Time : Saturday 2pm-4.10pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : THE MEANING OF TRUE REPENTANCE
On 3 October 2020, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held yet another online English Group Study.
⚠️ Did you know that frequent repentance helps make our prayers more efficacious?
This week’s session provided insights into the meaning of true repentance and the best method to repent. Certain intricacies and protocols pertaining to the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance Sutra (LIFO) were shared during the session, which helped enhance the participants’ understanding and appreciation of the sutra.
Master Lu once said, ‘If you don’t like to repent or are reluctant to acknowledge your shortcomings, you are likely to get into trouble. The best way to eliminate our karmic obstacles is to repent and recite LIFO’.
Reciting LIFO with a sincere heart and clear mind will help us eliminate the pain and/or sorrow that we have inflicted upon ourselves owing to our past inappropriate actions, allowing us to move on afresh. Master Lu has once described reciting LIFO acts as ‘a combination of brush and detergent, which serves to cleanse the impurities in our mind and soul, and eliminate our distracting thoughts’.
Unknown to some, the recitation of LIFO could trigger a premature activation of our karmic obstacles which tend to be less powerful and hence, require fewer Little Houses as opposed to when the time the karmic retribution strikes. This goes to show the importance of reciting LIFO consistently especially in view of the ease for one to create karma through unwholesome bodily actions, speech and mind.
Buddhist friends were reminded not to harp on past mistakes which they have repented upon to prevent igniting karmic obstacles.
The session also gave a good rundown on how one should complement the recitation of LIFO with Little Houses for a more effective eradication of karmic obstacles.
Finally, let’s bear this statement of Master Lu in mind, ‘Need not be embarrassed; just confess to Bodhisattvas, as the saying goes: “Leniency to those who confess and severity to those who resist”.
Let us now look at some comments from participants:
“This week’s session is close to heart. I often contemplate the number of evil deeds possibly committed in my daily life. Master Lu’s discourse on ‘Not to harp on past mistakes which you have repented upon to prevent your karmic obstacles’ has struck me to perform my recitations in a different mind set.”
“Hearing from the Dharma friend’s testimony sharing strengthens my faith and reminds me not to give up the Dharma practice, I am grateful to have the opportunity to listen to so many inspiring stories through this session”
? Join us in our next session
Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information
⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 10 Oct 2020 (2.oopm – 4.00pm)
Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:
BHFF_SUMMARY_The Meaning of True Repentance_03102020
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Episode 7 – Part 2)
GOOD AND EVIL ARE THE RESULTS OF KARMA
How should a person cleanse themselves of greed, hatred and delusion? The best way is to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance. We must do more recitations of this Sutra. If you don’t like to repent or if you are reluctant to acknowledge your shortcomings you are likely to get into trouble. Once you are in trouble you will find your body, speech and mind do not act in coordination with one another.
For example, if you are unwilling to admit your shortcomings; you will often get upset, often find it difficult to get over things, often be unhappy. How do you connect your body, speech and mind? To be able to straighten out our thoughts to speak like a Buddha to think like a Bodhisattva, one needs to have the Buddha nature. A person needs to have the Buddha nature which is fundamentally pure.
As Buddhists often say, “The mind remains unmoved despite external changes”. No matter what changes have taken place around you, your mind remains unmoved. Don’t let the surroundings flutter your state of mind. The ultimately pure Buddha nature is the Amala Consciousness which is also the Ninth Consciousness. This is your conscience and your innate nature. Regardless of what happens your mind remains unmoved.
Once you have the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in your heart, you won’t conceive unwholesome thoughts. This way, you won’t be trapped in the Six Realms of Existence. Why do some people often say, “Six Realms of Existence”? When a person is in a lot of pain and couldn’t figure things out, they have actually placed themselves in the Cycle of Rebirth.
You may ask, isn’t the Heavenly Realm one of the Six Realms of Existence? When you are happy, it’s like being in the Heaven. When the environment changes, your happy time in the Heavenly Realm is shortened. Then you have descended to the Human Realm and begun to suffer. When your suspicion arises, it is as if you were in the Ghost Realm. In the Animal Realm, you begin to do things that harms others.
Acting in a way that provides no benefit to yourself, like a demon. You never place others’ interest before yours, only causing harm to others. You never want to help others, then you are in the cycle of the Six Realms of Existence.
People whose mind, remains in the cycle of rebirth, they have a great deal of anger and resentment, together with a lot of greed.Their problem is that they are overwhelmed with greed and hatred. It’s all because they have not eliminated their past karma. “Past karma” means karma accumulated from previous lives.
On top of that, they commit evil deeds in this life. In this situation, how could they be diligent? How could they be hardworking? Therefore, when some people start to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, it dredges up memories. In fact, after reciting this Sutra wholeheartedly, we can leave the pain behind us.
But for most people, when they start reciting, they start to recall the things they have done in the past. They are repenting for a specific event. You need to view the issue from a theoretical perspective; when we recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, there are so many Bodhisattvas including Guan Yin Bodhisattva and our great Buddha.
All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are witnessing us reforming ourselves, you are telling them that, “Today, I have repented for my mistakes, hoping that the Bodhisattvas will help eliminate my negative karma”. At that moment, your heart should be immersed in Dharma bliss. The purpose of reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance is not for you to look back on your past.
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
~ The meaning of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO)
Master Jun Hong Lu’s related discourses (cross references):
< The meaning of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) >
Buddhism in Plain Terms radio program Volume 1, Chapter 3
Now, I am going to teach you about the recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance Sutra, for short, which is an act of worshipping the 88 Buddhas. When we worship these Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, we are pleading for their understanding with respect to the misdeeds that we have committed in this mortal world.
This is the best way to pray to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for helping us repent and eliminate our karmic obstacles. We will succeed in seeking repentance after worshipping the 88 Buddhas (certainly the number of recitations is a very important factor). Therefore, one of the best ways to eliminate karmic obstacles is to repent and perform recitations.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Volume 8 Chapter 6
Let me explain the two components of the word ‘Repentance’ (忏悔). Firstly, we have to express our penitence for all our past misdeeds, which are effectively the causes of our karma; and secondly, to be remorseful and regretful for these misdeeds, which resulted in our karmic consequences that brought us into misery.
So, with repentance, it means that you must deeply understand the causes and effects of your misdeeds, and repent of all these misdeeds, that is, to become enlightened. Only when you have reflected thoroughly on your wrongdoing, thinking that, “I shouldn’t have done it in the first place, and I should never repeat my mistake in the future”, then you will slowly gain enlightenment.
Wenda20200425 01:04:18 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
WHY ARE THERE 89 BUDDHA NAMES IN THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE
Caller: Why are there 89 Buddha names in the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance?
Master Jun Hong Lu: “Namo, Fa Jie Cang Shen Amituofo 南无法界藏身阿弥陀佛” at the end of the repentance mantra carries the meaning of transferring the meritorious blessings of all the aforementioned 88 Buddhas to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Sydney, Australia, 26th December 2015
RECITATION OF EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO)
It is about the part of reciting Buddhas’ names in the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance.
For the first 53 Buddhas, we should recite their names in a respectful manner.
From “Na Mo Shi Jia Mou Ni Fo” (i.e., Shakyamuni Buddha 南无释迦牟尼佛) onwards:
If you are reciting in sitting position, you should perform a deep bow when reciting the name of each Buddha.
If you want to show your utmost respect and make your recitation more efficacious, you should kneel and bow, touching your forehead to the floor.
Because these 35 Buddhas are Buddhas of Merit and Virtue, we will be able to receive merit and virtue if we pay our respects by bowing this way. It is very efficacious.
Wenda20200724 41:59 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
THE MEANING OF THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (I.E. NAMO DA XING PU XIAN PU SA)
Caller: Master Lu, the last sentence of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance is ‘Namo Da Xing Pu Xian Pusa’ (Samantabhadra Bodhisattva 南无大行普贤菩萨).
Caller: Why does it end with the name of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva? What kind of message does it have for us? Please enlighten us, Master Lu.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is a signification of cultivation and practice (大行). In other words, you have to fulfil your vows. In fact, the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance signifies a resolution. You may have said, “I want to change, I want to change…”, but have you put your words into action? So ultimately, you have to learn from Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and take action. Only then will your recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance be efficacious.
Caller: I see. After repenting, we have to fulfil our vows and start making changes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right.
Caller: So that’s the meaning behind it.
Master Jun Hong Lu: What’s the point when you have been saying repeatedly that you will change, but you have not taken any action?
< What is the Purpose of reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddha Great Repentance? >
- Efficacy of our prayers depends on how substantial karmic obstacles we have. Elimination of karmic obstacles should be our priority.
- It is a good sign if one feels soreness or discomfort in any part of the body. It could mean that the karmic obstacles have been activated. Karmic obstacles which are activated prematurely are generally less powerful, hence the Little Houses required at this stage generally lesser as compare to when the time of retribution comes.
INTRODUCTION
Recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance Sutra or Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen in Chinese (礼佛大忏悔文), is one of the greatest repentance sutras. By reciting it, you are sincerely seeking the help of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, including Guan Yin Bodhisattva to repent and cease karmic obstacles due to negative karmas from the past and present lives.
Some of its great powers include: repenting negative karmas created during past and present lives; seeking forgiveness from someone you have hurt in past relationships; resolving long-term conflicts; and repenting inappropriate actions such as being disrespectful to Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, or damaging statues or images of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas.
For Daily Recitation:
Generally once and up to 7 times per day. It is suitable for reciting everyday until the end of life, and can be recited day or night.
If it is cloudy or rainy, it is best if you can recite it during daytime. You should avoid reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance after 10pm, or during extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning.
Prayer Statement:
Before reciting this sutra, you can say your prayer or wish as follows, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, help me to repent and eliminate karmic obstacles due to negative karmas in <the body or parts of the body>, grant me good health and great wisdom.”
RECITING EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO) CAN ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES
Question: Why Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) is effective for eliminating karmic obstacles?
Answer: LIFO is an extremely important mantra. There are a great number of Bodhisattvas mentioned in this mantra. Hence, whenever you pray to each Bodhisattva to seek repentance, each of them will help you eliminate your karmic obstacles. Thus, do not be hasty in your recitation. There are some who fail to articulate the names of the Bodhisattvas in full during recitation – in such case, how will elimination of karmic obstacles be possible?
Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 12: Being tolerant is virtuous, being calm is a form of blessing (An Excerpt)
As humans, firstly, we should avoid any karmic offence. Secondly, repent at once when you have committed karmic offences.The advice you received from others may give you a new lease on life at times. Therefore you are indeed blessed if you are receptive to criticism and advice. Today, if you are still ignorant about how this world works, the fact that it is filled with sufferings, then, you shall sink deeper and deeper into such sufferings.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Radio program 1, chapter 3
Let me tell you, it is recommended to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance once a day, and best to recite three to seven times a day if time allows. The recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance will help one to amass boundless meritorious blessings. It acts like a combination of brush and detergent, which serves to cleanse the impurities in our mind and soul, and eliminate our distracting thoughts.
In fact, it is very easy for one to create karma through bodily actions. For example, stealing, beating up people, and being disrespectful by pointing your finger at others.
These are all considered the karma of bodily actions. It is even easier for one to commit karma of speech. Whether it’s a casual negative remark, sowing of discord, false speech, or divisive speech, these are all considered the karma of speech. In addition, the current popular trend of consuming freshly caught lobsters, abalones and so forth, is also an example of speech karma. Besides all these, mind karma is the easiest to commit.
As long as you conceive any impure thoughts, you are committing a mind karma. For example, you feel that someone is very nasty, and you are thinking of tricking him so that you could teach him a lesson, and so forth. These are all considered mind karma.
After reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, Bodhisattvas will forgive us. In fact, a lot of our negative karmas could be lessened or eliminated with the help and forgiveness of Bodhisattvas.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (148), February 2, 2017
REPENTANCE IS THE KEY
Question: If one with higher state of mind repents frequently, even towards matters that didn’t cause any karmic debts, does this generate merits?
Answer: Frequent repentance is not regarded as a meritorious act, but is helpful in eliminating karmic debts speedily, thereby making your prayers more efficacious. Many people think they manage to hide away from Bodhisattvas, but they are simply fooling themselves.
Need not be embarrassed; just confess to Bodhisattvas, as the saying goes: “Leniency to those who confess and severity to those who resist”.
It is even worse when you get caught red-handed. Heaven’s vengeance is slow but sure. You either do not commit any wrongdoing or be prepared for getting caught.
< Types of Prayers in Reciting LIFO >
IT IS MORE EFFICACIOUS TO STATE “I REPENT FOR (MATTER ON HAND)” FOR EVERY EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE WE RECITE
Question: Master mentioned in the radio program that many people would have to say the prayer, “I repent for (matter on hand)” for every Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance that they recite to be more efficacious. May I know if this is applicable for the specific case or can it be applied to everyone?
Answer: It is applicable to all. For every instance of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance you recite, you may say the prayer, “I repent for (the matter on hand)”.
Your prayer will be heard by Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors, and your karma will be cleared. It is human to err, so we have to keep repenting by saying “I’m sorry” and apologise repeatedly.
Over time, the other party will forgive you and say, “Let bygones be bygones and not keep speaking of the past”.
Repent constantly and we will be able to get over the matter quickly. Nowadays, there are many people who refuse to admit their mistakes and unwilling to apologise even when they are in the wrong.
World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session) , Melbourne, Australia, 7 December 2019
PRAY TO ELIMINATE CALAMITIES AND EXTEND LIFESPAN BY RECITING EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO)
Question:
Some Buddhist practitioners vowed to transfer part of their lifespans for the benefit of their family members in the past. Are they able to extend their lifespans through making vows, performing recitations, performing life liberations and meritorious deeds, as well as reciting Sheng Wu Liang Shou Jue Ding Guang Ming Wang Tuo Luo Ni in the present?
Answer:
Yes. You may do so by performing life liberation, followed by reciting the said mantra. Generally speaking, those who wish to extend lifespan will have to recite some LIFO. This is because the more you repent, the more you will be able to purify spiritually and the easier it is to extend your lifespan. Please remember, if you wish to extend your lifespan as you enter old age, you must recite LIFO.
Question:
What is the suitable number of daily recitations of LIFO we should recite and for how long should we continue?
Answer:
Maximum is five or seven times. You may state the prayer, ‘I will recite five times LIFO, may Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, help me to eliminate my calamities and extend my lifespan.’
You must firstly pray to eliminate pre-destined calamities before praying for extension of lifespan. Because if you cannot eliminate the calamities, you would not be able to extend lifespan.
Once you have eliminated the calamities, resolution of your negative karmic affinities and disasters will follow. It is only thereafter that you can extend your lifespan. Thus, in your prayer, you must always ask to eliminate calamities first, then ask to extend your lifespan.
Q&A 22. Effects of reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance
Q: Master Lu, are the effects of reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance for the purpose of accumulating merits and virtues different from the effects of reciting it for the purpose of eliminating karmic obstacles?
A: Sutras and mantras can be seen as medications that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas prescribe to us. However, for them to be effective, we need ingredients that can enhance their efficacy. The overall purpose of reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance is clear, to eliminate karmic obstacles.
However, the prayers said before reciting this sutra can vary depending on the individual.
If you are reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance to eliminate karmic obstacles, you can say the following before you recite, “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, help me to repent and eliminate karmic obstacles.”
If you are reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance to accumulate merits and virtues, you can say the following before you recite, “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, help me to accumulate merits and virtues.”
If you do not have many karmic obstacles, your recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance will automatically be transformed into merits and virtues. In fact, the process of eliminating karmic obstacles itself increases your own merits and virtues.
When the black patches of karmic obstacles on your body are greatly reduced, you will become cleaner and purer. This makes it easier for the sutras and mantras that you recite, including the Great Compassion Mantra, the Heart Sutra, and the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, to be gradually stored within you.
Why do some people find performing recitations ineffective or not efficacious? It is because they have accumulated far too many karmic obstacles. Therefore, it is very important to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance to eliminate our karmic obstacles.
If your karmic obstacles are activated and transformed into spirits, then you would need to recite Little Houses and address them to the “Karmic Creditor of <your full name>”.
Wenda20190503 17:28 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radioprogram)
PRAY TO REPENT OF THE MISTAKES MADE DURING THIS LIFETIME WHEN RECITING THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO)
Caller: Few days ago, a Buddhist practitioner sent me a prayer request template circulated online, which is said to be shared by 2OR. I would like to clarify with Master, how should we state our prayer when reciting LIFO? Should we state that, “I repent for my karmic obstacles in this life”, or make a general prayer request that, “I repent for my karmic obstacles”?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Generally, we repent of the mistakes that we have made during this lifetime.
Caller: We have to state this in our prayer right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. Because your past karmic obstacles will also be brought forward to this lifetime, so eventually it will still end up as the karmic obstacles in this life.
Caller: Oh I see. So when we recite LIFO, we should say the prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva help me <your full name> to repent and eliminate my karmic obstacles in this life”?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right.
< The Various Effects after Reciting LIFO >
Wenda20160923 30:39 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
THE REACTION TO RECITING THE EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE DIFFERS WITH VARIANT DEGREE OF KARMIC OBSTACLES
Caller: Why there are some who recite many times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance without the slightest reaction, while others who will start feeling uncomfortable and having dreams of many karmic creditors when they recite only a few times?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s because that person has a lot of karmic obstacles. For example, for a person who is free from any debts, when he says: “In future, should I owe others money, I will surely pay back”. In this case, as there is no one demanding any repayment from him, naturally he won’t feel any discomfort or guilt. On the contrary, when a person faces a group of creditors demanding repayments, even when he has just recited a few times saying: “I will be repaying my debts”. “Bang!” a group of creditors will dash forward. For sure he will feel uncomfortable immediately. It’s that simple.
Caller: For the second scenario, it is not advisable for them to recite too many? Should they slow down their pace in repenting of their mistakes?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right.
Caller: The moment they “over-recite”, they will not be able to manage.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s for sure.
Wenda20180624A 13:15 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program] (An Excerpt)
WHY DO PEOPLE REACT DIFFERENTLY WHEN RECITING EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE?
Caller: Master Lu, why are there some who often cry, experience a strong reaction and tremendous reaction when they recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, while there are others who are slow to react. Are these reactions related to one’s karmic obstacles?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Certainly. People who have come to a realisation and cultivated well will shed tears when they recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance.
Wenda20160624 01:04:31 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
HOW SOON WILL BAD KARMA BE NOTED AND HOW TO ELIMINATE NEGATIVE KARMA IMMEDIATELY THROUGH REPENTANCE
Caller: Master Lu, is there a point when Dharma protectors will start recording the karma residing in our cognitive world? Do they do it daily at regular intervals? What about the officials from the underworld? How frequently do they update their records? Please enlighten us.
Master Jun Hong Lu: No physical recording by Dharma protectors is required as you have all the records stored within your mind. The way Dharma protectors record is by sight. For example, if you turn on the recording mode of your mobile phone 24 hours a day, all your conversations throughout the day will be recorded.
Caller: Yes. That’s right.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Where the need arises, you may refer to the recorder to verify the contents again. Thus, you are the one who captures records of all your own doings. It is not necessary for Dharma protectors to do the recording. There is no escape. When the time is due, Dharma protectors will go through entire records to sort out the respective karmas you have created – both good and bad.
Caller: I understand. Master Lu, is there any way we could repent and remove the bad karma before Dharma protectors and officials from underworld conduct their investigations on us? How many of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance do we have to recite?
Master Jun Hong Lu: As I have mentioned before, for every single mistake made, you have to repent as soon as possible, ideally within five minutes.And within one hour, head down to our centre to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance seven times before Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Caller: What about the Sapta Atitabuddha Karasaniya Dharani Sutra (Qi Fo Mie Zui Zhen Yen,七佛灭罪真言)?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You may recite the sutra when you are heading home from the scene. For example, if you got into a fight and out of concern for your safety, you could recite Sapta Atitabuddha Karasaniya Dharani on your way home. Once you reach home, offer your prayer to Bodhisattva with incense and start reciting your Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance.
< The Right Mentality in Reciting LIFO >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk – Singapore, 170217
Sincerity, clear-minded, and free of distracting thoughts is utmost important. It’s alright to recite LIFO a little faster.
Question: Master said that in the recitation of the names of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas, it is best to slow down and pause for a second or two. During the Public Talk, some seniors recite the LIFO much faster. I would like to ask Master, is it because there are more Bodhisattvas around during the convention period that we can recite faster than the normal time?
Answer: You must recite wholeheartedly, just focus on your mind. Let me tell you that recitations of Buddhist scriptures is about mindfulness. If you focus your mind, Bodhisattvas can feel it. So be mindful. It doesn‘t matter whether it’s alittle faster or slower in the recitation; you need to have a sincere heart, a clear mind, and non-distracting thoughts .
wenda20141026B 52:36 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
ENERGY FROM REPENTANCE IS EXTREMELY POSITIVE
Caller: How are you, Master? First of all, I would like to repent to both Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Master Lu, as I have committed many wrong deeds in the past, including sexual misconduct. Please forgive me.
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is useless to repent unless you are truly remorseful and willing to reform your behaviour. You have to sincerely repent! Do you understand? Otherwise, you will be trapped in the wheel of misfortune.
Caller: Yes. The number of negative actions I performed in the past is just too much.
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s good that you realise this now. Sincerely repent, as energy from repentance is extremely positive.
Wenda20130310B 08:47 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
HOW DO WE ENGENDER HEARTFELT REPENTANCE
Caller : How do we engender heartfelt repentance?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You will have to be truthful when you repent and feel remorseful at the same time. However, this is possible only if you know the root of your wrongdoing. If you are not insightful of the misdeed, it will be impossible to ignite the sense of sincerity in your repentance. What do we mean by heartfelt?
Heartfelt repentance will only come about if we understand the severity of our wrongdoing and how it was contrary to our principle coupled with the determination of not committing the same mistake again.
Caller: I understand.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 7: Good and evil are the results of karma (An Excerpt)
When some people start to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, it dredges up memories. In fact, after reciting this Sutra wholeheartedly, we can leave the pain behind us. But for most people, when they start reciting, they start to recall the things they have done in the past.
They are repenting for a specific event. You need to view the issue from a theoretical perspective; when we recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, there are so many Bodhisattvas including Guan Yin Bodhisattva and our great Buddha.
All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are witnessing us reforming ourselves, you are telling them that, “Today, I have repented for my mistakes, hoping that the Bodhisattvas will help eliminate my negative karma”.
At that moment, your heart should be immersed in Dharma bliss.
The purpose of reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance is not for you to look back on your past.
How do we stay away from pain and stop creating negative karma? The key is to make a resolve and great vows. For instances, when natural disaster occurs, your vows could help you eliminate a lot of karmic obstacles.
No matter what happens, I can tell you that reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance can eliminate your negative karma speedily. Therefore, it is important to recite more of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, it will keep you in blessed with safety and peace, many people are not aware.
Wenda20151009 01:28:26 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
DO NOT HARP ON PAST MISTAKES WHICH YOU HAVE REPENTED UPON TO PREVENT IGNITING YOUR KARMIC OBSTACLES
Caller: I have an inquiry regarding my Medicare card. Earlier, someone obtained medication using my Medicare card. Although this happened before I joined the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, I can’t help blaming myself for the mistake. The person subsequently ran up a bill of over $5000, of which $2000 are under my account. I told myself that I was willing to forgo the money as I knew it was wrong to abuse the privilege. I regretted my actions and had repented and changed. In fact, I gave him the entire $5000.
Master Jun Hong Lu:
It’s good that you have changed. After you change, do not harp on the matter further. Understand?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you continue to harp on it, you will ignite your karmic obstacles. There are many ignorant people who keep bringing up the mistakes they made in the past and have ignited their karmic obstacles as a result.
You can only briefly recollect it while you recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance. Other than that, leave the matter behind and stop thinking about it. Understand?
Caller: Yes. I have gained knowledge.
Essence of Master Lu’s discourse:
- Think about it, how many evil deeds we have done in this life and past lives? All evil deeds, like an archive of documents, are permanently recorded in our spiritual being.
- Worshipping Buddhas and seeking repentance are the tasks that must be done every day. When we pray to Buddhas for repentance, we must physically worship the Buddhas, verbally recite the names of the Buddhas, and keep our mind focussed on the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
- After reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, Bodhisattvas will forgive us. In fact, a lot of our negative karmas could be lessened or eliminated with the help and forgiveness of Bodhisattvas.
< The Pairing of Recitation of LIFO with Little Houses >
shuohua20141114 02:42 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO) AND LITTLE HOUSE IN ELIMINATING NEGATIVE KARMA
Caller: Both LIFO and Little House are able to eliminate negative karma. Is there any difference between these two methods?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Little House is more powerful. Lumps of karmic obstacles resulted from the accumulation of deeds that lack moral sense in the past lives, and major karmic obstacles require the recitation of Little House.
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Then, what about LIFO? For example, you have just said something wrong, you may recite this Sutra once; or you have just had a passing evil thought that you eventually did not act upon, in that case, you will need to recite this Sutra several times; or it could be you just did something wrong, but felt that it is not serious and it had not accumulated into a lump of karmic obstacles. In these cases, you would have to quickly take the opportunity to eliminate it through the recitation of the said Sutra.
LIFO, in essence, is to repent and to eradicate some of the negative things that you have done.
What about Little House? It is able to gradually help you to eradicate those misdeeds of past lives and when you were young, which are more serious in nature. This is how it works.
Caller: That means LIFO is used to eradicate less serious karmic obstacles; whereas, Little House is to resolve deep-seated karmic obstacles.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. However, should you wish to eradicate deep-seated karmic obstacles, it is essential to first recite LIFO, as LIFO is to profess your repentance, subsequently you may recite Little House.
Shuohua20160506 07:02 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
Regardless Of Whether You Are Repenting For The Previous Life Or This Life, It Is More Effective To Add On Little Houses
Caller: In Buddhism In Plain Terms, it is mentioned that we have to repent continually and recite Little Houses to eliminate our karmic debts. However, when we have dreams of a previous life’s karma, do we confess and repent to Bodhisattva on that matter directly or recite our repentance as usual?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You may repent single-mindedly on that issue since you have dreams about it. Basically, this dream is to warn you of your forthcoming problems.
Regardless of whether it is your previous life’s karma that has passed, or this life’s karma or future karmic eruptions, you can do your repentance. However, you must pair the repentance with the Little Houses because repentance without Little Houses will not have much effect.
Wenda20170602 16:43 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
HOW MANY TIMES OF EIGHTY-EIGHT BUDDHAS GREAT REPENTANCE (LIFO) IS APPROPRIATE FOR A PARTICULAR DISEASE?
Caller: Can we recite LIFO to cure a particular ailment and how many times will be appropriate?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Vow to recite 59 or 108 times.
Caller: Ok. How many Little Houses needed to recite after LIFO?
Master Jun Hong Lu: With regards to Little House, it depends. If you’re not well, you may choose the number, for example 49 times, 79 times…”
wenda20141102B 19:56 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
Amount Of Little Houses To Pair With The Recitation Of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance Sutra
Caller:
Master, we are now reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance Sutra. Generally (not on any special situation), if the recitation of LIFO is twice, three, five, or seven times a day.
How many Little Houses are required to pair with?
Are there any specific requirements?
Master Jun Hong Lu:
Basically, if you recite LIFO twice a day, you have to pair with the Little Houses on a weekly basis.
Similarly, if you recite three times of LIFO, you need to offer three or four Little Houses a week.
In the case of five times of LIFO, you must offer three or more Little Houses;
and at least five Little Houses if your recitation reaches seven times daily.
< How to use the LIFO Self-cultivation record form he Power of Making Great Vows >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (136) – 1 Dec 2016
COULD THE SELF-CULTIVATION FORM OF MANTRAS/SUTRAS BE OFFERED WITHOUT AN ALTAR AT HOME?
Q: Without an altar at home, are we able to offer Self-Cultivation form of mantras/sutras such as Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra, Heart Sutra, etc.?
A: When offering Self-Cultivation form of Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra, Heart Sutra and Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, it must be done before an altar. You have to offer incense before burning these forms. As for the rest of the Self-Cultivation form of mantras/sutras, you may burn them after offering heart incense.
Shuohua20170630 22:01 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
LIFO SELF-CULTIVATION FORM: IT’S BEST TO MAKE OFFERINGS DURING DAYTIME
Caller: Is there any difference in effect between the first incense and the following day’s incense when offering the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) self-cultivation form? Is it better to offer during the day or the night?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Daytime is best. LIFO is an act of repentance, so carrying out such an act in an open and honest manner, as day-time represents, would be a better choice.
Wenda20180126 01:03:00 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]
Under certain circumstances, wemay post-date the Self-Cultivation Forms to a future date, and offer them earlier
Caller: Master Lu, you mentioned before that under special circumstances, the Little Houses can be post-dated to the day that it will be made effective. I would like to ask if the same can be applied to the Self-Cultivation form of LIFO?
For example, Chinese New Year is around the corner, there are some Buddhist friends who will be away, either to their relatives’ house or return to their hometown, and there is no Buddhist altar. Can they date the Self-Cultivation Form of LIFO as February 15, and offer them today?
Master Jun Hong Lu: The same rule applies. That’s considered post-dated, just like a cheque. However it is best to write an earlier date.
Caller: That’s right. Master, you mentioned before that this is applicable to the Little House.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Caller: There are many Buddhist friends who will be returning to their home town for Chinese New Year, where there is no Buddhist altar and they may not be able to recite that many scriptures then.
Caller: Under such circumstances, they may post-date the Self-Cultivation Forms to a future date, and offer them earlier. Is that alright, Master?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s alright.
For more information on the number of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance Sutra to be recited on special days and Buddhist commemorative days, please refer:
Buddhism: Your Questions Answered, Question 161
