Dear Buddhist Friends,
We must keep in mind the bodhisattvas who, having attained a level of enlightenment, postpone Buddhahood with the commitment to help all other sentient beings. An example being Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩萨), who descends into hell to save those in torment and pledges to stay there and renounces becoming a Buddha until the very last person is saved.
This year, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday falls on 14 September (30th day of the 7th lunar month). As disciples of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, let us emulate the great determination exemplified by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, as we go about introducing Buddhism to sentient beings with pre-destined affinities.
What are we learning from Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in this pack?
🪷 Did you know that all accomplishments are inseparable from willpower?
🪷 Did you know there will be karmic rewards even for vows that have yet to be fulfilled?
🪷 Are you willing to help those who have caused harm to you? What about your enemy? Did you know that the compassionate deeds of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva have always occurred beyond good and evil because He sees everyone as a future Buddha?
🪷 Did you know the fastest way to enhance your blessing and eliminate karmic obstacles?
🪷 Do you know how many Little Houses you can offer to the deceased on this special day and how you should distribute your offering with a limited number of Little Houses in hand?
….read on to find out more….
and let us remind ourselves to stay away from evil, come together to rejoice and show gratitude to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva for His wisdom and teachings.
Editor’s note: As one of the four great Bodhisattvas, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is widely known for His great vow of ‘I vow not to attain Buddhahood until the hell is empty’ (地狱不空誓不成佛), and His filial piety. He is reveredly known as ‘the Bodhisattva of Great Vows’.
Portrayed as “one who is calm and unmoving, just like mother earth and one who is capable of entering into deep and profound contemplation, like treasury of the profound mysteries” (安忍不动，犹如大地；静虑深密，犹如秘藏), out of sheer compassion, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has been saving sinful sentient beings who are suffering in hell in His quest to bring benefits to both the living and the dead (冥阳两利).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse on the commemoration of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Birthday, 25 August 2022
VOWS 愿力: THE ROOT OF ALL ATTAINMENTS
THE POWER OF VOWS IS THE ENGINE THAT SETS OUR INHERENT NATURE INTO MOTION
Master Jun Hong Lu: Remember, regardless of your endeavour, it must be geared towards fulfilling the needs of sentient beings, enhancing your wisdom and ultimately benefiting all sentient beings. When troubles of life and death are cast away, the foundation for blessings and virtues is erected.
This is to say that the power of vows is the engine that sets in motion the inherent nature of all humans, it is like a type of stimulator (启动器). If you say that you will be compassionate irrespective of what you do today, don’t you think you need to have the willpower to do so?
Caller: That’s right. One must have the willpower to do so.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Don’t you think all accomplishments are inseparable from willpower?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Assuming you decide to lead a monastic life today, don’t you think you need to have the resolve to do so? Is it possible to be a monk without any willpower?
Caller: It is not possible.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s what I mean. Do you understand?
Caller: Yes, I do.
Source: Wenda20180909A 28:14, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
EVEN VOWS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FULFILLED HAVE KARMIC REWARDS
Master Jun Hong Lu: One must understand the importance of the power of vows. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has once vowed, “To not become a Buddha until all hells are emptied”. Although hells have not been emptied, the power of His vows has helped Him accomplish His current attainment. Why is it that even if the vow has yet to be fulfilled, there are still karmic rewards?
Take for instance, you are very sincere in wanting to complete a task. You may not succeed in your quest, but your outright willingness to do so is meritorious in itself and is contingent upon you making a great vow. In addition, the moment you give rise to the great spirit of giving, virtue and with a strong determination, coupled with immense compassion (大舍心、大福德、大愿力、大慈悲心), your spirit will gradually be cleansed and in the process, your spirit will be purified.
The purity of your innate nature will reveal itself once it is free from impurities. Over time, you will be detached from the defilements of the realm of desires (脱离了沉浸欲界的染着). As you slowly go through this purification process, over time, your state of mind will transcend the realm of desires.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 2 Chapter 33
WITH STRONG WILLPOWER, COMES GREAT EFFORTS
Caller: Master, you have previously mentioned that we should often strengthen our mental and physical efforts. For those who are lacking in this aspect, is there any method that can help?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Willpower is the key. With strong willpower, the mental and physical effort you make will be greater – the greater your determination, the stronger your drive will be. You would tell yourself, “I ought to accomplish this”. This strong will shall fuel your efforts and you will charge towards your goal.
A negative example would be an average-looking man trying to go after a superstar. If he tells himself, “I’ll definitely make her my girlfriend, as other men have succeeded before”. With such strong mental and physical force, he would have the power to go all out to chase his dreams.
What are the positive examples? Take a look at the innumerable scientists who have dedicated decades of their entire lives on research and eventually they succeeded.
Assuming a scientist has been researching for years with little success, and he feels like giving up. At this critical juncture, if someone suddenly encourages him, “At this rate, you are bound for success”, it will definitely motivate him to press on.
Essentially, this is the kind of mental and physical efforts that is derived from one’s willpower. Do you understand? Willpower is a form of positive energy (愿力就是正能量) and with this ability rightly placed, you will be filled with positivity.
Source: Wenda20160207B 22:00, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
FOSTER COMPASSION – REGARD ALL SENTIENT BEINGS (GOOD OR BAD) AS FUTURE BUDDHAS
KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA REGARDS ALL SENTIENT BEINGS OF THE SIX REALMS OF EXISTENCE AS FUTURE BUDDHAS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Everyone must believe that all sentient beings in the six realms of existence are future Buddhas. In this light, we should make every effort to guide them. As kindred spirits, we should mutually support one another (相互维持于同类) and avoid at all cost the evil deeds of contention and killing amongst ourselves (不能相争、相杀).
In this day and age, people are constantly mired in fighting and outwitting one another. At the slightest provocation, they will not hesitate to go to war. They regard their fellow siblings or relatives as that of beasts, not knowing that their own inherent nature is that of a beast.
On the other hand, Bodhisattvas view all of us as Buddhas. How compassionate They are to view all sentient beings, including those in the ghost realm, in the six realms of existence as future Buddhas. So compassionate are the Bodhisattvas!
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva regards sentient beings in the animal, hungry ghost, and hell realms as future Buddhas who can be saved. This is why He goes to the underworld to save sentient beings. This is what it means to be a Bodhisattva. As He holds the Buddha in His heart, hence He is truly a Buddha.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Radio Program), Volume 1 Chapter 24
THE POWER OF FILIAL PIETY
THE IMMENSE WILLPOWER AND GREAT FILIAL PIETY OF KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA
Master Jun Hong Lu: As Buddhist practitioners, we must know how to practise filial piety. In Buddhism, we have this saying, “The fortunate live in a fortunate land; a fortunate land has fortunate people living in it (福人居福地，福地福人居)”. In relation to this, there is a Buddhist view that the fastest way to enhance one’s blessing and eliminate karmic obstacles is to practise filial piety.
Bear this in mind, filial piety holds the greatest field of blessings. The following is scripted in “The Cause and Effect Sutra in the Three Periods of Time” 佛经《三世因果》”:
Why are you born deaf and dumb in this life? You must have abused your parents with words so abhorrent in your past lives.
If karmic retribution is not real, why do you think Maha Moggallana saved His mother?
Among the four main Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known for His immense willpower and filial piety. Many aeons ago, He saved His mother of many lifetimes, helping her eliminate suffering and ascend to heaven to enjoy eternal bliss.
Lord Buddha once told Ananda that regardless whether you are a monk or lay practitioner, by practising filial piety and providing for your parents with compassion, it would amount to excellent immeasurable merits.
On this front, as a child, if you do not take care of your body or you behave in a reckless manner, abusing your health by indulging in smoking and drinking causing yourself to often fall sick, you are considered unfilial.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Sydney, Australia, 11 January 2020
KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA’S DISCOURSES
KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA’S DISCOURSE IN A DREAM: DAILY CULTIVATION AND RECITATION ARE VERY IMPORTANT; TO CONTINUOUSLY FALL BEHIND IN DAILY RECITATION WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO ONE’S CULTIVATION
Caller: Two days ago, a Buddhist practitioner dreamt of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva giving her guidance: Daily cultivation and recitation are very important and the accumulated energy is very large. If you are not diligent, and fall behind in terms of daily recitation, you will be like a student who fails in his unified examination because he failed to answer the questions related to the assignment he missed.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva subsequently shared with her the law of conserving mental energy (意念能量守恒定律). In the past, as and when this Buddhist practitioner felt tired, she would fall behind in her daily recitation and let it accumulate. Then, she will try to catch up with it in one of the ensuing days when she would spend her entire day on recitation.
Also, there are times she will have unwholesome thoughts and feel troubled. This time, she feels Bodhisattva is telling her that her unwholesome thoughts have nothing to do with her present life; in fact, they are the karmic retribution relating to misdeeds committed in her past lives. Master, please enlighten us.
Master Jun Hong Lu: First and foremost, this Buddhist practitioner has a very deep affinity with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Secondly, I can vouch that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had indeed said those words, because while you were speaking just now, I saw Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Last but not least, let me tell you, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is extremely compassionate towards mankind and He is overwhelmed with sorrow to see human beings heading towards hell at the end of their life journeys. This has to do with their ignorance, not knowing that they must be mindful of every little aspect of their daily life.
Caller: Master, am I right to say that we must not fall behind in our daily recitation ?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is not good to leave it unfinished. If it happens for a day or two, it’s still alright. But, if it is over a prolonged period, it is considered as you have regressed in your practice (退转). Let me ask you: If you miss school for a day or two due to sickness, you can apply for leave but, if you are telling me that you are going to miss school for a month, don’t you think it is as good as quitting school?
Caller: Yes, indeed. This dream indicates that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has been concerned about how this Buddhist practitioner is practising the Guan Yin Citta method. There was a time when she chose not to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance on a daily basis, only to frantically do the catching up over the weekend during which she would try to recite a week’s worth of the sutra.
Source: Wenda20160501B 54:18, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
GREED TRAPS US IN THE WEB OF ENDLESS SUFFERING
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva: Suffering, sickness and vexations of sentient beings are the consequence of causes and conditions planted in their past and present lives (因缘果报). If a person’s soul constantly experiences punishment or imprisonment in hell, though their physical life has not come to an end, they are already the object of torment at the spiritual level (精神上受苦).
These are the dreadful karmic retributions (诸恶的果报) that stem from sentient beings’ greed that led them into violating the Five Buddhist Precepts (因贪欲犯五戒) of abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and consuming intoxicants.
It is only through repenting one’s past evil deeds, believing and practising the dharma besides strictly adhering to the precepts, one can avoid having to pay a hefty price in hell (才不会堕入地狱的果报).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 422), 23 October 2020
ON EQUANIMITY
Master Jun Hong Lu: 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 make 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?
When you married your wife, didn’t you say one hundred and one sugar-coated words? Hasn’t she sacrificed so much for you? But, the moment you can’t see eye to eye with her, or when you can’t think through things, there you go, hurling insults and abuse at her. Are these not animalistic behaviours? Would you still consider yourself human?
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).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 6 Chapter 28
FAQ ON KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA’S BIRTHDAY
ALLOCATION OF LITTLE HOUSES FOR THE DECEASED ON THE BIRTHDAY OF KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA
Question: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday is just around the corner. Based on Master Lu’s guidance, we can offer 49 or 78 Little Houses to the deceased, who have descended to the underworld. As we have only a limited number of Little Houses, can we focus on helping one particular deceased to ascend to a higher spiritual realm, then proceed to help another on the next special day? Alternatively, can we offer Little Houses in equal numbers to all the deceased?
Answer: You should ensure an even distribution of Little Houses to all the deceased.
Question: If Little Houses are offered to the deceased on that day, is it alright to also offer 21 Little Houses to Untie Karmic Knots at the same time?
Answer: You may do so.
Question: What is the maximum number of Little Houses that can be offered to our karmic creditors on that day?
Answer: 78 Little Houses.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 180), 13 September 2017
IT IS MOST EFFECTIVE TO OFFER 78 LITTLE HOUSES TO THE DECEASED ON THE BIRTHDAY OF KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA IN ONE SITTING
Question: Master has previously mentioned that offering 78 Little Houses to the deceased on Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday can help them ascend to a higher spiritual realm. If we were to break the offering of these 78 Little Houses into two sittings (half in the morning and half in the afternoon), would it yield a similar result as offering them all at one go? How should we state the prayer?
Answer: Offering them all at one go is certainly better. You may say the following, “May Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva have mercy and help my deceased family member, <full name of the deceased>, to ascend to a higher spiritual realm”. It’s best if you can ascertain the name of the deceased family member who is in the underworld.
Question: Based on my estimate, the time for an incense to burn out is not enough to complete the entire process of offering all the 78 Little Houses. In this regard, is it alright to offer another incense halfway through, perform seven prostrations and then proceed to offer the remaining Little Houses without having to repeat the offering procedure or restate the prayer?
Answer: Yes, it’s alright to do so.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 414), 25 August 2022
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