THE TAI SUI BODHISATTVA OF 2021 · WELCOMING THE BODHISATTVA OF WEALTH

< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享    

Time : Saturday 2pm-4.15pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : THE TAI SUI BODHISATTVA OF 2021 · WELCOMING THE BODHISATTVA OF WEALTH

 

On 6 February 2021, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held another online English Group Study. The session provided an extensive coverage on Tai Sui Bodhisattva and the Bodhisattva of Wealth as we herald the lunar new year. 

Did you know this?  

There is a total of 60 Tai Sui Bodhisattvas who take turns to helm the sacred position of Tai Sui Bodhisattva in heaven on a yearly basis. General Yang Xin will take over the position from General Lu Mi on the first day of 2021 Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox). ?

Clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva are a natural phenomenon and herein lies the importance of being aware of one’s conflict in order to ensure a peaceful and safe year ahead. Those, who were born in the years of the ?ox, ?sheep, ?horse, ?dog and ?dragon, will be in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva of 2021.

While the degree of conflict varies, all the five affected zodiacs will be subject to stringent surveillance nevertheless. With every single move under scrutiny, the risk of being hit by misfortune is high, particularly for those in their zodiac year of birth (Ben Ming Nian in Chinese).

While one can consider quelling the potential ill luck by adopting some Chinese customary practices such as wearing red, the most effective way is none other than being steadfast in one’s spiritual cultivation and perform more meritorious deeds, among which are performing recitation, making great vows and releasing captive lives. ??

The participants were advised to offer at least 27 Little Houses per month, in batches of three or seven, to resolve the conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva. Master Lu has offered these words of comfort to those who may be hard pressed to offer the recommended number of Little Houses, “Based on my experience, one should not worry about the quantity of _Little House_ offered in the event of a karmic pass. Do your utmost to recite as many as possible and you will make it through your karmic pass.” ?

The facilitator also highlighted that praying to Tai Sui Bodhisattva should not be isolated to the year when the conflict occurs. We should always do so and pray for safety. The participants were advised to put forth their prayer request to Tai Sui Bodhisattva on a monthly basis rather than yearly for it to be efficacious.

In the session, a discourse from General Yang Xin was presented. General Yang Xin said, “I, together with the help of other dharma protectors, will carry out stringent checks on karmic offenses involving harsh speech and illicit gains. The wrong doers should truly repent and mend their ways. Practising Buddhists will be protected and blessed especially those who respect their Master and revere his teachings.”

In the second half of the session, the protocols to welcome the Bodhisattva of Wealth, which falls on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, were highlighted. On that day, we should refrain from openly stating that our wish is to become wealthy. It is recommended to recite 108 times of Cundi Dharani and 21 times of the Heart Sutra on that day. To make one’s prayer more effective, one can vow to practise the giving of money and adopt a vegetarian diet on that day. 

Some other interesting tips to increase one’s wealth luck are:
1. Offer incense three times daily;
2. Wiping the incense burner;
3. Levelling of ashes in the incense burner (recite the Heart Sutra while doing so); and
4.Cherishing one’s good fortune.

 

The online group study will take a two-week break in conjunction with the Chinese New Year and regroup on 27 February 2021. In the upcoming session, a slew of topical and yet pertinent Buddhism issues will be presented.

 

Let us now look at some comments from participants:

I learnt that praying for worldly blessings is a reflection on ones state of spiritual cultivation.

I was reminded to grasp the opportunity to perform more recitation especially during first few days of CNY.
 

Join us in our next session 

Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information

 

 ⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 27 Feb 2021 (2.oopm – 4.00pm)

 

Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:

   Summary Slides_THE TAI SUI BODHISATTVA OF 2021 · WELCOMING THE BODHISATTVA OF WEALTH

 

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WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?

Q&A 29. Tai Sui Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of the year

 

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< What does conflict/clash with Tai Sui mean? (“Fan Tai Sui 犯太岁”) > 

 

Wenda20160122 27:25 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
Regarding conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva. How to resolve the conflict?

Caller: Master, this is a common question, that is, in different year, some zodiac signs will clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva. From a causality point of view, did we ever have had some conflicts with the Tai Sui Bodhisattva in our past lives?Please help us to understand?

Master Jun Hong Lu:

Regarding this matter … you are really delving into it. In fact, it is due to the climatology (天时) and the solar terms (节气) which in infinite time, surpassing numerous kalpas (vast period of time), it may have created a great karma. It is predestined, like the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter which cannot be changed.

Like in winter, many people will freeze to death, right? (Yes)
How many die in spring? None. Then many people will die of heat stroke in summer, right? (Yes.) But not in autumn.

Among these four solar terms, two solar terms are very favorable to human beings, and conversely the other two are very destructive. Then, such solar terms have actually createdtheir causality cycles.

This means a 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 karmic grievances with 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 (Oh, is it a fixed destiny, Master?). Yes, it is a predetermined destiny (定数).

In fact, Tai Sui Bodhisattva is not a certain person, he is Bodhisattva on duty (Oh, then how do we resolve the conflict?).

If you look at our practice at Guan Yin Citta Door, it’s so powerful. It’s a pragmatic approach, easy for us to solve a practical problem. (Yes.) Tai Sui is a Bodhisattva on duty every year. When this Bodhisattva arrives, he will record all the deeds of people in the world. In fact, there are many junior Bodhisattvas assisting Tai Sui Bodhisattva to record the good and bad deeds of each person. (Does Tai SuiBodhisattva have a high level of spiritual attainment in Heaven?) He is also the heavenly guardian.

There will be a Tai Sui Bodhisattva on duty every year. So you see, when people say that there is a fix image of Tai Sui Bodhisattva, it is not true, because it changes every year, so he must be lying. Tai Sui Bodhisattva is actually aposition, not a fixed person, understand?

Just like a chairman, it changes every year. You can’t hang a picture of a certain chairman and say he is always the chairman. So likewise, we cannot say that Tai Sui Bodhisattva is a fixed person, it will change every year (Thank you Master for your kindness).

 

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< Which Zodiac signs clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva in 2021? >

 

 

Shuohua20180105 01:03 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program] – an excerpt

Chinese Zodiac signs that clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva:

Ox – Zhi Tai Sui (值太岁)

Will be in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva on duty of the particular year, as this year is also their zodiac year of birth. These people need to exercise extra caution. In Chinese, this is called “Zhi Tai Sui”.

 

Horse – Hai Tai Sui (害太岁)

Will be in a serious and unceasing conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva. In Chinese, this is known as “Hai Tai Sui” which literally means “Harming Tai Sui Bodhisattva”.

 

Dragon – Po Tai Sui (破太岁)

Will be looked upon unfavourably and placed under constant surveillance of Tai Sui Bodhisattva. In Chinese, this is known as “Po Tai Sui” which literally means “Destroying Tai Sui Bodhisattva”.

 

Dog – Xing Tai Sui (刑太岁)

Will be under the strict surveillance of Tai Sui Bodhisattva for misconduct or dubious acts. In Chinese, this is known as “Xing Tai Sui” which literal means “Torturing Tai Sui Bodhisattva”.

 

Sheep – Chong Tai Sui (冲太岁)

Will be cast under a negative light and perceived as a nuisance. In Chinese, this is known as “Chong Tai Sui” or in direct conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu:

Regardless of the type of conflicts with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, it simply means you will be under the strict surveillance of the Tai Sui Bodhisattva during this year. As humans are generally undisciplined, when they go under such strict surveillance, they will definitely suffer ill luck. To what extent? To give a simple example, if the husband and wife often have intimate act, they will continue to have bad luck in that year.

 

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Wenda20160115 01:03:50 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program] – an excerpt

In fact, if a person is in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, and when he encounters with misfortune, it will be serious and he will be faced with a heavier punishment. For example, he should be injured in a car accident, but it may turn out to lose his life instead, that’s it!

Furthermore, if you just make a minor mistake, or conceive a bad thought, Tai Sui Bodhisattva will tag on you, it is just like the police car tailing behind you, he can always catch your fault easily.

Now, the heavenly protectors are particularly watchful, and Tai Sui Bodhisattva is the one. If you are in conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, you will be placed under a tighter surveillance in this year, and every move will be recorded. On the contrary, if you are not in conflict, some small mistakes you made, may not be noticed at all. 

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 293)

Question: Master mentioned before that 3,6,9 karmic passes could erupt in advance. What about if a person’s zodiac sign happens to clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva next year? Is there a possibility that the ‘clash’ may occur this year?

Answer: Generally, the conflicts with Tai Sui starts in the New Year, and it will not occur earlier. If something occurred earlier than the stipulated time, it is most likely due to his karmic obstacles. 

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 142) 

Question: When does this year‘s conflict with Tai Sui end? For example, a person’s zodiac sign clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva in 2016, does it mean it will only be considered over after the 2017 Chinese New Year?

Answer: It will be considered over after Chinese New Year’s Eve, or at the beginning of the brand new lunar year.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 204) 

Question: Regarding the red clothings and red socks, should it be worn on the eve or on the 1st day of Chinese New Year? Can these red clothings and socks bought in zodiac year of birth be worn again next year or throw away?

Answer: Conflict with Tai Sui Bodhisattva only starts on the 1st day of Chinese New Year, that is after 12 midnight of the eve. So only wear it after 12 midnight. If you are in conflict, then wear it, otherwise abstain from it.

When a person’s fortune is good, wearing red clothings may have an adverse effect. Conversely, if the person’s fortune is bad, wearing red can help prevent karmic obstacles.

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Just like taking medicine, medicine can cure illnesses, however, it also contains a certain amount of drug.

So, if you want to resolve the conflicts, you still need to pray for the blessing from Buddha and Bodhisattva. It is useless even if you wrap up your whole body with red clothings, it is still better to ask Bodhisattva for blessing. 

 

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< Zodiac Year Of Birth (Ben Ming Nian 本命年) >

 

Q&A 97. Zodiac year of birth (or Ben Ming Nian)

 

According to Chinese custom, people wear red coloured underclothing during their zodiac year of birth, and it does have some effect. However, most importantly, you should diligently perform recitations, make vows, and perform life liberations.

Persist with your daily recitations, which include the recitation of the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou 49 times, and the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots (Jie Jie Zhou) 29 times per day, praying for resolution of your karmic conflicts, elimination of disasters, and for your safety.

 

At the same time, you can make a vow to recite the same number of Little Houses as your age. For example, if you are 48 years old, you can vow to recite at least 48 Little Houses for your karmic creditors; those who are 21 years or under can all recite 21 Little Houses when encountering their zodiac year of birth.

Say the following prayer:

“May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me <full name>, and help me resolve the predestined calamities of my zodiac year of birth.” 

 

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< Methods for resolving Clash with Tai Sui (“Fan Tai Sui”) >

 

BURNING LITTLE HOUSES TO OFFSET CLASH WITH THE TAI SUI BODHISATTVA

Question: With regards to “clashing with Tai Sui Bodhisattva”, how should the Little House be addressed to this effect?

Answer: Little Houses in batch of 27 pieces are to be offered every month and they are addressed to your own karmic creditors. The prayer should be:

“May Tai Sui Bodhisattva bless and protect me, <your full name>, help me to stay safe in ____(month)”.

This is to be done one month at a time. For example, you would pray,

 “May Tai Sui Bodhisattva bless and protect me, and help me to stay safe in January”.

You may do this every month so that you will be kept safe and sound every single month throughout the 12 months.

If you do so every month, you will be safe and sound during all twelve months.

If you are too greedy and pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva to keep you safe all year round in 2017, it might not work.

In other words, if you only make a general prayer to keep you safe for the year, your wish may not be fulfilled.

You need to resolve the predestined calamities of your zodiac year month by month.

 

Wenda20180223 47:06 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
LITTLE HOUSES FOR RESOLVING CLASHES WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA CAN BE OFFERED IN BATCHES

Caller: Master Lu, we understand that Little Houses for resolving clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva is to be offered in batches of 27. However, the number of Little Houses recited by some Buddhist friends recently may be rather substantial, therefore, they may not be able to offer all of the Little Houses for resolving the clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva at one go.  In this case, can they split the offering of the Little Houses into several batches?

Master Jun Hong Lu: It is best to offer it in batches of 7, or even 3. Both are fine.

Caller: So, the 27 Little Houses for resolving the clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva can be offered in separate rounds, right?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course. 

  

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 408) 22 August 2020
WHAT ARE THE AGES THAT HAVE PREDESTINED CALAMITIES?

Question: Other than when the last digit of our age ends with a 3, 6 or 9, and during the year when our Chinese zodiac sign of birth clashes with Tai Sui for that year, what other special ages we may be prone to predestined calamities?

Answer: For those above 50 years old, ages with two repeated digits, e.g. 55, 66, 77, 88 or 99, are prone to predestined calamities.

Bodhisattva has given a discourse recently that, in order to resolve predestined calamities, one must recite the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou 108 times every day, otherwise he is not able to eliminate the disasters.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 347)

Question: For those whose Chinese zodiac signs clash with the Tai Sui Bodhisattva, they may recite an amount 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 always take the bigger number as reference?

Answer: 27 is the cardinal number. However, for those elderly Buddhist friends, it is better for them to recite more. Based on my experience, when there is karmic pass, one should not worry about the quantity – do your utmost to recite as many as possible and you will be able to make it through your karmic pass. As far as you are concerned, the cardinal number only serves as a reference. After it is completed, you should continue to recite more. 

 

Wenda20180223 35:27 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
IS IT ALRIGHT TO PRAY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHOSE ZODIAC SIGNS CLASH WITH TAI SUI BODISATTVA?

Caller: Master, if my family members whose zodiac signs 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 the Merciful Tai Sui Bodhisattva forgive the wrongdoings of XXX <full name>, bless and protect XXX <full name> ”?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. However, it will be better if your family members pray for themselves. 

 

Wenda20160115  01:03:50   [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
HOW SHOULD WE RESOLVE A CLASH WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA; ABOUT THE BODHISATTVAS PRAYED BY GUAN YIN CITTA PRACTITIONERS

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 a clash with the Bodhisattva during a particular year. It is always good to pray as Tai Sui Bodhisattva is the Bodhisattva on duty 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. 

 

Wenda20190113A  32:05   [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
THE BEST WAY TO RESOLVE A CLASH WITH TAI SUI BODHISATTVA IS TO PERFORM KIND DEEDS CONSTANTLY AND RECITE BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SPECIFIC PURPOSE

Caller: Master Lu, a Buddhist friend’s whose zodiac sign clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva next year. Is there a stipulated number of fish to liberate in a year when one clashes with Tai Sui Bodhisattva?

Master Jun Hong Lu: No. You may pray daily to Tai Sui Bodhisattva of the year. 

Caller: I see, so there isn’t a number of fishes to liberate for resolving a clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Actually, the best way to resolve a clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva is to perform kind deeds constantly. There are many people who do not engage in spiritual cultivation or learn Buddhism would make the following vow, “I will perform 100 kind deeds to resolve the karmic pass of a clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva”. However, this is only for resolving 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 specially to resolve a clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva every month, I will be able to resolve many karmic passes, is that right?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. This is because the altar of Guan Yin Citta is unique where 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 you do not have a clash with Tai Sui Bodhisattva, you need to pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva for safety, as you are being watched by the Heavenly deities deployed by Tai Sui Bodhisattva.

Caller: Yes, deepest gratitude to Bodhisattva.

Master Jun Hong Lu: When Tai Sui Bodhisattva deployed someone to protect you, a dharma protector, don’t you think at the same time they will be watching your misdeeds too? (Yes.) So, when you perform good deeds, they will instantly make a report, be filled with dharma bliss and feel, “the person I’m guarding is so kind!”. Similarly, if you perform improper deeds, they will witness your brutish behaviour, instantly make a report and punish you personally, as you have polluted these spiritual entities. Let me ask you, if you are unclothed in public, isn’t that an insult to the public? (Yes.) Others will run away.

Caller: I understand.

 

Wenda20180629  34:38  [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
RESOLVE CONFLICTS WITH FOLLOWING YEAR’S TAI SUI IN ADVANCE BY UTILISING THE MERITS ACCUMULATED FROM MASTER LU’S PUBLIC TALKS 

Caller: Master Lu, can we utilise a portion of our merits accumulated from participating in your Public Talks to resolve conflicts with following year’s Tai Sui Bodhisattva in advance?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.

Caller: How do I say the prayer?

Master Jun Hong Lu: “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva help me <full name> to utilise my merits from participating in the Public Talk <venue and year> to eliminate my predestined calamities at age ending at three, six or nine.” 

Caller: Is it also applicable to the case on the conflicts with Tai Sui Bodhisattva? 

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.

 

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< DISCOURSE FROM TAI SUI BODHISATTVA >

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 345) 7th Nov 2019 –an excerpt
IMPORTANT DISCOURSE ON TAI SUI BODHISATTVA FOR 2020 – General Lu Mi (卢秘大将军)

As Tai Sui of the year 2020,  I can’t bear to see the world be obsessed, confused, corrupted and fall into the evil paths. Hence, now I will tell you about The Five Evil Deeds which are punishable by the Dharma Protectors of the year 2020:

1. Slander the Buddha (of any religion/dharmadoor).

2. Make illicit gain (3 times more severe punishment if related to the property of the Sangha).

3. Commit sexual misconduct (double the punishment for those who provides erotic materials on any occasion, on any major websites or social media).

4. Drug and human trafficking (the leader of the group will be punished in the infernal hell and then transferred to the hell of oil pan).

5. Negative karma from killing (depending onthe amount of beings killed, the retribution from the negative karma will take place twice as fast).

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 418), 1st Oct 2020

“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 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 that were derived out of greed.”

“Those who have committed these wrongdoings should truly 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 injustices 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 scriptures, practise vegetarianism, perform life liberation and do good deeds. I will also grant more blessings and protection to those who respect their Master and revere his teachings.” 

 

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< WELCOMING THE BODHISATTVA OF WEALTH DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR > 

Q&A 131. Welcoming the Bodhisattva of Wealth during Chinese New Year

Q: How do we welcome the Bodhisattva of Wealth? What sutras and mantras should we recite?

A: On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, keep in mind that we should not openly state that our wish is to become wealthy.

Many people make incense offerings and pray for wealth on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year but are unable to have their wish fulfilled. It is because they have said their wishes out loud.

Many people like to talk about the good deeds that they have done. For example, “I have helped many poor people”, “I have donated such and such amount of money”, or “I have made such and such contributions”, etc. It is best to refrain from doing so.

On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year when the Bodhisattva of Wealth is visiting us, avoid saying things such as, “I want to get rich.” If you say this, then it is very likely that your wish to become rich would not be fulfilled.

Master Lu hopes that everyone will be truly well, I am not teaching you ways to get rich asultimately, money cannot bring us happiness. Many people are very wealthy, but they are not happy. A truly wise person would pray for peace and safety. There is a Chinese saying: “Being safe and well itself is a blessing (平安就是福).”

We should not be greedy. Once a person becomes greedy, they will experience sorrow, poverty and suffering. As Buddhists, we should not be greedy.

Generally, during the daytime on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, you can recite the Cundi Dharani 108 times and the Heart Sutra 21 times. 

Before you recite, you can say the following prayer: “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva and the Bodhisattva of Wealth protect and bless me, so that I will have a smooth career and improved  financial situation.”

 

Wenda20130210  27:47  [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program] – an excerpt
IT IS BEST TO ADOPT A VEGETARIAN DIET ON THE FIFTH DAY OF THE FIRST LUNAR MONTH, THE DAY WHEN THE BODHISATTVA OF WEALTH BRINGS GOOD FORTUNE

Caller: Dear Master Lu, it’s Chinese New Year now and we will absolutely adopt a full vegetarian diet on the first and the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Due to the many gatherings of relatives and friends during this period, could you please let us know which days we should avoid eating meat?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Firstly, keep in mind that you need to adopt a vegetarian diet on the first and the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Do you know why? It is because many Bodhisattvas come on these days. As you are not a vegetarian yet, after Chinese New Year’s day you may return to your normal diet on the second, third and fourth day. However, it is still best not to eat creatures that are slaughtered alive.

The fifth day is when the Bodhisattvas of Wealth brings us good fortune. People commonly pray for prosperity on this day, therefore do you think eating meat on this day will help?

Compassion could bring you wisdom and prosperity. When we are merciful and compassionate, we abstain from killing and eating animals slaughtered alive, don’t we? Adopt a vegetarian diet on this day to welcome the Bodhisattva of Wealth and see if you gain better financial opportunities.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Sydney, Australia – 12 January 2020
OFFERING INCENSE THREE TIMES DAILY MAY HELP INCREASE WEALTH LUCK

Master Jun Hong Lu: How many times do you usually offer incense at home daily? I suppose twice?  Remember this, you may offer incense three times daily when it comes to your zodiac year of birth, and if you wish to avoid possible financial loss.  This practice will not only save you from financial problem but also benefit your wealth luck. 

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Sydney, Australia – 12 January 2020
TIPS ON IMPROVING WEALTH LUCK AND ELIMINATING NEGATIVE KARMA

Master Jun Hong Lu: Do you know of another way to improve wealth luck?  That is, when the incense burner is not in use, take it down from the altar and wipe it.  If you are investors, wiping the incense burner will help to increase your fortune. If you observe, this is a common practice in many dharma doors. 

Performing the act of washing is also a good way to eliminate negative karma.  Hence, you can throw yourself into washing whenever you feel unhappy as this will improve your mood.  You may notice many people will start washing in the kitchen whenever they are upset.  They will feel much better after a while, because this is one of the ways to give vent to their negative emotions.

 

Wenda20200209 35:15 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
WIPING THE INCENSE BURNER TO PRAY FOR WEALTH IS CONSIDERED A WISH FOR WORLDLY AND HEAVENLY BLESSINGS, AND WILL EXPEND ONE’S MERITS

Caller: Hello Master. Master has said that we can wipe the incense burner to wish for better wealth luck. However, a Buddhist friend worries that this is akin to praying for worldly and heavenly blessings which will expend their merits.  Is it true, Master? 

Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course it will.  Think about it, if you pray for wealth, it will certainly transform into worldly and heavenly blessings. 

I shared this tip in the public talk as there were many participants who are non-Buddhist practitioners, the Chinese emigrants in Australia and their western friends. These people may be interested to pray for wealth, so I offered them some tips.  It is not meant for those with a high state of spirituality.  Logically, a person with a high state of spirituality wouldn’t pray for wealth in the first place, would they? 

Caller:  That’s right. A Buddhist friend was desperate to pray for wealth, so after completing his recitation, he will bring down the incense burner and keep wiping it. Are we supposed to do this within a stipulated time? This Buddhist friend is under the impression that he will have abundant wealth luck if he continuously performs this action.

Master Jun Hong Lu: No. After the incense is fully burned, before offering the next incense, you may wipe the incense burner on the altar. In doing this, please ensure that you do not move the incense burner. The only time you can move the incense burner is when you plan to bring it down from the altar. Do not rotate it when it is on the altar. In wiping, you should manoeuver your hand around it, instead.

Caller: If he brings the incense burner down from the altar, can he go on wiping it all day long?

Master Jun Hong Lu: No. Don’t do that.

 

Wenda20200124 58:11 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
LEVELLING ASHES IN INCENSE BURNER WILL INCREASE WEALTH

Caller: Is levelling of ashes in the incense burner a meritorious deed?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, that’s very good.

Caller: How many times a day should we level the ashes in the incense burner? Is there any aspect that we need to pay attention to?

Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s up to you. If you feel you are financially tight or having some degree of financial difficulty recently, you may pray to Bodhisattva for improved financial conditions while levelling the ashes in the incense burner. Additionally, if you would like to further boost your financial luck, you may also declare to Bodhisattva, “I will perform more meritorious deeds, I will…” When your mind is filled with such positive energy coupled with the act of levelling the ashes in the incense burner, your prayer will be answered very soon. This is a form of meritorious deed.

Caller: Oh, the act of levelling the ashes in the incense burner also increases the fortune.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it increases the fortune significantly.

Caller: Which scriptures should be recited when we do it?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Heart Sutra.

 

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Belgium May 10, 2016
CHERISH YOUR GOOD FORTUNE

Wealth and fame are acquired from the good deeds and merits accumulated by us in our cycle of reincarnations. If you still have some wealth and fame in this life, including those who are able to lead a life overseas, it is considered a type of karmic reward.

Karmic rewards should be utilised gradually, the same way you should utilise your credit card. You will not feel the “pinch” when you are using it, until you receive the credit card statement and you realise, “Oh no! I have spent so much!”.

We have to cherish our good fortune, do not squander it away (惜福).

Do you know what it means by “cherishing one’s good fortune”? It means one should not splurge and should only spend when necessary. 

 

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< WEALTH is achieved through the Act of Giving >

 

If you practise the giving of dharma and help one person today, you will gain meritorious blessings. If you wish for others to treat you well but you do not treat others well first, how can you expect to gain the kindness of others. You can only gain when you give. Gain is intrinsic in the act of letting go. Only when a person lets go of personal gain, will they be able to acquire Bodhisattva’s wisdom!

 

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< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享