HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH UNITY OF KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION?

Wenda20160318 27:52
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  Some people are very articulate when preaching the principles of Buddhist teachings.  However, their behaviour does not coincide with what they have preached.  There are others who may not be very expressive but who are well-behaved.  Master Lu, with these two scenarios, how do we accomplish unity of knowledge and action?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  For the latter scenario, those people will need to improve their knowledge and learn to speak more often.  As for the earlier situation, these people will need to ensure their knowledge and actions go hand-in-hand. What is the use of having the ability to convince people with your knowledge when it does not synchronize with your actions?  Your knowledge and ability to converse well only means you a Buddhist scholar.  You are not able to save sentient beings like Bodhisattva, nor can you manifest the qualities of Bodhisattva to make others feel that you are.... ‘a fine example of boundless power ".

Many people said even from a young age they adored ‘Lei Feng’.  Why would they emulate him if they did not revere him?  If I do not revere Bodhisattva, how do I emulate Bodhisattva?  Likewise, if I do not revere Shakyamuni Buddha and Guan Yin Bodhisattva, how do I learn from them and study Dharma?  Being solely knowledgeable is pointless as it merely shows you are a person who has learned Dharma, but haven yet to put this knowledge into action.   Only when our innermost beings correspond to Bodhisattva, can we then be a true Bodhisattva ourselves.  At this point others, by observing our behaviour others can clearly see our virtue.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

HOW TO FACE DIFFICULTIES OR CHALLENGES WITH MORE CONFIDENCE

Wenda20170430A 26:14
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: Master Lu, we tend to feel depressed, fearful, or anxious about the outcomes of the many difficulties or challenges in life.  How do we develop more confidence when facing such situations?

Master Jun Hong Lu: A person will only gain happiness if he or she is able to endure hardships.  In learning Buddhism we must understand the truths of life.  Why should we learn Buddhism?  It is because we have suffered so much that we feel the need to do so.  To remain steadfast in our practice, we must constantly remind ourselves, ‘As I have gone through so many hardships, I must now liberate myself from sufferings ’.   There is a quote that says, ‘Recall past misery and cherish present happiness’.  When you feel happy today, you will make progress and be diligent in your practice, especially when you recollect the miserable life you used to lead in the past.  It’s as simple as that.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

RECITATION OF THE HEART SUTRA 108 TIMES FOR A CHILD WHO HAS A PROBLEM CONCENTRATING

Wenda20170326B 41:27
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: Master Lu, my daughter has begun the recitation of scriptures and Little Houses. She also participated in a group performance during the Singapore Public Talk reciting the Great Compassion Mantra. However, after the public talk, she seems to be slacking off, and is having difficulty paying attention. I am not sure if it is because of her negative karma coming to fruition or another reason. Could Master give her some advice?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Recite the Heart Sutra 108 times.

Caller: A total of 108 times, right?

Master Jun Hong Lu: No.

Caller: Every day?

Master Jun Hong Lu: When you encounter such a situation as this, do a once-off recitation of the Heart Sutra 108 times, and then pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva as follows, ‘May Guan Yin Bodhisattva help me to temporarily eliminate my karmic obstacles. I will recite (x amount) of Little Houses to repay my karmic debts.’ Now, I just taught you another technique.

Caller: Oh, thank you Master Lu. In this case, how many Little Houses shall I vow to recite?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Generally, 49 or more. When you have recited the Heart Sutra 108 times, the foreign spirit will immediately leave, and your daughter will return back to normal. And, it will be better for you to specify a time frame, for example, ’I will recite 49 Little Houses within one or two weeks.’ Once you have completed the recitation, the problem will be resolved. Everything will then be alright.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

METAPHYSICS- WIFE REPAYING HUSBAND'S KARMIC DEBTS

Metaphysics Q&A 044 – Wife repaying husband’s karmic debts

2011-09-10
Q044: Master Lu, you previously mentioned about “the son repaying the father’s karmic debts and the wife repaying the husband’s karmic debts”. If my ex-husband behaves inappropriately and performs misconducts, am I still responsible for his karmic debts even though we are now divorced?

A044:

It requires strong karmic affiliations for couples to be together. A wife still needs to repay her husband’s karmic debts, even if these karmic debts are due to fact that he has been involved with a woman outside of the marriage.

If you are divorced, ensure that it is a definite separation. His karmic debts will not affect you after a period of time, usually after three years.

Within the first three years after a divorce, you are still affected by your ex-husband’s karmic debts. In fact, the separation between the two parties is due to causality, and the karmic obstacles have been created by both of you together. These karmic obstacles are due to negative karmas. Therefore, both of you must share the responsibility for your collective karma.

When you perform recitations mindfully and sincerely, you will be able to eliminate your karmic obstacles due to negative karmas by repaying your karmic debts. When you have completely resolved your negative karmic ties with your ex-husband, you will no longer owe him, and you would no longer be responsible for his karmic obstacles due to negative karmas.

METAPHYSICS- HOW TO HELP PEOPLE WITH A GAMBLING ADDICTION TO RETURN TO THE RIGHT PATH

Metaphysics Q&A 050 – How to help people with a gambling addiction to return to the right path?

Q050: Master Lu, I would like to ask a question. My older brother has a gambling addiction. He gambles all day and does not work at all. When he is broke he forces our parents to give him money. What should we do to help him return to the right path? Master Lu, please help us out of this confusion by pointing us in the right direction, and let us know in detail what we should do. Thank you.

A050:

For a person who has a gambling addiction, it is best to start with reciting the Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching) 7 times per day and let him obtain realization gradually. This is in fact a transformation process. Even if he does not realize and continues to gamble, the Dharma Protectors would treat him in a gentler manner and not punish him as severely. It would be best if he could recite for himself. 

If he does not believe in Buddhism, then his family should recite for him and say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless <his full name>, help him to obtain wisdom and to completely relinquish the harmful habit of gambling.”

If he does not listen to you completely, please recite the Sapta Atitabuddha Karasaniya Dharani (Chi Fo Mieh Tsui Chen Yan) 21 to 49 times per day and say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva forgive <his full name>.” It is like a child who has done something wrong and is now asking for forgiveness.

If he is completely addicted, please recite the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance (Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen) 7 times per day and say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless <his full name>, and help <his full name> to repent and eliminate the karmic obstacles due to negative karmas that he has accumulated from gambling.”  This is because he has already fully committed these wrongdoings.

At the same time, you can recite the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots (Chieh Chieh Chou) and say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless <his full name>, help <his full name> to transform and resolve his negative karmic ties with gambling.”

If is apparent that there may be foreign spirits occupying his body, then it is necessary to recite Little Houses (Hsiao Fang Tzu) and address them to the “Karmic Creditor of <his full name>”. Otherwise, there is no need to recite Little Houses.

However, people with a gambling addiction tend to attract foreign spirits easily. The money in a gambling place often involves foreign spirits, regardless of whether it is money won or lost.

METAPHYSICS- RESERVING LITTLE HOUSES FOR FUTURE USE

Metaphysics Q&A 055 – Reserving Little Houses for future use

Q055: Respected Master Lu, I heard from your “The Art of Applying Comprehensive Metaphysics” radio program that we can save Little Houses (Hsiao Fang Tzu) for future use. Can you please provide details on how to perform this?

A055:

The Little House is very useful. It is one of the Dharma Gems given to us by the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva.

If you are saving a Little House for future use, then before you start reciting for the Little House, you can say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva witness the sutras and mantras, (Ta Pei Chou, Hsin Ching, Wang Sheng Chou, Chi Fo Mieh Tsui Chen Yan) that are recited by me,  <your full name>, and grant me good health.”

The Great Compassion Mantra (Ta Pei Chou), Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching), Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra (Wang Sheng Chou), and Sapta Atitabuddha Karasaniya Dharani (Chi Fo Mieh Tsui Chen Yan) that you recite can be recorded on the Little House. Leave the receiver (Offer To) and the date blank, but you can fill in the name of the reciter.

Generally, you should finish reciting the sutras and mantras for a Little House as well as fill in the red dots within 7 days.
When the time comes that you need to use the Little Houses that you have saved, you can then address them accordingly. You can address them to your Karmic Creditor, or your deceased relatives, etc. On the Little Houses, you can fill in the date that you burn them.

This way, you can save Little Houses for backup. When unexpected situations arise, you can burn them immediately to meet the demand.

It is best to store the Little Houses that you have finished reciting by wrapping them with red coloured materials (e.g. red paper or red fabrics). Red is a colour that has a protective effect, and can prevent foreign spirits from taking the Little Houses.

METAPHYSICS- WHAT TO RECITE FOR A GOOD RELATIONSHIP

Metaphysics Q&A 046 – What to recite for a good relationship

Q046: Hi Master Lu, if we want to have a good relationship, what should we recite?

A046:

In addition to the fundamental sutras and mantras that you recite for your Daily Recitation (Kung Ko), which includes the Great Compassion Mantra (Ta Pei Chou) 7 times, Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching) 7 times, and Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance (Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen) 3 to 7 times, if you want to have a good relationship, you should recite the following mantras.

You can recite the Sri Devi Dharani (Ta Chi Hsiang Tien Nu Chou) 21 to 49 times per day. Before you recite, you can say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, help me to find a good relationship.” You can recite this mantra a greater number of times if possible. When you recite the mantra you should maintain focus and not have a distracted mind. It is best to visualize the image of the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva while you recite.

You can recite the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots (Chieh Chieh Chou). Before you recite, you can say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, help me to transform and resolve the karmic obstacles due to negative karmas in my relationship (or marriage), and allow me to obtain a harmonious relationship.” You can recite this mantra 21 to 49 times per day.

Apart from reciting the sutras and mantras mentioned above, if you also make Great Vows and perform Life Liberation, the results would be even better.

If you are destined to have a relationship, then Guan Yin Bodhisattva will help you to find one; otherwise it is best not to forcefully ask for what you are not meant to have. Even if you receive what you ask for, the result may not be fortunate.

Once you have a relationship, you must try your best to maintain this relationship. It is best if both of you believe in Buddhism and perform recitations. You can cultivate together for a better future.

DISCOURSE ON CORRECTING WEAKNESSES

Shuohua20140829 21:33
(Master Jun Hong Lu's Call-In Radio Program)

Master Jun Hong Lu:
Listeners, please remember it is painful to correct one’s weaknesses.  But there cannot be any gains made without this pain.  Many of your shortcomings are a result of wrong doings in the past.  It is extremely difficult to correct your bad habits, as many were developed and have existed since you were young.  When you dislike being taken advantage of during your younger years, you will never want to be taken advantage of after you have grown up. However, if unaddressed this will end up causing you to suffer greater losses. 

Therefore, we have to learn to correct our weaknesses.  If you have made a mistake, no matter what, admit it.  If you are in the wrong, admit your error and do not become embroiled in the situation.  If we desperately fight and try to push all of the blame away, it will lead to more wrong doings.

You will be the first to get hurt, and then, you will hurt others.  A person who has refused to admit his or her mistake is considered to be incorrigible.  You also have to come to terms with the fact there is simply no way to explain some actions, as they happen purely due to karma.

(For example), you may have bullied someone in your previous life, which has now resulted in you being bullied in this life.  If you acted badly towards a person in your previous life, he or she will certainly treat you badly in this life. I hope everyone can understand this logic.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

METAPHYSICS- PERFORMING RECITATIONS AND PAYING RESPECTS DURING MENSTRUATION

Metaphysics Q&A 048 – Performing recitations and paying respects during menstruation

Q048: Master Lu, when females are menstruating, can they still perform their Daily Recitation (Kung Ko), and recite and burn Little Houses (Hsiao Fang Tzu)? Can they make incense offerings and perform full prostrations to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas?

A048:

It is absolutely alright for females to perform their Daily Recitation, as well as to recite and burn Little Houses during menstruation.

It is best to recite the Little House during day time when it is sunny. You should stop reciting as soon as you feel discomfort.

After you have showered and cleaned yourself, you can make incense offerings, perform full prostrations to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and burn Little Houses.
If you are not very clean, it is best not to perform full prostrations.

METAPHYSICS- HAVING TOO MANY STATUES OR IMAGES OF BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS ON THE ALTAR

Metaphysics Q&A 049 – Having too many statues or images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on the altar

Q049: Hi Master Lu, I would like to ask a question. The altar at home was arranged by my mother-in-law. Originally there was only a bronze statue of Guan Yin Bodhisattva placed in the centre of the altar. Later on she did not stay here often so I have been performing the incense and water offerings. Then since I began learning about Buddhism, I have been given some photo images of Ksitigarbha (Earth Store) Bodhisattva (Ti Tsang Pu Sa) and a Buddha statue, all of which I have placed on the altar. Now I would like to just keep one image of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and one image of Shakyamuni Buddha (Shih Chia Mou Ni Fo) on the altar and invite all the other images down from the altar. What should I do?

A049:

If statues or images of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas have been accepting incense offerings, it is best to continue your offerings in the long term. You should not invite them to come down from the altar unceremoniously.

In your case, if you would like to invite statues or images of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas down from the altar because there are too many, you need to recite at least 7 Little Houses (Hsiao Fang Tzu) for each statue or image. Address the Little House to “The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas being offered by <your full name>”. At the same time, for each statue or image, you should recite the Great Compassion Mantra (Ta Pei Chou) 7 times, Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching) 7 times, and Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance (Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen) 7 times.

For your situation, because you are inviting several images of the same Bodhisattva down from the altar, you can recite the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance for a total of 21 times. Before you recite you should say, “Thank you Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva for helping me, <your full name>, and my family in the past. Thank you, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Thank you, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.” (You should never say, “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, please come down from the altar.”)

It is best to take these images to temples and give them to others.
In addition, if you have had a dream or you realize that there are foreign spirits occupying the statues or images of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas on your altar, you need to recite 21 Little Houses, and address them to “Karmic Creditor of the house of <full name of the occupant>”. Then you can continue to mindfully and sincerely make offerings and pay respects to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas at your altar.

BODHISATTVAS FEAR CAUSES, SENTIENT BEINGS FEAR EFFECTS

Master Jun Hong Lu’s
World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting, Paris, France
September 30, 2017

BODHISATTVAS FEAR CAUSES, SENTIENT BEINGS FEAR EFFECTS

In cultivation, we should focus our efforts on the “cause” rather than to pray for the impending “effect”: “Bodhisattvas fear causes, sentient beings fear effects”. 

Bodhisattvas would have contemplated on the effects of the deeds prior to committing it, whereas sentient beings carelessly commit causal actions without properly realizing its retribution.  When the effects occur later, they will suffer and start to pray for Bodhisattva’s blessing.  That being said, we should focus our efforts on the "causes" rather than fervently praying for favorable "effects" to come about.

CULTIVATING WISDOM

Cultivating Wisdom

As Buddhist practitioners, we must treat everyone and everything with kindness and compassion, and relieve ourselves from worries with wisdom.

Be grateful to others for their hard work.

Adopt the Buddhist philosophy of “feeling others’ pain and suffering as our very own” in order to protect ourselves from disasters and to understand the true meaning of life.

HOW TO BE STRICT WHEN YOU DISCIPLINE CHILDREN

Wenda20171022A 45:30
(Master Jun Hong Lu's Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: There is a two-and-a-half-year-old child who due to lack of awareness at such a tender age, is overbearing, unwilling to share , and likes to push others around.  This child is particularly domineering, and especially poor in conduct.  Can we as parents be strict with him by lecturing, disciplining, and beating him?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You can punish him!  Make him kneel down or stand in a corner.  Do not beat a child, as it is not good to do so. The only exception to punish via a beating is when you have a deep-rooted love for your child.  In general, when the affinity between you and the child is not deep, and he does not have much affection for you, he will run away if you beat him.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

A BODHI MIND SPROUTS FORTH LOTUSES WITH EVERY STEP

Wenda20170910B  44:45
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

Caller:  Master Lu, could you explain the phrase, “When the mind is congruent with Bodhi, every step forward will sprout lotuses”.

Master Jun Hong Lu: “When the mind is congruent with Bodhi”, the mind must correspondingly be filled with compassion, and embodied wisdom, diligence and courage just like Bodhisattva; whereby “every step forward will sprout lotuses” is an analogy to describe every step taken is on the path of lotus, the path of Bodhisattva.

"The Law of Success"

Bodhisattva saying about "The Law of Success"

When we succeed, we must not forget our past.

When we fail, we must remember there is still tomorrow.

When the path leads to nowhere, we can always take another path.
We can make a diversion.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

THE JOURNEY TO GUAN YIN HALL COULD HELP TO ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES

Master Jun Hong Lu's Discourse (173)
August 3, 2017

THE JOURNEY TO GUAN YIN HALL COULD HELP TO ELIMINATE KARMIC OBSTACLES

Q:  Due to work commitments, I am only able to go to the Guan Yin Hall during my days off work.  Once when I was racing against time to get to Guan Yin Hall, there was a voice in my head telling me, ’You have no idea that when you scurry off to Guan Yin Hall, you actually have the opportunity to eliminate a lot of karmic obstacles along the way.’

A:  Your purpose of going to Guan Yin Hall is to perform recitations, make great vows and perform life liberation. All of these actions result in the elimination of karmic obstacles.  Similarly, those who attended the Dharma Convention also eliminated some of their bad karma .  You can be certain that the elimination of karmic obstacles started to take place when you were on your way to perform these meritorious deeds.  For instance, what if several bad people planned to rob a bank? Don’t you think they are already creating bad karma even while on their way to committing the crime?

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

IT IS BENEFICIAL TO EAT ONE RAW TOMATO EACH DAY

Wenda20170903A 58:51
(Master Jun Hong Lu's Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: Master once mentioned it is good to eat a tomato each morning, as it can help to regulate our hormones. Should we stir-fry it or eat it raw?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You may consume it in its raw form as part of a salad.

Caller: Should we add some sugar to it or eat it plain?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You may eat it either way. It will help to boost hormone levels in both males and females. On top of this, it is beneficial for our spleen, improves the gastrointestinal absorption of nutrients, and is rich in vitamins.

Caller: I see. Thank you for answering my question Master Lu.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

GREED CAN EASILY LEAD A PERSON TO ILLICITLY ACQUIRE GAINS

Wenda20170716B 42:36
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: From which aspect are Buddhist cultivators most likely to succumb to the acquisition of illicit gains?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Greed! It is most vital that, as Buddhist cultivators, we overcome our sense of greed. Constantly examine ourselves, ’Have I been greedy?’ When we are having a meal, ask ourselves “Am I greedy?”. Is it appropriate to eat more? When we are dressing up for a formal occasion, ask ourselves, ’Do I really need fine clothing?’ 

Practice restraint. As soon as we detect that our sense of greed is surfacing, immediately be vigilant. We will then be able to overcome greed.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

STEADFAST MINDFULNESS

Excerpt from Master Jun Hong Lu's Public Talk, Penang, Malaysia
April 15, 2017

STEADFAST MINDFULNESS

A little monk asked a senior monk, “Master, what did you do before you attained enlightenment?”

The senior monk said, “I chopped woods, fetching water and cooking.”

Little monk continued to ask, “what about after attaining enlightenment?”

Old monk replied, “Chop woods, fetch water and cook.”

A Little monk asked, “Then how come you attain enlightenment?”

Old monk replied, “Before I attained enlightenment, I was thinking about fetching water while chopping wood, and worrying about cooking while fetching water. After I attained enlightenment, I concentrated on chopping, lifting water and cooking. This is called moving forward with meditative concentration!”

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

METAPHYSICS-RECITING AND BURNING LITTLE HOUSES AT NIGHT OR DURING BAD WEATHER

Metaphysics Q&A 057 – Reciting and burning Little Houses at night or during bad weather

Q057: Master Lu, many of us have the following question: We are unsure if we can recite the Little House (Hsiao Fang Tzu) at night, and on cloudy or rainy days? Can we burn the Little Houses at night, and on cloudy or rainy days?

A057:

First of all, recitation of the Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching) and Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra (Wang Sheng Chou) at night can easily attract foreign spirits to come and take the merits. It is best to recite the Heart Sutra and Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra during day time and on sunny days. However, this does not apply to the Great Compassion Mantra (Ta Pei Chou) or Sapta Atitabuddha Karasaniya Dharani (Chi Fo Mieh Tsui Chen Yan).
In good weather, you can recite the Heart Sutra and Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra before 10PM.

On a cloudy or rainy day, you can recite the Heart Sutra and Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra during day time. However, during extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning, it is best not to recite the Heart Sutra and Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra.
In addition, if you feel that you are physically weak, and you experience discomfort after you recite the Heart Sutra and Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra, then it would be best for you to stop reciting these at night time and on cloudy or rainy days.

The best times for burning the Little House are 6AM, 8AM and 10AM in the morning, as well as 12PM and 4PM in the afternoon. Any other times during the day on a sunny day would also be suitable for burning the Little House.

For special circumstances, e.g. if the Karmic Creditor is being very demanding or a person is suffering from severe illness, and you need to burn Little Houses on a cloudy or rainy day, then it would be best to burn the Little Houses during noon time (i.e. around 11AM to 1PM) when the “Yang” energy is at its peak.

It would be best to avoid burning the Little House during night time.

METAPHYSICS- THE MANTRA TO UNTIE KARMIC KNOTS

Metaphysics Q&A 060 – The Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots

Q060: 
Respected Master Lu, can the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots (Chieh Chieh Chou) be used to transform and resolve the negative karmic ties in several relationships at the same time? For example, before we recite the mantra, can we say “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva help me, <your full name>, to transform and resolve the negative karmic ties between me, my father <full name>, and my mother <full name>”?

A060:
Each individual has different negative karmas and negative karmic ties. Your parents have their own negative karmas and negative karmic ties with each other, which is different to the negative karmic ties that you have with each of them. If you recite the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots, you must separate your prayers to transform and resolve the negative karmic ties for each relationship. It would be very difficult if you combine several relationships together.

Recitation of the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots is equivalent to sincerely asking the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva to help you to transform and resolve the negative karmic ties between people. 

Some of its great powers include: 
clearing misunderstandings between couples; 
creating harmony in marriage and family; 
resolving conflicts at work; and eliminating negative karmas from the past.

In general, the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots can be recited 21, 27, 49, or 108 times per day. It can be recited during the day or at night time.

Before reciting the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots, you can say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, help me to untie my karmic knots with <other party’s full name> (can be your relative, friend, or colleague’s name), and to transform and resolve our conflicts.”

The Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots can also be used to transform and resolve the negative karmic ties between: <full name> and prison; <full name> and fishing; <full name> and drugs; <full name> and gambling; as well as the negative karmic ties within relationships. However, you cannot just recite the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots on its own. This mantra can only be used as a supplemental component, just like one of the necessary ingredients in a medicine.

The Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots requires the Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching) as a foundation in order to achieve effective results. In general, if you are reciting the Heart Sutra 7 times per day for Daily Recitation (Kung Ko), you can then combine it with the recitation of the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots for up to 49 times per day. If you need to recite this mantra for more than 49 times per day, then for the Heart Sutra, you should increase your recitation to at least 13 times per day.

METAPHYSICS- PERFORMING RECITATIONS WHILE DRIVING

Metaphysics Q&A 066 – Performing recitations while driving

Q066: Dear Master Lu, can I perform recitations while I drive? I am a taxi driver and I have no time to recite, can I recite while I work?

A066:
There are advantages and disadvantages associated with reciting while driving.

It is not recommended to recite while you are driving. You may encounter trouble and attract foreign spirits. At night, if we recite while driving, we may run over sentient beings that we cannot see with our naked eyes.

If you recite while driving, you may easily lose your concentration.
When you drive, your tyres are on the ground and are connected to the energy from the underworld. Therefore, the best effects occur when you recite on a plane.

The advantage of reciting while driving is that, wind is generated as your car moves, and the messages from your recitations are transmitted at a higher speed. This in turn generates good energy field.

When you drive a taxi, you will encounter many people in a small space, and hence it is not suitable for performing recitations.

Night time is when spirits are most active, and the energy field is not very good. If you have wandering thoughts while driving, you may easily attract foreign spirits to occupy your body.

If you have no other options and must work long hours as a taxi driver, and the only chance for you to recite is during work, then it is also alright for you to do so.

OVER THE LONG-TERM, SILENT RECITATION OF MANTRAS MAY CAUSE BLOOD DISORDERS

Wenda20170618A 39:56
(Master Jun Hong Lu's Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  Master Lu, you previously mentioned that we may recite mantras in our hearts if the surrounding energy field is not conducive.  For example, if a person works in a hospital and always has to perform their recitation silently, it could be harmful to the blood over a long period of time.  Is there any solution to this?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Yes. You may recite softly during the day. On top of this, you may also release your breath as an alternative to making sounds while performing recitations.

Caller:  Yes.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Don’t keep your mouth tightly shut when performing recitations, as this will certainly cause harm to your blood.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

PERSIST AND NEVER ALLOW OURSELVES TO SLACKEN IN OUR BUDDHIST PRACTICE

Master Jun Hong Lu’s
Public Talk
Auckland, New Zealand
December 3, 2017

PERSIST AND NEVER ALLOW OURSELVES TO SLACKEN IN OUR BUDDHIST PRACTICE

Master Jun Hong Lu, “I once said, we came to this word crying and at the end we are going to leave this world in tears.  Do not be disheartened over some trivial matters.  Scientists had already uncovered that all our ailments are related to our energy field.  After an outburst of anger, our “qi" will be blocked and results in poor circulation of blood.  Consequently, this will lead to development of various types of tumour and other malignant growth in our body.   Hence, we must always see through and understand the nature of things; persist and never allow ourselves to slacken in our Buddhist practice.  Additionally, we must learn to liberate ourselves without restraint, no matter what life throws at us.”

MASTER JUN HONG LU'S DISCOURSE ON THE COMMEMORATION OF GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA'S BIRTHDAY

MASTER JUN HONG LU'S DISCOURSE ON THE COMMEMORATION OF GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA'S BIRTHDAY

Caller:  Master Jun Hong Lu, this coming Sunday will be the commemoration of Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s birthday.  Please give us a few words about this day.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  This Sunday is Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s birthday.  The compassionate heavenly mother of ours has given us so much. We could never possibly repay what she has given us in this very life time. The only thing we can do is to never let our beloved Mother down. Let us promote her spirit of compassion.  For me personally, my goal is to promote traditional Chinese culture, wisdom and the compassionate spirit of Guan Yin Bodhisattva to every corner of the world. 

May there be more compassion and less hatred in this world.  The world today is in a state of turmoil. I read a news report this morning that there was only one day in March with no bloodshed due to terrorist attacks. Since the New Year’s Day in 2016, there were only 9 days that the world was spared from calamities.  News like this is truly chilling.  We are all the inhabitants of Planet Earth.  Why are we killing each other? We must use the compassion of Guan Yin Bodhisattva to save more sentient beings, allowing more to be emancipated spiritually, be freed from suffering and gain happiness.
Their feelings of hatred, resentment and selfishness have not only harmed themselves but also the kind-hearted people on earth.

Let us wish for world peace and may the birthday of Guan Yin Bodhisattva motivate us to have more compassion towards all sentient beings and to help more predestined sentient beings in this world.  Our ultimate goal is for sentient beings to be freed from suffering, to gain happiness and to be liberated from the Six Realm of Rebirths. 

Caller:  Indeed. Thank you Master for your teachings. May we fill the world with the love of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. 

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Yes, that is very important.

WHICH TYPES OF ACTS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE FEARLESSNESS DANA (ABHAYA DANA)?

Wenda20160624 01:07:11
(Master Jun Hong Lu's Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: Master Lu, there are different types of Dana, namely Wealth Dana (Amisa Dāna), Dharma Dāna and Fearlessness Dana (Abhaya Dāna). Most of our Buddhist friends are only familiar with the concepts of Dharma Dāna and Wealth Dana. Which types of acts and tricks are considered to be Fearlessness Dana?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Don’t you know about Fearlessness Dana? Go to the Buddhist Practice Centre and help move wooden stools, mop the floor, drive others around, help in transporting books, move things, etc., All of these acts are considered to be Fearlessness Dana. There is also helping others to move fish, or perform heavy duties. As long as your action is meant to help sentient beings, it is a virtuous deed. Did you see how many people were arranging chairs in the Guan Yin Hall during the Dharma convention period? All of these acts are considered to be that of Fearlessness Dana.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

THE FOUNDATION FOR OFFERING EFFECTIVE PRAYERS TO BODHISATTVA IS COMPRISED OF THREE FACTORS

Master Jun Hong Lu’s
Public Talk, Toronto September 24, 2012

THE FOUNDATION FOR OFFERING EFFECTIVE PRAYERS TO BODHISATTVA IS COMPRISED OF THREE FACTORS

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 bad things and nothing good in this present life, their prayers will not be effective.

Number 3: Sincerity.
With a sincere heart, one’s prayer will definitely be effective, as they will be able to sense the energy field of Bodhisattva.  On the contrary, if you do not perform recitations regularly, do not behave like a good person, and have never performed any good deeds, when you are faced with issues and pray to Bodhisattva hoping your prayer will be answered, don’t you think it would be a pipe dream?
Never complain Bodhisattva isn’t answering your prayers, as it is actually our own capabilities and spiritual power that are lacking.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

CONSEQUENCE OF CAUSING OTHERS TO COMMIT NEGATIVE SPEECH KARMA IN SPEECH WHILE TRYING TO HELP

Wenda20130512A ‪11:05‬

(Master Jun Hong Lu's call-in radio program)

【度人勿让对方造口业】

(中英版，Chinese & English versions）

女听众：如果因为方式方法不对，不仅没让人相信，反而让人反感，更加远离佛法，这样是不是有业障上身？

台长答：不好的，非但没有度到他，还让他造口业，他造口业你也有罪。他有十分罪，你有两分罪。

Caller:  Will negative karma be created if the wrong approach is used, leading to disbelief, resentment and resulting in others to distance themselves from Buddhism?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  This is bad. Not only will the opposite party be unconvinced, this also leads to negative karma in speech from that person.When this happens, both parties have to bear negative karma as consequence, where the opposite party bears 100% of negative karma, and the person convincing bearing 20% of it as well.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat

REGARDLESS OF THE KARMIC DEBTS YOU REPAY OR CLAIM, FILIAL PIETY TOWARDS YOUR PARENTS IS ALWAYS A WAY TO ACCUMULATE MERITS

Wenda20141026A  06:45
(Master Jun Hong Lu's Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  Master, I have noticed that people who are particularly filial receive a lot of blessings from Bodhisattvas.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Of course, and it comes with meritorious rewards as well.  On the other hand, many people lack merits these days because they are not devoted to their parents enough.

Caller:  Actually filial piety is a way to accumulate merits for ourselves.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Exactly!  Think about it. Even if your parents are here to repay karmic debts owed to you, if you do not claim them, you will in turn accrue merits for yourself.  Conversely, if you owe your parents karmic debts and you repay them with your blessings, aren’t you repaying your own debts?  Regardless of the perspective, these are both favourable actions.  As long as you are devoted to your parents, be it repaying karmic debts or refusing to receive karmic debts from them, you will be blessed!

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat