We are just two weeks away from Chinese New Year!
Did you know that the ‘year end period (年关)’ that leads up to Lunar New Year is a critical period?
In a reminder, Master Lu once said, “This is a period when karmic creditors will come after you to collect karmic debts. Hence, you should step up your effort to eliminate your karmic obstacles in order to disperse calamities”.
Also, what do clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva (‘Fan Tai Sui’ or – 犯太岁) mean? Did you know when such clashes happen, one must exercise extreme caution throughout the year that may be punctuated by disputes, conflicts, and setbacks which would impact one’s career, wealth, marriage, and health to name a few.
In this pack, you will find some of Master Lu’s more pertinent discourses which should come in handy as you gear up for a peaceful and safe year ahead! Read on to find out more on:
- What is ‘end-of-year assessment’ in the Buddhism context?
- If your Chinese zodiac clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva in 2023, how can you prevent yourself from being hit by misfortune?
- Why do calamities seem to occur more frequently in the runup to a brand new year? Why do a greater number of people perish during this period? What should we do to ward off such calamities?
- Is your Chinese zodiac rabbit? If so, you should be be very cautious because 2023 is also your zodiac year of birth (本命年) which means you are prone to being sidelined, or picked on by others, suffer from illnesses, etc. What can you do to safeguard your wellbeing?
We wish you a safe and peaceful year ahead!
< THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCUMULATING FORTUNE AND VIRTUE >
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is universally known that we must herald a new year with renewed atmosphere. In fact, this new ‘atmosphere’ is a consequence of the fortune and virtues we have accumulated. When you experience good karma, you need to know that it is the result of the seeds that you once planted. Therefore, if you wish to see an improvement in the upcoming year, you must ensure that you work tirelessly in sowing the wholesome causes (善因) in the current year.
What are these ‘causes’? They relate to things that we do because ‘causes’ are a function of things that we do. The fortune and virtue that we are endowed with stem from the countless wholesome deeds performed in the past. With good deeds, good fortune will naturally come to us. When your moral conduct and blessings grow, you will experience complete fortune and virtue. Only those who are blessed with these attributes are able to find the path to liberation and vice versa. I hope that all of you are able to understand these principles.
In life, we should understand the importance of performing meritorious deeds. Otherwise, we will not be blessed with good fortune.
The primary meritorious deeds that you can do are to be of service to others and cultivate good behaviour. Why is it that some people seem so blessed in life? Where do their blessings come from? It is their cultivation of good moral character in their past lives that resulted in the blessings in their present lives.
I hope that all of you will not harbour any resentment towards others. This is because those who have the ability to undertake charitable deeds in this life must have performed countless meritorious deeds in their past lives. Let’s not compare one another in terms of riches but moral conduct.
Put in your best effort and try your best to make time to perform meritorious deeds. When you do that, you do not even have to think if your fortune and virtue will increase in consequence. As the saying goes, “The fruit you beget corresponds with the amount of effort you exert”. Hence, a person with great blessings is someone with a solid spiritual foundation, and those who seek to be liberated must have ample fortune and virtue.
Source: Baihuafofa140109, Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Radio Program), 9 January 2014
< THE YEAR END PERIOD (年关) >
WHEN DOES THE YEAR END (年关)?
Caller: Master Lu, is it correct that the year ends after the first day of Lunar New Year? If not, when does it exactly end?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Logically, it should be when you have passed over it. So, the first day of Lunar New Year marks the cutoff date. It is considered over after the first day of Lunar New Year.
To be more exact, a ‘minor pass’ of the preceding year (小年关) concludes on the second day of Lunar New Year, that is, the moment the clock strikes midnight on the first day of Lunar New Year. Occasionally, the Chinese will talk about the ‘conclusion of the preceding year (过年关)’, they are essentially making reference to the conclusion of a ‘major pass’ of the preceding year and officially, this only ends on the 15th day of Lunar New Year.
Caller: Does it mean that we should exercise greater caution and recite more Little Houses during this period?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, you must take extra precaution.
Source: Wenda20161218B 01:00:12, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
WHAT IS THE END-OF-YEAR ASSESSMENT IN BUDDHISM CONTEXT?
Question: Master has previously mentioned that there will be an end-of-year assessment which begins in December every year. What are the standards and criteria (准则) for these assessments? Are there any specific requirements? If one has made many vows, do these assessments follow a particular sequence? Please enlighten us, Master. Thank you, Master!
Master Jun Hong Lu: In fact, what is an assessment all about? It is based on the things that you did throughout the year, which were recorded by the Dharma Protectors, Heavenly Officials as well as Tai Sui Bodhisattva. As for the scope of the test, it will be based on the weakest aspect of your cultivation that showed up during the year.
Take for instance, one, who succumbs easily to lust, will be tested in this area. If you are someone who is having a hard time keeping up with your vegetarian lifestyle and you often yield to non-vegetarian dishes, you will be tested on this front. If you consume meat in your dreams, you will have a strike-off (勾掉), which indicates that you have failed the assessment. When this happens, your merits accrued for being a vegetarian during the year would be substantially depleted – as much as 30% or 40%. This is how it works.
Basically, the weakest aspect of your cultivation will be the subject of focus in the dream test. In fact, many men will dream of encountering attractive ladies who, though unfamiliar but are friendly towards them. The moment they start hugging these ladies in the dreams, what follows is a big strike-off (大叉) to indicate that they have flopped their end-of-year assessment. Accordingly, the merits they accrued will be substantially discounted, that is, a large portion of them will go down the drain.
Question: Master, does it mean that one has to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) for failing to pass the test? Are there any other remedial methods?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Basically, deep down in your heart, you would have known that you did not pass the dream test. In this regard, you should quickly recite the LIFO and renew your vow before Bodhisattva and state the following prayer:
“May Guan Yin Bodhisattva forgive me, <your full name>. On this front, I have been resolute in adhering to my vow (愿力), but as a mere mortal (凡人肉胎), my willpower is clearly lacking. May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bestow upon me greater strength so that I am able to eliminate my karmic obstacles in this aspect”.
Question: Thank you, Master. Generally, how many repetitions of the LIFO should we chant specifically for this?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Typically, 108 repetitions of the LIFO are necessary for failing your dream test.
Question: Alright, Thank you, Master.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Macau, China, 13 February 2016
SCATTERED FOREIGN SPIRITS WILL DEMAND FOR THEIR KARMIC DUES DURING THE YEAR END PERIOD
Master Jun Hong Lu: As the year concludes, all the freshly-killed creatures that you have consumed during the year and in the past will come after you. Take a look around you, you will find that many people were not able to make it through the year. Moreover, you may even run the risk of landing yourself in the hospital when your body becomes a place where too many scattered foreign spirits congregate.
Caller: I understand. Should we recite a large quantity of the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra (Wang Sheng Zhou)?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Source: Zongshu20181208 13:00, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
RECITE THE AMITABHA PURE LAND REBIRTH MANTRA (WANG SHENG ZHOU) AND THE XIAO ZAI JI XIANG SHEN ZHOU DURING THE YEAR END
Master Jun Hong Lu: We have come to the end of the year. Would you like to be granted amnesty? This is a time that the enlightened will seize to step up on their recitation of the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra (Wang Sheng Zhou) as it will help them eliminate a substantial amount of karmic obstacles from their past acts of killing, besides, it will also help them disperse calamities. Karmic creditors will come after you to collect karmic debts as the year draws to a close. Hence, it is necessary for you to disperse such calamities.
Caller: Master, is it right to say that on normal days, it may be tough for us to help some minor foreign spirits to ascend to a higher spiritual realm; hence Little Houses are required to do the job. However, during this period, if we are able to recite the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra (Wang Sheng Zhou), would we be able to do it more effectively?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. This is due to the blessings of Bodhisattva that grants us this “special path”. Therefore, it is effective.
Caller: The same applies to some calamities that may befall us – they are not easily dispersed through our mere recitation of Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou. However, it is particularly effective if we recite this mantra during this period. Is that right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course. This is a promise from Bodhisattva. It was agreed that through this “special path”, you are granted some time, that is within a certain month and date – for any wrongs that you may have committed, if you own up and repay them, it will not be recorded. Therefore, it is very effective.
Source: Wenda20170106 22:05, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
ONE CAN OFFER UP TO 21 LITTLE HOUSES A DAY DURING YEAR END
Master Jun Hong Lu: Generally speaking, as we approach a new year, it is best to offer a maximum of 21 Little Houses in a day, and not too many.
Caller: I see. Has there been a change that we can now offer a maximum of 21 Little Houses in a day?
Master Jun Hong Lu: No, I mean you may do so during year end, for example, on:
New Year’s Eve (31 December);
the few days before Lunar New Year (including the day before Lunar New Year’s Eve).
Caller: How should we state our prayer?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Be diligent in your cultivation and ask for safety and wellness. A typical household would pray to their ancestors’ gods for blessings during this period. As a Buddhist practitioner, we can state, “May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bless and protect me, <your full name>” – something we are already doing on a daily basis.
Source: Wenda20181209A 11:38, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
RECITE MORE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE DURING YEAR-END AS IT HELPS ELIMINATE SUBSTANTIAL KARMIC OBSTACLES
Question: The end of another year is upon us and we have read discourses on reciting more Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO). A fellow Buddhist practitioner shared that the karmic obstacles that can be eliminated through the recitation of 87 repetitions of LIFO on Lunar New Year’s Eve are equivalent to that of about 20 Little Houses. Is it right to say so?
Answer: Basically, in terms of the elimination of karmic obstacles, 87 repetitions of LIFO equate to offering 21 Little Houses.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 81), 5 January 2016
< TAI SUI BODHISATTVA >
THE TAI SUI BODHISATTVA OF 2023 IS GENERAL PI SHI (皮时大将军)
Tai Sui Bodhisattva, who is also known as Tai Sui Xing Jun or Sui Jun (太岁星君，或者岁君), manages both heaven and earth. Being the most powerful deity of the year in command of the many deities on earth, He is known as the ‘Yearly Son of Heaven’.
Tai Sui Bodhisattva – a position in heaven – is determined through an annual rotation amongst heavenly beings. His role is to manage affairs of the human realm such as health, marriage and career, etc. Like an imperial chancellor, Tai Sui Bodhisattva records the kind and evil deeds of each person in His effort to uphold virtue and condemn evil. One who often prays to Tai Sui Bodhisattva can gain protection and blessings, and have smooth-sailing endeavours. In the year where one’s zodiac signifies bad fortune and/or corresponds with one’s zodiac year of birth (or ‘Ben Ming Nian’ 本命年), etc, it is advisable to pray more frequently to Tai Sui Bodhisattva.
Source: Singapore Guan Yin Citta website
< Conflict/Clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva (“Fan Tai Sui 犯太岁”) >
THE MEANING OF CONFLICT WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA
Master Jun Hong Lu: In fact, the primary issue when one is in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva is the misfortune or calamity that befalls him will be magnified and hence, he will have to face up to a heavier punishment. For example, by right, this person should only suffer a minor injury in a car accident, but it so happens that the accident occurs in the year when he is in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva – which essentially means being subject to strict monitoring – he runs the risk of losing his life altogether. This is how it works.
One other thing to note is during the year of conflict, the moment you commit a misdeed, or conceive an evil thought, Tai Sui Bodhisattva will keep a close eye on you, even if it’s just a minor one. This is because when there are clashes, Tai Sui Bodhisattva will scrutinise your every single action and thought. This is very much like in one of the normal occasions when a police car is driving behind you, the policeman can easily spot it the moment you err. Do you understand me?
Caller: I see. I do, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: When there is no police car behind, you will drive as you always do. But, when a police car is behind you, the police can easily spot your mistakes. If the police car keeps driving behind you until you freak out, the moment you err, he has the right to get you to pull over.
Source: Wenda20160115 01:03:50, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
HOW DO WE RESOLVE CONFLICT WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA?
Caller: Master, this is a common question, that is, in different years, certain zodiacs will clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva. From a causality point of view, did we ever have some conflicts with Tai Sui Bodhisattva in our past lives? Please help us understand?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You are really delving into this matter. In fact, it has to do with the climatology (天时) and the solar terms (节气) from the beginningless of time, during which a great amount of karma was established. This is a question of the solar terms. Just like the four seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter – it is something that cannot be changed. Many people will freeze to death during winter, right?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Are there many who will die in spring? None. Again many people will die of heat stroke in summer, right? But not in autumn.
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Among these four seasons, two seasons are very favourable to human beings, while the other two are very destructive. In this aspect, these seasons have set the causality cycle into motion. The same applies to the 12 Chinese zodiacs, where conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva has been fundamentally set for each zodiac in its 12-year cycle (deemed a small branch in Chinese astrology) even before the beginning of the kalpa. At a certain time, the conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva will be set in motion. When this happens, it does not mean that the person has any karmic grievances towards Tai Sui Bodhisattva. It is just a natural manifestation – entailing the heavenly stems (天干) and earthly branches (地支) – akin to how the yin-yang should eventually reach an equilibrium. At this time, he will have to face it.
Caller: I see. Is this fixed in one’s destiny, Master?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it is a predetermined destiny (定数). In fact, Tai Sui Bodhisattva is not a certain person, but a Bodhisattva on duty on a yearly rotational basis.
Caller: I see. How do we resolve the conflict?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you look at what we practise at Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, it’s simply marvellous as it makes it easy for us to solve real-life problems.
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Tai Sui is the Bodhisattva on duty every year. The moment this Bodhisattva takes the helm, He will start recording the deeds of all people in this world. In fact, Tai Sui Bodhisattva will be assisted by many junior Bodhisattvas to record the good and bad deeds of every single person.
Caller: Does Tai Sui Bodhisattva have a high level of spiritual attainment (果位) in Heaven?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Tai Sui Bodhisattva is also a Dharma Protector. Every year, one of Them will take charge. If you see or hear claims that Tai Sui Bodhisattva takes on a fixed image, that’s not true, because the position changes every year. The person who alleges so must be lying. Tai Sui Bodhisattva is a position and is not in reference to a specific heavenly guardian, understand?
Just like a chairperson, the person helming the position changes every year. You can’t hang a picture of a certain chairperson and say he will always be the chairman. Likewise, we cannot say that this Tai Sui Bodhisattva will permanently be at the helm because the position changes every year.
Caller: Thank you, Master.
Source: Wenda20160122 27:25, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
< Chinese zodiacs that clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva in 2023 >
Rabbit – Same Zodiac Year Conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva (Zhi Tai Sui 值太岁)
One will face up to the Same Zodiac Year Conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva during his Zodiac Year of Birth. He needs to exercise extra caution. Regardless of the types of conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, you will be subject to stringent surveillance of Tai Sui Bodhisattva throughout the year.
Rooster – Conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva (Chong Tai Sui 冲太岁)
People born in the year of the rooster will be cast under a negative light and perceived as a nuisance.
Dragon – Harm Tai Sui Bodhisattva (Hai Tai Sui 害太岁)
Harm Tai Sui Bodhisattva is a very serious form of clashes that never seems to cease. The clashes occur on a monthly and even daily basis.
Rat – Torturing Tai Sui Bodhisattva (Xing Tai Sui 刑太岁)
People born in the year of the rat will be under the strict surveillance of Tai Sui Bodhisattva. It’s very much like being placed under special attention for dubious acts.
Horse – Destruction of Tai Sui Bodhisattva (Po Tai Sui 破太岁)
This can be likened to I, your Master, taking precautions the moment I see this person because he is always out there to harm me.
Source: Shuohua20180105 01:03, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
REGARDLESS OF THE TYPES OF CONFLICT WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA, ONE WILL COME UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF TAI SUI BODHISATTVA
Master Jun Hong Lu: Regardless of the types of conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, one will be subject to the strict surveillance of Tai Sui Bodhisattva throughout the year. Given that humans generally lack discipline, the moment they go under strict surveillance, ill luck will befall them. How far would the strict surveillance go? To give a simple example, if a couple often commits intimate acts, misfortune will keep befalling them during the year that coincides with their zodiac year of birth.
Caller: I see. From another perspective, regardless of the types of conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, one will have better luck if he cultivates diligently. In other words, the outcome can be either extremely good or bad. Am I right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, that’s right.
Source: Shuohua20180105 01:03, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
THE IMPACT FROM CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA IS GREATER THAN THE “3,6,9” PREDESTINED KARMIC PASSES
Caller: Master, in the absence of any obvious presence of karmic creditors, should we prioritise the recitation of the 27 Little Houses to resolve our clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva over those offered to our karmic creditors? Or is it better to recite both types of Little Houses alternately?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can do so alternately. That’s not a problem.
Caller: Alright. When offering Little Houses, which should come first: those meant for our karmic creditor or resolving our clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Please offer those for resolving clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva first, before offering to your karmic creditor. Having said that, it is not a problem if you flip the sequence around but, we would typically offer those meant for resolving our clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva first.
Caller: To resolve clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, we are recommended to offer 27 Little Houses monthly, which work out to more than 300 in a year – much greater than what is required during our zodiac year of birth (本命年), and to resolve the “3,6,9” predestined calamities. Purely from this perspective, is it correct to deduce that clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva have a greater bearing on us compared with the latter two?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me give you an illustration to bring out my point. When clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva occur, many people will either lose their jobs (丢了乌纱) or lives. Some people may experience a family breakup, or end up relying on crutches for the rest of their lives after a car accident.
Do you see how serious such karmic passes could potentially be? What more can you ask for with those 300 or more Little Houses if they are able to spare your life or leg, or even keep your family intact. Don’t you think it is totally worth it?
Caller: Definitely! Do clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva have a greater bearing on us compared with the “3,6,9” predestined calamities?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. When clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva occur, all of your past misdeeds will come to the fore.
Caller: Understood. Master, under normal circumstances, we should not offer more than 21 Little Houses in a day. But, you mentioned that in times of clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, we may offer 27 Little Houses all at once, does it mean that Bodhisattva is showing us greater concern?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, because certain people have hefty karmic obstacles.
Source: Wenda20170212B 59:15, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA WILL NOT OCCUR BEFORE THE YEAR OF ‘CONFLICT’ STARTS
Question: Master mentioned before that the “3,6,9” karmic passes could erupt prematurely. Does this also apply to the year when there are clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva? Take for example, is it likely for calamities to occur this year, if the conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva only starts next year?
Answer: Generally, the conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva only occurs in the year of ‘conflict’ which essentially starts after Lunar New Year. It will not occur prematurely. For something untoward to occur earlier than the predestined timing, it has to do with the person’s karmic obstacles.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 293), 11 March 2019
PRECEDING YEAR’S CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA END WHEN A BRAND NEW LUNAR YEAR STARTS
Question: When does our conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva in a particular year conclude? For example, a person’s zodiac clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva in 2016, does it mean the conflict ends once the 2017 Chinese New Year is over?
Answer: It is officially over after Chinese New Year’s Eve, or at the beginning of a brand new lunar year.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 142), 13 January 2017
ZODIAC YEAR OF BIRTH (BEN MING NIAN 本命年)
During your zodiac year of birth, you will be prone to conflicting energies (易犯冲煞), and you are likely to be picked on by mean-spirited people (犯小人), suffer from illnesses, and experience misfortune in your career, etc. For example, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, so it will be the zodiac year of birth for those whose Chinese zodiac is Rabbit (i.e. born in any Year of the Rabbit).
According to Chinese custom, it is a tradition for people to wear red undergarments during their zodiac year of birth. While this somewhat helps ward off the negative energy, most importantly, you should diligently perform recitation, make vows, and perform life liberations.
You should persevere in performing your daily recitation, including 49 times of Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou, and 29 times of the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots (Jie Jie Zhou) to pray for safety, the resolution of karmic conflicts, and the elimination of disasters.
At the same time, you can make the vow to recite a specific number of Little Houses that matches your age. Assuming you are 48 years old, you can vow to offer at least 48 Little Houses to your karmic creditors. For those who are 21 years of age or below, they can recite 21 Little Houses.
State the following prayer:
“May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, and help me resolve the predestined calamities of my zodiac year of birth”.
It is best to begin offering Little Houses three months prior to your birthday with the last batch being offered on your birthday.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism Your Questions Answered Q&A 97
AGES WITH PREDESTINED CALAMITIES
Question: Other than when the last digit of our age ends with a 3, 6 or 9, and the year when our Chinese zodiac year of birth clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, are there other special ages that make us prone to predestined calamities?
Answer: For those above 50, if they hit an age with two repeated digits such as 55, 66, 77, 88 or 99, they are prone to predestined calamities.
In a recent discourse, Bodhisattva has given the guidance that in order to resolve predestined calamities, one must recite 108 times of Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou every day, otherwise it would be difficult for the disasters to be dispersed.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 408), 22 August 2020
< Methods for Resolving Clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva (“Fan Tai Sui”) >
LITTLE HOUSES TO OFFSET CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA ARE TO BE OFFERED MONTHLY
Question: Hi Master, you have advised Buddhist practitioners whose zodiac is in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva to offer 27 Little Houses monthly. In this regard, who should we address our Little Houses to? What should our prayer request be?
Answer: These Little Houses are to be offered at one go in a batch of 27 every month and you should address them to your karmic creditors. The prayer should be:
“May Tai Sui Bodhisattva bless and protect me, <your full name>, help me stay safe in (month)”.
This is to be done on a monthly basis. For example, you can state,
“May Tai Sui Bodhisattva bless and protect me, <your full name>, and help me stay safe in January”.
In this way, you will be kept safe and sound during that particular month. If you do so every month, you will be safe and sound throughout the year.
If you greedily pray, “May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bless and keep me, <your full name>, safe all year round in 2017”, it will not work at all. Instead, you should only resolve the predestined calamities month by month. This is why Little Houses offered for this specific purpose must be done separately every month.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 146), 1 February 2017
LITTLE HOUSES FOR RESOLVING CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA CAN BE OFFERED IN SMALL BATCHES OF 3 OR 7
Caller: Master Lu, we understand that Little Houses for resolving clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva are to be offered at one go in a batch of 27. However, the number of Little Houses required recently is rather substantial, making it challenging for some Buddhist friends to offer all 27 Little Houses at one go. In this case, can they split the offering into several smaller batches?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is best to offer them in batches of 7, or even 3. Both are fine.
Caller: So, the 27 Little Houses for resolving clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva can be offered in separate rounds, right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course.
Source: Wenda20180223 47:06, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
YOU MAY VOW TO RECITE 10,000 TIMES OF XIAO ZAI JI XIANG SHEN ZHOU IN TIMES OF CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA
Caller: In times of clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva and the “3,6,9” predestined karmic passes, is it alright to make a vow to recite 10,000 times of Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou and pray for safety and good fortune, and the elimination of calamities?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, you can. If you are someone who is accomplished in your spiritual cultivation, you will never be negatively affected in the first place.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 155), 1 April 2017
WHICH PERIOD OF A MONTH SHOULD LITTLE HOUSES TO RESOLVE CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA BE OFFERED?
Caller: Should Little Houses meant for resolving conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva be offered at the beginning, middle or the end of the month? To be exact, should we base it on the lunar or solar calendar?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s best to do so at the start or middle of the month. To be exact, please use the lunar calendar as the point of reference.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 150), 7 March 2017
IN THE YEAR WHEN YOUR ZODIAC CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA, THE WEEKLY OFFERING OF LITTLE HOUSES TO PRAY FOR SAFETY SHOULD CONTINUE AS PER NORMAL
Caller: To resolve conflicts with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, we are advised to offer either a certain number of Little Houses that matches our age, or at least 27 Little Houses. In this regard, do we still need to recite the weekly quota of Little Houses which are meant to pray for safety?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course! When you have clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, you must pray for safety.
Caller: Won’t the batch of Little Houses to resolve clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva already be sufficient in terms of keeping us safe?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It may be able to protect you, but it serves a special purpose. Think about it, those who do not have any conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva will pray for safety, shouldn’t you who have clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva this year and are seeking forgiveness, recite even more, relatively speaking?
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 368), 8 March 2020
THE RECITATION OF LITTLE HOUSES FOR KARMIC CREDITOR AND TO RESOLVE CONFLICT WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA SHOULD BE PERFORMED ALTERNATELY
Caller: Elderly Buddhist practitioners are required to recite a larger number of Little Houses. Should they focus on completing the recitation of Little Houses to resolve conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, before channelling the remaining energy to recite for their karmic creditors? Or should they recite for both purposes simultaneously?
Master Jun Hong Lu: They can do so alternately.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 368), 8 March 2020
YOU MAY OFFER 27 LITTLE HOUSES TO HELP CHILDREN ABOVE 5 TO RESOLVE CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA
Caller: For children whose zodiacs are in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva this year, what is their minimum age for us to offer the recommended monthly offering of 27 Little Houses on their behalf?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Typically, the souls of children above 5 years of age are already quite complete. More so when they are 8 years old. You may offer 27 Little Houses on their behalf to resolve conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva monthly from the age of 5 onwards. For kids below 5, it suffices to just recite more Buddhist scriptures and pray for safety and to disperse calamities.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 202), 17 January 2018
27 LITTLE HOUSES IS THE CARDINAL NUMBER FOR THOSE WHO CLASH WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA
Question: For those whose Chinese zodiacs clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, they may recite a specific number of Little Houses that corresponds with their age (age from birth, 实岁). However, we were advised to recite 27 Little Houses on a monthly basis previously. May I know if we should take the bigger number as reference?
Answer: 27 is the cardinal number. However, for elderly Buddhist friends, it is better for them to recite more. Based on my experience, when there is a karmic pass, need not worry about the quantity but, do your utmost to recite as many as possible and you will be able to make it through your karmic pass. As far as I’m concerned, the cardinal number should only be used as a point of reference that gives one the psychological satisfaction. You should continue to recite more once a batch is completed.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 347), 26 November 2019
IS IT ALRIGHT TO PRAY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHOSE ZODIACS CLASH WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA?
Caller: Master, if my family members whose zodiacs clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, can I help them pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva when offering incense? Can the prayer be what Master mentioned before,
“May Tai Sui Bodhisattva compassionately forgive the wrongdoings of XXX, <the full name of your family member>, bless and protect him”?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. However, it will be better if your family members can pray for themselves.
Source: Wenda20180223 35:27, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRAYING TO TAI SUI AND GUAN DI BODHISATTVAS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Why do we pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva? We should always pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva, not only when we have clashes with the Bodhisattva during a particular year. It is always good to pray as Tai Sui Bodhisattva is the Bodhisattva on duty for that particular year and hence you should pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva for all matters. We also pray to Guan Di Bodhisattva, who is the dharma protector of heaven and the human realm. Guan Di Bodhisattva is upright and plain spoken, the symbol of justice. He will come to your rescue should you meet with major calamities.
Caller: That’s right! Guan Di Bodhisattva is revered in the three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. This is why we pray to these Bodhisattvas in Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door.
Source: Wenda20160115 01:03:50, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
WHEN SHOULD WE START WEARING RED IN THE ZODIAC YEAR OF BIRTH?
Question: Should red apparels and socks be worn on the eve or the first day of Lunar New Year by those who happen to be in their zodiac year of birth? Is it alright for these items to be reused in the future, that is, in subsequent years, or they have to be discarded?
Answer: Clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva have not officially commenced on Lunar New Year’s eve. But, the moment it crosses midnight, you should put them on. You should only wear them in the year of ‘conflict’.
In fact, when luck is on one’s side, wearing red may have an adverse effect. Conversely, when one is down on luck, wearing red helps prevent karmic obstacles from coming near.
Everything has its pluses and minuses. Just like taking medicine, on one hand, medicine can cure illnesses, on the other, it contains a certain amount of toxin. Having said that, if you want to resolve clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, you still need to pray more to Bodhisattva for blessings. Even if you wrap every inch of your body in red, it will not work. Ultimately, you are better off praying to Bodhisattva for blessings.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 204), 25 January 2018
THE BEST WAYS TO RESOLVE CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA ARE TO DILIGENTLY PERFORM KIND DEEDS AND RECITE BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES
Caller: Master Lu, a Buddhist friend’s zodiac clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva next year. Is there a stipulated number of fish to liberate in a year when such clashes occur?
Master Jun Hong Lu: There isn’t any. You may pray daily to Tai Sui Bodhisattva of the year.
Caller: I see. Can I confirm that there isn’t any cardinal number of fish to liberate to resolve clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Actually, the best way to resolve clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva is to perform kind deeds diligently. Many people who do not practise spiritual cultivation or learn Buddhism would make the following vow, “I will perform 100 kind deeds to resolve the karmic pass stemming from clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva”. However, this can only resolve minor karmic passes. For major karmic passes, it is necessary to recite a certain number of Buddhist scriptures, do you understand?
Caller: I understand. If I offer 27 Little Houses every month specially to resolve clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, would I be able to resolve many karmic passes?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. This is because the Buddhist altar of Guan Yin Citta is unique. Guan Yin Bodhisattva allows us to gain wisdom. Bodhisattva understands that in the human realm, we need to pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva. Even if clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva are not present, you still need to pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva for safety, because you are still being watched by the heavenly deities deployed by Tai Sui Bodhisattva.
Caller: I see. Deepest gratitude to Bodhisattva.
Master Jun Hong Lu: When Tai Sui Bodhisattva deploys a dharma protector to protect you, don’t you think this dharma protector will also be watching your misdeeds too?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: When you perform a good deed, not only will the heavenly deities instantly make a report, they will be filled with dharma bliss and opine, “The person I’m guarding is indeed very kind!”. Similarly, if you misbehave, they will bear witness to your brutish behaviour (苟且之事), and will instantly file a report before personally punishing you, because you have contaminated their spiritual entities. Let me ask you, if you go topless in public, aren’t you in effect insulting the pedestrians?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Others will run away.
Caller: I understand.
Source: Wenda20190113A 32:05, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
ONE CAN USE MERITS ACCRUED FROM PAST DHARMA CONVENTIONS TO RESOLVE THE UPCOMING YEAR’S CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA
Caller: Master, can we utilise a portion of our merits accumulated from participating in your dharma conventions to resolve upcoming year’s conflicts with Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Caller: What should my prayer be?
Master Jun Hong Lu: “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva help me, <your full name>, to utilise my merits from participating in dharma conventions, <venue and year>, to eliminate my “3,6,9” predestined calamities.”
Caller: Is it alright to use the same prayer to resolve clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Source: Wenda20180629 34:38, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
< IMPORTANT DISCOURSES FROM TAI SUI BODHISATTVAS >
IMPORTANT DISCOURSE FOR 2020 BY TAI SUI BODHISATTVA, GENERAL LU MI (卢秘大将军)
As Tai Sui Bodhisattva of the year 2020, I can’t bear to see the world obsessed, confused, corrupted and fall into evil paths. I shall now spell out to all followers of Guan Yin Citta the following Five Evil Deeds that are punishable by the Dharma Protectors of the Year 2020:
1. Slander the Buddha (of any religion or dharma door).
2. Make illicit gains (3 times more severe the punishment if it relates to the property of the Sangha).
3. Commit sexual misconduct (double the punishment for those who provide erotic materials on any occasion, any major websites or social media).
4. Drug and human trafficking (leaders of such groups will be banished to the Unintermittent Hell (无间地狱) before serving their sentence in the Hell of Oil Pans).
5. Negative karma from killing (depending on the amount of beings killed, the retribution will be served twice as fast).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 345), 7 November 2019
IMPORTANT DISCOURSE FOR 2021 BY TAI SUI BODHISATTVA, YANG XIN (杨信大将军)
“I am Yang Xin Bodhisattva, the Dharma Protector. I will be on duty in the coming year (2021). I, together with other Dharma Protectors, will be conducting a thorough investigation by the end of the year to find out if all Buddhist practitioners have truthfully fulfilled their vows. At the same time, we will also carry out stringent checks on karmic offences involving harsh speech and ill-gotten gains derived out of greed.”
“Those who have committed these wrongdoings should sincerely repent and mend their ways. On account of the compassion of Guan Yin Bodhisattva and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I will utilise your merits accumulated in the past to eliminate these karmic offences. Those who do not repent should not blame the justices of the heavenly law. Every sentient being in the mortal world shall bear the karmic consequences of all their kind and evil deeds. I will bless those who recite Buddhist scriptures, practise vegetarianism, perform life liberation and good deeds. I will also grant more blessings and protection to those who respect their Master and revere his teachings”.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 418), 1 October 2020
< Let’s Usher in the New Year with Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy & Equanimity 慈悲喜舍迎新年 >
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享