Have you ever wondered:
- Why do some prayers go unanswered?
- Why do some people’s prayers get answered more swiftly than others’?
- What are the criteria for one’s prayer to be fulfilled?
While we may confide anything to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Master Lu reminded us “not to pray to Bodhisattva for trivial matters, otherwise our prayers for matters of grave concern will be rendered ineffective”.
So under what circumstances should we implore the blessings of Bodhisattva?
< True Happiness is When We Expect Nothing in Return >
WHAT IS THE SIXTH SUFFERING IN LIFE？
UNATTAINABLE WISH (求不得苦)
Master Jun Hong Lu:
The sixth suffering is being unable to get what you wish for.
If you pray very hard for something in vain, isn’t that painful?
This is the most painful experience.
If your prayers are always unanswered,
won’t you be suffering?
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Milan, Italy, 25 September 2017
WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?
I. Because we do not have sufficient merits and virtues
MERITS ARE THE KEY FOR ONE’S PRAYER TO BE ANSWERED
Master Jun Hong Lu: When we perform recitation of Buddhist scriptures and pay respect to Bodhisattvas, it does not mean that Bodhisattvas will help us remove our karmic obstacles. In fact, performing recitation and paying respect to Bodhisattvas are acts that are meritorious in nature. The karmic reward we stand to reap is not something that we can fathom (果报不可思议), and it will lay the groundwork for us to accomplish extraordinary amounts of merits (成就不可思议功德).
Under normal circumstances, merits will automatically be sorted out based on the Principle of Heaven (天理). This means merits will not automatically be used to offset any of our karmic obstacles. However, when we pray for Bodhisattvas’ mercy to bless us with a smooth-sailing career or love life, out of compassion, Bodhisattvas are able to use Their spiritual powers to utilise our merits to counteract a specific karmic obstacle that stands in the way of our career or relationship. Our life will thus be smooth sailing.
Our merits together with the compassion and spiritual powers of Bodhisattvas must go hand in hand. That said, it still all boils down to the merits that we have because “with one virtuous reward, one karmic obstacle is eradicated” (一份善果去一份业障).
On this basis, a person, who merely prays fervently to Bodhisattvas and makes no effort whatsoever to perform meritorious deeds or recitation, even Bodhisattvas will be rendered helpless. The same goes for a person, who has a substantial amount of karmic obstacles and very little meritorious blessing, his prayers will go unanswered.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 1 Chapter 8
EXCESSIVE PRAYER REQUESTS COULD BACKFIRE ON YOU
Master Jun Hong Lu: When you pray to the Buddha, it is important not to go overboard with your prayer request (拜佛不要太多地去求佛). If you do it at a time when you have an insufficient level of merits (功德), willpower (愿力) and worldly blessings (福德), your prayer may reflect back as karmic obstacles (这些反射回来的业障), that hinder your Buddhism practice.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 6 Chapter 24
HOW DO WE BALANCE THE NEED TO IMPLORE THE BLESSINGS OF BODHISATTVA?
Caller: Master, you mentioned that we may confide anything to Guan Yin Bodhisattva; however, you also reminded us “not to pray to Bodhisattva for trivial matters, otherwise our prayers for matters of grave concern will be rendered ineffective”. The reason I ask is because there is a Buddhist practitioner who will pray to Bodhisattva even for trivial matters like catching a cold so that he can be blessed with a speedy recovery. Will doing so expend his merits? How do we determine whether or not we should implore the blessings of Bodhisattva for a specific matter? Kindly enlighten us, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s simple. For those who cultivate well, they will be able to resolve their problems by merely reciting a few times of the Buddhist scriptures. Conversely, for those who are subpar in their spiritual cultivation and yet if they pray to Bodhisattva even for the most minute of matters, Bodhisattva, being the saviour of all sufferings and calamities, will not be annoyed by their requests. However, the problem is have they ever thought about whether or not they have sufficient merits to go with it because without which nothing will work regardless of how fervent they pray.
As a matter of fact, those who lack merits may create ‘reverse contributive factors’ (逆上增缘) for themselves. The word ‘reverse’ (逆上) here means ‘in contrary to something’. To illustrate, when your prayer goes unanswered, you may conjure up disrespectful thoughts towards Bodhisattva.
Caller: And lose faith in Bodhisattva.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Precisely! That’s why I’m asking you to make fewer prayer requests. Despite fervent prayers, many people’s wishes are unfulfilled simply because they lack sufficient meritorious blessings. In the end, they go “Alas, Bodhisattva, why didn’t You bless me? I am not going to trust You anymore.” That’s the end of it! Just take a look at me, how would it even be possible for me to backslide in my cultivation when every single of my prayers gets answered?
Caller: That’s right.
Master Jun Hong Lu: What matters is the amount of merits that one has.
Caller: Yes. When speaking to other Buddhist practitioners, sometimes, I will go, “Never point the finger at anything. We have only ourselves to blame for being so lacking in meritorious blessings. When our Master helps us pray for a specific matter, his prayer will immediately get answered, simply because of the immense amount of meritorious blessings Master has amassed!
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, you are right! Let me give you a simple example. Why do things go smoothly for some people while we, on the other hand, have to contend with various obstacles?
Caller: True! It’s none other than our shallow meritorious blessings, and hefty karmic obstacles.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Why do some people have the opportunity to lead? This is because they have been conscientious in working all the way up to the top. What about you? Have you been conscientious in your undertakings? This is the reason and that’s how it works.
Caller: Yes. Thank you Master for your explanation.
Source: Wenda20150724 08:40, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?
II. Because we are laden with negative karma
THE LESS KARMIC OBSTACLES WE HAVE, THE MORE EFFICACIOUS OUR PRAYERS ARE
Caller: If we have been practising Buddhism for several years, how do we know if we have more or fewer karmic obstacles?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Generally speaking, you will be able to tell from whether things are going smoothly for you or not, and whether your prayers are efficacious or not. The more efficacious your prayers are, the less karmic obstacles you have and vice versa.
Caller: Separately, I would like to ask about a scenario where a Buddhist friend whose deceased family member, let’s say his father, did not visit him at all in his dreams despite having been offered more than 100 Little Houses. Is it necessary for this Buddhist friend to offer more Little Houses to his deceased father if there isn’t a chance to get through Master’s totem enquiry line?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Generally, you should stop doing so if you have not dreamed of the receiver even after offering more than 108 Little Houses.
Source: Wenda20181202A 38:24, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
EFFECTS OF RECITING THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE
Why do some people find performing recitation ineffective? It is because they have accumulated far too many karmic obstacles. Therefore, it is very important to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) to eliminate your karmic obstacles. If your karmic obstacles are activated and transformed into spirits, then you will need to recite Little Houses and address them to the “Karmic Creditor of <your full name>”.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism Your Questions Answered, Q&A 22
WHY SOME PEOPLE’S PRAYERS GET ANSWERED MORE SWIFTLY THAN OTHERS’?
Caller: Some Buddhist friends have been performing recitation for some years, and yet, their prayers remain unanswered. Interestingly, there are those whose prayers are answered a few months after performing recitation. What could be the reason for it since in both cases, they make great vows, and perform recitation and life liberation. It seems that they have strong willpower, however, for some reason success seems to elude the former group.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me quote you a simple example: Down with a cold, two people go to the hospital to receive an anti-inflammatory jab, but only one manages to bring his fever down. Can you tell me why?
Caller: One of them suffers from a more serious condition.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. One of them has weightier karmic obstacles. Secondly, one has a better body constitution than the other.
Caller: I understand now. If they have yet to make much headway despite years of practice, it goes to show that they have to exert greater effort. Am I right to say so?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The day he gets to taste the success of his diligence, others may think, “Whoa! This person got his prayer answered so swiftly! Why has my prayer gone unanswered till now?” The grass is always greener on the other side.
Caller: I understand now. Thank you, Master.
Source: Wenda20180511 51:15, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?
III. Because we do not have strong resolution
WHY DO MANY PEOPLE NOT GET THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED EVEN AFTER MAKING VOWS?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Instead of making constant progress, if a Buddhist practitioner regresses in his spiritual cultivation, he is none other than an ordinary being (凡夫). On the other hand, if you are able to free yourself from vexations, your cultivation has reached a state of supremacy (你修行就是无上). What does this mean? It means you are someone who is constantly making advancement in your practice. That said, those who are vexed will never be able to advance in their cultivation.
Just take a look around you. Those who are troubled by worries day in, day out, it only goes to show that such people lack magnanimity. Without a big heart, one will be beset by endless streams of worries. To eliminate your vexations, you must understand the meaning of being a sage and having a magnanimous heart. Through which, only then will your willpower increase.
Why do many prayers go unanswered even after making vows? This is because they lack the willpower (愿力太小). When performing life liberation, there are those who will think, “Should I buy the small or big fish and how should I go about doing this?” “Look, I have been doing this every week and every month”.
These are just words of self-justification (让自己自圆其说的话语) that in reality will only make these people more petty than ever.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 9 Chapter 1
WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?
IV. Because our karmic conditions have not ripened
PRAYER GOES UNANSWERED BECAUSE THE KARMIC CONDITIONS HAVE NOT MATURED
Master Jun Hong Lu: We must educate our Buddhist friends, when karmic conditions ripen, the fruit of karma will certainly take effect (因缘成熟，因果必到). When the karmic conditions of your prayer to the Buddha ripen today, your karmic result will come into being. If the karmic conditions of your prayer have not ripened, your prayer will go unanswered no matter how hard you pray.
Bodhisattvas often say that when the conditions fall in place, success will come knocking on your door (水到渠成). If you pray every day, will the Bodhisattvas not know about it? It is very important to know how many meritorious and virtuous deeds you have performed, and how sincere you are when you pray.
Why do we have worries? It is because karmic conditions have not arisen, so of course you will be worried. You have prayed to have a certain wish fulfilled. Your prayer is not answered because the conditions have not matured, so you suffer and feel miserable.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Episode 13, 29 May 2020
< The seeds you sow will surely sprout one day! >
WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?
V. Because our mind is deluded and not united with Bodhisattva
A SOUL ENTANGLED IN DISTRACTING THOUGHTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HARVEST MERITS AND VIRTUES FROM THEIR CULTIVATION
Master Jun Hong Lu: If your mind is full of weeds, thinking it is impossible to accomplish this task, then it will, indeed, be impossible. When your mind is like a lotus flower, though it hasn’t blossomed, after all it’s a seed, one day, it will bloom. Therefore, a soul entangled in distracting thoughts will not be able to harvest merits and virtues from their cultivation (杂念缠绕的心灵是不会修出功德的).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Episode 21, 29 May 2020
YOUR PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED IF YOU’RE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE
Master Jun Hong Lu: Guan Yin Bodhisattva treats all beings equally. But why do some of us manage to have our prayers answered while others don’t? Your prayers will be answered if you are kind and compassionate.
If your prayers to the Bodhisattva go unanswered today, it shows that you have yet to establish a single-minded connection with the Bodhisattva; your heart is not united with the Bodhisattva, and you have yet to touch Her heart. Our minds are highly deluded, and that goes for a hundred, two hundred and thousands of us.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Audio), Episode 26, 1 January 2020
THE MORE PORNOGRAPHY YOU WATCH ONLINE, THE HARDER IT GETS FOR ONE TO LAND A JOB
Caller: Hi Master, how are you? I would like to ask on behalf of someone born in 1970, the year of the dog. He would like to know about his career prospects and his health conditions.
Master Jun Hong Lu: First and foremost, let me tell you that his career prospects are dim.
Caller: Yes. It’s been a year and yet, he has not been able to land a job.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Exactly! He has been unsuccessful in his quest to secure a job. You will know the reason when I tell you this: You must tell him to stop watching pornography online.
Caller: Okay, I will tell him.
Master Jun Hong Lu: You must let him know because the more he watches, the harder it gets for him to find a job. I know of a Singapore Buddhist friend, a young lady, who had been unsuccessful in securing a job for almost two years.
When she sought my help, I told her, “You must stop watching pornography and you must also recite 108 times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO)”. After reciting the said number of LIFO and giving up those online pornography, she found a job almost immediately.
Caller: I see. How soon should he complete reciting the 108 times of LIFO? Must he complete them in one day or within a week?
Master Jun Hong Lu: How is it possible to finish it in one day? You must pace it out by reciting seven times daily. If he is repenting for this particular matter, he can recite slightly more per day, but not more than nine times, as this may activate his karmic obstacles. If this happens, it is going to spell trouble for him. Remember this: He won’t find a job if his mind remains filthy.
Caller: Besides checking on his fortune, roughly when would he be able to secure a job and where, etc.?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The key lies in him performing the recitation. Once he repents, the job will naturally come knocking on his door. Without repentance, it will be impossible for him to land a job. Let me tell you this: Eventually, he will find a job through a referral.
Caller: I see. So, it will come through a referee. I will let him know about it. How soon would that be?
Master Jun Hong Lu: I don’t know. It all depends on the quality of his recitations. He will remain jobless if he is not diligent in his recitations.
Caller: Alright. I will relay to him. Where is he at the moment in terms of totem? He was born in 1970, the year of the dog.
Master Jun Hong Lu: On a cliff. That’s not good. This explains why he is down on luck and beset by ill health. On top of this, his talent will go unrecognised – a tell-tale sign of the lack of self-love.
When he watches pornography, his brain will be inundated with all those filthy thoughts. Needless to say, he will be down on luck. His Yin energy is too strong. All these explain why he can’t get a job. Do you understand me?
Caller: I do. I will certainly tell him to recite 108 times of LIFO. How many Little Houses does he need to recite?
Master Jun Hong Lu: 67 Little Houses.
Caller: Does he need to make a vow of reciting 67 Little Houses?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. Get him to perform his recitation diligently. He also needs to recite LIFO, don’t forget this.
Source: Zongshu20160719 29:22, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
WHY ARE OUR PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?
VI. Because they are geared towards self-interest
WHY IS ONE’S PRAYER FOR A JOB INEFFICACIOUS, UNLIKE OTHER REQUESTS?
Caller: In his quest to secure a job, a Buddhist practitioner has utilised merits generated from his volunteering work in several of the past dharma conventions but his wish remains unfulfilled. Master, I’d like to ask: Why is it that the prayer requests for other matters seem to pan out quite nicely but not when he is imploring for a job?
Master Jun Hong Lu: There are many intricate aspects to this (这里边有很多讲究的).
First, what is the nature of the work that he is looking for?
Second, what’s his objective of securing a job?
If there is selfish intent, his prayer may go unanswered.
He may have the intent to earn big bucks and what he is going to do with the money? All these would have some bearing on his prayer request.
Source: Wenda20161211B 44:39, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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