Buddhism: Your Questions Answered II

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

Time : Saturday 2pm-4pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : Buddhism: Your Questions Answered II

 

Master Lu once said, “One is halfway to achieving Buddhahood if he is able to guard himself from creating negative karma of speech”.

On 19 March 2022, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore, held an online English sharing session to address some of the day-to-day questions posed by fellow Buddhist practitioners. 

The session kick-started with spotlight on the importance of safeguarding one’s speech. Through an interesting story, Master Lu illustrated the power of words and the importance of extending help to those in need.   

The participants learned that they should abstain from talking behind others’ backs unless the intent is to help them. 

The session also covered some nitty-gritty as a Buddhist practitioner, and among which were:

1. Personal grooming and attire.  

2. How to respect common traditional rituals as a Buddhist practitioner?

3. What should we do with our old clothes?

4. The spiritual meaning of a rainbow.

The facilitator rounded up the session with some interesting Buddhism concepts such as equanimity, how the desire to be right all the time can be wrong and etc. 

The participants were reminded:

– to learn to embrace both the good and bad of others and be equanimous, just like how Bodhisattva sees the good and bad in us as merely a manifestation of our karmic obstacles. 

– as much as we believe in Bodhisattva, we should rely on ourselves to do the right thing as Bodhisattva can only help those who help themselves.

In the upcoming session, scheduled on 2 April, we will explore aspects pertaining to hobbies, dreams, ingredients for a happy family, motivation to be a full vegetarian and etc.

 

Join us in our next session 

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

 

 ⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 2 April 2022 (2pm – 4pm)

 

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

   Summary Slides_Buddhism: Your Questions Answered II

 

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WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk Paris, France | 6 September 2019
WORDS ARE POWERFUL – THEY CAN MAKE OR BREAK A PERSON

A group of people went up the mountain for a hunting trip. Unfortunately, one of the hunters fell into a very deep pit. During the fall, he broke all of his limbs except his left arm.

The pit was deep and to make matters worse, the wall was extremely steep, rendering the rest of the hunters helpless. All that they could do was to shout for him.

The only saving grace was the overgrown rattan and grass that covered the wall of the pit. An idea struck the injured hunter. Using his left arm, he held on to the wall of the pit, while sinking his teeth deep into the thick vegetation to slowly make his way up. 

With visibility obscured, the rest of the hunters were clueless about what had befallen him. All that they could do was shout, “Hurry! Climb your way up.”

When it became clear to the rest about how precarious his situation was, their angst started to simmer. Unable to hold it any longer, one of them burst out and said, “There’s absolutely no way that he’s able to get out of the pit.” This immediately triggered a heated discussion among this group of hunters.

Another one chipped in, “His situation is indeed dire with most of his limbs crippled.” The third hunter added, “Exactly! From what I see, it’s impossible for the grass to support his body weight.”

Another then upped the ante and said, “What a pity! If he dies from the fall, he will not be able to relish his riches at all.” “Gosh, what about his aged mother and wife?”

Upon hearing their bickering, he burst out and opened his mouth before shouting at them, “I want all of you to shut your mouth.”

Right at this moment, his mouth let go of the grip on the grass, causing him to crash all the way to the bottom of the pit.

Lying at the bottom of the pit and drawing in his last breath, he overhead the rest of the hunters unanimously say, “This is exactly what I’ve said, it’s impossible to use your mouth to climb your way out from the pit.”

This story teaches us two lessons. First, only loving-kindness and care are capable of saving a troubled soul. When encountering someone in distress or stuck in an unpleasant situation, we must show compassion and loving care to them.

Similarly, we must show concern and care towards those who are stricken with illnesses. By doing so, we are essentially extending them a lifeline. On the contrary, if you keep talking and criticising them, you will only cause them to plunge to the depth of their predicaments.

Second, when difficulties are upon us and we are at a critical juncture of our lives, we should not take others’ comments to heart. Instead, we should strengthen our resolve to bring ourselves out of the predicament. Only through perseverance can we surmount the challenges in life, because when you give up, you plummet into new depths of depravity and that is the most dreadful thing that could ever happen.

Seeing those in trouble, we should affirm our support and be zealous in helping them; when finding ourselves in a predicament, we should stop worrying about what others have to say and persevere to surmount the challenges.

 

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< ON GUARDING OUR WORDS >

< WHY THE PRACTICE OF ‘TACTFUL’ SPEECH 讲话圆滑 IS SO IMPORTANT? >

Wenda20131117A 01:21 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
TACTFUL SPEECH LEADS TO LESS CREATION OF KARMA

Caller: Master mentioned, “a person who is tactful in his speech
(讲话比较圆滑) will be less likely to create negative karma or suffer from retribution”. So, does it mean that being tactful reduces the chances of one creating negative karma?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Being tactful with one’s word is actually not a bad thing. From the perspective of the human world, firstly, he wouldn’t offend others. Secondly, his tactful speech would not harm others. Hence, would you agree that no negative karma is created?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Instead, if this person says, “I am a straightforward person” and there he goes, offending everyone around him. Would you consider him honest to goodness? He is creating negative karma! 

When he steps on others’ toes, fights with them, and causes a lot of unhappiness, aren’t all these negative karma? This explains why tactfulness is not a bad trait.

Master Jun Hong Lu: That said, if what you say is not what you think, you will still create negative karma in your heart, and this is when you ‘lack Yin virtue’ (缺阴德); if you are forthright and utter things that create negative karma, then you ’lack Yang virtue’ (缺阳德). Both of these virtues are indispensable.

 

< AS BUDDHISTS, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE GOSSIPS? >

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 338) | 7 October 2019
DEALING WITH OFFICE GOSSIPS

Question: If I do not wish to partake in my office gossip can I just say, “I’m sorry, I need to excuse myself as I need to attend to something”. 

By making claims like having ‘something to attend to’ when I have none, is it considered telling a lie?

Answer: Do not turn the situation into an embarrassing one there and then. You can keep your silence while they chat, or you may even perform recitation in your heart. If condition permits, you may leave as soon as they start to gossip. 

However, if you are already inside, use soft-power in problem solving instead of being forceful as the latter will make others feel offended. It is also alright to say this to Bodhisattva occasionally, “I wish to be more diligent in my practice of Buddhism” as Dharma Protectors will understand and you will not be punished.

 

Wenda20160605A 46:24 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
TALKING BEHIND OTHERS’ BACKS IS A SERIOUS KARMA OF SPEECH

Caller: Master Lu, you mentioned that “One is halfway to achieving Buddhahood when he is able to guard against creating the karma of speech (口业)”. May I ask if the karma of speech includes talking behind others’ backs?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s for sure.

Caller: So, it means, regardless of whether the other party is in the right or wrong, we shouldn’t make judgement about them (评论别人), is that right?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Unless your intention is to help them, only then you can make a comment about them. Otherwise, you are generating negative energy (负能量). If your intention is to help him and you talk to him face-to-face, this is positive energy, and as such, it is not considered as creating negative karma of speech.

Master Jun Hong Lu: For example, I am ready to help a person today. How is it even possible for me not to comment about him? Would you regard this as a negative karma of speech? This is clearly not. 

On the other hand, if I am not with the person concerned today but I make some curt remarks and talk behind his back, it is a negative karma of speech.

 

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度人 =	Help others to be awakened spiritually
	Help others
	Introduce Buddhism to others

 

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Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk | Sydney, Australia | 11 January 2020
SPREADING POSITIVE WORDS OR ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO PRACTISE KINDNESS IS CONSIDERED HELPING OTHERS TO BE AWAKENED SPIRITUALLY

Question: If we blend in those positive words of Master Lu in our conversation with friends, without intentionally mentioning the dharma element, is this also considered one way to help others to be awakened spiritually (度人)?

Answer: Of course! Even if it’s only a mere word of encouragement to ‘do all that is wholesome and do nothing that is unwholesome’ (众善奉行，诸恶莫作), it is considered helping others to be awakened spiritually.

Question: Is this also considered a form of Giving of the Buddha’s teachings (Dharma Dana 法布施)?

Answer: Of course! You should always aim to be of service to others (与人为善).

 

< WHAT DOES A PERSON’S VOICE SAY ABOUT HIM/HER? >

Wenda20190517 38:07 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
A RIGHTEOUS, LOUD AND CLEAR VOICE MAY CHANGE YOUR FATE AND DESTINY

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< IS IT ALRIGHT FOR BUDDHIST PRACTITIONERS TO SPEND TIME MAKING THEMSELVES LOOK NICE? >

 

< IS IT ALRIGHT TO ASK FOR A PERSON’S HAND IN MARRIAGE ON BENDED KNEE? >

Wenda20151011B  38:30 | (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
WHEN A PERSON GOES DOWN ON HIS KNEE TO PROPOSE TO A GIRL IN MARRIAGE, WILL IT RESULT IN SHORTENING OF LIFESPAN?

Caller: When a person goes down on his knee to propose to a girl in marriage, will it result in shortening of lifespan (折寿)?

Master Jun Hong Lu: In actual fact, it will not shorten one’s lifespan. It is said, when a person kneels before you, you will shoulder a lot of his karmic obstacles. 

This explains why when a man gets down on his knee to propose, the woman will immediately say, “Oh my! I will marry you!”. Well, don’t you think you have got yourself fooled? Mark my words! Once he kneels before you, you will shoulder a lot of his retribution and tolerate many of his shortcomings.

So, the next time there is an argument or fight, the moment he goes down on his knees, you will forgive and tolerate him. As a matter of fact, you are helping him undertake the burden of his karma (帮他背). Do you think the act of a man going down on his knees is of any value these days? Let me tell you, it’s worth a pittance. 

Caller: So, it’s not a good thing to do, right?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. It is not good. You should just tell him, “You don’t have to get down on your knee, just make sure you treat me well in the future.” 

Caller: …and perform more recitation of the Buddhist scriptures.

 

< IS IT ADVISABLE FOR US TO GIVE AWAY OUR OLD CLOTHES? >

Wenda121125B 35:18 | (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
HAND-ME-DOWN CLOTHES ARE TO BE PUT ASIDE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE GIVING THEM AWAY

Caller: Should we give away our old and unwanted clothes to the underprivileged in the countryside, is it true that if we “pray” to these clothes three times, then they will have no connection to us anymore?

Master Jun Hong Lu: (Laughs) That is quite true. However, it is not about “praying” to the clothes. Please do not do that because, should there be any foreign spirits attached to them, it will then spell trouble.

Master Jun Hong Lu: The best way is to put these clothes aside for a year or more than half a year. After which you can give them away. By then, your “energy field” will not be attached to them anymore. Clothes that are worn often will have the wearer’s “energy field”. However, once they have been put aside for a period of time, they will lose the said “energy field”. By then, it is perfectly fine to give them away.

 

< THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF A RAINBOW >

Wenda20190310A 17:39 | (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
SHOULD WE PRAY TO BODHISATTVA IN THE PRESENCE OF A RAINBOW?

Caller: Master Lu, you once mentioned that rainbows are the seven-coloured lights of Bodhisattva. You have also stated that if we gaze deeper into the rainbows, we may be able to see Bodhisattvas. In that case, is it proper for us to gaze at rainbows in prayer to Bodhisattvas?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That is alright. Where there are rainbows, Bodhisattvas will be present — only Bodhisattvas are able to emit seven-coloured lights of this kind. From a worldly point of view, rainbows are a natural phenomenon that serves no purpose but aesthetic appeal. However, a rainbow is actually the very awe-inspiring seven-coloured lights of Bodhisattva shining in the sky.

Caller: I understand. Thank you, Master Lu.

 

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< BUDDHISM CONCEPT >

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk | Melbourne, Australia | 9 June 2019
THERE IS ONLY ONE WORLD BUT THE WORLD THAT EVERYONE EXPERIENCES DIFFERS

Once, there were three men – one suffered from bad eyesight, the other, bad hearing and the third one had a lame leg. They met one day to watch a play. As they watched, they started to discuss their views about the play. 

The one with bad eyesight said, “The songs in today’s performance were beautifully sung, but the costumes were lousy.” 

The person who suffered from bad hearing said, “You say so because you can’t see. In fact, the costumes were really good but it was a pity that the songs sounded too soft.” 

The guy with a lame leg chipped in, “Both of you are so wrong. Actually, today’s performance was good. So were the costumes. I just wonder why the stage was slanted?”

 

Everyone thinks that he is right. In Buddhism, this is referred to as being “attached to the notion of self” (执著我相).

There is only one world, but the world that everyone experiences differs. People are confused by the false appearances (迷惑于假象) that their eyes see and their ears hear. They live in an erroneous world and ceaselessly create distress for themselves (不断滋生烦恼).

Only those who are able to let go can be truly happy. When we care about the welfare of others, we are paving our own path; when we are tolerant towards others, we have much to gain.

We have to ‘move with affection and convince with reasoning’ (动之以情晓之以理) and always give consideration to the self-esteem of others and their level of endurance (考虑别人的自尊和承受度). As Buddhist practitioners, we need to always put the welfare of others first, this is the essence of compassion (慈悲).

 

< EQUANIMITY is the capacity NOT to be caught up with what happens to us. > 

Buddhism In Plain Terms | Volume 6 Chapter 28 (An Excerpt)
ON EQUANIMITY

Our thoughts, be it kind or evil, are all the same in the eyes of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Just like how a mother would perceive the good and bad deeds of her child – they are of no difference to her. 

As the mother feels sorry for the child, understanding that he is just a child, as long as he does not repeat his mistakes, all is fine. At the other end of the spectrum, when her child does something good, the mother will rejoice. This is the mind of a Bodhisattva.

Bodhisattva regards all the good and evil deeds as the manifestation of human’s karmic obstacles (业障的显化). In modern context, it is like a teacher who perceives norms when her students are sometimes mischievous but at other times, obedient. 

When we give rise to a kind or an evil thought, as far as Bodhisattva is concerned, She recognises that we are just humans who have yet to attain a high state-of-mind (还没有这个境界), hence it is absolutely normal. Therefore, Bodhisattva takes mercy on us and forgives us.

Despite our wrongs, why does Bodhisattva still render us help? Despite us already ended up in hell, why does Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva still make His way to hell to save us?

Because the Bodhisattva regards all beings with an equanimous mind, including all our good and evil. What great compassion! Are you willing to do so? 

You are happy when others treat you well but when they mistreat you, you immediately turn around and curse them. Isn’t this the case? Do you think Bodhisattva will behave this way? Bodhisattva only sees the good side of you and your past and regards you as sentient beings without partiality (平等众生).

 

Wenda20180225A   28:55 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
LIFE IS LIKE ‘TREADING ON THIN ICE’; WE CANNOT BE COMPLACENT, THINKING THAT WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON BODHISATTVA

Caller: I heard Master once said, whenever you walk on the street, you are very alert, in fear of flower pots falling from above. You are also very careful when driving. Some fellow practitioners perform a lot of virtuous deeds, however, they do not seem to pay much attention to the fine details in life. 

For example, when they drive, they may doze off or even fall asleep. They are of the opinion that, “Bodhisattva will definitely protect me; no problem at all”. Master, for a person like you with such great supernatural and spiritual powers, why do you still pay so much attention to the fine details in your day-to-day life?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Would you like to listen to a story? Once, a flood hit a village, where a man with great faith in God lived. As the water level gradually rose, people around him told this man,

“Hurry up, you should leave immediately. This place will be flooded soon.” However, this man said, “No, I believe in God.” 

After a while, a rescue boat came over. “Hurry up! You should leave.” And, the man insisted, “I won’t go as I believe in God.”

In the end, this man drowned. He ran to God and said angrily, “I had so much faith in you and yet you drowned me?” 

God replied, “But, I had given you numerous opportunities.”

This story tells us, in this world, though Bodhisattva is here to protect us, as humans, you would still need to come to your own enlightenment (觉悟). If you are not enlightened, how is it possible for Bodhisattva to bless and protect you? 

Just like a teacher who tries his best to teach you and help you with your studies. If you do not put in the effort to learn, do your homework, do you think you will do well in your examination? Do you understand?

The more careful I am, the more meritorious it is. The more you live your life as if you are ‘treading on thin ice’ (如履薄冰), the more successful you would be.

Caller: Yes. Sometimes, some Buddhist friends think that they will surely be protected by the Dharma Protectors because they are out to perform meritorious deeds. They then become complacent with road safety when they drive.

Master Jun Hong Lu: They shouldn’t do this.

Caller: This will deplete their meritorious blessings (消耗功德), won’t it?

Master Jun Hong Lu: This attitude will not only deplete their merits, it is a characteristic of being disrespectful towards Bodhisattva. Bodhisattva’s power is boundless, why do so many who hold faith still perish? Why do car accidents still happen? Does that mean Bodhisattva does not render them protection? 

Caller: They will be protected. However, they must first do their part.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Otherwise, Bodhisattva is considered to be ‘interfering with the Law of Karma’ (动因果). It doesn’t mean that the minute you profess faith in Buddhism, despite your karmic obstacles, Bodhisattva will ‘strike a secret deal’ with you and prevent bad things from happening to you. 

Rather, it is because you are resolute to transform yourself and you perform virtuous deeds, Bodhisattva blesses you so that you will not meet with any car accidents.

This is how it works. You must be kidding me. Really. This misconception is called ‘prejudice’ (偏见) and ‘clinging to one’s view’ (执著于我见).

Caller: I understand. That means, we should not always rely on the Bodhisattva for everything. We must first do our utmost best. Am I right, Master?

Master Jun Hong Lu: When you talk about ‘relying on the Bodhisattva’, the reliance is from one’s heart (靠菩萨是心里靠). In the human world you have to rely on yourself, because you are essentially a Buddha. That said, why don’t you inspire the Buddha from within? 

Here you are expecting your “prayers answered instantaneously (一求就好).” You must be kidding! This is called ‘superstition’ (迷信). It is as good as you jumping from the top floor and thinking, “Bodhisattva will definitely protect me”. Would you jump? You are so silly! This is how ‘degenerating views (见浊)’ looks like.

 

Shuohua20140829 17:16 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
HOW DO WE STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN ‘SEEING THROUGH EMPTINESS’ AND ‘BEING CONCERN’ WITH THE THINGS WE DO?

Caller: Hi Master, you have advised us to see through the emptiness of things in our spiritual cultivation. But, humans have a lot of deep-seated bad habits like being careless and haphazard in their approach to the things they do. To overcome this, our tasks need to be glazed with meticulous care. In this context, how do we see through ‘emptiness’, while caring for the things we do?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s simple. First and foremost, what is your understanding of ‘emptiness’? It is to see through the reality of things and the world of mortals. Essentially, it means you are indifferent. If you still think that a certain matter is of great importance, it means you have yet to see through its ‘emptiness’.

What does haphazard mean? In whatever you do, you should not adopt a haphazard approach. You are earnest yet you do not overplay the importance of the task in hand. You must strive to accomplish every task to the best of your capacity.

Master Jun Hong Lu: However, in the event of failure, you are ready to accord with conditions. This is the kind of positive and balanced mindset of a cultivated person.

Caller: This means we should be unfettered by the task and just focus on doing it wholeheartedly and to our best abilities?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Exactly! You do what needs to be done. As for success, there is an ancient Confucius saying, “Man proposes, God disposes” (谋事在人，成事在天), which essentially illustrates that by all means, we can make plans and work hard, but the final outcome lies in heaven’s will; success or failure is not something within your control.

 Caller: I understand now. Thank you, Master!

 

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TAKE HOME NOTES

KARMA OF SPEECH

Today’s session reminds us – as practising Buddhists, although we may face people whose ideals are different from ours, we should always try to avoid turning any given situation into an embarrassing one; Master Lu reminded us that we should always opt for soft-power in problem solving so that others will not feel offended.

Another point to note from today’s session is, to talk behind others’ backs is a serious karma of speech – we can only do that IF our intention is to help them.

We should always be reminded to be tactful with our words and to ensure that we do not harm or offend others and create negative karma of speech for ourselves and others.

It is good to know from today’s session that a simple effort like encouraging others to be kind is actually considered an effort to propagate the Buddha’s teachings.

 

PERSONAL GROOMING

Master Lu reminds us that as Buddhists, we should always look prim and proper because no one will be convinced by a person who is sloppy. However, we should not be too attached to looking good; neither should we spend too much time in upkeeping our image. After all the best cosmetic solution is to practise the ‘world-transcending dharma’ (修出世法).

Today’s session reminds us that with the bit of blessings we have, we should not squander them on our desires.

 

TRADITIONS/RITUALS

Master Lu reminds us today that we should be more understanding and respectful of others who hold beliefs that differ from our own. We need to respect their traditions and rituals even if we don’t necessarily agree with them.

 

BUDDHISM CONCEPTS

Through the story of the three men who were blind, deaf and crippled, we should realise that there is no absolute right or wrong in this world. After all, ‘there is only one world but the world that everyone experiences differs’. 

Today’s session once again reminds us that we should not dwell on an insult or fixate on the mistakes of others. Instead, we should learn to embrace both the good and bad in them and be equanimous, just like how Bodhisattva sees the good and bad in us as merely a manifestation of our karmic obstacles.

As much as we trust and believe in Bodhisattva, today’s session enlightens us that in the human world we would have to rely on ourselves to do the right thing as Bodhisattva can only help those who help themselves.

Last but not least, in today’s session we learn in our hand there is only karma – we should not be attached to the outcome of our effort but simply do our best because we have the responsibility to do so.

 

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< LEARN TO LET GO AND YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED >

 

 

When you encounter difficulties in life, 
the more nervous you are the more you will mess things up

The more you see through the reality of life 
and learn to LET GO
the more likely you will succeed

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Sydney, Australia – 12 January 2020

< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享