THERE IS NO SPECIFIC WAY TO RECITE LITTLE HOUSES. ONE SHOULD RECITE THEM NATURALLY, AND WITH NO PRESSURE

Wenda20171124 01:70:25
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: Master Lu, in your previous discourse you mentioned we should apply a ‘wrap-around method’ when reciting Little Houses so as to empower each type of prayer with the Great Compassion Mantra. A fellow Buddhist friend would like to ask, if he is reciting 5 or 3 Little Houses at the same time, is it suitable for him to perform several hundred recitations of a particular type of sutra, for example, a few hundred times of the Heart Sutra, and then move on to several hundred times of the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra?  Which method is better?

Master Jun Hong Lu: The best way is not to put yourself under pressure when performing recitations. Otherwise, the quality of recitation will be compromised.

Caller: So, we may adopt the method we find most comfortable, as long as we are behaving naturally?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Exactly.

Caller:  Alright, thank you Master Lu.

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

DO NOT COMPLETELY COVER YOUR FACE

Master Jun Hong Lu's Discourse (Question 212)
12 April 2018

DO NOT COMPLETELY COVER YOUR FACE

Question:  When we intend on sleeping in a public place (e.g. on a train or air plane), should we hide our face by covering it?

Answer: No, there’s no need to cover your face, as it is a part of your body. If you have trouble falling asleep, you can use an eye mask.  Under no circumstances should you ever need to completely cover your face.

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

‘BUDDHA’ – A NEW INDIAN DRAMA ABOUT THE STORY OF BUDDHA IN HIS LIFELONG PURSUIT OF TRUTH

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse
(Question 156)
April 5, 2017

‘BUDDHA’ – A NEW INDIAN DRAMA ABOUT THE STORY OF BUDDHA IN HIS LIFELONG PURSUIT OF TRUTH

Question: There is a new Indian drama about the story of Buddha.  A few of our fellow practitioners have watched it and feel that it is a great way to learn about the life of Buddha, and the story is really touching.  However, some female practitioners commented that the character of Buddha is impersonated by an actor, and they are worried that it might lead to the forming of karmic obstacles if they have any impure thoughts during watching the drama.  May I ask if we are allowed to watch such films or TV series about Buddhism?

Answer: Yes you may, But when you watch the drama, you must be very respectful of Buddha, empathize with Buddha and feel his suffering, rather than admiring the actor.  The purpose is to understand the life story of Buddha.

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

ZOO VISITS BY CHILDREN UNDER EIGHT ARE INADVISABLE DUE TO BAD ENERGY FIELD; HUMANS AND ANIMALS ARE MERELY ONE REALM APART

Wenda20170428  04:50
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

Caller:  After returning from a visit to the zoo, the temperament of a Buddhist friend's child turned bad and he had trouble sleeping.  Could this be caused by the bad energy field at the zoo?
And if that is the case, are visits by young children inadvisable?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  That’s for sure.  Zoos are the realm of animals. When you visit the zoo, firstly, it stinks; secondly, the energy field is bad because it is full of animals and the animals outnumber humans.  Do you get it?

Caller:  That’s true.  In that case, zoo visits are only suitable for children of what age?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  They should be at least eight years old.

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

WHY DIGESTIVE DISORDER CALLS FOR THE RECITATION OF AMITABHA PURE LAND REBIRTH MANTRA (WANG SHENG ZHOU)?

Wenda20170101A 15:01
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

Caller: Master Lu, you advised one Buddhist practitioner who was suffering from stomach disorder to focus on the recitation of Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra (Wang Sheng Zhou) to eliminate the karmic debts of his digestive system. Is this considered as an isolated case? Or generally is it appropriate for us to target our recitation on whichever part of the body that is unwell?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Though this is an isolated case, it can also be generalized to a certain extent. Please remember, all problems in regards to stomach disorder are related to a person’s diet. Many people who suffer from stomach disorder are due to overindulgence in seafood that are freshly killed. Hence, the recitation of Wang Sheng Zhou is inevitable. When you have digestive disorder, you must recite this mantra. 

Caller: You mentioned that the recitation of Wang Sheng Zhou is a must. In this case, do we pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva to particularly help us transfer our merits to the minor spirits in the stomach? Or should we just make a general request? 

Master Jun Hong Lu: Making a general request should suffice. Simply reciting Wang Sheng Zhou may not be able to help you eliminate all karmic debts causing the digestive problem. The combination of this mantra and the offering of Little Houses are necessary.

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

ENERGY FROM REPENTANCE IS EXTREMELY POSITIVE

Wenda20141026B 52:36
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  How are you Master?  First of all, I would like to repent to both Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Master Lu, as I have committed many wrong deeds in the past, including sexual misconduct. Please forgive me.

Master Jun Hong Lu: It is useless to repent unless you are truly remorseful and willing to reform your behaviour.  You have to sincerely repent! Do you understand? Otherwise, you will be trapped in the wheel of misfortune.

Caller: Yes. The number of negative actions I performed in the past is just too much.

Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s good that you realise this now. Sincerely repent, as energy from repentance is extremely positive.

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

OVERINDULGENCE IN FOOD AND SLEEP WILL LEAD TO INCREASED IGNORANCE AND LUST

Wenda20171215 01:25:32
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: Master Lu, I did not cultivate well recently, and I am ashamed of it.  I feel difficult to correct my shortcomings, and my heart is filled with anger and hatred.  At the same time, I could not get through on the phone and talk to you.  But Bodhisattva is compassionate and has helped me get through today.  I would like to repent to you, Master Lu.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Eat less spicy food, understand?

Caller: Yes. I overindulge in food and sleep.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Overindulgence in food and sleep will lead to increased ignorance and lust.

Caller: Yes, I understand.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and force yourself to get rid of the bad habits.  You are a Bodhisattva because you are learning from Bodhisattva.  You are a human being, not an animal, don't you understand it?

Caller: I understand it, Master, I was sorry.  I did not cultivate well. Please forgive me.

Master Jun Hong Lu: OK, perform your recitation diligently.  Bodhisattva has two children - one has never made any mistakes, and the other will correct his mistakes promptly. Do you understand what I mean?

Caller: Yes, Master.  You work so hard, but I always bother.  I dreamed of you this morning. In the dream, you taught us Buddhism explained in Plain Terms.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Alright, work hard and learn from your Master.

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

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LEARN TO STOP USELESS COMPLAINTS

Public Talk by Master Jun Hong Lu
Jakarta, Indonesia
2017, April 22

LEARN TO STOP USELESS COMPLAINTS

Learn to put a stop to your complaints towards others.   One who complains about others incessantly will only lay the groundwork of failure for himself; holding onto grievances is dysfunctional and will only aggravate misery.  Therefore, to avoid failure, you will have to make the necessary preparations for success by learning to be patient.

One who is successful will never complain, bear grudges towards others or dwell on past sufferings.  He will accept failure with a calm state of mind.  This is the mindset of a wise man!  A person who complains all the time is incapable of changing the reality, whereas an eager beaver will bring about hopes.

We should not bury our innate Buddha nature; so long as you are a true Buddha, you will illuminate the light of Buddha beyond any doubt!

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

NEGATIVE IMPACT OF WEARING TORN AND RIPPED JEANS

Wenda20161030A  17:45
(Master Jun Hong Lu's call-in radio program)

Caller: Nowadays many people like to wear those torn and ripped jeans that look very much like ‘beggar’ jeans. May I ask, Master Lu, is there any negative impact of wearing such jeans?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You will end up poorer. In the past, people referred to torn and ragged clothing as “luxurious” clothing; in fact, it is a reversal to ancestral phenomenon. Take a look, which “rags-to-riches” person would wear torn clothes like this? Once there was a superstar who liked to wear such clothing. He wore it in Australia and when he returned to his home country, he was apprehended. Such clothing will cause leakage. In the end, the same person evaded tax and was severely punished. Why? Because all the trousers worn by him are torn and ripped. This is not a joke. There are some thoughts to it and many things are predictable. Whatever you wear will determine your eventual destiny. If you dress nobly, you will have a noble life and vice versa. There isn’t any rich man who will wear ragged clothing. It is as simple as this, yet, many people just fail to understand.

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

A CALLER’S SENTIMENT THAT PERFORMING RECITATIONS IS SIMILAR TO TAKING ONE’S DAILY MEALS

Shuohua20160108 19:03
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  Master Lu, I told you before I didn’t want to perform recitations.  However, I have now changed my mind and will treat recitations as part of my daily regiment, just like taking my daily meals.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  That’s good to hear.

Caller:  I feel hungry if I skip a meal.  Therefore, I have to eat meals every day.  Performing recitations could be treated the same, making it an imperative for me to recite the scriptures on a daily basis.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Are you lecturing me?

Caller: I am sorry Master Lu.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Hahaha……

Caller:  I thought of this after listening to your radio programs, and you also just reminded me of this idea.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Listen to my radio program. When a person cultivates spirituality without performing recitations, it is equivalent to not doing  any spiritual cultivating. The same applies to one who prays to Buddha without performing recitations. It’s akin to not praying at all. Why do we perform recitations? Reciting scriptures helps us gain a connection to Bodhisattva’s aura.

Caller: Right, you have mentioned this before.

Master Jun Hong Lu: This is Bodhisattva’s wisdom. Performing recitation is to lead our life on earth with Bodhisattva’s wisdom.

Caller: Yes.  I read your book, ‘Buddhism In Plain Terms’, and listen to your radio program every day.

Master Jun Hong Lu: It will definitely benefit you to read ‘Buddhism In Plain Terms’ and listen to the radio program.

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

LANGUAGE IS NOT A BARRIER TO LEARNING BUDDHISM. TRANSLATING MASTER LU'S DISCOURSE AND BOOKS IS ANOTHER WAY TO ACCUMULATE MERITS AND VIRTUES

Q&A Session with Buddhist Friends
Jakarta, Indonesia
21 April 2017

LANGUAGE IS NOT A BARRIER TO LEARNING BUDDHISM. TRANSLATING MASTER LU'S DISCOURSE AND BOOKS IS ANOTHER WAY TO ACCUMULATE MERITS AND VIRTUES

Question: Due to the language barrier, many Indonesian Buddhist friends of mine can’t fully understand Master Lu's teachings, nor read his book, ‘Buddhism in Plain Terms’. Could Master Lu please give some advice to our non-Chinese speaking Buddhist friends on how to improve the state of their spirituality via Buddhist studies when this language barrier exists?

Answer: It is as if you are asking, ‘How do we Chinese communicate with Westerners?’ Through learning the English language of course!  Don't you know any bilingual people who can speak both Bahasa Indonesian and Mandarin? Can't you translate the teachings and books for these Buddhist friends?  Once the learning materials have been translated you can help teach them, and in doing so receive an opportunity to accumulate more merits and virtues. Isn't this actually good?  (Thank you for answering my question Master Lu.)

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

REASON FOR NOT ABLE TO RECITE BUDDHIST SCRIPTURE FLUENTLY

Wenda20180128A 26:35
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  A Buddhist friend has not been able to recite Buddhist scriptures fluently for the last two years.  Often, he has to start over halfway through his recitation, as if there is some mental obstruction.  He kept having thoughts that his recitation is not good.  Could it be because he is shouldering the karmic debts for his family members by performing recitation for them, or could it be that he did something inappropriately?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  He must have shouldered some karmic debts. Some who can recite the Buddhist scriptures fluently for themselves may be unable to do so when performing recitations for others.

Caller:  That means, he still needs to enhance his own…

Master Jun Hong Lu:  That’s right.  It can’t be helped.  You have to be strong when you are helping others to shoulder their karmic debts.  Start your recitation all over again, word for word.

Caller:  I understand.

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

BODHISATTVA WILL HELP US AS LONG AS IT IS BENEFICIAL TO BUDDHISM PROPAGATION

Wenda20180304A 43:24
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller: Master Lu, I would like to resign my current job and return to my hometown after attending the your Public Talk in May.  I plan to look for a new job.  Do you think it is okay?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You may do so and pray sincerely for Bodhisattvas ’blessing.  Bodhisattvas will help anything that helps carrying out Buddhism.

Caller: Okay, Master Lu. please bless me so that I can gain wisdom to help more people.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Okay.  Help yourself first before helping others.  Do you understand?

Caller: Yes, I agree with you.  I would like to help myself and others to be awakened spiritually.

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

GAINING WISDOM IS THE KEY TO A GOOD LIFE

Wenda20171103 40:36
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Honestly speaking, although performing recitations diligently helps to eradicate much of your negative karma, however, you must also know that the level of one’s wisdom is the main measurement to distinguish sentient beings apart from one another.

Bodhisattvas are an embodiment of wisdom and harmony, whereas sentient beings have yet to attain complete ’wisdom’.  Elements of wisdom are common in both.  It’s apparent that the gaining of wisdom is of utmost importance to us all.

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

WILL RECITATIONS PERFORMED ON AN AIRPLANE BE AFFECTED BY A PASSENGER WHO WATCHES AN ACTION OR HORROR MOVIE NEXT TO US?

Wenda20140704 01:04:22
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  Master Lu once mentioned we can perform recitations onboard an airplane. However,, if we are allocated a middle seat with passengers who do not perform recitation sitting next to us, and who are watching unfavourable action or horror movies, can it affect our energy field when reciting scriptures?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it will, but it doesn’t make a big impact. Generally, if someone is watching a horror movie next to you, you will need to recite the Great Compassion Mantra. If they are watching an action movie, simply look away and you will be fine.

Caller: This means I just need to do my recitations diligently?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s correct!

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

HOW DO WE TRANSFORM FATE AND DESTINY?

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk
Jakarta, Indonesia
9 March 2018

HOW DO WE TRANSFORM FATE AND DESTINY?

Master Jun Hong Lu, “While we practise Buddhism, we need to have faith in whatever situations.  Many people let fate dictate their lives.  Please remember, fate is predestined by the heaven. Thus, people who do not cultivate dharma can hardly change their lives. One can only change their lives by practising Buddhism with a strong will and receiving the blessings from the Buddha.

Fate is a combination of good and bad luck. Destiny is beyond one’s control and is a result of one’s spiritual cultivation.  The process whereby we engage in both good and bad deeds to change our life in this world is known as destiny.  Please remember, although we cannot change our fate; we can transform our destiny through practising Buddhism”.

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 harmonious with Bodhi, every step forward will sprout lotuses’?

Master Jun Hong Lu: ‘When the mind is harmonious with Bodhi’, like Bodhisattva it correspondingly must be filled with compassion, embodied wisdom, diligence, and courage. Whereby, ‘every step forward will sprout lotuses’ is an analogy meaning each step taken is consistent with the harmonious path of the lotus, the path of Bodhisattva.’

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

AN INGENIOUS WAY SHARED BY MASTER JUN HONG LU ON HOW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS BY COOLING OFF FOR SIX (6) SECONDS

Discourse by Master Jun Hong Lu – Hong Kong SAR, China
July 03, 2016

AN INGENIOUS WAY SHARED BY MASTER JUN HONG LU ON HOW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS BY COOLING OFF FOR SIX (6) SECONDS

Based on research done by psychologists, before information enters into the consciousness of the brain and is stored as knowledge / experiences in our brain, it will have to be first processed by the part of human brain that controls our emotions, which is among the most ancient of human brain’s limbic systems.

Whenever we encounter a situation, the brain’s limbic system will be the first to react. This explains why we develop feelings like fear, anger, and joy towards the situation.  Thus, the information acquired from the situation will not reach our conscious mind until six seconds later.  From there, our brain will process the information and translate it into our knowledge of the situation.  Essentially, impulsiveness is the act of a primitive person while careful deliberation is the act of a civilized person. 

Therefore, in today’s world, many of us have committed crimes and did something awfully detrimental to our family in a moment of impulse.  To help us break away from impulsiveness, we have to make use of our civilized sense of rationality. 

The fact is, whenever you encounter a situation, you should cool down for six seconds.   At times when you are unable to curb your temper and are tempted to resort to violence, you have to exercise control, take a few deep breaths for six seconds, recite Jvala Mahaugra Dharani (Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou) once, and you will free yourself from yet another worry and difficulty.

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

HOW TO INSTANTLY REVERSE ONE’S STATE OF MIND TO AVOID BEING AFFECTED BY NEGATIVE EMOTIONS?

Wenda20160624 46:12 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

Caller: Master Lu, when we are confronted with unhappy events or obstacles in life, how do we reverse our state of mind instantly and let go of the past?  Can you please advise us?

Master Jun Hong Lu: That requires Wisdom.

Caller: Can you elaborate?

Master Jun Hong Lu: I myself am able to do so.  When I’m very upset, I can laugh within seconds and get over it immediately.  Why is it so?  Because I know that even if I am a little bit unhappy now, I am doing it for the sake of all sentient beings and not for myself.  Once I have given them a piece of my mind for their sake, I would feel that the matter has been resolved.  I would not then continue to allow myself to be angry, sad or suffer because of others’ wrongdoings.

Caller: I see. Master Lu, I know that you are able to change your emotional state very quickly, but how do we achieve the same?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Through practice.  Always remember these words of advice: When you get scolded by someone and feel angry, for instance, immediately remind yourself, “I’m a Dharma practitioner, why should I be angry?”  This is the first pointer.  Second, “Hey, they are committing a sin, I shall not follow suit”.  Third, “I’m not angry, so you can’t do anything to me!”  Keep these three pointers in mind.  You will cool down immediately by recalling these pointers whenever your anger is triggered.

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

USING WISDOM AND ADOPTING INGENIOUS APPROACHES TO HELPING PEOPLE

Excerpt from Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk during Consecration Ceremony in Hong Kong
1 July 2016

USING WISDOM AND ADOPTING INGENIOUS APPROACHES TO HELPING PEOPLE

As winter approaches, many people are saying, “I would like to save people, but I'm worried that they might not believe in Buddhist teachings, or he is wicked. Instead of saving him, I might bear the consequences of his karmic debts and land myself in deep water.”

I would like to tell everyone this story that happened during a cold winter day.
A Buddhist monk and his disciple found a snake stiff and frozen with cold, lying beside the road.  The monk would have liked to save the snake, but was stopped by his disciple who said, "Master, have you forgotten the story of the Farmer and the Snake?  The monk replied, “Of course not.”  “Then why do you still want to save it?" asked his disciple.  The monk answered, “There are many ways to save the snake.  I may not use the same way as the farmer did.  I don’t necessarily have to put the snake in my arms in order to save it.”  Soon after, the monk picked up some firewood and lit a fire beside the road, and the snake was gradually revived by the warmth.  The monk said, “There are always multiple ways to perform good deeds.  The same applies to how we introduce Buddhism to people, we have to adopt diversified methods for helping people.”

When we encounter an evil person, we should not hold ourselves back from doing good deeds for fear of bearing negative consequences.  As Buddhist practitioners, we should instead choose our approach to introducing Buddhist teachings to all sentient beings wisely, so that we will not be penalized for our kind-heartedness.  This is what the miraculous Dharma is about; an ingenious approach.  It is Wisdom that enables us to help more people to attain enlightenment.

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

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE HAPPINESS?

Wenda20170910A 05:23
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  Master Lu, everyone aspires for happiness. Just how do we achieve it?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  It’s very simple. As long as we feel happy in our hearts, we have achieved happiness, and vice-versa. What is happiness?  This feeling inside of us is a type of contentment, something we achieve through our hearts.  When we feel the joy of doing something, this is happiness. We perceive a mother giving birth to be in pain, but on the other hand the mother only feels happiness! 

Caller:  I understand.  Is it true we need to keep away from bad habits in order to achieve happiness?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  That is correct. A happy person is one who stays away from forming bad habits.

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

BEING A BRAGGART WILL HURT OTHERS

An Excerpt from Master Jun Hong Lu's Buddhist friends Session, Hong Kong SAR, China July 05, 2016

BEING A BRAGGART WILL HURT OTHERS

There are people saying, “There is nothing wrong with showing off and being proud of myself. I did nothing to hurt others, thus, why am I prohibited from boasting?”

A disciple said, “Master, bragging is just to show off oneself, no one is hurt in the process. Thus, why is it wrong to do so?” The master replied, “Do you know why we are unable to see stars during day time? This is because the extreme brightness from the sun outshines the brightness of the stars."

To our imagining mind, the brighter it is, the clearer our vision will be. It turns out, when the light is too bright, it is more likely to cloud our vision than darkness. It is as if we are blinded when exposed to extreme glare.” The master went on to say, “Bragging is akin to extreme brightness. When you brag, you will cast a shadow over others, deceive others and cause them to lose their confidence. As your strong light outshines the faint light of others, is it not hurting others?”

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

SERVING NON-VEGETARIAN DISHES AT A WEDDING BANQUET - HOW TO MINIMIZE THE REPERCUSSIONS TO THE NEWLYWEDS

Q&A Session with Hong Kong Buddhist friends by Master Jun Hong Lu
July 6, 2016

SERVING NON-VEGETARIAN DISHES AT A WEDDING BANQUET - HOW TO MINIMISE THE REPERCUSSIONS TO THE NEWLYWEDS

Q: Now that there is the Self-Cultivation Record Form for Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra (Wang Sheng Jing Tu Shen Zhou), which might come in handy when there is a need to transfer merits to a mass of small deceased animals or creatures,  for some of our Buddhist friends whose children and in-laws are not practicing Buddhism, their wedding banquets tend to involve the act of killing.  As there is no way to persuade their family members or the in-laws to have a vegetarian wedding banquet instead, these Buddhist practitioners have no choice but to start burning in advance the Self-Cultivation Record Form for Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra to transfer merits to those deceased animals whose deaths would be caused by the wedding, and continue to do so after the wedding celebration.  As a result, will the newlyweds get less punishment by Bodhisattva? In what way could the repercussions be minimized for the newlyweds? Please enlighten us, Master Lu.

A: He has raised a good question.  All of you should remember: given no other choice when family members insist on serving non-vegetarian meals, even though the idea is not yours, you should not have the mentality, “well, if I can’t beat them, it’s natural for me to join them”.  That can never happen, this is very important. Secondly, from the bottom of one’s heart, one should be thinking instead, “It is a pity, how ignorant humans can be”.  Thirdly, if you burn the Self-Cultivation Record Form for Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra before the fish are killed, these fish will not be able to receive the intended merit transfer if they die or are killed later.  The Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra should be chanted after the fish are killed, only then can they benefit from the mantra.  Thus, if you burn the Self-Cultivation Record Form beforehand, they won't be able to get any merit at all.  After they are killed, you have to make up more of the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra.

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

HOW TO ELIMINATE NEGATIVE KARMIC DEBTS FROM FOOD WASTAGE

Wenda 20140615B  00:59  [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

Caller:  Greetings and Happy Father’s Day to you Master!

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Thank you.

Caller:  I would like to ask Master a question regarding food wastage.  Some new practitioners said that, after we pass-on in the future, the first judgement meted out to us in the underworld would be seeing if we were guilty of wasting food during our lifetime. Therefore, if we are to recite the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance on the first and fifteenth and Buddhas’ ceremonial dates to repent for the wastage of food committed before we started cultivating Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, will this be able to eliminate our negative karmic debts?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Yes, you can.  However, if you persist in holding onto that thought, it shows that these matters were already stored into your eighth sub-consciousness, therefore, you have to eliminate it.

Caller:  Master, how do we pray to Bodhisattva to address this issue?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  It is very simple; you will need to eliminate the negative karmic debts since they have already developed into karma.  There is no need to voice this matter, just think of the issue in your heart and say, “Bodhisattva, please help me eliminate my karmic debts”.

Caller:  Specifically for this matter?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Yes, that is right.

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

EXTENSION OF LIFESPAN THROUGH RELEASING TURTLE

Wenda20170604B 34:49 
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)


Caller:  Hi Master Lu, last time, you mentioned that a Buddhist friend’s life was extended for three years after releasing 200 turtles.  I was amazed. Later we found out that he only releases large turtles, each weighing more than 1 KG or having the size of a small washing bowl. You used to mention that lifespan can be extended through releasing washing bowl-sized turtles.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Releasing turtles in a smaller size will also help to extend lifespan.  The difference is that smaller turtles help to extend lifespan by days or months, i.e. one may live for a few more days or months, whereas bigger turtles will extend lifespan by several years.

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

CURB OUR DESIRES TO AVOID THE REGRETS OF TOMORROW

Master Jun Hong Lu’s
World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting
Los Angeles, USA
5 October 2018

CURB OUR DESIRES TO AVOID THE REGRETS OF TOMORROW

Master Jun Hong Lu: As I often emphasize, life is like a one-way journey — from the small crib we had, to the small box that we get buried in when we pass on, and there is nothing we can take along with us. All that we may enjoy is the journey, but there is nothing we can keep a hold of throughout it. Hence, we must learn to prevail over our worries, and abandon our attachments.

In this world, wisdom stems from one’s mind. We need to transform ourselves and with haste, see through the nature of things and gain wisdom. There are so many people who are unable to let go of their attachments, constantly clinging to notions about their possessions throughout their life but ultimately, they are left with nothing. Hence, we need to curb our desires in order to avoid the regrets of tomorrow.