numerous unavoidable calamities. We need to realise that one single kind thought has the power to eradicate all the wrongdoings of the past and allows us to make amends for our mistakes in our quest for a better self.

 

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< FAQ on Daily Practice >

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Penang, Malaysia- 22 January 2015 (Question 7)
IT IS BEST TO RECITE FIVE TIMES OF EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO) DAILY

Master has mentioned in a public talk in Sabah:

Reciting one time of LIFO helps one to repent their past wrongdoings (忏悔过去); 

Reciting two times of LIFO helps one realisedhow their line of thoughts have erred (认识自己的思维是不对); 

Reciting three times of LIFO gives one a sober view of life in this world (清醒地对待人间);

Reciting four times of LIFO brings forth a realisation that one has been liberated (知道自己已经解脱); 

Reciting five times of LIFO helps one to truly let go and be carefree as the thoughts on the harm that they caused themselves and others are entirely wiped out.

It is, therefore, best to recite five times of LIFO daily.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse  (Question 301) 9 April 2019
RECITING EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO) CAN ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES

Question:  Why Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) is effective for eliminating karmic obstacles?

Answer:  LIFO is an extremely important mantra.  There are a great number of Bodhisattvas mentioned in this mantra. Hence, whenever you pray to each Bodhisattva to seek repentance, each of them will help you eliminate your karmic obstacles. Thus, do not be hasty in your recitation.  There are some who fail to articulate the names of the Bodhisattvas in full during recitation – in such case, how will theelimination of karmic obstacles be possible?

 

Wenda20140817B 18:45 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
SINCERITY IS KEY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE RECITATION OF EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE IS PERFORMED WITH PROSTRATION OR NODDING OF HEAD

Caller: There is one more question. I am currently adhering to the protocol of reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance as stated in the booklet, where I will prostrate upon reciting certain phrases, and for each of the Eighty-eight Buddhas mentioned. This is how I perform the recitation of this ‘thing’. However, I did not fix the quantity of recitation for example 3 or 5 times. My morning ritual includes, offering of incense, followed by the recitation of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance with prostrations. Is this alright?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Firstly, what are you calling this ‘thing’? You should never call theBuddhist scriptures a ‘thing’. Do you understand?

Caller: Yes.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Just like you, you are a human, not a ‘thing’. In the first place, you should learn some manners. Secondly, as Bodhisattva will forgive us being people of this modern days, we may nod our head to represent a prostration when we perform the recitation while seated.

Caller: Master, do both the prostration method and the method where we nod our head have the same level of efficacy?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Both are considered prostrations. However, it can be differentiated as follows: One, is when you are prostrating, you lack sincerity – this is useless. Second, is when you recite the said scripture while seated without performing any literal prostrations but you are entirely focused on the recitation. Do you think they are different?

Caller: That’s right. It all boils down to being mindful?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. Sincerity is key in recitation of scriptures. In Guan Yin Citta, superficiality is the least of our worries. For example, wearing distinctive clothing that is consistent for everybody, performing prostrations in a standardised way, etc. Let me tell you, paying obeisance to the Buddha is a gesture to be done according to our conditions. As long as we are sincere, with the Buddha in our heart, we will be united with Buddha. That is when Buddha and us are inseparable.

 

World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Melbourne, Australia, 7 December 2019
PRAY TO ELIMINATE CALAMITIES AND EXTEND LIFESPAN BY RECITING EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO)

Question: Some Buddhist practitioners hadmade vows to transfer part of their lifespans for the benefit of their family members in the past (把寿数折给家人). Are they able to extend their lifespans now through making vows, performing recitations, life liberations and meritorious deeds, as well as reciting Sheng Wu Liang Shou Jue Ding Guang Ming Wang Tuo Luo Ni(圣无量寿决定光明王陀罗尼) ?

Answer:  Yes. You may do so. Performing life liberation, followed by reciting the said mantra.  Generally speaking, those who wish to extend their lifespan (延寿) will have to recite someLIFO. This is because the more you repent, the more you are ‘purified’ and the easier it will be for you to extend your lifespan (越忏悔得干净，越能延寿). For those in their golden years, please remember, if you wish to extend your lifespan, you must recite LIFO.

Question: What is the suitable number of daily recitations and for how long should we continue?

Answer: Maximum five to seven times. You may state your  prayer, ‘I hereby recite five times LIFO,  may Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, help me to eliminate calamities and extend my lifespan (请观世音菩萨保佑我消灾延寿).’ 

You must first pray to eliminate predestined calamities (消灾) before praying for extension of lifespan. Because if the calamities that are bound to happen are not eliminated, you would not be able to extend your lifespan. Once you have eliminated the calamities, you will resolve your negative karmic affinities and any possible disasters. It is only thereafter that you are able to extend your lifespan.Thus, in your prayer, you must always pray to eliminate calamities first, followed by the prayer to extend your lifespan. (一定要讲消灾延寿)

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Melbourne, Australia, 7 December 2019
AN EXCESSIVE USE OF “SELF-CULTIVATION” MANTRAS/SUTRAS 自修经文 TO PRAY FOR WORLDLY BLESSINGS CAN BE EFFICACIOUS BUT DEPLETES ONE’S MERITORIOUS BLESSINGS 用掉功德

Question: There are some Buddhist practitioners who diligently recite the Cundi Dharani (准提神咒) through the “self-cultivation” method (自修经文) and as a result, a lot of their prayers were answered. I’d like to ask whether an excessive use of “self-cultivation” method for the Cundi Dharani may consume one’s meritorious blessing (功德), and as a result, makes it difficult for the person to transcend the six realms of rebirth upon their demise (往生的时候不容易超脱六道)?

Answer: What you have just said is correct and possible. Those who seek excessive worldly blessings (求福报求得太多), will expend a substantial portion of their merits. They run the risk of having an insufficient reserve of merits upon death. Many, even on their deathbed, are still praying to Bodhisattva to shower their grandchildren with blessings so that they are healthy and are good at their studies, etc., etc.. The merits will straightaway go to the other party.

Answer: These people are likely to experience a miserable death. This is how merits work. Once the merits are transferred, they are gone for good. 

Question: In this case, what should I do with my completed “self-cultivation” of  the Cundi Dharani? 

Answer: Leave it there and keep reciting. It’s not advisable to transfer one’s entire merits to others.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Brisbane, Australia 7 June 2019 (Question 18)
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ONE DREAM OF THE DECEASED WHOM THEY HELPED TO ASCEND TO A HIGHER SPIRITUAL REALM 超度亡人?

Question: Dear Master Lu, why are there variations in terms of outcome after helping different deceased recite Little Houses? In some cases, the deceased will appear in our dreams to either thank or visit us after receiving a batch of Little Houses. In other cases, we don’t even get a single dream about them. 

Answer: The deceased would normally visit the dreams of those, whom he or she had an affinity with in their living years. The deceased might be fond of you when she was alive, but they were ignorant to the fact it was owing to an affinity seeded in past lives (跟你上辈子的缘分). In some cases, these affinities could be negative in nature.

This is something that all of you must realise. For instance, you may think you have a very good relationship with the deceased when he was alive, but the harsh reality is the deceased was just repaying his karmic debt to you back then. The karmic intricacies will be unveiled upon one’s demise and it only dawns on him then,that he was karmically indebted to you.

In such case, the deceased may choose to just walk away and not visit you in your dreams. In the event the deceased wishes to demand karmic dues from you (叫你还债), he may choose to visit the dreams of another person whom he had a better relationship with during his living years, so that you will be able to get the message through this person. Do you get it? 

 

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< FAQ on Meritorious Blessings > 

 

Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 9 (An Excerpt)
The KEY to generating meritorious blessing is accumulation 

Do you know how merits are generated? The key factor is accumulation (功德为累积而来).

For example, opening a door or bringing a bench for others, a fractional 0.2% worth of merits will be recorded. Serving a bowl of rice or preparing a dish for others, a 0.5% worth of merits will be registered. Passing something to someone, offering a word of comfort to those who can’t get over a certain issue (想不通) and when you tell them, “Take it easy, let’s study the Buddhism in Plain Terms together. You are not alone – I too, have the same problem”.

This is exactly what one of our Buddhist friends would do. In actual fact, the well-meaning Buddhist friend has no problem as claimed. She just wanted to encourage the other party to learn together. For all you know, the other party could even end up playing a reverse role by encouraging this kind Buddhist friend instead!

When you help others using this ingenious way (妙法), you will definitely be able to help them get around their trouble and they may even comfort you in return!

Clearly, this Buddhist friend already has the wisdom of Bodhisattva, such wondrous wisdom! When you persist in performing such deeds, you will have great, boundless meritorious blessings (功德无量). Hence, never fail to do anything good which you deem as petty; never dare to do anything evil which you consider as trivial. (不能因小恶而去犯，不能因小善而不去为)

 

Wenda20160115 57:20 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
STUDYING BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS FOR SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION CAN INCREASE ONE’S MERITORIOUS BLESSINGS

Caller: Will our meritorious blessings increase if we make an effort to study Buddhism in Plain Terms for spiritual cultivation?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it will.

Caller: Thank you, Master Lu. 

 

Wenda20180204B 55:50 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
REPENTING FOR ONE’S WRONGDOINGS AND EDUCATING OTHERS WITH ONE’S EXAMPLE IS CONSIDERED A GREAT MERITORIOUS DEED

Caller: If we repent of our wrongdoings, and share our example to teach others, is it considered a great meritorious deed (功德很大)?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  That’s for sure.  When others benefit, gain wisdom and get motivated to embark on the path of spiritual cultivation (修心) because of your case, your meritorious blessings will be boundless (功德无量).

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Melbourne, Australia 7 December 2019 (Question 4)
PRAYER REQUEST TO CONSERVE ONE’S MERITS SO THAT THEY DO NOT GET CONVERTED INTO WORLDLY BLESSINGS

Question: How are you Master? I’d like to ask how can we tell if the worldly blessings (人天福报) we obtain after practising Buddhism are blessings that existed in our destiny (本来命中该有的) or are they transformed from the meritorious blessings generated after practisingBuddhism (功德转化成人天福报)? The reason I ask is because many Buddhist friends are interested to conserve (储存) a major part of their merits instead of having them converted into worldly blessings. I’d appreciate it if Master could give us some guidance on this.

Answer: It’s correct to term it as “worldly blessings” because we are still in the six realms of existence (在六道里). Heaven is one of the realms which has yet to transcend the cycle of rebirth. Generally, if you have been performing a lot of good deeds in this life and you always seem to have your prayers answered and things tend to go very smoothly for you, this is a sign that you are making use of your karmic rewards (已经在用你的福报).

On days that you feel you have performed a lot of good deeds, you may pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva this way, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva, I’d like to convert the good deeds that I performed today into meritorious blessings.” By doing so, your merits will not be immediately converted into worldly blessings. 

That said, things will still run smoothly for you because of the blessings from Bodhisattva. The good deeds will slowly get converted into meritorious blessings and will remain so until such time when the need arises. Take for example, you are involved in a car accident, suddenly you get knocked but you managed to escape unscathed. This is a typical scenario where your merits have helped you dispel the predestined calamity (化解灾劫). 

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Brisbane, Australia 7 June 2019
NEVER TRANSFER ONE’S ENTIRE MERITS 功德 TO ANOTHER PERSON

Question: How are you Master? I’d like to know, how much of our meritorious blessings (功德) is needed to help us improve our health, career or family relationship? Is there a recommended ratio (比例)  that we should adhere to? 

Answer: First and foremost, I’d like to reiterate: You should never transfer your entire meritorious blessings to another person. You are advised to only use a portion of the merits accrued from a specific virtuous deed or volunteering in a specific dharma convention. 

The typical ratio to observe is 5%, 10% or even 20%. In the case of substantial meritorious blessings (功德大), a mere 5% is powerful enough. Let me give you an example of someone I know: His transfer of a meagre 2% of his merits to his mother who was ill, was enough to get her discharged from the hospital right away.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Sydney, Australia 10 January 2020 (Question 44)
THOSE WHO TRANSFER MERITS FOR THE BENEFIT OF SENTIENT BEINGS WILL GET REWARDED WITH MERITS IN RETURN; MERITS USED FOR SELF-INTEREST WILL BE EXPENDED

Question: There are some Buddhist friends, who, after every dharma propagation effort (弘法活动), will either transfer their entire merits accrued to pray for the smooth-sailing of other propagation activities or to Master Lu, leaving themselves with nothing whatsoever. I’d like to ask if this is appropriate? With no personal merits left, will they still have spiritual energy (能量)?

Answer: It really depends. If you have transferred to other sentient beings, these merits will come back to you despite the transfer having taken place. The same cannot be said if you do so with a selfish intention (私心), that is, solely for self-benefits.

In the latter case, your merits will be expended (功德就没了). Do you understand me? Bodhisattva will reward those who transfer their merits for the good of others. On the other hand, merits will be gone for good the moment you use them to satisfy your self-interests.

 

Wenda20191124 55:15 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
ONE WILL NOT ACHIEVE ANY SPIRITUAL STATUS BY MERELY PERFORMING VIRTUOUS DEEDS WITHOUT ELEVATING ONE’S STATE-OF-MIND

Caller: Master Lu, you mentioned that a person’s merit (功德) is his ultimate token for admission to heaven, hence it is very important.In the case where one focuses on cultivating himself spiritually (自修), but he doesn’t go out to help others or perform any virtuous deeds at all, he will end up in the Sound-hearer (声闻道) or Pratyeka Buddha realm (缘觉道) because he has a high level of spiritual cultivation but lacks meritorious blessings. Conversely, if a person puts in a lot of effort in helping others, but he does not pay attention to his state-of-mind nor cultivating himself (不注重境界修行), will he achieve any spiritual status (果位) in the end?

Master Jun Hong Lu: He will end up having a lot of worldly   blessings (福报)! If one does not have a high level of spirituality, how can he ascend to heaven?  Think about those philanthropists (慈善家), they will only be an even richer philanthropist in their next life. What’s the point? It’s meaningless! Many people in the society are doing a lot of good deeds now. They will ascend to heaven certainly, but they will still fail to escape the cycle of rebirths. Their cultivation will come to naught.

Caller: Also, if a person put in a lot of effort in accumulating merits and does not pay attention to cultivating himself spiritually, he may even be annoyed whenever things don’t turn out as he expected, hence resulting in his diminishing of merits (功德漏).

Master Jun Hong Lu: The diminishment of merits is even worse in this case! A person who does not cultivate himself spiritually and loathes (讨厌) every single person around him, even when he is doing meritorious actions, he may still be harbouring aversion towards others. Seriously, if you do not have a high level of spirituality, you can’t survive a single day in this world as nothing pleases your eyes! 

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< Merits or Good Fortune? It all depends on your state-of-mind 功德与福德 >

 

< SUMMARY > 

FAQ on Helping Others:

1. Today I learned that to be truly kind is when one doesn’t have much to give BUT still gives more than those who can. People who think they have to be rich first, before they can give to the world can’t be more wrong.
2. Today I learned that I should not be afraid to share with others the Buddhism knowledge I know, however little as it is my responsibility to reach out to as many people as I can as the disciple of the Buddha.
3. Today, I am awakened to the fact that correcting my own shortcomings is the key to my quest to help me convince others to practise Buddhism.  This is what it means by ‘Help oneself in order to help others’ (自度度人).
4. Today I am warned against criticising and passing judgement on others lightly. I should learn to open my mind to the world  before making hasty judgments of others. After all, the very same thing that I judge from where I am — may very well be something totally different in meaning on the other side of the world and it merely highlights my ignorance at the end of the day.

 

FAQ on Cultivation/ Daily Practice:

 

 

< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享