Master Lu says, “In all things, care not about fulfilling the insignificant personal wishes. Instead, pray only for the liberation of sentient beings”.
Over the past four sessions, we have gained a more in-depth insight into the reason and proper way to pray to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, as well as different circumstances call for different types of prayers. We have also examined why some prayers go unanswered regardless of how fervent we pray.
In this session, we will wrap up the topic by focusing on the keys to effective prayers.
When making a prayer request, we should question ourselves:
- Are we destined to have what we pray for?
- Do we have sufficient meritorious blessings?
- Are we sincere in our prayer?
- Do we have complete faith in Bodhisattva?
In fact, did you know that, the moment we make a prayer request, Bodhisattva will make the arrangement to fulfil our prayer within a certain time frame. So what is the criterion to facilitate the process?
< The Significance of Praying to Bodhisattva >
Keys to effective prayers
THREE BASES FOR PRAYERS TO BE EFFICACIOUS
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Number 1: Karma from previous lives.
Number 2: The level of cultivation in present life. No matter how admirable a person’s cultivation was in his past lives, if he does only bad things and nothing good in this life, his prayers will not be efficacious.
Number 3: Sincerity.
With a sincere heart, one’s prayer will definitely be efficacious as he will be able to sense the energy field of Bodhisattva. Conversely, for someone who does all the bad things and has never once performed any recitation, he may implore Bodhisattva as and when an issue crops up and hope for an instantaneous answer to his prayer, do you even think a favourable outcome will come out of it?
Never assume that Bodhisattva is not efficacious, because it all comes down to our capability and spiritual power which are clearly lacking.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Toronto, Canada, 24 September 2012
I. Karma from previous lives – are we destined to have it?
HOW TO OBTAIN GOOD FORTUNE WITHIN THIS LIFETIME?
Caller: There is a proverb that goes, ‘If you want to know your past life, look at your present conditions. If you want to know your future life, look at your present actions’ (欲知前世因，今生受者是；欲知来世果，今生作者是). We are all eager to perform more virtuous deeds, but unfortunately, our efforts are hindered by the lack of good fortune. Is there a way to speed up the materialisation of our worldly blessings accumulated in this life, instead of having to wait for them to crystallise in future lives?
Master Jun Hong Lu: To achieve that, the quality of the deed performed must be massive, formidable and there is a depth to it (那就要做得大、做得深、做得厉害).
There are two types of karmic rewards or retributions that have the potential for them to crystallise within one’s lifetime:
One, is that you are an indisputably good person, out-and-out kind, and the virtuous deeds you perform are simply immeasurable. For this, the karmic rewards will come about within this lifetime, allowing you to experience a sudden improvement in many aspects of your life.
Another case being, someone was not supposed to be executed by firing squad but he continually commits bad deeds which results in his execution eventually.
Another example is, by right you are blessed with longevity but you never cherish your health, and worse still, you continuously commit misdeeds, and mess around with the opposite gender. The emperors in ancient times were rightfully able to live to a ripe old age but they had so many concubines at their disposal. Can you now see why most of them did not get to live that long?
There are two types of deeds that can speedily materialise in the present life: one, your deed is heinous (大恶), and the other, it is incredibly virtuous (大善). Since most of you are just average in doing both good and evil, you can only cruise along the path of your fate and destiny. To expect present-life karmic rewards for minor kind deeds that you do would not be possible.
Caller: That means, if we wish to transform our fate and destiny, we will have to work extremely hard to change ourselves.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Being extremely hard working will not make the cut. You have to work tirelessly and relentlessly. Only through diligence, relentless hard work and by going all out in your effort will you get to taste your present-life karmic rewards.
Caller: Thank you, Master.
Source: Shuohua20131115A 08:32, 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 phenomenal 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 but, if you do not put in the effort to learn and do your homework, do you think you will do well in your examination? Do you understand?
Caller: I do.
Master Jun Hong Lu: 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, won’t it?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Such an attitude will not only deplete their merits, they are also being disrespectful towards Bodhisattva. Bodhisattva has boundless power, but why do so many believers 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.
Caller: I understand now.
Master Jun Hong Lu: 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 should stem from the heart (靠菩萨是心里靠). In the human world you have to rely on yourself, because you are essentially a Buddha. Why don’t you inspire the Buddha from within? You must be kidding me!
Here you are expecting your prayers to be answered instantaneously. This is called superstition. It is as good as jumping from the top floor and thinking, “Bodhisattva will definitely protect me”. Would you jump? What a fool! This is how ‘degenerating views (见浊)’ looks like.
Caller: Thank you Master for your explanation.
Source: Wenda20180225A 28:55, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
II. Level of cultivation in present life – Repentance and meritorious blessings are the foundation for Bodhisattva’s blessings
REPENT EARNESTLY FOR PRAYERS TO BE EFFICACIOUS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) diligently when your prayers are not answered for a long time. The more remorseful you are, the more efficacious your prayers will be.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse 7, 14 May 2014
ARE MERITORIOUS BLESSINGS REQUIRED TO RECITE THE CUNDI DHARANI?
Caller: A while back, our practice group conducted a group study on the topic of the Cundi Dharani. We listened to two past radio discourses of which in one of them, Master said that reciting the Cundi Dharani will not expend one’s meritorious blessings as the act of reciting the scripture itself will generate meritorious blessings.
However, in another discourse, Master said that having meritorious blessing is a must when reciting the Cundi Dharani because without which one’s recitation will not yield any results. Can you help us understand this?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Regardless of the scripture you recite, having meritorious blessings is a must. Otherwise, your recitation will not yield results. The Cundi Dharani helps fulfil your heart’s desires, just like a mani pearl (如意珠): “All prayers will be satisfied (凡有所求，无不称遂)”.
Caller: Does that mean that regardless of the short mantras we recite, we need to have meritorious blessings as a foundation in order to have our prayer answered? As to whether our prayer will expend our meritorious blessings, would depend on the magnitude of the issue, is that right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. Just like eating, don’t you need to pay for your meal? Without meritorious blessings, how would your prayers be answered?
Source: Wenda20190503 27:24, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
III. Compassion and state of mind are the foundation
STATE-OF-MIND IS KEY TO AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER
Caller: When we don’t get what we pray for, how do we rebuild our confidence? Please enlighten us, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me ask you, is there any prayer that will be answered instantaneously? For prayer to be answered, it must have been your effort, your compassion, your spiritual foundation, and when your conduct in the human realm already resembles that of a Bodhisattva. When your mind unites with the Bodhisattva’s and when your state-of-mind is of the same level as the Bodhisattva’s – as soon as you pray, Bodhisattva will be able to hear you.
In your current state, if you pray, who will hear your prayer? Can it even be heard?
Let me give you a simple example, if a man keeps repeating this day in, day out from his prison cell saying, “Mum, I will mend my ways and will never ever kill others again. I beg you, please let me out of jail soon”. Do you think his prayer will work at all? Can it be heard at all? It is only when he is near to his parents, “Dad, mum, please help me. I have turned over a new leaf. I will… etc. etc.”. Only when this man is out of prison can his parents connect with his energy field and hear his imploration because the man and his parents are the same now, they are all free men.
Caller: I understand now.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Here’s another example. If you wish to learn or seek favour from a professor, you should at least be a tertiary student, isn’t? On the other hand, for those uneducated and uncultured street peddlers, who wish to talk to a professor, do you think the professor is able to hear them?
Caller: Understand. Thank you Master Lu.
Source: Wenda20150814 43:50, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
IV. Sincerity can work wonders
SINCERITY IS THE KEY TO EFFICACIOUS PRAYER WHEN OFFERING FIRST INCENSE
Question: What is the key to an efficacious prayer when offering First Incense on Chinese New Year Eve? Is it only efficacious when we make vows, perform recitation and virtuous deeds? If gastric diseases are considered spiritual diseases due to karmic obstacles, will our prayer for healing be efficacious? Since Bodhisattva does not intervene with the law of cause and effect, what is the prerequisite for our prayer to be answered when offering First Incense?
Answer: Sincerity can work wonders. Keep your mind empty, pray fervently, and your prayers may be answered on the same day.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 206), 4 February 2018
< The Root of Faith is the Key to Receiving Bodhisattva’s Blessings >
V. Have unwavering faith, patience and perseverance
IF YOU HAVE FAITH, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT YOU ASK FOR IN PRAYER
Caller: Master, could you please give me some advice?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Just like boiling water, you can never bring the water to a boil without constant heat. You must persevere in your undertakings. With Bodhisattva’s blessings, your prayers will definitely get answered, albeit not immediately.
When you state your prayer request to Bodhisattva today, Bodhisattva will make the arrangement to fulfil your prayer within a certain time frame, based on your level of meritorious blessings, karmic obstacles, your past lives, and the urgency of the matter. Your prayer may not crystallise immediately, but be rest assured that Bodhisattva will plan it accordingly. So it’s important to have faith in Bodhisattva. You must never lose your faith.
Caller: Okay.
Source: Wenda20191025 01:15:23, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
VI. Have a quiet mind (心静则自然灵)
GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA’S TIPS ON EFFICACIOUS PRAYER
Master Jun Hong Lu: I asked Guan Yin Bodhisattva, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva, can you teach us a method that will help make our prayers more efficacious? You have earlier mentioned about a ‘calm state of mind’, how do we achieve this state for our prayers to be answered?”
Guan Yin Bodhisattva replied, “After completing your prostration before the Buddha and Bodhisattvas but right before you put forth your prayer, enunciate, “The Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva, silence…”.
When you say the word ‘silence’, your mind will be emptied, without any thought whatsoever. You should sincerely express your deepest gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva.”
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Sydney, Australia, 8 April 2012
RECITING THE HEART SUTRA BEFORE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST WILL MAKE PRAYER MORE EFFICACIOUS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me teach you a method that can make your prayer more efficacious, that is, by first reciting the Heart Sutra. For instance, after reciting 7 or 21 times of the Heart Sutra, you may pray,
“With the Heart Sutra I recited today, may the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva, use Your compassionate divine powers to help me succeed in carrying out this task”.
This will work because the 21 times of the Heart Sutra you recite will transform into a form of wisdom, which will facilitate the process of fulfilling the rightful things in your prayer
Source: Wenda20161016B 24:15, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
VII. Pray only for the liberation of sentient beings
ONE WHO ALWAYS PRAYS FOR SENTIENT BEINGS WILL HAVE HIS PRAYER FULFILLED
Master Jun Hong Lu: If someone’s prayer is always answered, this is because he is praying for sentient beings rather than for himself. An awakened person understands, when the well being of sentient beings is taken care of (把众生都求得好了), things will certainly go well for him too.
Instead of praying for others, if you only think of yourself, do you think your prayer will work?
Source: Wenda20131025 01:01:11, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
SACRIFICE OURSELVES FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS
Master Jun Hong Lu: As Buddhist practitioners, we must recognise that life is more than eating good food, sleeping in a comfortable bed, or having a stable job – life is more than just repeating mundane tasks in order to acquire wealth to sustain our lifestyle. The greatness of human beings is in our ability to create lives and live a life to serve other sentient beings; as serving others is what makes us great.
Hence, we must relinquish the smallness of self in order to serve the broader collective (舍去小我，成全大我), to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others, and learn the spirit of Guan Yin Bodhisattva who responds to every plea. In all things, care not about fulfilling the insignificant personal wishes. Instead, pray only for the liberation of sentient beings (不为人间小满足，只为众生求解脱).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Paris, France, 5 September 2019
< The Power of Accumulation >
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