THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LANTERN FESTIVAL
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LUNAR NEW YEAR ETIQUETTE: DOS AND DON’TS
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AS LUNAR NEW YEAR APPROACHES, WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK OUT FOR?
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Shakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment Day
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STRESS IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE KARMA
STRESS IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE KARMA Caller: One Buddhist practitioner has dreams daily and they are mostly dreams with implications, either premonition dreams or dreams that act as a reminder to him or someone else. As such, he is rather stressed out and is unable to sleep well. To address this problem, what should […]
WHAT TO DO WHEN WE FEEL STRESSED OUT IN PERFORMING RECITATION?
WHAT TO DO WHEN WE FEEL STRESSED OUT IN PERFORMING RECITATION? Question: Just recently, my Buddhism practice hit a bottleneck and I was struggling to break the impasse. After a few days of diligent practice, I would backslide in the ensuing few days and this scenario kept repeating itself. It feels like a war against […]
WE SHOULD NOT LIVE OUR LIVES BLAMING OTHERS
WE SHOULD NOT LIVE OUR LIVES BLAMING OTHERS Master Jun Hong Lu: We should not live our lives blaming others. 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 […]
WHAT IS KARMIC OBSTACLES?
WHAT IS KARMIC OBSTACLES? Master Jun Hong Lu: “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.” Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 1 Chapter 8
THE HEART OF REPENTANCE
THE HEART OF REPENTANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: Whatever causes that put you off from spiritual cultivation are your own karmic obstacles. 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 […]
THE FOUR TYPES OF MIRACULOUS POWER IN THE HEART SUTRA
THE FOUR TYPES OF MIRACULOUS POWER IN THE HEART SUTRA Master Jun Hong Lu: I will now offer you some insights into the Heart Sutra since it is a Buddhist scripture that all of you recite daily. As a matter of fact, the Heart Sutra carries a supremely important message that can be summed up […]
RESENTMENT COMES FROM MAKING COMPARISONS
RESENTMENT COMES FROM MAKING COMPARISONS Master Jun Hong Lu: The human heart is full of hatred. But, do you know where does hatred come from? Let me tell you this: Hatred evolves when you make comparisons. The moment you start comparing yourself with others, you will bring forth the resentment in your heart. This explains […]
TO OVERCOME BAD HABITS, ONE MUST RECITE THE HEART SUTRA TO SEEK BLESSINGS FROM THE BODHISATTVA
TO OVERCOME BAD HABITS, ONE MUST RECITE THE HEART SUTRA TO SEEK BLESSINGS FROM THE BODHISATTVA Caller: A Buddhist friend’s daughter is constantly in a foul mood every day and this can last up to four to five hours. Unfortunately, this has been going on in recent years. There isn’t much that her daughter can […]
WISDOM IS WHEN YOU SEE THROUGH THE EMPTINESS OF THE UNIVERSE
WISDOM IS WHEN YOU SEE THROUGH THE EMPTINESS OF THE UNIVERSE Master Jun Hong Lu: When you see through the emptiness of the universe, you are actually in possession of the wisdom and virtue. Therefore, those who can see through the reality of things are in possession of wisdom. You must understand that to become […]
TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN; YOU CAN ONLY DEPEND ON YOURSELF
TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN; YOU CAN ONLY DEPEND ON YOURSELF Master Jun Hong Lu: You still have a long way to go. If you are not diligent, you will only have yourself to blame when you suffer in the future. I have talked to you for so many years, how many more […]
WHY SHOULD WE BE SINGLE-MINDED AND DILIGENT IN OUR METHOD OF SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION?
WHY SHOULD WE BE SINGLE-MINDED AND DILIGENT IN OUR METHOD OF SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION? Master Jun Hong Lu: In Buddhism studies, why should we be single-minded and diligent in our method of cultivation? Once you have identified the dharma door that is most suitable for you, it is important that you must learn and cultivate the […]
REASONS FOR ONE TO DROP OUT OF THE SPIRITUAL PATH; DILIGENCE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
REASONS FOR ONE TO DROP OUT OF THE SPIRITUAL PATH; DILIGENCE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS Caller: There is a saying that goes, “Uncrowded is the path to the Lotus Pond in the West” because there are too many who will drop out of this path of spiritual cultivation, arising from: 1. The disappearance of […]
THE STORY OF CONFUCIUS AND HIS MOST-TRUSTED DISCIPLE YAN HUI
THE STORY OF CONFUCIUS AND HIS MOST-TRUSTED DISCIPLE YAN HUI Master Jun Hong Lu: During the Spring and Autumn-Warring States period, Confucius and his disciples went around the country that had been ravaged by the turmoil and tumult of a war. It was a physically-gruelling journey. Having gone without even a grain of rice for […]
WHERE DOES HATRED COME FROM? NEGATIVE AFFINITIES GIVE RISE TO HATRED
WHERE DOES HATRED COME FROM? NEGATIVE AFFINITIES GIVE RISE TO HATRED Master Jun Hong Lu: Now that we have started practising Buddhism, why is it that we still can’t stand the sight of certain people and bear grudges towards others? It all comes down to affinities. When negative affinities come along, ignorance starts to arise. […]
BEFORE RECITING THE HEART SUTRA, ONE CAN PRAY TO GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA TO SHOWER BLESSINGS ON ONE’S SPIRITUAL ROOT
BEFORE RECITING THE HEART SUTRA, ONE CAN PRAY TO GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA TO SHOWER BLESSINGS ON ONE’S SPIRITUAL ROOT Caller: Master once said, “All of you must know how to pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva to shower blessings on your spiritual roots. To do so, you can say, “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate […]
BUDDHA-DHARMA IS TO LIBERATE SUFFERING IN THE HUMAN REALM
BUDDHA-DHARMA IS TO LIBERATE SUFFERING IN THE HUMAN REALM Master Jun Hong Lu: In learning Buddhism, we should treat people with a sense of equanimity. What is equanimity? It is to see everyone as equal and we do things fairly. Equanimity is equivalent to the Four Boundless States: loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity. Equanimity […]
AVOID BUYING SHOES DURING THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH
AVOID BUYING SHOES DURING THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Caller: Master, there is a folk belief that we should not buy shoes or clothes throughout the 7th lunar month simply because it is the Ullambana Festival. Master has advised against buying shoes during this period, what is your view about buying clothes then? Master Jun Hong […]
WHEN PAYING RESPECT TO THE DECEASED ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, IS IT ALRIGHT TO BURN LITTLE HOUSES FOR THEM WITHOUT DISPLAYING THEIR PHOTOS?
WHEN PAYING RESPECT TO THE DECEASED ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, IS IT ALRIGHT TO BURN LITTLE HOUSES FOR THEM WITHOUT DISPLAYING THEIR PHOTOS? Caller: When offering Little Houses to the deceased on special occasions, such as their birthdays or the Ullambana Festival, is it alright to do so without displaying their photos? Master Jun Hong Lu: […]
STAY UPBEAT DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL; SPIRITS ARE EASILY ATTRACTED TO THOSE WHO ARE SAD OR WORRIED
STAY UPBEAT DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL; SPIRITS ARE EASILY ATTRACTED TO THOSE WHO ARE SAD OR WORRIED Master Jun Hong Lu: During the Ullambana Festival, it is best that you go about your chores steadily. By doing so, you avert inviting the unwanted attention of the foreign spirits. This is because a slightest change in […]
AVOID HAVING A HAIRCUT DURING PERIODS OF MOURNING
AVOID HAVING A HAIRCUT DURING PERIODS OF MOURNING Question: Is it alright to have a haircut on our birthday? Answer: It’s up to you. It’s good to have a haircut as it makes one appear neat and tidy. Typically, we must avoid having a haircut on the Ching Ming Festival, Zhong Yuan Festival (Ullambana Festival) […]
PAYING RESPECT TO THE DECEASED DURING THE ULLAMBANA, CHING MING, AND WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVALS
PAYING RESPECT TO THE DECEASED DURING THE ULLAMBANA, CHING MING, AND WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVALS Question: During the Ullambana, Ching Ming or Winter Solstice Festivals, certain households may have to pay respect to a few deceased at the same time. In a scenario where based on a totem reading performed by Master, one of the deceased […]
HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH FRUIT OFFERINGS TO THE DECEASED?
HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH FRUIT OFFERINGS TO THE DECEASED? Caller: Master, generally during Ching Ming and Zhong Yuan (Ullambana) Festivals, we will make offerings to our deceased parents at home. At the end of the ceremony, how should we handle these fruits and other consumables? Master has said before that we can leave the […]
IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO SET UP A BUDDHIST ALTAR DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL; EXERCISE GREATER CARE WHEN PERFORMING LIFE LIBERATION DURING THIS PERIOD
IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO SET UP A BUDDHIST ALTAR DURING THE ULLAMBANA FESTIVAL; EXERCISE GREATER CARE WHEN PERFORMING LIFE LIBERATION DURING THIS PERIOD Caller: Master, the Ullambana Festival is fast approaching. It so happens that this year is the Year of Geng Zi (the 37th year of the Chinese 60-year cycle). In light of […]
AVOID HOME RENOVATION ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH
AVOID HOME RENOVATION ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Question: Can home renovation commence after the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, that is, to start on the 16th day? Answer: Yes, as long as you do so after the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Question: What about having […]
IT IS BEST TO OFFER MORE LITTLE HOUSES TO THE KARMIC CREDITORS OF THE HOUSE WHEN MOVING HOUSE IN THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH
IT IS BEST TO OFFER MORE LITTLE HOUSES TO THE KARMIC CREDITORS OF THE HOUSE WHEN MOVING HOUSE IN THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH Caller: Can one move house during the 7th lunar month? Master Jun Hong Lu: It should be fine. However, you better be cautious and offer more Little Houses. Caller: Should I offer […]
HOW DOES THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH DIFFER FROM THE 15TH OF THE OTHER LUNAR MONTHS?
HOW DOES THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH DIFFER FROM THE 15TH OF THE OTHER LUNAR MONTHS? Caller: Next Wednesday is the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. What is so different about this day, as compared to the 15th of the other lunar months? Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course, there […]
