2.1 Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Introduction to Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the symbol of compassion and wisdom in Buddhism. She plays an important part in Mahayana Buddhism and folkloric beliefs. The spirit of great compassion, as represented by Guan Yin Bodhisattva, is perceived as the foundation of Mahayana Buddhism.
According to Buddhist scriptures, Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the manifestation of the “Buddha of True Dharma Light”. Across immeasurable lands, she takes the form of a Bodhisattva to seek the cries of sufferings and relieve sentient beings from distress. There is a special affinity between Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Amitabha Buddha. She is also one of the Three Saints of the Western Pure Land.
With great compassion, Guan Yin Bodhisattva made a vow to help all beings selflessly far and wide. If sentient beings wholeheartedly call for Guan Yin Bodhisattva whenever they encounter difficulties and sufferings, they will be saved by the Bodhisattva. Guan Yin Bodhisattva can manifest into various forms according to the needs of different sentient beings in order to teach the right Dharma.
Among the various Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the most well-known and commonly worshipped. Guan Yin Bodhisattva is widely worshipped in many parts of China and Southeast Asia. There’s a saying that goes, “Every family pays respects to Amitabha Buddha; every household prays to Guan Yin Bodhisattva”. Mount Putuo in Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, China, have always been known as the Buddhist practice place of Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
<Responding to all prayers and relieving sentient beings from sufferings>
Pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva when encountering difficulties
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Dharma Talk at the Guan Yin Temple
An Excerpt
Guan Yin Bodhisattva, the most compassionate among the Buddhas. As a representation of a compassionate saviour, Guan Yin Bodhisattva alleviates those in pain with great mercy and compassion. When you are faced with difficulties, you should first pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, as she will always relieve sentient beings from pain and suffering. During the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, He told the sentient beings to pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Shakyamuni Buddha said, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva attained Buddhahood countless eons ago.” She attained Buddhahood before Shakyamuni Buddha. She manifests the form of a Bodhisattva out of her great compassion and readiness to save sentient beings. Among all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the symbol of compassion. Every Bodhisattva made different vows that led them to attaining Buddhahood. For example, Guan Yin Bodhisattva embodies great compassion, Manjushri Bodhisattva embodies great wisdom, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva embodies great practice, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva embodies great vows. As all Bodhisattvas made different vows and are unique in their own ways, you should never make comparisons among Bodhisattvas. The Bodhisattvas possess complete and perfect wisdom; but they only differ in their power of vow. During His time, Shakyamuni Buddha also advised those in pain to recite the holy name of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. We have every reason to do the same.
<Below are the three special days related to Guan Yin Bodhisattva.>
A Buddhist practitioner can offer First Incense on these days. It is advisable to adopt a full vegetarian diet, recite scriptures, refrain from killing, perform life liberation and do more meritorious deeds on these days.
The 19th day of the 2nd lunar month: The Birthday of Guan Yin Bodhisattva
The 19th day of the 6th lunar month: The Enlightenment Day of Guan Yin Bodhisattva
The 19th day of the 9th lunar month: The Renunciation Day of Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Guan Yin Bodhisattva has three Dharma instruments: Willow, vase and lotus seat
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse – 27 March 2016
In India, willow can be used to relieve illness and pain as it is full of vitality. If you keep willow branches at home, they can last quite some time, unlike other flowers which wither away easily. Willows are strong and full of vigour; thus, it can be used to save lives. Only when a person is strong and independent can they save others. How could a weak person give others a hand? The willow symbolises the prosperity of Buddhism. The image of Guan Yin Bodhisattva holding a willow means that Buddhism has always been flourishing. Guan Yin Bodhisattva uses the willow to bless us with dew and relieve us from disasters and difficulties.
Wenda20120316 01:13:15
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
The vase held by Guan Yin Bodhisattva contains “glaze water”. She blesses you by pouring the “glaze water” on you rather than using a willow branch to sprinkle a few drops. How merciful is Guan Yin Bodhisattva to give you blessings in this way!
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse – 27 March 2016
Guan Yin Bodhisattva likes the lotus flower very much because it represents the Buddha, hence the Lotus Seat. Why are lotus flowers to the liking of the Bodhisattva? It is because lotus flowers remain pure and untainted despite growing in mud.
Just think about it, in this world we get bullied, slandered and mistreated by others. In turn, we get worried and angry. We get affected by our surroundings easily, whereas a lotus flower does not. That is why they are well liked by Bodhisattvas and are regarded as a Dharma instrument. Thus, Bodhisattvas sit or stand on lotus flowers. It is said that lotus flowers can transform into a type of boundless energy and can also turn into the pure water sprinkled by the willow branch. Therefore, a lotus flower symbolises kindness, cleanliness, and purity, which is why Guan Yin Bodhisattva likes lotus flowers so much. The Buddha names it “lotus flower” as it contains Buddha nature.
2.2 Nanjing Bodhisattva
About Nanjing Bodhisattva
Wenda20140815 51:50
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Master Lu: Nanjing Bodhisattva is very responsive to our prayers. He assists Guan Yin Bodhisattva in propagating Buddhism and saving sentient beings in the Human Realm. His Dharma power is very strong. That’s all I can say. He mediates many different religions in Heaven. When he was in the Human Realm, he was very powerful. He could cure a patient’s cancer just by pointing at them.
Caller: Wow, that’s amazing!
Master Lu: Yes, that was how powerful he was. Therefore, a lot of people pray to him and he is very responsive to prayers.
Caller: Is it true that Nanjing Bodhisattva used to be in Nanjing?
Master Lu: Yes. At the time, the villagers called him “the living Buddha” and “the living Bodhisattva”. He had great power. Everyone in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas, such as Yangzhou and Nanjing cities, knew about him. According to historical records, he could revive the dead.
He has magnificent Dharma power in Heaven. He is also very compassionate. People miss out if they don’t pray to Nanjing Bodhisattva. He answers our prayers very quickly!
Caller: When we are in trouble, can we also pray to Nanjing Bodhisattva?
Master Lu: Of course! Just think about it… I can’t comment too much. As long as you cultivate diligently, when big trouble arises, you can pray to Nanjing Bodhisattva who will respond to your prayers.
Nanjing Bodhisattva mediates different religions; he possesses great Dharma power
Wenda20160115 01:03:50
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Nanjing Bodhisattva is mainly responsible for mediating the conflicts between different religions. He acts like a diplomatic ambassador. He is very powerful. One of our practitioners used to practise a Western religion. He prayed to Nanjing Bodhisattva then became a Buddhist. He dreamt about a priest handing him over to a Bodhisattva with Nanjing Bodhisattva standing in between. That’s what happened for this practitioner.
Nanjing Bodhisattva and Guan Yin Bodhisattva are very close to each other. They have a high position in Heaven. Master Lu has a very deep affinity with them.
Wenda20111009 48:41
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: I can see that the image of Nanjing Bodhisattva is placed next to the statue of Guan Yin Bodhisattva on the altar. Who is Nanjing Bodhisattva?
Master Lu: Nanjing Bodhisattva is a very high-ranking Bodhisattva in Heaven. I have a deep affinity with him.
A practitioner received guidance from Nanjing Bodhisattva in his dream
Caller: A practitioner constantly has dreams of Nanjing Bodhisattva. In his dream, Nanjing Bodhisattva gave him and another practitioner guidance on their spiritual practice.
Master Lu: That’s very good. Nanjing Bodhisattva is very responsive to our prayers. People might not know about this, but Nanjing Bodhisattva is very kind. He and Guan Yin Bodhisattva are both high-ranking Bodhisattvas in Heaven. Nanjing Bodhisattva also responds to all prayers.
Caller: No wonder whenever the practitioner falls behind in his practice, he would dream of Nanjing Bodhisattva reminding him to keep up with his practice.
Master Lu: That’s true. Whenever you slack off in your practice, Nanjing Bodhisattva will remind you. That’s very good.
Caller: I didn’t dream of him, but that practitioner keeps reminding me. My understanding is that my affinity with Nanjing Bodhisattva isn’t strong enough, therefore he doesn’t appear in my dreams.
Master Lu: That’s right, but you must have affinity with him from a previous life.
Nanjing Bodhisattva’s connection with the city of Nanjing
Wenda20120210 09:33
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master Lu always mentions Nanjing Bodhisattva. Does he have any connection with the city of Nanjing?
Master Lu: Yes. Nanjing Bodhisattva spent a long time in Nanjing.
Caller: Then are there also Bodhisattvas from other areas, like Beijing Bodhisattva?
Master Lu: It is merely a name. For example, you can call me Master Lu from 2OR, or Master Lu from Australia, right?
Guan Yin Bodhisattva advised practitioners pray to Nanjing Bodhisattva
Wenda20120610A 35:03
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: One day, Guan Yin Bodhisattva said to me, “Pray to Nanjing Bodhisattva.” Can I get an image of Nanjing Bodhisattva from our practice centre?
Master Lu: Definitely. Nanjing Bodhisattva is very powerful and very compassionate. He can help resolve a lot of problems in life.
Caller: Guan Yin Bodhisattva said to me that there is some affinity between Nanjing Bodhisattva and me in the previous life. I once had a dream of someone dressing in a Taoist robe with a white beard…
Master Lu: He looks like an elderly person with a hair bun, right?
Caller: I think so. He also passed on some power to me.
Master Lu: You need to invite an image of Nanjing Bodhisattva and pray to him as soon as possible.
<The previous life of Nanjing Bodhisattva>
About Nanjing Bodhisattva’s previous life
Wenda20150109 01:07:46
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Hello Master. John Rabe, a German believed to be a manifestation of Nanjing Bodhisattva, came to Nanjing and saved 250,000 people. He passed away on 5 January 1950. As he accomplished his mission and performed a meritorious service, his level of spiritual attainment was elevated, and he became a Tenth Ground Bodhisattva. Is this correct?
Master Lu: Yes. (Thank you, Master Lu.) You are quite good at researching history.
Caller: I always wanted to know who Nanjing Bodhisattva is.
Master Lu: He’s a great Bodhisattva. (Yes, I know.) He ranks highly in Heaven. He has definitely achieved the Tenth Ground of Bodhisattva Path. He is very powerful. When he was in the Human Realm, he could relieve someone’s illness just by patting them. (I believe he was…) I can’t say more. He is a Bodhisattva now, no longer an ordinary being.
2.3 Tai Sui Bodhisattva
Tai Sui Bodhisattva is on duty on a rotational basis to oversee the Human Realm. They are also deities in Heaven
Wenda20120217 04:23
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Tai Sui Bodhisattva is the Bodhisattva of the year. In fact, he is a Dharma Protector managing and supervising kind and evil deeds in the human world. He is also a deity in Heaven.
Why should we pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Wenda20160115 01:03:50
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Why should we place a tablet of Tai Sui Bodhisattva on the altar? We have been making offerings to Tai Sui Bodhisattva to bless us with safety. Why so? Not only should we pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva whenever we have “conflicts with Tai Sui” for a particular year, but also in the times that we don’t. He is the Bodhisattva on duty for the year. (Yes.) You should pray to him regardless.
Make offerings to Tai Sui Bodhisattva if you encounter bad luck in a certain year
Question: A practitioner dreamt of many people burning yellow papers for Tai Sui Bodhisattva. The yellow papers looked like CVs. Other people told him to burn the yellow papers, but he didn’t. Does it mean he needs to make offerings to Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Answer: Definitely. He might encounter bad luck this year, therefore it’s best for him to pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva. They are Bodhisattvas on duty on a rotational basis.
Tai Sui Bodhisattva supervises Heaven and the Underworld. If one can pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva more often and has the state of mind of a Bodhisattva, they will receive blessings from Tai Sui Bodhisattva
Wenda20160205 01:26:46
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master Lu, we make offerings to Tai Sui Bodhisattva on our altar. What should we do to benefit Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Master Lu: There is no need. You can simply pay respect to him by offering incense and praying regularly. The most important thing is that you pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva. Tai Sui Bodhisattva isn’t a corrupt official; he doesn’t require you to make offerings to him.
Caller: Master, you previously said that Tai Sui Bodhisattva is also a Dharma Protector. He has many subordinate Dharma Protectors who keep records of things happening in the Human Realm. Have Dharma Protectors transcended the six realms of rebirth?
Master Lu: Yes, they have. Tai Sui Bodhisattva supervises Heaven and the Underworld. Using an analogy, he is like an imperial envoy in the ancient times. Do you understand?
Caller: Okay, I understand.
Master Lu: During the Lunar New Year, many people would talk about paying respect or having “conflicts with Tai Sui” for the particular year, but not many of them make offerings to Tai Sui Bodhisattva. What about Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door? Do we not pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Caller: Yes, we do.
Master Lu: Now you understand.
Caller: Many people would wear a pendant or hang an amulet when they have conflicts with Tai Sui.
Master Lu: Yes. When people have conflicts with Tai Sui, do you think wearing a pendant would resolve the conflict? You need to pay respect and pray to him. But where should they go? Can they find a place where they can pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Caller: That’s right. Master, as you said, firstly they should pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva. Secondly, they need to perform more good deeds in order to be blessed by Tai Sui Bodhisattva. This way, their conflicts with Tai Sui would be resolved. Is that right?
Master Lu: I’ll give you an example. Let’s say you are a judge. Do you still make mistakes often? Once you become a lawyer, will you still break the law? Once your spiritual level is elevated and you perform many good deeds, you will become someone with a Bodhisattva’s spiritual state. You don’t break the precepts. This way, Tai Sui Bodhisattva will regard you as a person of kindness, a person with a Bodhisattva’s state of mind. Will you still have conflicts with Tai Sui? He would bless you for sure.
Tai Sui Bodhisattva is on duty on a rotational basis
Wenda20160122 27:25
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Tai Sui Bodhisattva is the Bodhisattva or deity of the year. Once they are on duty, they will keep a record of the things people do. In fact, there are many lower-ranking Bodhisattvas under Tai Sui Bodhisattva who help to keep a record of the good and bad things people do.
Caller: Does Tai Sui Bodhisattva have a high level of spiritual attainment in Heaven?
Master Lu: He is also a Dharma Protector. The Bodhisattva on duty changes every year. Therefore, if someone shows an image of Tai Sui Bodhisattva, that can’t be real as the Bodhisattva changes yearly. Tai Sui Bodhisattva is a sacred position, not a specific Bodhisattva. Do you understand? It is like a chairman serving his tenure for a year. You can’t show the chairman’s photo and say he’s the chairman forever. Tai Sui Bodhisattva doesn’t always stay the same, the Bodhisattva changes every year.
<Having “conflicts with Tai Sui”>
How should we pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva to help family members who have “conflicts with Tai Sui”?
Wenda20130707A 25:38
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: I pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva and Guan Yin Bodhisattva at home every day. My son is in Hong Kong. If he has “conflicts with Tai Sui” this year, how should I make my prayers to Tai Sui Bodhisattva?
Master Lu: You can say “May Tai Sui Bodhisattva bless my son so that he can pass this year or his zodiac year of birth safely.” You can pray like this and also make vows for both your son and yourself. Since you are praying to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Tai Sui Bodhisattva would help you for sure.
Resolving “conflicts with Tai Sui”
Wenda20160115 01:03:50
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: We often say, “conflicts with Tai Sui”. What does this mean for us? What problems will we encounter?
Master Lu: Having “conflicts with Tai Sui” means that the predestined karmic obstacles will increase in severity and the punishments will also be harsher. For example, if you are under Tai Sui Bodhisattva’s watch and happen to have conflicts with Tai Sui, you may die from a car accident instead of just suffering minor injuries. When you have conflicts with Tai Sui, even if you have only done a tiny misdemeanour or have a slight evil thought, Tai Sui Bodhisattva will keep an eye on you and won’t be lenient. It is like having a police car behind you. Eventually your wrongful acts will be seen. Do you understand?
Caller: Yes, I do.
Master Lu: If there’s no police behind you, you can keep driving and be alright. Once a police car drives behind you, your slightest wrongdoing will be caught. In the end you will panic, and you’ll be stopped for violating the traffic rules the slightest bit.
Caller: Okay, I understand. The year 2016 is the year of the Monkey. Those who were born in the year of the Monkey, Tiger, Pig and Snake all have conflicts with Tai Sui this year. For these people, other than praying to Tai Sui Bodhisattva and reciting Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou 49 times a day, are there anything else they should do?
Master Lu: Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door is very practical. Why do we pay respect to Tai Sui Bodhisattva? We have been praying to Tai Sui Bodhisattva to bless us with safety every year. Why do we pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva? Whether or not you have conflicts with Tai Sui, it’s good to pray to the Bodhisattva as he is the Bodhisattva on duty.
<Q&A on Tai Sui Bodhisattva>
Don’t use the image of a particular Tai Sui Bodhisattva on the altar; the yellow paper doesn’t need to be changed every year
Buddhism: Your Questions Answered Q29
(An excerpt)
Question: Master Lu, I am praying to the image of Tai Sui Bodhisattva on the Buddhist altar in my home. While practising Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, I realised that Tai Sui Bodhisattva changes every year. Should I invite this Tai Sui Bodhisattva to come down from the Buddhist altar?
Answer: You shouldn’t use a particular image of Tai Sui Bodhisattva. You can print the words “Tai Sui Bodhisattva” on a piece of yellow paper, written in either simplified or traditional Chinese characters, and frame it.
If, as in your case, you are praying to Tai Sui Bodhisattva with a particular image, not knowing if it is the current Bodhisattva on duty, you may invite the image of Tai Sui Bodhisattva to come down from the Buddhist altar. You can change it to a piece of paper with the words “Tai Sui Bodhisattva” printed on it and frame this piece of paper for praying. This way, you do not have to change it every year.
Before inviting the image to come down from the altar, you should recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance 21 times, the Great Compassion Mantra 7 times, and the Heart Sutra 7 times.
Then you should say, “Thank you to Tai Sui Bodhisattva, for helping me, <your full name>, and my family in the past. Thank you, Tai Sui Bodhisattva! Thank you, Tai Sui Bodhisattva!” (You must not say, ‘I’m inviting Tai Sui Bodhisattva off the altar.’)
The first time that you pray to Tai Sui Bodhisattva, you can make offerings of water, fruit and oil (using an oil lamp). Then you can make an incense offering in front of the Buddhist altar and say the following prayer: “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva bless me, <your full name>, with your compassion, please invite Tai Sui Bodhisattva into my home.” Finally, recite the holy name of Tai Sui Bodhisattva 108 times, and then recite the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou 21 times.
2.4 Guan Di Bodhisattva, Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva and Guan Ping Bodhisattva
Guan Di Bodhisattva expels evil
Wenda20120715A 13:12
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
All Bodhisattvas will save sentient beings that have an affinity with them. Guan Di Bodhisattva is responsible for expelling evil. For example, when one is occupied by evil thoughts or has a demon entering their home, Guan Di Bodhisattva can help to expel them. Some people mistake him for the Bodhisattva of Wealth. However, once the evil is expelled, your home will be filled with positive energy, then you will experience good fortune. In a sense, this brings you good fortune, including wealth. That’s why it’s beneficial to pray to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas regardless.
Guan Di Bodhisattva, Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva and Guan Ping Bodhisattva
Wenda20120212 21:39
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master, could you please introduce us to the three Guan Di Bodhisattvas on the altar?
Master Lu: Not all of them are Guan Di Bodhisattva. The one next to Guan Di Bodhisattva is Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva who used to be the assistant to Guan Di Bodhisattva. The other one is Guan Ping Bodhisattva, the son of Guan Di Bodhisattva.
Caller: I understand. Can we take a photo and pray to them on the altar?
Master Lu: Yes. This is a set. It is recommended to pray to the three of them together.
What are the responsibilities of Guan Di Bodhisattva, Guan Ping Bodhisattva and Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva?
Wenda20160522B 24:44
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master, we pray to Guan Di Bodhisattva, Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva and Guan Ping Bodhisattva. How are their duties distributed?
Master Lu: You can tell from their faces. Guan Ping Bodhisattva is in charge of notetaking, which is a civil matter; Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva, on the other hand, deals with military matters as he needs to expel the demons.
Caller: When we are faced with obstacles in the course of our spiritual practice, would our prayers be more effective if we seek help from these Bodhisattvas?
Master Lu: They are all the same. Pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva and she also answers our prayers. If you pray to these Bodhisattvas, your prayer may be directed at a specific person. There’s no need to create karmic knots with the spirits. If you pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, she will resolve the conflicts for you; but if you pray to the Dharma Protectors, they will expel the demon which might create karmic knots between you and the spirit.
There was a woman who hated her husband very much. She said, “Guan Di Bodhisattva please punish my husband. He is too evil.” Later on, her husband had a car accident and she needed to take care of him at home.
Caller: In that case, we should cultivate our compassion and pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva for a more peaceful solution, right?
Master Lu: Yes. We are learning from Guan Yin Bodhisattva. We should be compassionate and try to resolve conflicts. Regarding the example I raised just then, you might ask, why did Guan Di Bodhisattva punish the husband so quickly after the wife made the prayer? It is because the husband was, indeed, ferocious and deserved to be punished. But on the other hand, even if it was time for him to receive punishment, the wife had a choice. She could’ve educated him but the wife chose to punish him instead, so the husband was punished. It would have been better if she chose to educate him.
Caller: When I was upset in the past, I told Guan Di Bodhisattva. It seems that I shouldn’t have done this.
Master Lu: The wife asked for punishment of her husband. In the end, he broke his leg and she needed to take care of him. Who ended up suffering? The wife did.
Guan Di Bodhisattva, also known as Qie Lan Bodhisattva, protects the Right Dharma with awe-inspiring righteousness.
Wenda20151004A 22:01
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Master Lu: Take a look at Guan Di Bodhisattva, you feel as though he is protecting you. Of course you will be pleased; if you feel scared after seeing Guan Di Bodhisattva, it probably means your body is occupied by spirits.
Caller: Yes, I’m particularly inspired by the righteousness of Guan Di Bodhisattva.
Master Lu: Yes, he is the embodiment of righteousness and loyalty in Heaven and the Underworld. No evil thought can ever occupy his mind. He’s very pure and upright.
Caller: In the human world, there used to be a much-praised official named Justice Bao in ancient China. He was well known for his extreme honesty and uprightness.
Master Lu: Yes, they are alike. In each era, a lot of Dharma Protectors are sent down from Heaven to guard the emperors, but not all of them were good emperors. You can name a few emperors in the past. Some emperors enforced justice on behalf of Heaven, whereas some only indulged themselves in worldly desires without ruling their countries well. Soon after, the Dharma Protectors all left him, and the country was ruined. So it depends, the Bodhisattvas will not keep helping you. Even if you came from Heaven but have done something bad, the Bodhisattvas won’t be able to help you.
Master Lu’s discourse on Guan Di Bodhisattva’s birthday
Wenda20150628A 00:46
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
It’s important that we uphold reverence in our mind on Bodhisattva’s birthdays. We should have deep respect for Bodhisattvas. We should also learn from Bodhisattvas. What types of qualities should we learn from Bodhisattvas? Compassion and righteousness. We should learn righteousness from Guan Di Bodhisattva. He always does the right thing and acts in the right way. We call him an “exemplary man of righteousness”. Once you uphold righteousness, you will become a noble person, like Bodhisattvas, the image of Dharma Protectors…Think about this, a lot of people nowadays are doing bad deeds and we need someone to enforce justice. A Dharma convention needs Dharma Protectors, and a Dharma Door also needs Dharma Protectors. Right? Dharma Protectors are needed in all these circumstances. These Bodhisattvas are all great Dharma Protectors and they have attained certain spiritual attainments in Heaven. Therefore, they can come to the Human Realm to help us. Guan Di Bodhisattva was also present in our recent Dharma convention. He is a Dharma Protector and we extend our gratitude towards him. On major Buddhist events, including the birthdays of Dharma Protectors, we should be grateful for their help in upholding the Buddha-dharma for us. We should pray to Guan Di Bodhisattva to protect Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door so that we can propagate Buddhism to more sentient beings that have affinity with Buddhism. We simply just need to make a prayer. Do you understand? If you have already prayed to Guan Di Bodhisattva at home, you can offer more incense. Otherwise, simply say your prayer.
Guan Di Bodhisattva helps sentient beings based on the rules of Heaven
Wenda20160124A 33:43
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Let’s say we have prayed to Guan Di Bodhisattva at home, and we pray to him for help after being bullied by others. If we have affinity with Guan Di Bodhisattva, will he punish the bully? If they are punished, will we have created negative karma?
Master Lu: No. Guan Di Bodhisattva is a Bodhisattva. He will only do what’s appropriate. Even if he may have affinity with you, he will never do anything against the rules of Heaven. If he decides to help you, there must be a reason. Do you understand?
Caller: Yes, thank you Master.
Loyalty, Filial Piety, Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Trust
Guan Di Bodhisattva is a great Dharma Protector that expels evil. Once the evil demon is expelled, your home will be filled with positive energy. Thus, good fortune will come.