Time : Saturday 2pm-4pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : The Heart Of True Repentance (Part 1)
Master Lu says, “Our evil deeds of many lifetimes, like the archives of documents, are permanently recorded and bound to our spiritual being even after we die. Hence, we should know that though our life will end someday, our repentance should never cease”.
On 28 May 2022, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held an online English sharing session to delve into “The Heart of True Repentance”, which is the first of a three-part series.
The participants were reminded to exercise extreme mindfulness by keeping their six sense organs in check because a seemingly inconsequential problem can evolve into a major karmic obstacle over time. This is the reason why the Bodhisattva wants us to listen less, see less and think less.
Through a slew of insightful discourses, the participants gained a good understanding of the meaning and purpose of performing great repentance. Repentance is about transforming one’s mental state and conduct. The penitent would prove their repentance through their actions by mending their ways by rooting out their deep-seated bad habits instead of finger pointing at others.
In a poignant testimony, a Buddhist friend shared how his chanced encounter with Guan Yin Citta transformed his once messed-up young adulthood through diligent application of the five Golden Buddhist Practices, including the performance of great repentance.
The elimination of karmic obstacles through repentance should be our priority because it helps prevent our negative karma from ripening, besides ensuring the efficacy of our prayers and Little Houses.
The participants were forewarned about harping on past mistakes because karmic obstacles can stem from unwholesome memories. A thorough elimination of karmic obstacles is only possible when one is awakened. This underscores the importance of studying Buddhism in Plain Terms and attending the English sharing sessions.
In the upcoming session, scheduled on 11 June, we will drill down into the true meaning of sincere and effective repentance, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s vows that form the repentance verses.
🌿 Join us in our next session
Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information
⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 11 June 2022 (2pm – 4pm)
Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:
Summary Slides_The Heart of Repentance (Part 1)
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
< THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism in Plain Terms Radio Programme
Volume 1 Chapter 3 (An Excerpt)
Master Jun Hong Lu: Our evil deeds of many lifetimes, like the archives of documents, are permanently recorded and bound to our spiritual being even after we die. Hence, we should know that though our life will end someday, our repentance should never cease.
< A. ABOUT KARMIC OBSTACLES >
Master Jun Hong Lu says,
“Karmic obstacle is the negative effect derived from the law of cause and effect.
In other words, it is the effect that you have derived from the cause that you have sown.”
~ Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume1 Chapter 8 ~
< MINOR LIFE PROBLEMS COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR ERUPTION OF KARMIC OBSTACLES >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism in Plain Terms Ep 60 (An Excerpt)
THE HEART OF REPENTANCE
Master Jun Hong Lu: Whatever causes that put you off from spiritual cultivation are your own karmic obstacles (业障). When you think, “Oh, I‘m too lazy to wake up in the morning” – this is the effect of your karmic obstacle! When your family members obstruct your practice – this is another effect of your karmic obstacle! When you say, “I have children; my hands are full; I am simply too busy to even pray, let alone go out to help others, etc” – once again, the effect of your karmic obstacle! All these hindrances are due to your karmic obstacles. One fine day, when your karmic obstacles erupt (业障爆发) and you get into a car accident, you cry, “Oh Master, please help me!” And, there you are wondering, “Where did this karmic obstacle come from?” This is where it came from: Every day you are accumulating a little karmic obstacle, and before you know it, a major karmic obstacle is formed.
< WHERE DOES KARMIC OBSTACLE COME FROM? >
1. THE ACCUMULATION OF ‘BAD’ SEEDS SOWN
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms Episode 9 (An Excerpt)
Master Jun Hong Lu: Sentient beings do not know the existence of the law of karma, hence they commit evil deeds day in, day out. When you yell at others, speak ill of others, mistreat others or roll your eyes – all these are negative karma that causes harm to others. And, the moment the karmic retribution manifests itself, most people will be stricken with fear and agony.
Did you realise how many times you have bullied him, looking back at all those years? It has reached a point of no return, and he now chooses to leave you and you feel the pain. Isn’t the pain you are suffering now the result of your own doings that build up every day?
Here’s a true story that happened in Australia. There were two neighbours, a 74-year-old and a 78-year-old, who had a quarrel over a fence that stood in between their houses.
One of them would deliberately move the fence over, infringing on a little of his neighbour’s area, and when this happened, the other would do likewise. This tit for tat persisted over a prolonged period during which the bad blood between them boiled over.
One fine day, hell broke loose when one of them struck his neighbour with a shovel and killed him. Would you say their hostility was formed overnight?
Just like the accumulation of kindness happens over an extended period of time, so is the accumulation of evil deeds. Do not mistreat others senselessly or harm them – understanding that this entails the suffering you fear, all the more you should avoid planting any seeds that cause harm to others.
2. IT STEMS FROM YOUR MEMORY
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms Volume 11 Chapter 35 (An Excerpt)
KARMIC OBSTACLES STEM FROM YOUR MEMORY
Master Jun Hong Lu: As a matter of fact, karmic obstacles stem from your memory. When a specific unhappy incident dwells in your mind, resentment, apprehension and vexation will arise and from which, karmic obstacles are formed.
To remove karmic obstacles, don’t you think you should erase from your memory, the people you hate, the past misdeeds that have brought you deep remorse and sorrow, and the things that you did out of sheer ignorance and greed?
You have to erase the unwholesome thoughts and negative recollections from your memory. This is because memories are extremely powerful – something that we are incapable of keeping a rein on.
Think about it, isn’t it the case that things that we do not wish to recall will pop up in an untimely manner. There are times when we do not wish to talk about a specific person, whom we resent, and yet, he will suddenly flash through our mind.
Conversely, you can hardly recall things that you wish to remember. This goes to show that our memories are not within our control.
To eliminate karmic obstacles, you have to first eradicate the unwholesome thoughts in your memory. You have to understand that if you let the negative memories live in your mind, you are essentially hanging on to your karmic obstacles.
Humans have far too many failings. First of all, they struggle to recollect things that they want to remember and yet, they can’t shake their mind off things that they do not want to recall.
Herein lies the problem, the moment something gets stored in your memory, it will be impossible to erase. Upon seeing something, it will be stored in one’s memory, like a computer motherboard.
This is the precise reason why one should abstain from looking at unwholesome things because they will penetrate one’s memory, making it impossible to erase.
Let me illustrate this with our six sense organs: Eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and consciousness.
The moment the eyes see, the ears hear, the nose smells, the tongue tastes, the body touches and the mind processes, it will penetrate right into your memory.
For example, someone gives you something to eat, the moment your tongue tastes the food, you will immediately recall, “That’s delicious and I’ve eaten it before”.
Many people catch sight of familiar shapes of the food that they once tasted in their childhood days and past memories will flood their mind. This is because as the eyes see something, the memory will be set in motion and immediately, these people will recollect how delicious it tasted.
Don’t you think these are memories that you preserved?
The moment the eyes see, the nose smells or any of your senses come in contact with something, it will be impossible to erase it from your memory. This is the precise reason why the Bodhisattva wants us to listen less, see less and think less.
< B. HOW AND WHY WE NEED TO ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES? >
Master Jun Hong Lu says, We must truly cultivate and REPENT.
Not only should we constantly cultivate our mind, we should also repent sincerely;
we need to strive so that we, as well as others, can lead a life free from regrets.
~ Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms Volume 8 Chapter 6 (An Excerpt) ~
The efficacy of our prayers depends on
our karmic obstacles.
Hence, the elimination of karmic obstacles
should be our priority.
~ Source: Video clip on the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance for Beginners ~
Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting | Singapore | 19 February 2017
AS THE MIND CREATES, SO CAN IT EXTERMINATE
Master Jun Hong Lu: Buddhist practitioners should know that karmic obstacle is the consequence of one’s doings; everything is merely but a creation of the mind (一切唯心造) – as the mind can create, so can it exterminate (此心能造，此心就能灭).
To exterminate the negative affinity and karmic obstacles in your mind, you must accumulate more kindness and virtues, cultivate your mind, cast your net of positive affinity as wide as possible (广结善缘), get rid of unwholesome thoughts, and last but not least, perform all good and do no evil.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms Episode 9 (An Excerpt)
THROUGH REPENTANCE, WE CAN PREVENT OUR KARMA FROM RIPENING
Master Jun Hong Lu: Buddhas and Bodhisattvas do not wish sentient beings to suffer the consequences of their own karma. Bodhisattvas do not want us to endure untold sufferings (吃苦头). Bodhisattvas always find a way to save us and always hope that we would change, so that we don’t have to bear the retribution (consequences of karma).
How could Bodhisattvas help us avoid suffering the consequences? Bodhisattvas can’t stop the consequences from crystallising, but They want you to know that you were wrong, and only when you repent, you can prevent the karmic consequences from maturing.
Let me reveal a heaven’s secret to you today.
Why is it that there are people who suffer karmic consequences immediately? Why do they suffer immediate retribution? On the other hand, some people’s retribution comes later.
When you do something wrong, you realise your mistakes and kneel before Bodhisattvas to repent, this bad karma of wrongdoing will ripen slowly rather than immediately.
Bodhisattvas are using expedient means (方便善巧的方法) to help us understand our mistakes and shortcomings, and repent of our evil deeds and thoughts. They are using expedient means to prevent sentient beings from committing evil deeds and harming others.
If you have harmed others, repent at once to stop the karmic consequences from maturing. You must never do such an evil thing ever again!
Although this karma still exists, it will not break out as long as it has not ripened. If you don’t repent of your wrongdoing today and continue doing such deeds, you will soon be requited with evil (from this bad karma). For this, your evil deeds will soon mature and you will suffer the retribution.
< C. TYPES OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS WRONGDOINGS >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Radio Recording) 17 August 2017
WE SHOULD NOT LIVE OUR LIVES BLAMING OTHERS
Master Jun Hong Lu: We should not live our lives blaming others (怨天尤人). Instead of finding fault with others, we must often reflect on our own mistakes. When you are afflicted, as much as possible, you must look for ways to apply wisdom to resolve the issue at hand, instead of stirring up more troubles. This is because a troubled person tends to invite more troubles.
So, how do we free ourselves from all afflictions? This calls for the need to always be humble and to embrace a penitent heart (忏悔心). But, that’s not all that you need to have.
Did you know of a far-more important characteristic that you need to have so that you do not incite more troubles?
It is a loving heart (爱心).
If you are able to love others, resentment will never find a place in your heart. Without resentment, there is no way that you will make mistakes and hence, there isn’t even a need to have a penitent heart. After all, there is no mistake to repent of.
< A TRUE CULTIVATOR DOES NOT SEE THE FAULTS OF OTHERS >
“The villain always thinks he is innocent, but the gentleman always reflects his wrongdoings (小人无错，君子常过)”. Self-introspection allows you to see what needs to be changed within you.
Not only can you turn big problems into small ones and small ones into nothing, but you are also able to earn the respect of others. Please remember, you should always think, “It’s all my fault”. This is a type of self-discipline that brings about a continuous self-improvement.
When we make a mistake, how do we find a balance between feeling the remorse but not grasping to the wrongdoing?
Wenda20200126 14:56 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN REPENTING OF ONE’S MISDEEDS AND NOT GRASPING TO THEM
Caller: Master, you have said before that if we become fixated on our wrongdoings, we are bound to develop depression after a prolonged period. You have also advised us to frequently reflect on our wrongdoings and to have a penitent heart (忏悔心). In this respect, how should we balance our mental attitude?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The right mental attitude is to repent after committing a wrongful act. This is a must.
If you know well that you have done wrong, how do you bring your mind into a state of balance? It is when you are willing to repent, as this is how your mental state will reach an equilibrium.
On the other hand, if you are oblivious (还不知道) and not owning up to your own mistakes, your mental state will be imbalanced, from which a sense of resentment will emerge from within. This hatred is aimed at others, not yourself.
As compared to the kind that is directed inwardly, the former kind of hatred is more difficult for one to be liberated from.
Caller: There are people who become fixated on their mistakes, bringing upon themselves a tremendous amount of stress, and end up wallowing in grief. I would like to know whether this is a form of attachment (一种执著)?
Master Jun Hong Lu: From a psychological standpoint, if mentally, one feels the pressure, it is a natural psychological reaction. Knowing that you have done something wrong and yet, you are unwilling to reveal it or repent, you are effectively giving the free rein to this unwholesome matter to produce some kind of negative energy within you.
Not only is it detrimental to your heart, it will also cause the endocrine system (内分泌) that regulates your entire body to produce a type of negative cells which will make you feel depressed and dispirited (精神颓废). By then, you will lose all self-control, allowing your spiralling thoughts to take over you. Don’t you think this will turn into depression after a prolonged period?
Caller: Yes. What Master says is so true.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s for sure because I am analysing it from a psychological perspective.
Caller: When things happen, we should perform more repentance before Bodhisattvas. We should confide in Bodhisattvas and repent more often. Is it right to say that by doing so, we are able to balance the stress in us?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Definitely! How does stress come about in the first place? You asked for it! When you make blunders, you bring stress upon yourself, don’t you think so?
Caller: That’s true.
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you do not commit any wrongdoings, will you have anything to be stressed over?
Caller: I understand now.
< D. WHAT IF YOU FAIL TO REPENT IN TIME? >
Wenda20160124A 51:44 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
THE EARLY SIGNS THAT SPELL THE RIPENING OF ONE’S KARMIC OBSTACLES
Caller: Hi Master, are there early signs to watch out for to indicate the ripening of one’s karmic obstacles?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, there are, that is, a string of misfortunes will befall you. This will occur when your karmic obstacles have ripened.
Caller: What about the early signs? Doesn’t misfortune only occur after one’s karmic obstacles have ripened?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Bad luck will start to haunt you as karmic obstacles are about to ripen. Just like before you cross a bridge, there is an approach span of the bridge that you need to walk on. If you feel that, of late, things are not running smoothly for you and problems keep cropping up, you should take it as an omen that something big is brewing.
Caller: I see. This means we should quickly step up our recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s correct! Take a look at those corrupt officials. The fact of the matter is, they are already experiencing stumbling blocks at their workplace, but they have the impression that others are giving them weird stares instead.
What follows next is, the hunch (感觉), that their superiors have a lot of issues with them and are intentionally picking on them. In their mind, they have fallen out of favour as their superiors no longer speak to them.
Master Jun Hong Lu: These corrupt officials should have a sense that something is amiss. Not surprisingly, they are apprehended soon after. This is how it will pan out. How is it possible that you do not sense anything at all? When you do something wrong, how can you not know?
Caller: Yes, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Assuming someone drives every day and one fine day, he nearly gets into an accident, and he tells people around him, “Gosh, I nearly got into an accident”. By now,
he should exercise caution because chances are, he will get into trouble in the next few days. Do you understand?
Caller: I do, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: When you spot something growing on your face, you may say, “Oh no! It looks like something is growing on my face”, “Oh well, it will subside soon”. However, at that time, you better be careful because for all you know, it may start to pop up. It is as simple as that.
Caller: I understand now, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu：
Please remember, when things do not seem to go well for you,
it is a sign that you are laden with karmic obstacles,
and it is time you learn to eliminate them.
~ Zongshu20171128 22:16 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program) ~
Wenda20150612 08:15 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program) (An Excerpt)
THE RECITATION QUALITY OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE WILL AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LITTLE HOUSE
Master Jun Hong Lu: The quality of Little House is closely related to that of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO). With an impure mind, one’s recitation of LIFO will be of questionable quality.
Bear in mind that reciting Little House is a type of merit, while reciting LIFO is the criterion to attain this merit (小房子是你的一个功德，礼佛大忏悔文是功德的标准).
If you are diligent in your recitation of LIFO and your repentance is sincere, some of the Buddhas cited in the sutra are the judges who will examine if you meet this criterion.
You may have recited Little Houses really well, but if your recitation of LIFO is of questionable quality, the judges will still concur otherwise (法官照样不同意).
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 382) 3 May 2020
Question: The following are the scenes of Guan Yin Citta Pure Land that I, the disciple of Master Lu, witnessed today.
In the Guan Yin Citta Pure Land:
The Buddha is gazing at a lotus flower in the lotus pond. In the centre of the lotus flower, lies a glittering mani pearl (摩尼珠) that radiates brilliant golden light. Steadily extending His hand, and with much gentleness, the Buddha rotates the mani pearl.
Curious, the Heavenly Child asks, “Why does the Buddha rotate the mani pearl of this lotus flower?”
The Buddha explains, “This is because she is currently reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO).”
The Victorious-Strife Buddha (斗战胜佛) then chips in, “As a matter of fact, the Buddha is showering her with blessings and setting in motion her bright inherent nature.”
The Heavenly Child probes further, “Is this the reason she is sobbing while performing repentance?”
The Buddha replies, “I’m applying the refreshing heavenly dew (甘露) to purify her heart that has been contaminated by the five desires and the corresponding six sense objects (五欲六尘).”
Guan Yin Bodhisattva then asks, “Is the Buddha giving a reminder to my disciples that their cultivated state-of-mind has yet to reach the Buddha’s expectation?”
The Buddha responds, “Indeed! They are still unable to see through the worldly desires.”
Answer: I would like to reiterate that it is critical to study Buddhism in Plain Terms. You need to listen and read more. Besides, you must aim to do all that is wholesome and free your mind from all things unwholesome.
Excessive unwholesome and selfish thoughts will pose an obstacle for you to ascend to heaven. After all, the lotus pond in heaven is simply immaculate (莲花池多干净).
If you tear up while reciting LIFO or for unbeknown reasons, it means that the Bodhisattva is showering you with blessings. Please work hard to eliminate your karmic obstacles soonest.
< E. THOROUGH ELIMINATION OF K.O IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH BEING AWAKENED >
Wenda20160729 12:26 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
THE ELIMINATION OF NEGATIVE KARMA AFTER ONE GAINS WISDOM DIFFERS FROM THAT WHEN ONE REMAINS IN AN UNENLIGHTENED STATE
Caller: Hi Master, how are you? It’s said that hardship we experience in life can help us eliminate our karmic obstacles.
The same goes for performing repentance, offering of Little Houses, having wisdom and a magnanimous heart (心量大).
I’d like to ask whether the following understanding is correct:
The first three factors are able to eliminate the karmic obstacles per se, but the latter two – having wisdom and a big heart – we are able to eliminate the more deep-seated karmic obstacles because they entail tapping into one’s inherent Buddha nature?
I would appreciate Master’s guidance.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s absolutely correct! Conceptually, the elimination of karmic obstacles after a person gains wisdom differs from that when he remains in a non-enlightened state.
Caller: Master, this is the type of realisation that I’ve just mentioned where one’s karmic obstacles are eliminated through the application of wisdom and magnanimity.
Caller: This is when the elimination of the more deep-seated karmic obstacles takes place. Is that right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s correct. That’s how it works.
Wenda20171008B 18:09 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
STUDYING BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS HAS REPENTANCE EFFECTS, BUT HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM THE RECITATION OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE?
Caller: Master, is it true that by studying Buddhism in Plain Terms, it can help us repent? The reason I ask is because there are times when we are studying Buddhism in Plain Terms, we will reflect on our past misdeeds, during which a sense of penitence will wash over us. Can Master enlighten us on this?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s for sure. I have not revealed this in the past. The fact of the matter is when you are studying Buddhism in Plain Terms, it will trigger a host of mental activity, which will slowly set the way you think and rationalise into motion. In fact, this is a process where you get to understand your mind and see your true nature (明心见性).
Hence, studying Buddhism in Plain Terms has both the effect of repentance as well as understanding your mind and seeing your true nature. This is why I encourage all of you to study Buddhism in Plain Terms.
Those, who practise Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, should not solely focus on performing recitation and not study Buddhism in Plain Terms because if you practise this way, you are not any different from being superstitious and it’s useless. It’s important to be rational and not superstitious.
Caller: Is it better for us to read Buddhism in Plain Terms quietly or read it out loud?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can read it in your heart at night so that you do not disturb others. During the daytime, you can read it out loud. It’s very good to read it out loud.
Take a look at the Buddhist scriptures, some of them are not scriptures per se, they are records of speeches delivered by the Buddha. The Diamond Sutra is one case in point. The entire Sutra encapsulates the Buddha’s teachings transpired during His time in the human realm. Why do we need to read it out loud? Do you understand now?
Caller: I understand now, Master. Since studying Buddhism in Plain Terms has repentance effects, how does it differ from the recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance?
Master Jun Hong Lu: There’s definitely a difference! The former is ‘self-repentance (自我忏悔)’, while the latter refers to seeking forgiveness from heaven (对天忏悔). ‘Self-repentance’ will enhance one’s spiritual awakening.
Master Jun Hong Lu: On the other hand, when you repent to heaven, you will receive blessings from Bodhisattvas, and this will help eliminate your karmic obstacles.
Caller: Thank you, Master for enlightening us on this query.
Wenda20171222 01:18:06 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
TO READ BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS WITH REMORSE IS A SPEEDY WAY TO ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES
Caller: Master, I dreamed that I was reading Buddhism in Plain Terms with remorse. This is a very powerful way to eliminate negative karma as the elimination takes place from the level of my consciousness (从意识当中消业).
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, how did you know that?
Caller: I had the dream the first time I read the book “A Guide to Helping Others” that I brought back from Singapore. The same dream recurred after studying Buddhism in Plain Terms on two separate occasions, and in the dream, my karmic obstacles were eliminated from my consciousness.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Looks like you have garnered yourself some merits today! Let me tell you, when one reads Buddhism in Plain Terms with a penitent heart, the speed of karma elimination is astonishing.
Caller: When I read Buddhism in Plain Terms and the contents seem to be directed at my mistakes and I think to myself, “Gosh, I have been so so wrong”. There are even times when I would sternly order myself to internalise the messages so that they could penetrate right into my eighth consciousness (进到八识田中) to help me be resolute in overcoming my bad temper. Master, you should be able to sense many of my personal negative traits, right?
Master Jun Hong Lu：That’s right. For example, when poring over “Buddhism in Plain Terms“, you may come across sections where I iterate, “You must unleash your true nature, that is, your Buddha nature. Regardless of what life throws at you, in order to resolve them, you must first help yourself by overcoming your shortcomings”.
Reading this, you may think, “Gosh, that’s so true. I deeply regret that ever so often, I fail to control my temper. If I can’t even put the Buddha’s teachings into practice, how am I supposed to introduce Buddhism to others?
With just a flash of a single kind thought like this, let me tell you, this is the type of kind, virtuous thought that will soar right into the sky resulting in an instantaneous elimination of karmic obstacles (直冲云霄，消业消得可快)!
< IS REPENTANCE ALL IT TAKES TO ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES (INCLUDING THOSE DEEP-ROOTED ONES)? >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Daily Buddhism In Plain Terms 27 October 2021 (An Excerpt)
WE MUST HAVE THE IMPETUS TO MEND OUR WAYS
Master Jun Hong Lu:
If you sow the seeds of karma, oblivious to the gravity of the eventual consequences, you are literally living a life of ignorance.
For this reason, you will not be able to find your roots and there is no way that you will be able to turn over a new leaf because you simply lack the essence of the Dharma and that is to embark on a self-transformation journey.
Even if you have recited the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, retribution will still be served because of your comparatively heftier karmic obstacles.
This is akin to having injured someone’s child over some matter, and on a daily basis, you recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, which is tantamount to telling the other party, “I’m sorry to have beaten up your child. I’m so sorry. It was all my fault”. Notwithstanding, the other party may not necessarily forgive you and may constantly be lurking around to retaliate.
It’s never easy to put a closure to such an incident. The other party will go all-out to harm your child in order to inflict the emotional pain on you. This is your karmic retribution. Do not think that by offering an apology is good enough for the other party to drop the matter. There is no such straightforward matter.
By reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, you are merely saying, “I’m sorry”. Deep down, you know that you are in the wrong but it does not imply that you have mended your ways. You might have committed a wrongdoing, but have you really changed?
To change is a force. If you lack the impetus to mend your ways, even if you have performed repentance, it means you have yet to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. For this, you are bound to repeat the same mistake in the future.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms Episode 9 (An Excerpt)
START DOING GOOD AND SOW THE SEEDS OF KINDNESS
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Those who truly wish to be liberated would never benefit themselves at the expense of others. All of you should always do things to help others. As far as money, fame or advantage are concerned, give them away if you can, be impartial about it if you can, yield to others if you can – this is to protect your spiritual life and to sow good causes.
< F. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF REPENTANCE >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Radio Recording) 15 June 2017
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF REPENTANCE
Master Jun Hong Lu: Repentance is the most important issue. By performing repentance, it does not mean that the karmic ramifications associated with the sinful act are fully eliminated. When you repent, you are cleaning up your past wrongdoings, but a portion of the negative karma will remain.
Assuming the negative karma generated is 80%, but here you are, performing repentance constantly, and in addition, you perform a host of good deeds. For this, you may be able to reduce your negative karma to 30%.
At this point, if you continue to keep repenting and do kind deeds, besides abstaining from committing sinful acts, your negative karma may reduce to just about 10%.
Can you now see the vast difference between 80% and 10%? At 80%, it could potentially trigger one’s negative karma to ripen. On the flip side, at 10%, chances are you may be able to eliminate it completely.
Having said this, I would like to emphasise that although it’s not possible to offset negative karma, if you are able to perform good deeds that outweigh the evil deeds committed, it is possible to eliminate a lot of the negative karma.
We are capable of being enlightened if we discover our faults.
We begin to be enlightened if we correct our faults.
We will awaken if we discover all our mistakes.
We will be thoroughly enlightened if we correct all our mistakes.
一个人发现自己的错误是悟性，改正自己的错误是开悟，
发现自己所有的错误是醒悟，改正自己全部的错误是彻悟。
~ Master Jun Hong Lu | Words of Wisdom Volume 1 ~
SUMMARY
1. Today’s session reminds me that the onset of a major karmic eruption can be shown in the small problems I experience in my day-to-day life.
2. I am also enlightened to the fact that if I want to know how others treat me, the best starting place is to look at how I treat them. Master Lu says, “The negative affinities between people are not something that manifests overnight”.
3. Today’s session highlights a very important fact, i.e. the root of our karmic obstacles is none other than our own memory. Our every decision is ‘prepared’ unconsciously by the brain, where our memories are stored. Hence, if we allow ourselves to continue with our unwholesome actions or behaviour, essentially, we are letting the negative memories control us and this is as good as hanging on to our karmic obstacles.
4. Today, I learned that I need to ‘repent before it’s too late’. A very important tip given by Master Lu, because it can help deter a bad karma from maturing.
5. Today, let us ask ourselves, “What is our attitude towards mistakes?” We need to get better at admitting that we are wrong as this will free us from a life of afflictions. Besides, through repentance, we can be saved from the onset of misfortune, the by-product of the ripening of our karmic obstacles. What’s also noteworthy is, our failure to repent will compromise the quality of our Little Houses.
6. There are many types of repentance but the one we should practise is one that is sincere and with the application of wisdom and magnanimity.
7. In relation to this, because repentance is not an easy ‘sorry’, we must study Buddhism in Plain Terms and use its power to trigger a new host of mental activity to slowly set the way we think and rationalise into motion.
8. Last but not least, our Master reminds us today that the heart of a good repentance is the actual action of mending one’s ways.
< A truly mighty person is one who heals the wound of others >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk | USA | 2 May 2015
THE STORY OF ANGULIMALA
Master Jun Hong Lu says, “Why don’t you own up to your mistakes?”
Do you know that the moment you admit your mistakes, your inner self will be set free, and you will gain deeper insights of yourself? But if you don’t, you are only allowing sorrow to build up in your heart.
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享