Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 37 | Overcome Afflictive Obstructions with Mental Strength

Posted Posted in Master Lu: Buddhism In Plain Terms (Book)

I will continue sharing the key points of cultivating the mind. What are the essentials for someone who wants to cultivate their mind? It begins with resolving one’s own afflictions and habits. Do you have many afflictions? Of course—every day brings new ones. And what about habits? Plenty. They’re typically bad habits: insulting others, getting […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 36 | The Three Powers in Buddhist Practice—Awakening to the Path of Buddhism with a Wondrous Mind

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To practise Buddhism effectively, you need a Master to guide you. Relying solely on yourself won’t lead to success, and you may lose direction in your practice. Many people are practising Buddhism, but it’s essential to understand where your efforts will ultimately lead. Someone once asked me, “If I follow you, can I reach the […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 35 | With a Non-Abiding Mind, Refine Your Conduct and Cultivate Your Mind

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Many couples, when arguing, often say: “I treat him like he’s dead. I do my own thing and don’t bother with him.” While this doesn’t sound pleasant, it’s actually a method of coping. The idea is not to pay attention to the other person or place any expectations on them, which in turn prevents disappointment. […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 34 | Endure Those Hard to Bear, Cultivate the Mind Despite Difficulty

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Remember: you must often contemplate “non-self” (anātman). This means letting go of the ego. When you accomplish something, think, “Oh, it wasn’t me—it was my colleague’s effort. I’m so grateful to them.” Or, “This wasn’t my doing; it was everyone working together.” Non-self is about erasing the idea of “self” and recognising that nothing revolves […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 33 | Austere Practice and Devotion: Spiritual Growth for the Benefit of All Beings

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Today, Guan Yin Bodhisattva told me that even if great disasters do not occur or are delayed, humanity’s true disaster lies within—the disaster in one’s own heart. What is a disaster of the heart? It is being at odds with yourself: thoughts of suicide, constant confusion, depression, worry, and sadness. A person may seem fine […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 32 | A Confused Life: Finding the Dharma Door of Right Faith

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Sometimes, we feel lost when faced with the many spiritual schools and religions available. What should we choose to learn? Today, someone might tell you that a particular Dharma Door is excellent, so you follow it. Tomorrow, another person suggests another is better, and you switch to that instead. Before my Dharma Door was introduced, […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 30 | Only Through Patience Comes Diligent Progress

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I have previously explained to everyone that many issues arise after the start of the Year of the Tiger. Why? This is due to what is known as “Heavenly Timing.” The concept of “Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Human Harmony” essentially refers to the interconnectedness of Heaven, Earth, and humanity. The totem of the tiger […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 29 | Adorning the Buddha’s Pure Land: A Strict Teacher Shapes Outstanding Disciples (Part 2)

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The concept of “understanding and practice are both important” emphasises the need to combine comprehension and resolution with action. In other words, both spiritual cultivation and mental cultivation are essential—you need both. Without understanding, merely performing good deeds will only generate limited merit and virtue. For instance, some Buddhist practitioners visit nursing homes to feed […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 28 | Adorning the Buddha’s Pure Land: A Strict Teacher Shapes Outstanding Disciples (Part 1)

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Do you remember last week when I mentioned the possibility of an earthquake in Australia? Recently, there was an earthquake near Newcastle on Australia’s central coast, and today, Los Angeles experienced a tremor measuring over magnitude four. Geologists have convened several emergency meetings. The reality is that the Earth’s crust has already begun to shift. […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 27 | Returning to Simplicity and Authenticity, Transforming Consciousness into Wisdom

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In the Dharma Realm, your mind experiences delusive movement. Are we not within the Dharma Realm while living in the human world? Within the Dharma Realm, the mind often falls into delusive movement. This refers to the restless and incessant activity of the mind—stirring thoughts that should not arise, which inevitably leads to karmic consequences.  […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 26 | Let Sunshine Illuminate the Heart, Let Kindness Return to Its Source

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Last time, I spoke about the concept of “the three unattainable minds.” You must learn to let go of anger and resentment because, when you give in to anger, your true inherent nature leaves your heart. Those who are frequently angry drive away their true inherent nature, leaving behind only a heart filled with hatred. […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 25 | Karmic Obstacles Cannot Conceal Inherent Nature, Just as Clouds Cannot Hide the Sun

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In the Diamond Sutra, there is a phrase: “Practise generosity without attachment to form.” Let me give you an example: a man donates $3,000 and signs the donation as “Anonymous.” Later, when a friend visits, he shows his friend the newspaper and says, “Look, $3,000 from Anonymous—that was me.” Although this man intended to practise […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 24 | Freeing Oneself from Afflictions, Attaining Purity of the Six Sense Bases

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Today, I’d like to talk to you about “Afflictions Are Bodhi.” Where do human afflictions come from?  First, they arise from what your eyes see.  Second, from what your ears hear. Third, from what your nose smells. Fourth, from what your tongue tastes. Fifth, from what your body touches. Sixth, from the thoughts in your mind.  In Buddhism, […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 23 | The Benefits of Compassion

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Compassion brings thirteen benefits.  First, a compassionate person becomes more beautiful over time. Their face won’t appear harsh or angry.  Second, blessings always follow compassionate people. The more compassionate you are, the more blessings you receive. Conversely, those who lack compassion often find themselves without blessings.  Third, compassionate people sleep peacefully. They don’t experience sadness, […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 22 | Abandon Worldly Bad Habits, Focus on Spiritual Cultivation in This Life

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If you frequently speak about the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas but fail to truly understand and apply their teachings in your life, your merit and virtue will be nearly non-existent. This is why both understanding and practice are essential. What is practice? It is cultivation. And what is understanding? It is cultivating your mind. If someone […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 21 | Connecting with Your Inherent Nature and Awakening to the Right Path

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For any Dharma Door, if there isn’t a good teacher, that Dharma Door will struggle to thrive. However, if there is a teacher who is highly skilled, well-respected, and admired by everyone, that Dharma Door will flourish. In my journey of practising Buddhism, I tread carefully, as if walking on thin ice, always mindful of […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 20 | Transforming Fixed Karma, Altering Collective Karma

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A person who understands the law of karma (the principle of cause and effect) will not engage in wrongdoing or commit evil deeds, knowing that bad actions will inevitably lead to consequences. It’s like understanding the importance of the law in society: if someone is unaware of its existence, they might act recklessly and create […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 18 | The Ten Precepts for Personal Conduct

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Next, let me share with you the Ten Precepts for Personal Conduct.  First: Be cautious with your words and actions to minimise mistakes.  This means you should be especially mindful of what you say and do to avoid making errors. As the saying goes, “Disaster comes from the mouth.” Speaking carelessly or acting recklessly often […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 19 | The Fruits of Good and Evil: Summoned by One’s Own Actions

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When practising Buddhism, you should become increasingly diligent; when cultivating your mind, you should achieve greater clarity with each step. As a person, you should strive to embody what it truly means to be a decent human being. Your spiritual state should grow ever closer to that of a Bodhisattva. Your actions must align with […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 16 | Explaining Buddhist Teachings for Life’s Insight; Exploring the Six Realms to Cherish Buddha-Nature

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Whenever I see Guan Yin Bodhisattva, I feel a deep sense of inadequacy because I always feel that I haven’t done enough and that I’m far from reaching Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s level. It’s often said, “If you perform the actions of a Bodhisattva for even one minute, in that minute you are a Bodhisattva.” But […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 15 | Strong Desires, Scattered Thoughts: Learning Self-Control to Master Life

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A scattered mind inevitably develops a sighing mindset. The more scattered a person’s thoughts, the harder it becomes for them to achieve anything meaningful or find satisfaction. For example, imagine someone visiting a clothing store, trying on outfit after outfit, saying, “Should I buy this? No, no, maybe that one instead,” and finally sighing, “None […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 14 | Wondrous Awakening, Wondrous Dharma: the Perfect Enlightenment and Wondrous Mind

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In practising Buddhism, we are essentially learning how to regulate and harmonise our qi (energy flow). The goal is to enhance good qi, making it even better, and turn bad qi into good qi—this is the essence of regulating qi. When your body, mind, and qi are fully balanced and stable, you reach the state […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 13 | Learn – Contemplate and Perceive as the Buddha Does; Practise – Walk the Path of Compassion

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Universal guiding and awakening of all beings is the essence of compassion. A person who achieves this possesses the wisdom of a Buddha. This wisdom is reflected not only in saving oneself but also in saving others—it is the embodiment of the Buddha’s wisdom and spirit within them. However, achieving universal guiding and awakening requires […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 12 | Cultivating the Wisdom of the Bodhisattva Realm

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Today, I will provide a detailed explanation of the Bodhisattva Realm, going through it line by line. A Bodhisattva is someone engaged in profound meditative practice. Upon reaching an advanced state, the Bodhisattva attains stable and deep concentration in meditation, surpassing the level of a First Ground Bodhisattva. True meditative concentration is not an ordinary […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 11 | Awareness and Experience Manifest Awakening, and Awakening is Enlightenment

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When I help others, I feel that I am gaining something, not giving something away. People usually think, “I’m helping you, I bought you food—that’s me being good to you, that’s me giving.” These days, people tend to expect something in return, and that’s a matter of mindset. When your mindset is limited in this […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 10 | Bowing to the Buddha Must Come from the Heart, True Repentance Starts with Changing Your Mindset

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Today, I’m going to talk about “awareness and experience.” I’ve mentioned this before, but only briefly; I didn’t go into much depth. Awareness and experience is about awakening to the truth—becoming aware of and understanding the true nature of things. When you read Buddhist scriptures, that’s the theory. Everyone recites Buddhist scriptures every day—this is […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 9 | Reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance to Eliminate Your Karmic Obstacles

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Today, I’d like to talk to you about the power of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance. Why is reciting this text so effective? Some people have asked me why I haven’t taught certain parts of the Ten Small Mantras. Can you guess why? It’s because Guan Yin Bodhisattva hasn’t instructed me to, and I wouldn’t […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 3 Chapter 8 | Unlock Fundamental Wisdom, Break Through Ignorance and Afflictions

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Cultivating the mind and practising Buddhism is no easy task. How do we cultivate our minds? How do we correct our behaviour? Cultivating the mind means correcting the flaws within our hearts, and practising involves correcting our actions. Many of us have poor behaviour, and many of our thoughts are impure. So, how do we […]