HOW DO WE OBSERVE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS? Caller: One should observe causes and conditions when propagating Dharma to others. Is there a method that we can apply with regards to this? Master Jun Hong Lu: There is definitely a method. It is through calmness that you have the ability to observe causes and conditions. If […]
THE THREEFOLD TRAINING OF MORALITY, CONCENTRATION AND WISDOM IS THE KEY TO NON-OUTFLOWS Master Jun Hong Lu: Perfection and non-outflows are tantamount to the cultivation of morality, concentration and wisdom. Only with a mentality that is always perfect, you are able to free yourself from outflows. In other words, when you do not allow any […]
OFFERING SELF-CULTIVATION RECORD FORMS IN THE ABSENCE OF A FORMAL BUDDHIST ALTAR Caller: With the exception of the Self-Cultivation Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance, is it alright for those without a Buddhist Altar to offer Self-Cultivation Record Forms of the Great Compassion Mantra, the Heart Sutra, the Cundi Dharani, the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra and […]
TRANSFORM BAD HABITS TO ACCOMPLISH THE BUDDHA’S PATH Master Jun Hong Lu: What is “dharma”? It is about making use of Bodhisattva’s wisdom and energy to reflect upon ourselves in our daily lives and to apply the pure Buddhist teachings to our daily life. It is about a constant application of what you know of […]
WHAT CONSTITUTES DILIGENCE? ALL-ENCOMPASSING DILIGENCE Caller: Master, you often make comments about those who have been very diligent in their cultivation. I am in the opinion that just by being diligent in performing recitation is far from enough. One needs to study Buddhism in Plain Terms, keep the “body, speech and mind” pure, help others, […]
HOW DO WE DETERMINE IF WE CAN MAKE THE VOW TO SUCCEED IN OUR CULTIVATION WITHIN THIS LIFETIME? Caller: Master mentioned before that the ripening of negative karma will take place at an accelerated pace within five years after making the vow to succeed in cultivation within this lifetime. Some Buddhist practitioners are worried that […]
CONTEMPLATE FEELINGS AS SUFFERING Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me tell you about: “To Contemplate our Feelings as Suffering”. We have to constantly contemplate and recognise that our feeling is suffering. For example, you had a lot to eat today. It was all bliss when you were eating. You just wouldn’t want to stop. What’s […]
EVERY SINGLE THOUGHT IS GEARED TOWARDS SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION Master Jun Hong Lu: How do you practise diligence? It is the consistent mindfulness to practise. That is, every single thought is geared towards spiritual cultivation and to make sure every single thought is positive. It also means forcing yourself out of bed in the morning, even […]
CREATE OUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES Master Jun Hong Lu: In ancient times, there was a fencing master. When asked who and what was the one unforgettable thing that had benefited him the most in his life, he said it was something his mother once said to him. At that time, he was just 18 years old, […]
THOSE WHO ARE TRULY WISE WILL DEVOTE THEIR LIVES TO HELPING OTHERS Master Jun Hong Lu: For Buddhist practitioners, we should understand that it is only through dedication that we are considered to be truly diligent. Have you dedicated yourself today? How much have you done for others, being of service to others and helping […]
THE RATIO OF NEGATIVE KARMA THAT WILL TRIGGER RIPENING Caller: The issue of ‘ripening of the negative karma’ is often raised and in this regard, is there an approximate level to trigger the ripening of the negative karma? Is there a reference point? Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, 80%. Generally, it starts to ripen at […]
THE THREE DHARMA SEALS – UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF EMPTINESS Master Jun Hong Lu: “All dharma is devoid of self” means you do not own any of your undertakings in the human realm. You have no idea where you would go ultimately. If not for the name that was given to you at birth, you […]
DILIGENCE: THE KEY TO CHANGING ONE’S DESTINY In the golden circular pavilion near the entrance of the Pure Land, Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Great Strength Bodhisattva (Da Shi Zhi Pusa) were talking to some heavenly children. Guan Yin Bodhisattva: Children, you see these worldly people who are buying wet tissues? Although the difference in price […]
DILIGENCE IS WHEN YOU TRANSFORM YOUR THOUGHTS Master Jun Hong Lu: Many people say, “When I was little, fortune-teller told me that I would be blessed with good fortune. But, why don’t I see any of these good fortunes now?” It is because every day, you have too many worries and are living in distress, […]
ARE WE ALLOWED TO OFFER LITTLE HOUSES AFTER SUNSET ON SPECIAL DAYS? Caller: On special days such as the commemoration dates of Bodhisattvas, is it fine to offer Little Houses after sunset? I understand that it is not advisable to do so on normal days. However, does this also apply to special days such as […]
DO NOT SEND INAPPROPRIATE EMOJIS Question: Are Buddhist practitioners allowed to send emojis such as people hugging in online chat groups? As we don’t know the gender of the group members, will there be any karmic obstacles for doing so? Answer: Buddhist cultivators should never do such a thing. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse […]
PERFORMING RECITATION ON THE LANTERN FESTIVAL Caller: Which Buddhist scripture should we recite on the Lantern Festival? Master Jun Hong Lu: You should primarily focus on offering Little Houses on the Lantern Festival. You can consider setting aside more Little Houses to be offered on that day because it is exceptionally efficacious. Caller: Does this […]
THE EFFICACY OF LITTLE HOUSES OFFERED ON THE LANTERN FESTIVAL DIFFERS FROM THOSE OFFERED ON NORMAL DAYS Question: Master has said before that offering Little Houses on the 15th day of Lunar New Year has immense merits. May I ask whether it’s alright to burn Little House earlier but post-date it to the 15th day […]
CONTEMPLATE THE DHARMA AS DEVOID OF SELF Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me tell you about: “To contemplate the dharma as devoid of Self”. The word ‘dharma’ in this context refers to the dharma realm. To “contemplate the dharma as devoid of Self” means we should hold the view that “I do not exist in […]
WHICH BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES SHOULD WE STEP UP OUR RECITATION ON THE LANTERN FESTIVAL? Caller: Can we recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO) round the clock on the Lantern Festival, just like what we do on the eve and first day of Lunar New Year? Master Jun Hong Lu: No, it’s different. You should not […]
MEMORISING THE TRANSLATED VERSION OF BUDDHISM IN PLAIN TERMS WILL GARNER THE SAME AMOUNT OF BLESSINGS AS THAT FOR THE CHINESE VERSION Caller: Master, do different languages generate different energy fields? Master’s Buddhism in Plain Terms has been translated into multiple languages. When non-Chinese Buddhist practitioners are learning the translated version by heart, will they […]
CHINESE NEW YEAR DECORATIONS CAN BE TAKEN DOWN AFTER THE 15TH DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR Caller: When should we take down the Chinese New Year decorations like the character 福 (‘fu’ which means blessings or fortune) or the Chinese paper-cuttings? Master Jun Hong Lu: You may take them down after the 15th day of […]
BREAK YOUR PHONE ADDICTION Master Jun Hong Lu: A person who often uses his phone is wasting his life and time. Do you not understand? Unless you are using your phone to propagate Buddhism, you are essentially wasting your time. Do you know how much time you spend on your phone? Do you know how […]
IT IS BEST TO ADOPT A VEGETARIAN DIET ON THE FIFTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE DAY WHEN THE GOD OF WEALTH BRINGS GOOD FORTUNE Caller: Dear Master Lu, it’s Chinese New Year now and we will certainly adopt a full vegetarian diet on the first and the fifteenth days of the first […]
TO ACHIEVE ENLIGHTENMENT, ONE MUST BE CONSTANTLY RACING AGAINST TIME, REMAIN DILIGENT, STEADFAST AND NEVER SLACK OFF Caller: How are you Master? Nowadays, the majority of us are aware that most things in life are predetermined. One example is when the Buddha attained enlightenment during His time, it was also at a predetermined time and […]
INCREASE THE RECITATION OF THE XIAO ZAI JI XIANG SHEN ZHOU DURING THE FIRST LUNAR MONTH Caller: How are you Master Lu? You mentioned that one should recite 49 times of the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou daily in the first month of the lunar calendar. I’d like to ask whether this recitation can […]
ALL BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS GATHER AT THE SOUTHERN HEAVENLY GATE ON THE FIRST DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR Moments before the clock struck midnight to herald the first day of Chinese New Year, the Heavenly Dharma Protectors, the Buddha, Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Nanjing Bodhisattva, 12 Tai Sui Bodhisattvas, Guan Di Bodhisattva, Victorious Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, […]
IMPORTANT PRAYER WHEN OFFERING THE FIRST INCENSE ON THE NIGHT OF CHINESE NEW YEAR’S EVE Master Jun Hong Lu: When offering the First Incense on Chinese New Year’s Eve, we should state, “May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bless my entire family with safety and auspiciousness”. It’s important to specify “the entire family” because by stating so, […]
CHINESE NEW YEAR DOS AND DON’TS Question: We are not supposed to throw out trash on the first day of Lunar New Year. How about the ashes of Little Houses that have been offered? Answer: You don’t have to throw them away. Just wrap them properly before placing them in a relatively clean dustbin. […]
OUTINGS ON THE FIRST DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR Caller: Hi Master, you once mentioned that it would be best to avoid house-hopping on the first and second days of Lunar New Year. But, in reality this is a common practice during Lunar New Year. By doing so, we run the risk of encountering some […]
