WHEN YOU LOVE SENTIENT BEINGS AS GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA WOULD, IT WILL NEVER GO UNNOTICED Master Jun Hong Lu: During the era of Northern Zhou dynasty, there was a monk named Shi Chan who lived in the capital city. He was a monk with high moral standing and supernatural powers. One afternoon, out of the […]
WHERE WEEDS ARE OVERGROWN, NO FRUIT GROWS Master Jun Hong Lu: Fourth question. Don’t get too anxious. So brilliant are the words of Bodhisattva. My question to Guan Yin Bodhisattva was, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva, while many people are able to accrue meritorious blessings, there are others who, despite having performed many good deeds, don’t seem […]
MYRIADS OF ILLNESSES STEM FROM A MIND THAT IS DEFILED Master Jun Hong Lu: Second question: I said to Bodhisattva, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva, nowadays people are plagued with illnesses, and what’s more, many of these illnesses are medically unknown. As I go about helping sentient beings daily, the stack of phone recordings is filled with […]
EMULATE THE GREAT WISDOM AND COMPASSION AS WELL AS THE GREAT VOW AND STRENGTH OF GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA Master Jun Hong Lu: Guan Yin Bodhisattva practises the Buddha Way, where great compassion is the focus of the practice, purity and peace are at its heart’s core, and all Buddhas are held in high esteem. A […]
EXERCISE DISCRETION WHEN SHARING THE DHARMA AT NIGHT Caller: Some Buddhist practitioners are still eagerly sharing depictions of Journey to Heaven that illustrate scenes in the underworld even though it is past 10pm. In the view of certain Buddhist practitioners, such sharing would invite considerable amount of Yin (negative) energy, but they are hesitant to […]
THERE IS NO NEED TO OBSERVE TIME-GAP BETWEEN POSTINGS OF DHARMA TEACHINGS ONLINE Caller: A fellow practitioner dreamt of Bodhisattva reminding him, “Do not send dharma teachings consecutively on social media. Leave some buffer time so that other practitioners get to read them online”. Master, could you advise as to how we should pace our […]
MINDFUL USE OF VISUALS IN DHARMA GIVING Question: Should we avoid using photos of real individuals, including those of novices, monks and nuns, in all dharma materials? Answer: It is advisable to avoid using such visuals. Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 379), 27 April 2020
IS IT APPROPRIATE TO PIECE TOGETHER MASTER’S TEACHINGS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF A DISCOURSE? Caller: There are fellow Buddhist practitioners who will extract Master’s discourses or Buddhism in Plain Terms quotes that they consider timeless. When they go about doing so, they will pluck a phrase or a few words from a paragraph or the […]
IT IS BEST TO CITE THE SOURCE WHEN SHARING MASTER’S DISCOURSES Caller: A fellow Buddhist practitioner used to come across a statement on blogs that says, “Secretariat, please verify whether this is a discourse from Master”. Seeing this, the Buddhist practitioner thought he should indicate the source when sharing Master’s discourses in the future to […]
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A ‘TESTIMONY SHARING’? Caller: If we make a vow to share our testimony, does it refer to the mere act of posting it on Master’s blog, or does it also include sharing it with our circle of friends or on other social media platforms? Master Jun Hong Lu: A testimony sharing can […]
AVOID DEVELOPING NEGATIVE KARMIC AFFINITIES WITH ANIMALS BY ADOPTING A VEGETARIAN DIET Master Jun Hong Lu: Those who cultivate their minds should always know that it is like having a driving licence. Those who drive can’t go without a driving licence because it is a must to have one in order to drive. Similarly, only […]
PATIENCE ENDURANCE: A PREREQUISITE TO ATTAIN A HIGHER SPIRITUAL STATE Master Jun Hong Lu: Spiritual cultivation requires a great degree of patience. There would be no accomplishment without patience. A calm person is a patient person. Without patience, one is not able to advance to a higher spiritual state. Patience is like a ladder that […]
PATIENCE IN SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION Master Jun Hong Lu: The third type of forbearance: both mind-cultivation and Buddhist practice require patience. It is never too late to be accomplished in your spiritual practice, as long as you are diligent. All of you who are sitting down here listening to me, are you experiencing any discomfort? You […]
ENDURING WEATHER CHANGES IS ALSO A TYPE OF FORBEARANCE Master Jun Hong Lu: The second type of forbearance is being patient in enduring the changes in nature. This includes changes in the weather, whether it’s cold or hot. When you can’t bear the cold or hot weather, it means you have not cultivated well. When […]
SUCCESSFUL SHARING OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS IS EQUIVALENT TO HAVING LIBERATED A HUGE AMOUNT OF FISH Question: I saw the following statement on the official account platform which goes like this, “Every sharing of the Buddha’s teachings online will result in meritorious blessings equivalent to the merits of liberating a fish”. Is this statement appropriate? […]
INTENT MUST BE PURE TO SHARE MESSAGES RECEIVED FROM BODHISATTVAS OR MASTER LU Question: A Buddhist friend always receives messages or teachings from Bodhisattvas and Master through dreams and divine connection in front of a Buddhist altar. Without fail, he will painstakingly jot down the divine information received before approaching some fellow practitioners to disseminate […]
A TIP FROM A SENIOR MONK ON PRACTISING SELF-RESTRAINT Master Jun Hong Lu: There is no such thing as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in the human realm, only the law of causality prevails. Let me impart a method on practising self-restraint passed down by a senior monk: If he slanders me, I must tolerate him; If […]
PATIENCE UNDER HUMILIATION: BEING IMPATIENT WILL ONLY UNDERMINE YOUR WISDOM Master Jun Hong Lu: Joe Louis, a well-known American boxing champion, reigned as the world’s heavyweight champion, having defeated numerous boxing experts. Completely unlike his tough-looking appearance in the boxing ring, as a person, Louis had a humble and friendly demeanour. Once, he and his […]
THE GOLDEN PRACTICE TO AVOID NEGATIVE TIES Master Jun Hong Lu: Interpersonal relationships are inevitable as long as we live in this world. Although self-discipline may help spare us from establishing negative karmic affinities with others, we cannot expect the same from the people around us. When others engender negative karmic affinities with us, that […]
DILIGENCE STEMS FROM A COMPASSIONATE HEART Caller: Master, does the strength of one’s diligence emanate from a compassionate heart? Does it mean that the greater a person’s compassion, the more diligent he is? Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. Having profound compassion for others will directly amplify your diligence. Source: Wenda20160619B 24:43, Master Jun Hong Lu’s […]
DO NOT USE IMAGES OF BODHISATTVA IN GRAPHICS FOR WORDS OF WISDOM AS IT IS DISRESPECTFUL Caller: In some social media groups, some Buddhist friends are very earnest and have designed many graphics for Master’s Words of Wisdom or notices on activities. Oftentimes, their graphics have images of Bodhisattva. When we click on the graphics, […]
TRANSITION FROM EXTERNAL TO INTERNAL FORBEARANCE Caller: At the early stages of cultivating forbearance, we are mostly forbearing on the “outside” as the ability to forbear has yet to be internalised. As such, we may still feel unhappy and unwilling to endure the humiliation when conflict arises. Should we be natural and let our unhappiness […]
PATIENCE UNDER HUMILIATION: DO NOT TAKE IN THOSE WORDS Master Jun Hong Lu: The first type of tolerance is to tolerate man-made harm. You must learn to endure the harm and humiliation when others spread rumours about you. Be strong, you don’t have to believe or take in any of those words that are meant […]
HOW DO WE STAY ROOTED TO OUR ORIGINAL ASPIRATION IN OUR BUDDHIST PRACTICE? Caller: Master, could you enlighten us on how we can stay rooted to our original aspiration in our Buddhist practice and cultivation? If we lose touch with it, how can it be regained? Master Jun Hong Lu: If one loses touch with […]
RECITING THE HEART SUTRA CAN HELP IN DISPELLING THOUGHTS OF GOSSIPS OR CONTROVERSIES Caller: There may be times when we hear gossip that we do not wish to hear but, unfortunately, such gossip has already penetrated our mind. What can we do to get rid of it so that it does not stick in our […]
COMPASSION IS THE GOLDEN KEY THAT UNLOCKS ALL ‘DOORS’ Master Jun Hong Lu: The act of giving can quell greed, hatred and ignorance. This is one method of cultivation through physical action. At the spiritual level, one must cultivate compassion, as it is the golden key that unlocks the rest of the ‘doors’. Whenever you […]
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “TOLERANCE” AND “COWARDICE” Caller: What is the difference between tolerance and cowardice? Master Jun Hong Lu: Cowardice means the person has no psychological endurance. This person is afraid of everything and dares not stand up against others. Such a person is faint-hearted, not having the unyielding willpower nor determination. Hence, they fear […]
ANALYSIS OF THE CHINESE CHARACTER 忍 (FORBEARANCE) Master Jun Hong Lu: In Chinese, the word “Forbearance 忍” has the character of a “knife (刀)” on top. This “knife” represents worries that are able to cut through our heart each time we let our heart be troubled. Hence, it is important to always bring ourselves to […]
专题分享｜环境对人的影响 20240513 专题分享【环境对人的影响】 适应环境 改变环境 （请点击视频链接观看） (如果您无法登入以上视频链接，请点击此链接下载视频) 摘自 2019-11-09 卢台长新西兰 奥克兰《弟子开示》节选（原文链接） 有一个青年总是非常落魄，他不得志，有人就向他推荐了一位智者（智者一般是指大德）。智者沉思了良久，突然默然地拿起一个瓢舀了水，就问他：“你知道这水是什么形状吗？”这个人摇摇头，说：“水有什么形状？”智者就把这水倒入了水杯子里。这人恍然大悟：“哦，我知道了，水原来像杯子。”智者又把这个杯子的水倒入了旁边的花瓶里，这人又悟道：“哦，水的形状像花瓶。”智者摇摇头，轻轻地端起花瓶，把一盆水“咚咚咚”全部倒到了沙土里，清清的水一下子融入了沙土，不见了。 这时候，这个年轻人陷入了沉思。智者弯腰拿起一把刚刚被水倒过的沙土，说：“看，水就这么消失了，这就是人的一生。”青年人说：“老师，我知道了。您是通过水告诉我，社会处处像一个规则的容器，把你放在哪里，你就要像它一样好好地做这些事情。是不是人应该像水一样，盛进什么容器，就要变成什么形状，而且人很可能会在一个规则的容器中慢慢地消失？”他的意思就是，比方说，人就应该慢慢地一步一步走，结婚、生孩子、找工作等一切，到了最后死亡，就是这样，像水一样消失得非常迅速，因为人间的一切来得都是特别突然，一切都无法改变。 这个智者跟他这么讲：“是这样，又不是这样。”说罢，这个智者就走出门，这个青年就跟在他后面。在屋檐下，智者的手在青石板的台阶上摸了一会儿，这个青年人也把手指伸向刚才这位智者摸的青石板上，感到有一个凹处。智者说：“一到下雨天，雨水就会从屋檐落下，你看这个凹处，就是雨水落下的结果。”这时候这个青年大悟，说：“我明白了，其实人可以被装入规则的容器，但又应该像这小小的水滴，改变这坚硬的青石板，直到改变容器。”这个智者说：“对，滴水穿石地去改变我们的人生。” 在人间，很多事情没办法改变，你要想改变它，就要有坚强的意志，你每天做一点，终有一天会改变。人生如水，有的时候是拿自己跟别人相比，人和人一比较，就会产生傲慢或者自卑。每个人都要努力地改变环境，实现无我。这个意思就是说，你不仅要适应环境，还要改变环境，碰到任何的环境，你尽量地去适应它、圆融它，但是必要的时候要弯一弯、转一转，因为太坚硬的东西都容易折断，所以我们做人要用妙法。 当年佛陀想去度一个老妈妈，因为佛陀看因果知道，他跟这个老妈妈前世的关系并不是太有这种缘分，所以他就让阿难前去度化这个老妈妈，这就叫人间修行。我们不要怕坚硬，而是要用自己慈悲的心、随缘的心和宽容的心去改变困难、改变人心，战胜自己周围更多的烦恼和障碍。我们学佛人要随缘，在人间不管有多大的烦恼，要用妙法去改变它。想一想，人都会改变的，没有一个人可以从小到大没有改变，他的形象在改变，他的内心也在改变，而我们去改变这个社会，要随缘不变、不变随缘。 环境对思维的能力影响很大 摘自 Wenda20141019B 08:20 节选（原文链接） 女听众：师父，“精”它是思维凝聚一种能量的气场，假设我们去一个学术氛围很浓的大学里面就感觉很想学习，或者是到了一个DISCO舞厅里面就感觉很乱，这种是不是由一个人的思维可以凝聚成一种气场在里面？ 台长答：首先是外界的影响力，影响你自己本身的思维力，所以外界的环境这种影响力对你思维的能力有很大的影响。如果是一个很安静的环境，你的思维就会处于一种俱静的状态。这个时候一个人完全俱静下来，他的浊气下沉，他的精气神上升，这个时候脑子就很清楚。为什么一个人睡完觉第二天早上起来就特别清楚啊？为什么喝酒的人晚上喝得稀里糊涂，嘴巴里乱讲，做什么乱事都不知道啊？很多人做鬼事都是晚上做的，为什么到了第二天早上他才会精气神恢复啊？（这个就是环境在影响他？）对了，环境对一个人的影响非常大。你跑到DISCO舞厅里面昏天暗地的，大家都在摇头晃脑，灯光像鬼一样，人在乱七八糟乱触碰，这种环境下你说你还能念经吗？（很难）不可能的！它的音乐就把你的思维全部打乱，你还想得起来念经啊？（是不是说这个人如果气场能量足够大的话，他还是可以抵御外界环境？）很难的，再大的能量都不能到这种肮脏的地方去的（明白了） 环境好更容易考出好成绩 摘自 Wenda20160318 01:20:44 节选（原文链接） 男听众：之前开示过，相对于法师他们，居士在六尘中修的话很难，因为法师他们有一个比较干净的环境。比如说一个居士和一个法师他们的境界差不多，功德也差不多，他们同时往生之后，是不是可以说这个居士可能比那个法师的果位会更高一点点？ 台长答：这个要看整体的，比方说你最后大学毕业的时候，要看你整体分数的。比方说在某一点你比法师好，在某一点法师比你好，最后总考的时候你能上到什么果位，就是你的考试成绩，所以这个没有什么好比的。就是说在末法时期，不管你做法师也好，学佛也好，你只要像菩萨，那你就是菩萨。你在做和尚，你不像菩萨，那你境界到哪个道，你以后就到哪个道。你今天是做居士，你今天像菩萨了，照样到天上做菩萨，就这样（嗯。并不是根据他们的外围环境而定最后可以给他们加个分或者是什么的？因为居士毕竟在六尘）没有没有。居士就是学习的条件差一点，法师的条件好一点，就是这样。就等于一个同学读书，你的条件再差，但是你考出好成绩来了；你条件再好，你考出差成绩来了，道理是一样。但是，如果你不好好修，那么当然条件好的人、读书环境好的人容易考出好成绩，这也是事实。 人犯错跟环境很有关系 摘自 卢台长来信解答（一百八十四）节选（原文链接） 问:前世命中的灾劫今生来临时，是否很多都会形成一种外界环境巧合性的环境，这种环境给人心造成容易犯错的环境，隔绝引发正能量的环境，导致此人心智出现问题，一反常态地做出错误的行为语言？ 答:这个人还是很有智慧的，他在考虑，人为什么会犯错，跟环境是很有关系的。有些男孩子要诱骗一个女孩子的话，可以带她到一个让人想入非非的环境，这就是环境对人造成的一种影响。当然，外环境再怎么影响，如果你内心的环境不改变，他也是没办法影响你的，但是往往很多人内心不坚定，就很容易受外环境的影响。外环境的影响有人为的，他自己制造了这个环境，给你喝点酒，创造一个地方让你来，举个难听的例子，有的男的为了让女孩子喜欢他，演出一场英雄救美，假装找几个坏同学去打劫她，然后他突然冲出来帮她解围，让女孩子特别爱他，觉得他真是个英雄。这种就是外环境对人的影响。内环境是什么？正好这个环境让你造成了你的犯错。所以法师或者有修养的人，不愿意去不好的环境中考验自己，常在河边走，哪有不湿鞋？让我上当犯错的环境，就是不去，就不会受到外环境的影响。 心收到不同境遇会产生不同想法和概念 摘自 白话佛法视频开示 […]
问：有些家人过世了好几个礼拜，但家里人都没有梦见他，请问是什么原因？ 答：很简单，跟他家里人已经断清关系了。他一死掉，变成鬼了，就知道他是欠这个家的，现在还完了，走了，没感情了，根本不要看你们了，活着的人他不要看的。 问：那作为家人应该怎么做？ 答：继续烧香，继续念小房子。 问：同修之前念的自存小房子是深黄色的，有100多张，因为现在要用柠檬黄的，想请问这些念好的小房子是否可以誊过去？ 答：可以。 问：同修带孩子去朋友的美容院治疗青春痘后，梦到和孩子坐车，有个朋友说“我给你孩子整理一下”，同修同意了，可当她再看到孩子时，孩子的脑门上割开了一个方形的洞，里面是白色的才长好的新肉。请师父解梦。 答：当心，孩子脑子有问题，智商有问题。看到新的肉说明脑子已经受过伤了。 问：还需要念什么经吗？ 答：心经49遍每天，小房子好好念，放生、许愿。 问：同修家卧室窗外有马蜂在做窝，听说用烟能把它们熏走，想请问师父怎么做？ 答：用烟熏走不大好。凡是想把他们弄死，就是心已经在造业。像这种很简单，凡是看见抓得住跑不掉的，可以用一张大的纸做一个像簸箕一样的东西，把他们全部扫进去，然后到外面扔掉就可以了。你把它们扫进去，它们不会死掉的。蟑螂也是，我们一般看到蟑螂，先拿一个便当盒把它罩住，再拿张硬纸板撑在里面，把它弄起来到外面去放掉。虽然好像很麻烦、很累，但实际上也是放生。 问：同修梦到要去上厕所，但是找不到自己的鞋子，另外一位认识的同修就把自己的鞋子给他穿，鞋子太大了，他还是穿着继续去找厕所，接着梦见自己骑着马戏团的那种单轮车去找厕所，来到一个环境优美的郊外，但还是找不到厕所。 答：首先看看他是不是在憋尿，一般憋尿就会有这种梦境出来。有的人冬天不肯爬起来，就会做这种梦。梦里找到卫生间了，好像用了，但是怎么感觉好像没有用完，这种感觉就来了。不能迷信，难道找不到厕所就念几张小房子？ 问：同修说去香港法会前，家里的菩萨像都非常好，但先生不信佛，法会期间佛台没人上香，同修回来后发现菩萨像脸上变成了灰色。同修想问是有什么问题？ 答：首先是她的心理作用，如果想让菩萨变得有光芒，好好地继续点灯、继续念经，菩萨脸上的光还会恢复的。 问：有一位新同修，家里原来供的菩萨，只写了圣号，没有佛像，现在供东方台观世音菩萨，把原来写着圣号的三尊菩萨念了63张小房子，请下来之后折成最小放到了东方台观世音菩萨后面，想问这种情况应该如何做？ 答：拿出来，不要放后面。 问：同修梦见很大的黑蛇在他家窗户上，妹妹和弟弟联手把大蛇抬出去放了。一会儿又梦见一堆小蛇，然后也被妹妹和弟弟弄出去了，同修自己很害怕躲开了。同修现在许愿念消灾吉祥神咒和解结咒各108遍，念半个月，请问这样可以吗？ 答：不够。不单单是念经，还要念小房子。说明他的一个弟弟、一个妹妹都是他的贵人。蛇都是麻烦，他弟弟和妹妹居然能把蛇抬出去，说明能够帮助他化解很多麻烦。 问：小房子21张够吗？ 答：够了。
