We might not have met you at the best moments of our lives but undoubtedly, our encounter with you has bestowed upon us the most amazing moments in our lives.
The 6th day of the 10th lunar month (30 October 2022) marks the first anniversary of the nirvana of our revered Master Jun Hong Lu.
Master Lu’s mortal body has ceased to exist, but His dharma body will long endure, working tirelessly to bestow blessings upon His disciples and followers. This is as if He had never left or forsaken us.
In a discourse dated 9 May 2020, Shakyamuni Buddha prophesied,
“After your Master enters nirvana at the end of His human life,
He will once again radiate supreme light to illuminate the Saha World for the benefits of all sentient beings.”
Come to think of it, be it through His mortal or dharma body, Master Lu always keeps the well-being of sentient beings so close to His heart. Besides taking on the minds of sentient beings as His, He regards the suffering of sentient beings as His very own.
To commemorate the upcoming special occasion, let’s walk down memory lane of Master Lu’s illustrious achievements in propagating the Buddha-dharma over the span of 20 years. This is a time to refresh our mind with His words of wisdom; a time to renew our innermost gratitude to Master Lu for His exemplary spirit of altruism in His relentless quest to help and save sentient beings, unmoved and undaunted by the hardships and tribulations that came His way. Clearly, His boundless compassion and selfless dedication for sentient beings will long endure for generations to come.
As Buddhist practitioners of Guan Yin Citta, we must strictly adhere to Master Lu’s teachings, observe the Buddhist precepts, forge ahead in our spiritual practice with great diligence and unyielding resolve, and always have the unity of the dharma door at heart.
Last but not least, we must perfect our practice so that we can attain enlightenment in this lifetime as a means to repay the kindness bestowed upon us by Master Lu for having made the noble vow to return to the human realm to save sentient beings.
< Our Beloved Master >
I. Master Lu’s attainment of Buddhahood – Journey to Heaven
SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA’S PROPHECY OF MASTER LU’S ATTAINMENT OF BUDDHAHOOD
Shakyamuni Buddha says, “After your Master enters Nirvana at the end of His human life, He will once again radiate supreme light to illuminate the Saha World for the benefits of all sentient beings.”
“Thereafter, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss will come forth to receive your Master to His Lotus Seat in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Soon after, right before Amitabha Buddha, Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Great Strength Bodhisattva (Dashizhi Pusa), He will attain Buddhahood. He will pave the way and settle in Guan Yin Citta Pure Land to constantly deliver the dharma to all the future Buddhist disciples from the Heavenly, Sound-hearer, Pratyeka Buddha and Bodhisattva realms.”
Shakyamuni Buddha says, “Heavenly Child, please write an account of what I, Shakyamuni Buddha, have just said for your Master to verify. This is the absolute truth!”
A Disciple from Malaysia – 9 May 2020
ONE GAINS MERITS IF ONE REGARDS THE MASTER AS A BUDDHA
Master Jun Hong Lu: Only when you take on 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 (你才能自利利他). In Buddhism, it is often said that one must learn to honour his masters and revere their teachings, and regard them as Buddhas. Why should you regard your master as a Buddha? There is a reason behind it.
First of all, you are well aware of your master’s morality. 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, you will certainly find faults with him, and end up disparaging the dharma.
In the past, many young monks in the monasteries held their masters in low regard, perceiving them as someone no different from an ordinary folk. For sure, they would find faults with their masters, right? Unsurprisingly, they failed to grasp the valuable teachings passed down by their masters, which would ultimately lead to their contempt for the dharma. In other words, the moment you begin to disrespect the dharma, you are bound to deviate from the right path.
Despite the relentless efforts of Jigong, the Living Buddha, to eradicate evil and promote good in the human realm, there were still many who hardly had any reverence for Him, having the misconception that, “He is not carrying himself like a master”.
The fact is, you simply don’t understand it and are clueless to the fact that every one of the 84,000 dharma doors can lead us to the ‘Buddha’s ocean’. Hence, the moment you show contempt for the dharma or your master, you are bringing forth your own obstacles and are establishing your own hindrances.
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.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Audio), Episode 7, 29 May 2020
II. The resolution of Master Lu
Master Jun Hong Lu:
– I am determined to help everyone in the world to understand the teachings of the Buddha.
– I want to help everyone so that he is able to recite the Great Compassion Mantra and the Heart Sutra.
– I want everyone in the world to appreciate how extraordinary and profound the Buddha-dharma is and how wonderful the traditional Chinese culture is.
– Last but not least, I want to bring peace to the world!
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Hong Kong SAR, China, 20 June 2015
III. The Motto of Master Jun Hong Lu: “Calm is the heart with no desire”
“CALM IS THE HEART WITH NO DESIRE” 无欲自然心如水
Master Jun Hong Lu: All of you are familiar with my motto in life: Calm is the heart with no desire. I hope all of you will break free from desires. Your heart should be calm like the water. When you have no greed, you will not give rise to hatred, and you will not do foolish things.
We need to see through the reality of things in life, understand the Buddhist doctrine and the truth within that teaches us that all desires are transient; they are mere hallucinations brought forth by one’s bewilderment.
When we are driven by desires, we go into a state of confusion. Being ordinary mortals, we are seduced and we lose our soul. That is why I need to tell all of you that desires are detrimental to our souls.
The more we have, the more we want and the better we want them to be. With that, we step into the realm of greed and lose all control. This is the predicament you bring upon yourself because of your desires.
When you seize wisdom, you will have no more desires. You begin to understand that everything in the world is illusory – no matter how much happiness there is, it will all come to an end; and no matter how much pleasure it may be giving you, it will leave you one fine day. Then, you take a look at what is right in front of you and feel content, that’s when you will be most happy as you are no longer enticed by the things that used to be your objects of desire.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Episode 72, 11 June 2020
IV. What was the most memorable experience for Master Lu?
MASTER LU’S MOST TOUCHING AND UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
Caller: Hi Master, it’s been almost 20 years since you embarked on your Buddhism propagation journey. Would you be able to share with us the most touching and memorable event that has taken place during this period?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The most touching moment was when I made the resolution to descend to the human realm to save sentient beings. Paradoxically, the most unforgettable one also relates to my quest to save sentient beings,It saddens me the most when I fail to achieve the desired result in helping all of you.
Source: Wenda20201009 41:55, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
< Doing One Thing Well in Your Lifetime >
V. A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime
A TEACHER FOR A DAY IS A FATHER FOR A LIFETIME
Master Jun Hong Lu: One must show filial piety and respect for parents and teachers. Why are the concepts of parent and teacher grouped together? As the saying goes, “A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime. (一日为师，终身为父)”, teachers or masters care for their disciples with their heart and soul, helping and protecting their disciples with their energy field, which is by no means an easy task.
There are things that even your parents are not able to accomplish – but can be done by the master. Although our parents have nurtured us over the years, it is the master who saves our souls and our lives by leading us on the path towards Buddhahood.
Many people suffer from karma-related illnesses that even their parents are helpless about. However, a master is able to liberate them from these sufferings, just as Guan Yin Bodhisattva is able to help a sentient being become spiritually awakened.
The word “master” here does not necessarily refer to myself, Master Jun Hong Lu, alone. Rather, it refers to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who guide us along the right path.
Having filial piety and respect are our innate virtues through which our own nature can be revealed. In fact, respecting teachers (师道) accords with the teachings of the Buddha; it is also built upon the foundation of filial piety. Therefore, it is of no use talking about respecting one’s teachers if one does not even respect his parents and elders. On this basis, it is essential for everyone to respect his teachers and revere their teachings in order to accomplish his Buddhism practice (唯有尊师重道才能成就道业).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism in Plain Terms, Volume 1 Chapter 1
VI. Honour the Master and revere His teachings
FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF YOUR MASTER
Master Jun Hong Lu: You must know, to become a disciple of a master doesn’t mean worshipping the master. It is to revere the great compassion and wisdom of the Buddha’s path. The Bodhisattva wants you to observe the precepts.
We also need to understand that practising Buddhism is about practising self-respect: “I need to change myself, I can’t allow myself to remain as decadent as before, I mustn’t give up on myself.” If you want to gain respect, you need to have self-respect first.
As a Buddhist practitioner, you need to give yourself some space, do not deviate from the right path, and be sure to walk with your head held high. You have a master now, you would better follow in the footsteps of the master and march ahead. After all, everything in this world is unattainable. The truth of the universe will never change, that is suffering, emptiness and impermanence.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism in Plain Terms, Episode 12, 29 May 2020
ELIMINATE ALL TRACES OF IGNORANCE THROUGH RESPECTING THE MASTER AND REVERING HIS TEACHINGS
Master Jun Hong Lu: While we may be unable to see the Buddha, we know that the Buddha is in our heart, guiding us along and helping us every single day. Not able to see the Buddha with our naked eyes does not mean that the Buddha is not by our side. Neither does it mean that the Buddha is absent from our heart.
The moment we gain a true understanding of our minds and see our true nature, we will be able to see the Buddha. The same logic applies when our mind is cultivated, pure, kind and absolutely free from defilement, over time, we will be able to see the Buddha within our mind as and when we desire.
Hence, if you often connect yourself with the Buddhist teachings, listen to Buddhist songs, put Buddhism into practice, hear the voice of the dharma, and internalise and contemplate Buddhist tenets, you are someone, who is actively walking the Buddha’s path. For that, you can be said to be forging ahead diligently in your Buddhism cultivation journey.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Episode 112 , 1 August 2020
< Question: How should we conduct ourselves as disciples of Master Lu? >
BECOMING A DISCIPLE IS EQUIVALENT TO MAKING THE VOWS OF HONOURING THE MASTER AND REVERING HIS TEACHINGS, AND TO ADVANCE CULTIVATION SINGLE-MINDEDLY AND DILIGENTLY
Caller: It is stated in the first rule of the Disciple’s Code of Conduct that, ‘Disciples of Master Jun Hong Lu are expected to be loyal to the Master, and to be solely dedicated to following Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door which has been bestowed upon Master Lu by Guan Yin Bodhisattva.‘
During the discipleship initiation ceremony, we pledge to abide by the Disciple’s Code of Conduct. Does it mean that we have already made the vows of honouring the Master and revering his teachings, and to advance cultivation single-mindedly and diligently?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is already considered a pledge.
Caller: Does it mean that by becoming a disciple, one is considered to have made these vows?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. You have already declared it during the discipleship initiation ceremony. Otherwise, what do you think willpower is? It is your resolution.
Caller: As long as we are able to fulfil the vows, Guan Di Bodhisattva once said, “Those who respect the Master and revere his teachings shall be protected by all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas“. Is that the case?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, certainly. Many people who honour the Master and revere his teachings are able to live a safe and peaceful life. Even when confronted with issue of grave magnitude, they are able to find a solution to it
Source: Wenda20191201 10:17, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
SOWING DISCORD IN THE PRACTICE CENTRE IS TANTAMOUNT TO DISHONOURING THE MASTER AND DESPISING HIS TEACHINGS – AN ACT THAT CAN TARNISH THE PROPAGATION EFFORT AND THE ENERGY FIELD OF THE CENTRES
Caller: Hi Master, is there a reason behind Guan Yin Practice Centre that seems to attract less crowd?
Master Jun Hong Lu: There are two reasons for it. Firstly, the energy field of a Practice Centre will not be ideal if its visitors engage in gossip, have excessive scattered thoughts, or when some Buddhist friends are impure (里边的佛友不干净). Under such circumstances, Bodhisattvas will not be present. This will thus affect the energy field at the centre, and in turn, deter visitation.
The second reason lies in the person in charge. If he or she is someone who has a reckless attitude or, who is restrictive, telling people, “You can’t do this, you can’t do that”. Such behaviour will discourage visitation. Imagine I were to tell all of you, “As my disciples, you must meet this set of criteria and behave this way”, do you think I would have so many disciples?
Caller: What should we do then?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You must be strict with yourself but exercise leniency towards others, do you understand?
Here you are looking like you are managing the Practice Centre. You really can’t go on like this.. In fact, you are causing trouble to Bodhisattva (你在害菩萨) because while Bodhisattva is trying to save sentient beings, you on the other hand, deny them the opportunity to step foot into the Practice Centre with all your rules, “This is prohibited” and “That is not allowed” and your reprimands. The fact of the matter is they are just beginners. So how can you be so strict with them?
At my end, I would only reprimand followers who have become my disciples – those who have gained some self-realisation. I am typically more lenient towards the rest, as a way to encourage and help them. What do you think you are doing!
Caller: Well noted. Can we pray to Bodhisattva for a closer unity within the group?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If unity remains lacking within the group, how are you going to bring the rest of the people together? Shame on you, your cultivation remains subpar (修得不好). Do you understand me?
Did I ask you to sow discord and spread gossip at the Practice Centre? You must be joking! Is it even still possible to cultivate your mind in such an environment? Whoever creates disharmony within the group and those rumour mongers, you must get rid of them. There is simply no place for such people to be here – the pure and tranquil ground of Bodhisattvas (菩萨的清净之地不能有这些人).
Caller: I understand. I will work hard on this.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Seriously, it’s unacceptable. You can quarrel or bicker over things outside, but not at the Practice Centre. It’s an absolute no-no to sow any discord whatsoever at the Practice Centre. You must purge those who still have the audacity to mess up the harmony and unity within the Practice Centre. Do you understand me? This is an order from me.
Caller: Alright, understand.
Source: Wenda20170609 56:20, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
VII. The precepts will be your teacher
LIVE BY THE PRECEPTS
Master Jun Hong Lu: When the Buddha was about to enter nirvana, His disciples knelt before him and implored, “Master, after you are gone, what are we supposed to do?”
The Buddha answered, “The precepts will be your teacher.”
As long as a person lives by the precepts, he will never stray. Cultivation of equanimity is essential to safeguarding the primitive heart of ours (要用平等的心保护住自己本原的真心), the one that is sincere in nature. You started off as a kind-hearted person, how did you become unkind afterwards? That is because you have stopped perceiving others with a heart of equanimity and become judgemental and you go, “This person is bad, that person is good, this person is rich, that person has no social status”. All these will transform into ideology and the development of a mind that lacks equanimity. Little by little, it will tarnish the kind and compassionate heart of the Buddha in you.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse, Guan Yin Hall, Sydney, Australia, 31 May 2016
FOLLOW THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS DILIGENTLY
Master Jun Hong Lu: When the Buddha entered nirvana, His disciples were grieving. The Buddha said to His disciples that their wish to have Him dwell forever in this world is a violation of the law of nature. The Buddha is the manifestation of Truth of the Universe; therefore, He cannot violate the nature of dharma.
Once during a sermon, the Buddha told His disciples, “If you cannot follow my teachings, what’s the point even if I were to live for millions of years? If you can follow my teachings, it would be as though I was alive eternally”.
“You must be steadfast in your belief in the dharma. Act according to the dharma and don’t convert to others. You must learn my teachings diligently. Free yourselves of worries and be unperturbed, and only that will constitute a real disciple of mine”.
The Buddha exhorted His disciples not to be sad, as all things on earth are subject to formation and dissolution. Where there is life, there is death. Where there is reunion, there is parting. This is the truth from the law of impermanence.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse on the Buddha’s Renunciation Day, Buddhism In Plain Terms, 1 March 2020
Full discourse: https://orientalradio.com.sg/en-master-lu-buddhism-in-plain-terms/master-lus-discourse-on-the-buddhas-renunciation-day/
STRICT ADHERENCE TO PRECEPTS; SAFEGUARD ONE’S MIND AND BODY
Caller: Master has often used a white shirt with various degrees of soy sauce or ink stains as the metaphor to remind us that we must be an absolute morally-upright person and there’s no two-ways about it.
Recently, I heard of Master’s guidance on practising vegetarianism in which Master has said that if a person adopts a vegetarian diet only once a month, it is as good as not practising vegetarianism at all. This has reminded me of a mathematical formula that I learned in my primary school, which is, no matter how big a number is, when multiplied by zero, it equals to zero.
I’d like to ask if it is because we are now in the Age of Dharma Decline where the rules are more stringent?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The rules are indeed very strict in the Age of Dharma Decline. It was equally strict outside this period, and many did not have the opportunity to encounter Buddhism. When we enter into this Era of Dharma Decline, we need to bear the reality of such trials and tribulations. This calls for stricter effort in safeguarding our body and mind. Please bear this in mind. Let me ask you a question: Would you consider a person to be a vegetarian if he or she only observes vegetarianism two days in a month?
Caller: No.
Master Jun Hong Lu: There you go! It’s very simple. Would you consider someone to be a good person if this person upholds the moral values only for two days in a month and for the remaining 28 days, he or she does a lot of inappropriate things? To be considered as a genuinely good person, you must be someone who upholds the moral values throughout the entire month and practises full vegetarianism. Do you understand me?
Caller: Yes, Master.
Source: Shuohua20150717 15:03, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
VIII. Be diligent
TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN; DEVELOP A HABIT OF BEING SELF-AWARE
Master Jun Hong Lu: You still have a long way to go. If you are not diligent, you will only have yourself to blame when you suffer in the future. I have talked to you for so many years, how many more years do I have to talk to you?
Essentially, you can only depend on yourself. You need to have self-awareness. If you are a good child, whether I am around or I am not, there shouldn’t be any difference. If you need someone to watch over you all the time, shame on you!
If you do not have self-awareness, aren’t you a disgrace to Bodhisattva?
You must lean on your own self-awareness in whatever you do. Being aware means being awakened. Bodhisattva is the awakened one – an enlightened being. If you are awakened, you see through the reality of things and are able to let go, you wouldn’t intentionally be behaving any differently just because others are watching, and behaving otherwise, when they are not. You need to transform yourself for the better. Time and tide wait for no man. Lost time is never found again! But, the moment you transform yourself, you will realise everything around you will change.
Bodhisattva and I are fond of those who can transform themselves. When you transform, a promising life will long endure. It’s pointless to put up a false front as nothing escapes the all-pervading eyes of Bodhisattva.
Hence, The Way is to be genuine in one’s spiritual cultivation, because when a person is truly practising, he is essentially on the Buddha’s path. On the contrary, those who are pretending in their practice, what else can they expect except, deviation from their practice or setting foot on a demonic path? One who truly comprehends the Buddha-dharma is the awakened one. A wise person is an awakened person. Hence, be true to your spiritual cultivation and work hard on overcoming your shortcomings.
I shall teach you as much as I can and help you as much as I can; if I can’t help you anymore, I shall stop. It is impossible for me to help you all the time. I hope you will rely on your own self-awareness.
You need to be more enlightened, cultivate this positive habit of a Buddhist practitioner, that is, being self-aware where you don’t need others to push you to do your recitation. This is what it means by being self-aware. You are not in a kindergarten, where you need someone to watch over you all day long! If you are someone with such dependency, what’s the point of practising the dharma?
I hope you will put in your best effort. Cherish the opportunity given to you by the Bodhisattva. Don’t muddle through life in this world, and keep falling down. You need to keep up, otherwise, you will be eliminated!
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 390), 16 June 2020
WHAT IS CONSIDERED DILIGENT PRACTICE?
Caller: Master, in the Age of Dharma Decline, the occurrences of karmic retribution are ripening at a fast rate. Should we give the highest priority to reciting Little Houses to ensure we stay healthy both physically and spiritually?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Putting in extra effort in your Buddhism practice and spiritual development is diligence in the true sense of the word. In this Age of Dharma Decline, you will not be able to accomplish anything if you do not possess this quality.
Caller: Guan Yin Bodhisattva has told us “to be more diligent in 2016”, could you enlighten us what is considered to be truly diligent?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Being diligent means not wasting a single minute. For example, you spend every minute of this call asking questions concerning the well-being of sentient beings, you will gain merits as all the questions enquired by you are recorded and broadcasted over the radio for listeners all over the world. You are accumulating virtuous merits.
After hanging up the phone, you continue to introduce Buddhism to others and help them awaken spiritually. If you perform recitation non-stop while doing household chores like washing, cooking and marketing, you are being diligent! You speak Buddhist words of wisdom when you are at work and talking to people. You nurture the mind of the Bodhisattva and observe good conduct, isn’t that called diligence?
Caller: You mean doing nothing but good deeds all the time.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, indeed. Do not commit any bad deed. Good people must only do good deeds.
Source: Wenda20160306A 14:47, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
Always remember this…
OUR MASTER IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THIS WORLD
Master Jun Hong Lu: After a few more decades, all of you will not be in this world anymore, what should you do? Master is gone too, will you look for me? One thing for sure, I am nowhere to be found in this world, you need to ‘’look up’’ in order to find me. But how?
From now on, you should put Buddhism into practice, cultivate your mind, recite the Buddhist scriptures and be a good person. With all these, you can be certain of meeting me up there. Let me assure you that when you come to find me then, I will definitely acquaint you with all the major Bodhisattvas there.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Jakarta, Indonesia, 12 March 2018
< Subdue the Mind with Right Faith and Right Mindfulness >
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享
