WHO HAS THE FINAL SAY OVER YOUR DESTINY
Master Jun Hong Lu: When we perform recitation of Buddhist scriptures and pay respect to Bodhisattvas, it does not mean that they will result in Bodhisattvas helping us remove our karmic obstacles. In fact, performing recitation and paying respect to Bodhisattvas are acts that are in themselves meritorious. The karmic reward reaped is unbelievable as we will accomplish extraordinary amounts of merits.
Under normal circumstances, merits will be sorted out based on the Principle of Heaven. Therefore, they will not automatically offset any of our karmic obstacles. However, when we pray for Bodhisattvas’ mercy to bless us with a smooth-sailing career or love life, Bodhisattvas will use Their spiritual powers to utilise our merits to counteract the specific karmic obstacle that is obstructing either our career or relationship in order to make our life smooth-sailing.
For this to work, our own merits have to go hand in hand with the compassion and spiritual powers of Bodhisattvas. However, the basis of it is still our merits because as the saying goes, “with one virtuous reward, one karmic obstacle is eradicated”. If a person only prays profusely to Bodhisattvas without performing good deeds or recitation, Bodhisattvas will not be able to help. The same goes for a person, who has a substantial amount of karmic obstacles and very little meritorious blessing, his prayers will not be answered.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 1 Chapter 8
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