Guide to setting up an Buddhist Altar

8. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING ALTARS (PART 4)

11/10/2021 |    
   
 

8.4 How do we know if the Bodhisattva has visited my home?

 

Formation of a lotus shape on the oil lamp wick indicates the presence of Bodhisattvas.

Wenda 20120420 01:02:41
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt

Caller: The formation of a lotus shape on the oil lamp wick doesn’t necessarily refer to the presence of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, does it?

Master Lu: No, it may be other Bodhisattvas or Dharma Protectors. But one thing is for sure, it must be the presence of a Bodhisattva.

Caller: Since I set up my altar on 18 February, the oil lamp wick formed the lotus shape almost every day. Sometimes it’s larger and sometimes it’s smaller. Do larger lotus shapes indicate stronger connections with Bodhisattvas?

Master Lu: Yes, you are very wise.

 

A wish made during the curling of incense and the forming of lotus shapes on the oil lamp wick is very likely to be materialised

Wenda 20120914 09:11
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt

Caller: Master, when I was reciting sutras at home, the incense curled, and I knew the Bodhisattvas were there. I immediately prayed to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, “May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bless me so that I would be courageous and determined along the path of practising Buddhism.” Should I have prayed like that or should I have kept reciting sutras, or should I have made another wish when the incense curled?

Master Lu: You are very clever. When the incense curls, you should immediately make a wish to the Bodhisattvas. It’s likely to be materialised. It’s similar to offering incense on the 1st and 15th day of every lunar month because the Bodhisattvas are present. That’s the reason why many people come to pray at the Guan Yin Citta Centre. Bodhisattvas are always there. Therefore, if your incense starts to curl and the oil lamp wick forms a lotus shape, you know that Bodhisattvas are there and should make a vow immediately, and your wish will come true.

Caller: Ok, I see.

 

Questions about curling incense and sandalwood fragrance.

Wenda 20130510 37:30
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt

Caller: Several days ago, when I was reciting sutras in the evening, I was sitting around four or five metres away from the altar, and I could smell the sandalwood fragrance. I turned around and saw the incense curl and its light was flickering. Does that mean the Bodhisattvas were there?

Master Lu: A hundred percent.

Caller: I immediately knelt and bowed, and I was very excited.