Time : Saturday 2pm-4pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : Gratitude – The Mighty Catalyst for True Happiness
Master Lu says, “Why is conscience so lacking these days? It boils down to people’s lack of gratitude. Without gratitude, we are no different from animals.”
On 30 April 2022, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held an online English sharing session to delve into Gratitude – The Mighty Catalyst for True Happiness.
It was an enlightening session, covering a string of effective discourses of Master Lu that drilled into the importance of having a heart of gratitude. Besides quelling arrogance and hatred, gratitude will also help us safeguard our blessings.
The facilitator put forth a slew methods to cultivate gratitude, even in times of adversity, and among which were we should regard everything as a manifestation of the Buddha-nature and everything is bestowed by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
In a poignant short story, the meaning of impermanence and the concept of ‘all things will pass’ was highlighted. One good way to be thankful when things go awry.
In the upcoming session, scheduled on 14 May, we will delve into the ingenious secrets & efficacy of the Heart Sutra.
🌿 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:
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
< Be Grateful Even In Times of Adversity >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 5
Key Messages:
- We should learn from Maitreya Buddha, who has an immense tolerance towards the unbearable. (学弥勒佛：大肚能容，容天下难容之事)
- Treat those difficult people and matters in life as the basis to cultivate our mind, and a chance to train ourselves.
- Express no anger when being scolded. Express no anger when others vent their anger at us, as we stand to suffer if we can’t control our temper.
- Staying calm enables us to find peace in our heart.In quietude, our mind will be emptied (静能空心).
- Let adversity be your teacher, hardship can make you even stronger (磨难是你们的导师，经历一些磨难反而让你更加坚强). Learn to withstand adversity, as it helps you grow and makes you stronger by providing an impetus for you to make progress (逆增上缘).
- No matter how much adversity you encounter, be at ease, stay calm and learn to be grateful. Only in challenging times will we think of seeking blessings from the Bodhisattva as a way to get out of our predicament. And when the Bodhisattva helps us, we must be grateful.
< WHAT IS GRATITUDE? IS IT SIMPLY A FEELING? >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 368) | 8 March 2020
CONTENTMENT IS THE WAY, GRATITUDE IS VIRTUE
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Contentment is the Way, gratitude is virtue. (知足是道，感恩是德). Only when you are content, will you search for salvation in Buddhism and seek the path to Buddhahood.
Being grateful towards others is a virtue. How does one become virtuous (道德是怎么来的)? It is when he is content and thankful for what he has.
A virtuous person is always content, and a content person will always bask in joy and happiness; a virtuous person will always be grateful towards people whom they cross paths with; he would not jostle nor fight with others – something that only the ungrateful ones will do.
Think about the many people who have chipped in to help you in your journey of life, do you feel indebted to them or have you totally forgotten about them? We need to learn to be grateful.
Master Jun Hong Lu | Words of Wisdom Volume 5
Being grateful means understanding the law of cause and effect.
Gratitude will arise when one makes an effort to understand the seeds of cause.
感恩就是知因懂果，以心去理解因，就会产生感恩。
Wenda20160715 01:29:10 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
A GRATEFUL HEART LIES WITHIN A MAGNANIMOUS HEART AND IT WILL HELP ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES
Caller: Hi Master, you once said, “A magnanimous heart will keep afflictions and karmic obstacles at bay”.
Is it right to understand it as: A magnanimous heart has the effect of reducing the burden of the onslaught of one’s heavy karmic retribution (重业轻报), whereas a narrow-minded person will be dealt with a disproportionately large karmic obstacle or trouble in life? Is my understanding correct, Master?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. In fact, your interpretation has surpassed the mortal mindset (超脱了人间的一种思维了) and it embodies a line of thought that is very similar to the concept of dialectical materialism (唯物辩证法的那种思维).
As a matter of fact, a magnanimous person will be able to eliminate his karmic obstacles because he is not calculative. Those with a magnanimous heart in reality have a heart of compassion because they will not engage in petty calculations with others (不跟人家斤斤计较).
That is to say, they have the mindset “even if I am karmically indebted to you, I will not seek revenge”. This is a form of compassion. This explains why compassion will engender a type of energy that is capable of eliminating one’s karmic obstacles.
Caller: Master, would you be able to elaborate on the specific characteristics of a magnanimous person? Other than loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity (慈悲喜舍), in what other ways would such a person demonstrate?
Master Jun Hong Lu: A broad-minded person will not take others’ criticism to heart. When one is at the receiving end of a slander, one should regard the criticism as a positive impetus to make progress in spiritual cultivation (激励你前进的增上缘).
Regardless of how others treat you, there should be an ‘emotional steelyard’ in you (你自己心中要有一杆秤的).
Irrespective of what others say about you, how they are jealous of you or whatever they throw at you, you should do better and perfect your endeavours.
It’s precisely because of your imperfections that others will find fault with you. Hence, you must make strides to perfect yourself.
Caller: Yes. Is it right to say that those who are compassionate are likely to have a bigger heart?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s correct. This is why the greater one’s compassion, the larger one’s magnanimity. The deeper the sense of gratitude, the higher the level of tolerance one will have towards matters and issues.
Master Jun Hong Lu:
The sense of gratitude is not only a state-of-mind but also a tool,
a cultivation method.
Buddhism In Plain Terms | Volume 1 Chapter 10 | An Excerpt
Master Jun Long Lu’s Discourse (Question 203) | 22 January 2018
GRATITUDE IS THE ONLY TOOL THAT CAN EXTERMINATE ALL KARMIC OBSTACLES
Question: Master Lu has mentioned in Buddhism in Plain Terms that every passion and desire within the Seven Emotions and Six Sensory Pleasures (七情六欲) has the effect of creating karmic obstacles and it is only through gratitude that one is able to exterminate them (断绝业障). I’d like to understand why gratitude is the only tool that can help prevent karmic obstacles from forming.
Answer: I have covered this in my earlier chapters of Buddhism in Plain Terms. Our original aspirations begin with a heart of gratitude (感恩心是最初始的心). This positive emotion is the foundation of compassion that is in one’s innate nature (慈悲心是我们的本性).
Compassion is derived from a heart that knows gratitude and correspondingly, gratitude stems from a heart of compassion which in turn helps unleash the Buddha nature within us
(把佛性带出来).
Hence, compassion is the only way that helps prevent the formation of all karmic obstacles, regardless of the type. In a truly compassionate heart, there’s no room for greed (贪心), resentment (瞋恨), ignorance (愚痴) and arrogance (贡高我慢). With this, do you think this person will commit a sinful act?
Would you now agree that compassion is the only effective weapon that can exterminate all karmic obstacles (断除一切的唯一方法)? This is how this concept works.
< WHY GRATITUDE MATTERS? >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting
Sydney, Australia | 10 January 2020
THE BENEFITS OF EMBRACING A HEART OF GRATITUDE
Master Jun Hong Lu:
- Be grateful to those who have hurt you, as they made your life distinctive (与众不同);
- Be grateful to those who have made things difficult for you, as they polished your mental determination;
- Be grateful to those who have deceived you, as they helped you gain wisdom;
- Be grateful to those who looked down on you, as they helped reinstate your self-esteem (恢复了自尊); and
- Be grateful to those who have abandoned you, as they made you independent and strong.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting
Amsterdam, Netherlands | 9 September 2019
A HEART OF GRATITUDE ENGENDERS BLESSINGS
Master Jun Hong Lu:
When we allow the virtue of gratitude to permeate us, there will be no hatred in our heart.
When we live a life of gratitude, our life will be filled with more and more blessings.
Wenda20160429 20:40 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
SAFEGUARD YOUR BLESSINGS BY EMBRACING A HEART OF GRATITUDE
Caller: Master has said that the great virtue of someone who wholeheartedly propagates Buddhism with a noble intention of wanting to benefit all sentient beings (弘法的人一心利益众生), will result in an increase in his worldly blessings (人天福报).
I’d like to ask Master as to how we should handle such blessings so that we do not end up indulging in worldly enjoyments such as fame and wealth? (名闻利养).
Master Jun Hong Lu: When it comes to all blessings, first and foremost one should be grateful; the second is to view that they are not your own, but a gift from Bodhisattva.
Just as everyone reveres me, I have never viewed this as a function of my personal charm. Instead, I attribute it to Guan Yin Bodhisattva and this will keep me grounded (所以我就永远不会贡高我慢). All of you should adopt the same approach.
For instance, after a sumptuous meal, you should say, “Deepest gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva for bestowing upon me the blessings to have the opportunity to have this marvellous meal”.
Another example is when you can happily afford to purchase a house, you should say, “Deepest gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva for granting me this house”.
Acknowledge that nothing is your own achievement, but everything is a gift from Bodhisattva. By doing so, you will not deplete your blessings and life (不会消福消寿了).
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse | Guan Yin Hall | Sydney, Australia | 16 October 2020 (An Excerpt)
IF WE WISH TO BE FREE FROM KARMIC ILLNESSES, PRACTISE GREAT COMPASSION AND GREAT DETERMINATION
Master Jun Hong Lu:
If you wish to eliminate the illnesses caused by past karma and not to suffer the retribution now, there is one important point that you have to look out for, that is, to practise great compassion.
Guan Yin Bodhisattva is demonstrating this quality to us every single day, in hope that we can understand the importance of having a heart of compassion.
Not only do we need to practise great compassion, we also need to have great determination (大愿心) in order to transcend the karmic grievances from our past lives (超度宿世的冤结).
In whatever circumstances, you should learn to surpass yourself and be grateful. Thanks to these karmic grievances, we now understand we cannot afford to generate anymore new karma in our present life.
If we keep generating new karma, we will never be able to eliminate all our karmic obstacles within this lifetime when our past karmic debts have yet to be paid off (前世的宿业还没还清).
That said, if we wish to be free from karmic debts in our next life, we need to pay off all our karmic dues within this lifetime and no matter what the circumstances are, we need to face them with a heart of gratitude (感恩心).
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 13 (An Excerpt)
IN CONTENTMENT, WE ARE GRATEFUL AND ONLY THEN, WE TRULY POSSESS
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Of all the things we possess, did you know that in the eyes of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, only “contentment” (知足) is deemed the most wholesome and outstanding?
Even if you have the whole world at your feet, blessed with all the things and money your heart can ever desire for in life, only “contentment” is viewed as the most wholesome and perfect. In contentment, we possess (知足之后得到的是拥有). When you are content, only then can you truly possess.
In a marriage, only when you are content and feel that you have a good husband that you will have his best interest at heart at all times. This is when you truly own the relationship. When you cherish this partnership, you will naturally love and protect your spouse and the relationship will be a happy one. Contentment naturally drives you to appreciate your other half.
On the flip side, the lack of it makes you view your spouse as a nuisance. Nothing that he does will ever make you feel satisfied and eventually, you will lose him.
You may not be wealthy, but you are blessed with this dharma gem that is called ‘auspiciousness’(如意).
What is auspiciousness? It is a quality that you call on to help you get what you wish for. When you are content, repeat this to yourself three times, “I’m content, I’m content, I’m content”.
You may not be wealthy, but you are blessed with this dharma gem that is called ‘auspiciousness’(如意).
What is auspiciousness? It is a quality that you call on to help you get what you wish for. When you are content, repeat this to yourself three times, “I’m content, I’m content, I’m content”.
< Have Gratitude for The Four Kindness >
https://youtu.be/p14G53LoLS8
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 53
HAVE GRATITUDE FOR THE FOUR KINDNESS
Key Messages:
- To build one’s mountain of merits and virtues
(成就你的功德宝山) entails the functioning of all elements such as one’s Buddha nature, personal factors (因素), cultivation foundation, etc. - We need to cultivate compassion and advance our compassion to a certain level where we should repay the four kinds of kindness above (上报四重恩) and help those in the three paths of sufferings (下济三途苦).
|
The Four Kinds of Kindness 上报四重恩 |
The Three Paths of Sufferings 下济三途苦 |
|
Kindness of Parents (父母恩) |
The Hell Realm (地狱道) |
|
Kindness of Country (国土恩) |
The Hungry Ghost Realm(饿鬼道) |
|
Kindness of the Three Jewels |
The Animal Realm (畜生道) |
|
Kindness of Sentient Beings (众生恩) |
- ‘Repaying the four kinds of kindness above’ reminds us that we must perform meritorious deeds every day.
- Constantly ask, “Are you compassionate towards sentient beings today?”; “Have you repaid the four kinds of kindness above?”.
- Be grateful to others every day, as our lives are sustained on their sacrifices, provisions and assistance.
< HOW DO WE CULTIVATE GRATITUDE? >
Master Jun Hong Lu | Words of Wisdom Volume 3
Learn to be grateful.
When you receive help from others, pay it forward.
Be grateful to nature for nurturing us.
Be grateful to our parents for raising us.
Be grateful to our fellow Buddhists for their friendships.
Be grateful to the Buddha’s teachings for awakening us.
1. By remembering everything is bestowed by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms | Volume 1 Chapter 24 (An Excerpt)
REGARD EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD AS THE MANIFESTATION OF THE BUDDHA-NATURE
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Everything in the world is the manifestation of the Buddha-nature. Specifically, everything in the world, including all physical and mental phenomena, is the evolvement of the Buddha-nature. If you can regard everything in this world being their Buddha-nature, you are already a Buddha.
For example, right now as you sit here, you show gratitude towards heaven and earth for giving you a chair. You are listening to Master’s lecture, and you show gratitude towards Guan Yin Bodhisattva for bestowing on you a Master to guide you in your Buddhism practice.
When you return home, unite with your family and live in harmony with one another, show gratitude towards Guan Yin Bodhisattva for blessing you with such a great family.
You regard everything to be a manifestation of the Buddha-nature, and everything is bestowed by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Be grateful. If you can view everything in the world in possession of Buddha-nature and a manifestation of their Buddha-nature, you are a Buddha or Bodhisattva.
2. Express gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism Your Questions Answered(FAQ) | 5 May 2020 | Q&A 100
HOW TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA? (An Excerpt)
If you wish to express your gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva for protecting and blessing you, you can make vows in front of the statues or images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on the Buddhist altar.
For example, you can vow to be a vegetarian, or to introduce Buddhism to a certain number of people, helping them become spiritually awakened.
You can also vow to spread the Dharma, or emulate the compassion of the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva, besides helping people, who have affinity with the Buddha, attain spiritual awakening.
In fact, Guan Yin Bodhisattva does not need anything in return from us; She only hopes that we can sincerely cultivate our minds and help others become spiritually awakened. Therefore, to express our gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, we should learn from Her and Master Lu to help people become spiritually awakened.
In our daily lives, we should continuously propagate Buddhism and help people become spiritually awakened, share our experiences with others by demonstrating the benefits of learning Buddhism whenever possible, and help more people break through delusions and attain enlightenment.
We should also practise the “giving of Dharma” whenever possible by teaching or sharing the Buddhist teachings and knowledge with others.
In addition, you can do more recitations of the Heart Sutra. By reciting the Heart Sutra, you can be connected to the energy of Guan Yin Bodhisattva – through which, She will be able to sense your gratitude.
3. Cultivate the Three Fields of Blessings (三福田)
- Field of Reverence (敬田)
- Field of Gratitude (恩田)
- Field of Compassion (悲田)
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Audio) Episode 23 (An Excerpt)
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO CULTIVATE THE THREE FIELDS OF BLESSINGS
Master Jun Hong Lu:
In Buddhism, there are three types of blessings and collectively, they are termed as the Three Fields of Blessings (三福田).
The Field of Blessings is capable of generating the conditions for good fortune.
The first Field of Blessings comes when you make offerings to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (供养佛法僧) and this is called the Field of Reverence (敬田).
Today, you prostrate the moment you see the Bodhisattva, aren’t you being respectful? Do you respect the dharma? Do you respect the monastics, or monks and nuns? If you do, you have the Field of Reverence, which will generate blessings for you in the future.
The second Field of Blessings is the Field of Gratitude (恩田).
If you yearn for more blessings, you must practise greater filial piety by serving your parents and teachers. You need to have a sense of gratitude and an intention to repay their kindness. This is why this field is known as the Field of Gratitude.
The second Field of Blessings is the Field of Gratitude (恩田).
If you yearn for more blessings, you must practise greater filial piety by serving your parents and teachers. You need to have a sense of gratitude and an intention to repay their kindness. This is why this field is known as the Field of Gratitude.
There are also many aged mothers who suffer from bad back and ill health. When you are kind to them, you are seeding your own Field of Compassion.
Hence, be kind to the destitute, the poor, the sick and the disabled. You should provide and care for them with your compassion.
There are also many aged mothers who suffer from bad back and ill health. When you are kind to them, you are seeding your own Field of Compassion.
Hence, be kind to the destitute, the poor, the sick and the disabled. You should provide and care for them with your compassion.
4. All things in the world will pass
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 20 October 2019
THE MOST MIRACULOUS QUOTE IN THE WORLD
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Once upon a time, there was a king who was eagerly in search of a quote that could make a happy person sad and a sad person happy. Unfortunately, it was a quest that yielded him no results.
One fine day, the king dreamed of a sage, who passed on to him a word of advice, which was exactly what he had long yearned for. It is the most miraculous quote in the world:
‘All things in the world will pass’.
Buddhist practitioners must understand that irrespective of the good and bad things in life, all your possessions – be it fame, status and wealth – will never stay unchanged for an eternity. Those moments of anguish and failure will too, be over. One should not be overjoyed when in possession of something because it will not be yours in perpetuity.
As Buddhist practitioners, we should comprehend the meaning of impermanence and the law of causation. Life is both a course of events and state of affairs, it is neither a bearing nor the ultimate terminal of disembarkation.
On this note, each one of you must remember to consume two tablets of antidote (药): Take the tablet of contentment in the morning, and the tablet of gratitude at night.
5. Through understanding others
Wenda20170806B 09:16 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
UNDERSTANDING OTHERS IS KEY TO DEVELOPING A SENSE OF GRATITUDE
Caller: Master, how should we understand this sentence: only through understanding others can one develop a sense of gratitude?
Master Jun Hong Lu: When you understand others, you will empathise with them for the suffering they endure. Only then will you develop compassion and feel grateful to them.
For example, your wife prepares breakfast for you every single day, and you are already so used to it that you won’t even think that it is a slog for her. Am I right?
But do you really think that being a wife is so easy? Take a look at the chores that she has to do every day, such as cleaning the pots, pans and dishes, besides preparing breakfast for you, frying the eggs, and yet have to deal with the mess on the pans after frying.
You may not feel it, but the fact is, she is toiling away. The moment you understand her, you will be grateful to her. When you are so thankful to her, you start to develop compassion for her and pity her. Don’t you think this is when a sense of gratitude will wash over you?
Caller: I see.
6. Pray to Bodhisattva whenever you perform kind deeds
Wenda20180608 44:12 | Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
PRAY TO BODHISATTVA WHEN PERFORMING DEEDS AND YOUR MERITS WILL INCREASE
Caller: A Buddhist friend would like to ask: when he prepares vegetarian desserts for others, would it be proper to pray to Bodhisattva by saying, “May there be a day more when they adopt a vegetarian diet and a day less when they consume meat, and may they establish affinities with Buddha thereupon”?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That is alright. By saying so, his meritorious blessings will even be larger. In fact, you should always pray to Bodhisattva when performing kind deeds as this will increase your meritorious blessings.
Caller: Noted, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Before eating, take a few seconds to meditate upon your meal and say, “Deepest gratitude to the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva for bestowing this food upon me.”
When we practise mealtime prayers that emanate naturally from our heart, we will have greater meritorious blessings compared to those who do not practise the same. This is because we eat with a thankful heart.
Caller: I see, Master.
7. View the world with an equanimous mind (用平常心看世界)
Buddhism In Plain Terms Volume 2 Chapter 20 (An Excerpt)
GRATITUDE GROWS FOR THOSE WHO VIEW THE WORLD WITH AN EQUANIMOUS MIND
Master Jun Hong Lu:
You should view the world with an equanimous mind (用平常心看世界). Regard everything in this world as an ordinary existence. Adopt an indifferent mindset and be thankful for everything – I am thankful that I have food today, and even if I don’t, I am still thankful.
A truly wise person says ‘thank you’ all the time. When ‘thank you’ becomes a language that is readily spoken, it becomes a protective barrier to our consciousness (成为一种意识当中的防护墙). This is wisdom.
This is what it means by viewing the world with an equanimous mind, where there’s absolutely nothing that can make me worry or feel afflicted about, as you perceive all things in this world as nothing but ordinary.
8. Honour the Master and revere His teachings (尊师重道)
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Audio) | Episode 7 (An Excerpt)
ONE GAINS MERITS IF ONE REGARDS THE MASTER AS A BUDDHA
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Only when you take the minds of sentient beings as your own (以众生之心为己心), you are perfecting yourself for the benefit of others (自利利他). In Buddhism, it is often said that one must learn to honour his master and revere his teachings, and regard him as a Buddha (尊师重道，视师如佛). Why should you regard your master as a Buddha? There is a reason behind it.
First of all, you are well aware of the moral values of your master. You are keen to learn from this master and you go ahead and do so. On the contrary, if you regard your master as a mere mortal (视师如凡), you will certainly find faults with him (必寻师过), and end up disparaging the Dharma (由此轻法).
In the past, many young monks in the monasteries held their masters in low regard, as someone no different from an ordinary folk. With this mindset, they will surely find faults with their masters, right? Consequently, they would fail to grasp the valuable teachings shared by their masters, which would ultimately lead to their contempt for the Dharma. In other words, as you begin to disrespect the dharma, it is more likely that you will deviate from the right path.
Despite the relentless efforts of Jigong, the Living Buddha (济公活佛), to eradicate evil and promote good in the human realm, there were still many who did not show reverence for Him, having the misconception that, “He is not carrying himself like a master.” The fact is, you simply don’t understand it. You are clueless to the fact that every one of these 84,000 dharma doors can lead us to the ‘Buddha’s ocean’ (佛海).
Hence, the moment you show contempt for the Dharma or your master, you are bringing forth your own obstacles (自障成就) and you begin to establish your own hindrances (你自己的障碍就开始成立了).
It was said in the past that, if you often reminisce about the merit and virtue of your master, you will be able to accumulate merits for yourself. When you think, “My master is so awesome, going all out to perform meritorious deeds”, you will also gain merits.
< Master Lu’s Last Words of Advice to Buddhist Friends Around the World >
MASTER LU’S LAST WORDS OF ADVICE TO BUDDHIST FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD
- With all your heart, step up your efforts for the benefit of sentient beings, besides eradicating attachment and the notion of self.
- Always be grateful for the grace and kindness bestowed upon you by the Buddha, your country, your teachers, your parents and sentient beings.
< HOW TO BE THANKFUL WHEN THINGS GO AWRY? >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk | Jakarta, Indonesia | 23 April 2017
LEARN TO BE PATIENT AS ANY SEEDS SOWN WILL NOT GERMINATE INSTANTLY
Master Jun Hong Lu: When you help others, you won’t get rewarded immediately; when you pray to Bodhisattva and perform recitation, your health won’t improve overnight. Not understanding this has caused many people to complain that their prayer doesn’t work.
Please remember, any seeds will not grow instantly. When we treat others well but our kindness is not reciprocated, misunderstanding develops and the wrong decision is made, we end up wrecking a harmonious relationship.
For this, compassion is the best antidote (最好的良药). Have faith in others and be thankful. Only then will you experience true contentment and bliss.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 382) | 10 May 2020
BE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SENTIENT BEINGS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Those who aspire to become a Buddha or a Bodhisattva must have great resolutions. I hope that you will have a great resolution to help sentient beings in the future, just like me, your master. Do not be preoccupied with your personal gains and losses. Enduring hardships for the sake of sentient beings is your blessing. It will gain you merit when you are able to do something for others.
Those who aspire to become a Buddha or a Bodhisattva must have great resolutions. I hope that you will have a great resolution to help sentient beings in the future, just like me, your master. Do not be preoccupied with your personal gains and losses. Enduring hardships for the sake of sentient beings is your blessing. It will gain you merit when you are able to do something for others.
Those who only live for themselves are seriously lacking in virtue(很缺德). We should be considerate towards others and be of service to them. Being able to help goes to show that you have both the energy and capacity to do so, without which, you are very much like living in vast emptiness (犹如在虚空中), where you can’t even receive any positive energy. All you can gain is only worldly fame and wealth.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting | Taipei, Taiwan | 3 October 2016
WHAT DO BUDDHIST PRACTITIONERS NEED?
Master Jun Hong Lu:
If you were an eagle, you could soar in the sky even if there was no one to applaud for you;
If you were grass, you could grow even if there was no one to love you;
If you were a flower in the deep mountains, you could bloom even if there was no one to appreciate you;
If you were a Buddhist practitioner, you could attain Nirvana in this lifetime even if there was no one to encourage you!
< The One Thing In Life That Just Can’t Wait >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk | USA New York | 18 September 2016
Key Messages:
- We should not hesitate in performing kind deeds and fulfilling our filial duties.
- Be filial to our parents while they are still alive so that we do not live to regret it when they pass on.
- View all people who are older than us as our parents and elders; those who are of the same age as us as our siblings; and those who are younger than us as our children. Only then would we be able to give rise to compassion and help sentient beings with predestined affinity.
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享