Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 29 | Promoting the Dharma, Cultivating Virtue, and Finding Joy in Detachment

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

Today, I want to highlight that using Buddhist terms to criticise those who have reached enlightenment is referred to as “arrogance” (adhimāna) in Buddhism. If someone uses the words of the Bodhisattva to attack an awakened individual while studying the Buddha-dharma, such behaviour is termed as arrogance in Buddhist teachings. Such an individual hasn’t genuinely […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 28 | Let Go of Illusions and Attachments; Cultivate the Wisdom that Leads to Enlightenment

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

If an ordinary person can reach the spiritual state of the First Ground Bodhisattva, they have undergone a qualitative transformation. For example, you are currently following my guidance in learning and practising Buddhism, and if you can meet the conditions of the First Ground Bodhisattva that I have explained to you, then you are a […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 27 | Cultivating the Buddha’s Spiritual State; Learning the Joy of Giving

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

Next, I will unfold and explain to you so that you can clearly understand how to cultivate to reach the Bodhisattva’s realm. You must hold yourselves to the standards of the Bodhisattva’s spiritual state, cultivating enlightenment, and thus attaining the complete realisation of Buddhahood. Firstly, you must “have endurance, the ability to withstand difficulties, and […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 26 | Studying the Bodhisattva’s Realm; Transforming the Ordinary into the Sage

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

You all know that the wholesome deeds you performed can be transformed into merit and virtue. Let me ask you: For someone with merit and virtue, could their merit and virtue be transformed into wholesome deeds? Yes, it could happen to ordained practitioners. If they choose the monastic life in this lifetime but do not […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 25 | Cultivating the Dharma Body of a Bodhisattva Through the Human Reward Body

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

Last time, I introduced you to the concepts of Dharma Body, Emanation Body, and Reward Body. So, what is an Emanation Body? What is a Dharma Body? What is a Reward Body? And how do they differ from one another?  Let’s begin with the Emanation Body: what kind of life state does it embody, and how […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 24 | Seize the Present, Spread the Buddha’s Teachings, Enlighten Others with Wondrous Dharma

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

Next, I want to discuss the concept of the “present moment” with you all. Many esteemed Dharma Masters frequently use the term “present moment,” which means immediacy or the ‘here and now.’ It calls for immediate cultivation of the mind, an instant commencement of learning Buddhism, and the immediate undertaking of meritorious deeds. Harness all […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 23 | Grasping Dharma-Attachment; Delving Deep into One Dharma Door

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

It’s crucial to remember that in practising Buddhism, we should avoid greed, anger, and ignorance. If someone offers to help you acquire wealth, be cautious and deeply reflect on whether their motives are genuine. Bodhisattvas won’t assist us in acquiring material wealth. Wealth comes as a result of your past acts of generosity and deeds […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 22 | Chanting the Buddha’s Name with Sincerity; Cultivating Thoughts in Purity

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

Continuing our discussion, it’s essential to emphasise the equality in transmitting the Dharma. This equality means that when I pass on teachings to you, and you convey them to someone else, the process upholds the absolute equality between individuals. Such equality also applies to the faith and concepts surrounding Dharma transmission. How can you stand on equal […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 21 | Learning from Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s Way of Alleviating Suffering upon Hearing It; the Singular Approach to Spreading the Dharma and Liberating Sentient Beings

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

Every day, we chant the holy name of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. But how should we do this correctly? The complete invocation is: “Namo the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate, Saviour from Suffering, and Vast Miraculous Guan Yin Bodhisattva.” Most people chant: “Namo the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva” or simply “Namo Guan Yin Bodhisattva”. […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 20 | Embed Buddhas and Bodhisattvas into Your Heart with Supportive Power

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

Last time, we discussed the ‘Dharma of association’, which essentially relies on supportive power. What is supportive power? It is the force that assists and propels you. For example, when you are cultivating your mind, someone might suggest, “Don’t practise this Dharma Door; I know of a better one.” If you become confused, you need […]

Master Lu | Buddhism in Plain Terms | Volume 2 Chapter 19 | Control the Mindset When Reciting Scriptures; Cultivate the Truth Through Illusion

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

Let me share with you a few tips for reciting Buddhist scriptures under specific circumstances: 1. When contemplating emptiness, refrain from thinking about any individual or situation. Keeping your mind at peace is essential. It’s crucial to maintain a serene mindset. If you are not in a positive mindset, you should recognise it’s only temporary. A […]

The Foundation for Offering Effective Prayers to Bodhisattva Is Comprised of Three Factors

Posted Posted in About Spiritual Cultivation, Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk

THE FOUNDATION FOR OFFERING EFFECTIVE PRAYERS TO BODHISATTVA IS COMPRISED OF THREE FACTORS Master Jun Hong Lu: Number 1: Karma from previous lives. Number 2: The level of your cultivation in the present life. No matter how admirable a person’s cultivation was in his or her past lives, if they only do bad things and […]

Avoid Committing Negative Karma of Speech in Dharma Propagation Through Contemplating on Causes and Conditions

Posted Posted in About Spiritual Cultivation, Call-in Radio Program

AVOID COMMITTING NEGATIVE KARMA OF SPEECH IN DHARMA PROPAGATION THROUGH CONTEMPLATING ON CAUSES AND CONDITIONS Caller: Sometimes when performing totem reading for Buddhist friends, Master detected tell-tale signs that they have inadvertently committed negative karma of speech in their effort to propagate Buddhism. It’d be great if Master could give some examples of cases to […]

RECITE AT LEAST ONE LITTLE HOUSE DAILY

Posted Posted in About the Little House

RECITE AT LEAST ONE LITTLE HOUSE DAILY Caller: Master, during the 4 May totem reading program, you mentioned that ideally one Little House should be recited per day. If you only recite half of it, you are falling significantly short of the ideal. In previous radio programs, Master has also mentioned on a few occasions […]

DO NOT TAKE OTHERS’ MONEY WHEN PERFORMING MERITS

Posted Posted in About Merits and Virtues

DO NOT TAKE OTHERS’ MONEY WHEN PERFORMING MERITS Caller: Master once cautioned us about making illicit gains on our path of our Buddhist practice, which includes making appeals for financial assistance through our chat groups, is that right? Master Jun Hong Lu: Absolutely right. Illicit gains refer to being in possession of others’ money. For […]

Do Not Post Messages Related To Fundraising in Group Chats

Posted Posted in About Spiritual Cultivation, Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk

DO NOT POST MESSAGES RELATED TO FUNDRAISING IN GROUP CHATS Question: There are some Buddhist friends who are not from the dharma-propagation group but are very eager to support the dharma-propagation drive. Unfortunately, in the absence of a local practice centre, the dharma-propagation group is unable to accept any donations whatsoever, even though such funds […]

Is Being Enthusiastic About Charitable Causes a Way To Accumulate Provisions Needed on the Path of Spiritual Cultivation?

Posted Posted in About Spiritual Cultivation, Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk

IS BEING ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT CHARITABLE CAUSES A WAY TO ACCUMULATE PROVISIONS NEEDED ON THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION? Question: Hi Master, Buddhism in Plain Terms says, “There are endless streams of good deeds that one can undertake, and having a benevolent heart is equivalent to performing all the good deeds there is”. On that note, […]

Only Gratitude and Compassion Can Eliminate All Karmic Obstacles

Posted Posted in Excerpts from Buddhism in Plain Terms, Q&A (Blog)

ONLY GRATITUDE AND COMPASSION CAN ELIMINATE ALL KARMIC OBSTACLES Question: Master Lu has mentioned in Buddhism in Plain Terms that every passion and desire within the Seven Emotions and Six Sensory Pleasures has the effect of creating karmic obstacles and it is only through gratitude one is able to exterminate them. Why is gratitude the […]

The Original Aspiration Is About Being Grateful Towards Sentient Beings for Their Presence in Our Lives

Posted Posted in About Spiritual Cultivation, Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk

THE ORIGINAL ASPIRATION IS ABOUT BEING GRATEFUL TOWARDS SENTIENT BEINGS FOR THEIR PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES Master Jun Hong Lu: We must always cultivate a sense of gratitude, which will help us maintain a calm and peaceful mind. As Buddhist practitioners, we should never forget our original aspiration, which is to be grateful towards sentient […]

Those Who Perform Recitation Should Be Careful in Their Speech To Prevent ‘Outflows’

Posted Posted in About Spiritual Cultivation, Call-in Radio Program

THOSE WHO PERFORM RECITATION SHOULD BE CAREFUL IN THEIR SPEECH TO PREVENT ‘OUTFLOWS’ Caller: I have been practising Guan Yin Citta for over a year now after being introduced to it by my daughter. Master, can you point out my faults? Master Jun Hong Lu: You don’t know about your own faults? You should refrain […]