Buddhist Short Story-Three Sieves To Guard Our Speech

【Buddhist Short Story】

Three Sieves To Guard Our Speech

Once, a young monk went running to his Master, panting and feeling very excited. He said: “Let me tell you something, Master. I am very sure you could never imagine it.”

The Master answered sternly: “Wait a minute. The news that you are about to tell me, have you sifted it with three sieves?”

The young monk could feel that his Master was a little unhappy, and he shook his head.

The Master told the monk, “Before you tell somebody something, you must at least use three sieves to sift it. The first sieve is the sieve of truth. The thing that you are about to tell me, is it true?”

“Ermmm… Master, I heard it from the streets. Everybody says that. As a matter of fact, I do not know if it’s true.”

“Then you need to check it with your second sieve. Even if is not true, you should at least be telling me this matter out of kindness. Is that the case?”

“Er… no. On the contrary, Master.” At this point, the disciple dropped his head in regret.

“Then we shall now use the third sieve to check. This matter that you so urgently need to tell me, is it important?”

The disciple replied, “It is not really that important.”

The Master cut in: “As this news is not important, neither is your intention kind, nor do you know whether it is true or not, why would you want to say it when by saying it will cause confusion in the both of us?”

______________
Reference:
Australia Oriental Radio, Dharma Words, “Words of Wisdom from Master Jun Hong Lu 1, Batam, Indonesia 20160218”, http://guanyincitta.com/en/words-of-wisdom-by-master-jun-hong-lu-batam-indonesia-20160218-2/

RUBBING HANDS WHILE RECITING THE GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA WOULD IMPROVE BLOOD CIRCULATION

Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program

(中英版，Chinese & English
versions）

【念大悲咒搓手可以舒经活血】

女听众：手中感觉有气，不知道是往外跑还是往里进，有时候是很热有时候又很凉，如果觉得很凉就捏成拳头可以吗？

台长答：可以的，如果手很凉你就动动手都会舒经活血，念大悲咒，两个手搓一搓，念完之后就搓，很快就活血了。
- wenda20141123A  01:04:20

Wenda20141123A  01:04:20  [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

RUBBING HANDS WHILE RECITING THE GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA WOULD IMPROVE BLOOD CIRCULATION

Caller: At times, I felt movement of energy in my palms. However, I am not sure if the energy is moving outwards or coming inwards. However, at times it feels warm but sometimes it feels cold. In this case, is it advisable for me to fold my fingers when I feel cold in my hands?

Master: Certainly. If you feel that your hands are cold, just move them for a bit, which will promote blood circulation. You may also rub your palms together right after reciting the Great Compassion Mantra, after which your blood will soon circulate well.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

BENCHMARK AND CHARACTERISTIC OF A PERSON WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CULTIVATION

Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program

(中英版，Chinese & English
versions）

【心修得好有什么标准和特征】

男听众：师父，您一直强调修心的重要性，心修好了行为才会好。为了方便我们自查和反省，请师父开示一下，心修好了的人有什么标准和特征呢？
师父答：心修好的人，
第一，不会吵架；
第二，不会骂人；
第三，不会乱看女人，眼睛不会色眯眯；
第四，彬彬有礼，讲话让别人先讲，不讲妄语，不挑拨离间。这些都是心修好的样子，给人家看见的。所以一个能够成功的人，他必须行为举止像菩萨，所以大家才会觉得他像菩萨。如果这个人跑出来，行为举止根本不像，你说说看他的心怎么修得好啊？（明白明白。谢谢师父慈悲开示）
~ wenda20151127 26:51 

Wenda20151127 26:51
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

BENCHMARK AND CHARACTERISTIC OF A PERSON WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CULTIVATION

Caller: Master Lu, time and again you have stressed the importance of mind cultivation; whereby only through proper mind cultivation that one's behaviour will be dignified. To facilitate our self-check and self-reflection, can you advise us what are the benchmarks and characteristics of someone who does it well? 

Master Jun Hong Lu: A person who cultivates his mind well:

1. Will not quarrel with the others;
2. Will not scold the others;
3. Will not hold any lustful thoughts towards the others and will not look at anything that stirs lust;
4. They are decent and courteous. They allow others to speak first. They do not tell lies and neither do they incite disharmony.

These are all the obvious characteristics of a person who cultivates well. Fundamentally, a successful person’s behaviour and mannerism would resemble that of Bodhisattva's, which leads others to perceive that he bears a resemblance to Bodhisattva. Contrarily, if a person's behaviour and mannerism bear no resemblance to that of Bodhisattva’s, how could he possibly have cultivated well?

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

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

DO NOT TOUCH THE TOP OF THE INCENSE WITH OUR HANDS

Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program

(中英版，Chinese & English
versions）

【香头绝对不能用手碰】

问：拿香时是不是手不能碰香头和香尾？拿三支香时不整齐，喜欢把香头放在手心弄整齐，这样可以吗？

答：不可以。你请香的时候只能拿香的边上。你可以拿香尾，但是不能再倒过来，香头绝对不能用手碰的。
- Wenda20180121B 02:05

Wenda20180121B 02:05
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

DO NOT TOUCH THE TOP OF THE INCENSE WITH OUR HANDS

Caller:  When we are holding three incenses that are not aligned, usually we will place the incenses downwards onto our palm to tidy them.  Is this the proper way of handling?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You cannot do that.  When you are holding the incense, you are only allowed to touch the middle part.  You may also hold its end, however, do not turn it upside down.  Also, you are not supposed to touch the top of incense with your hands.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

HOW TO RESOLVE UNHAPPINESS AND TROUBLES THAT HARRIED US

Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
Zongshu20161115
(Master Jun Hong Lu's call-in radio program)

Generally, under such situations, you have to recite more Heart Sutra and to find specific way to solve each individual problem.  Your prayer to Guan Yin Bodhisattva will be, "May Guan Yin Bodhisattva has mercy on me.  Recently, I am harried by a particular issue.  May Guan Yin Bodhisattva has mercy on me.  I would like to recite 108 times of the Heart Sutra to help me resolve the karmic knots.  May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bless wisdom upon me and help me transcend the secular mindset". Because of the statement "transcend the secular mindset", Bodhisattva will help to elevate your state of mind and will soon be able to come round.  It is extremely efficacious!

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

CONSEQUENCES OF SPEAKING AT WILL

Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
Shuohua20160722 12:11 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program

Caller:  At times, people tend to be careless in their conversation.  For example, some may say things jokingly like “I will work like a horse in my next life to repay someone’s kindness”.  If they say such things, will it really lead to the repercussion of being reincarnated in the Animal realm as a result of karma?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Yes.  If the vow was made officially with Bodhisattvas around, there will definitely be karmic consequences.  If it was unofficial, then it will be fine.  It should not be an issue if such vow was made before you start practising Buddhism.  This is because a non-practitioner does not possess any ‘energy’, thus, words spoken will have no impact.  Let me give you an example, conceptually, do you think there is a difference between vows made by Master and vows made by you?

Caller:  No doubt it will definitely be different.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Exactly, it’s that simple.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

WHEN WE EXPERIENCE A SMOOTH SAILING LIFE AFTER PRACTICING BUDDHISM, WILL OUR VIRTUOUS ACHIEVEMENT BE EXPENDED AND TURNED INTO MATERIAL BLESSINGS

Wenda20150424 40:50  [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

Caller: At times, after practicing Buddhism for a period of time, there are many who experience improvement in their family harmony, daily life and career development. For example, there are some who managed to secure jobs with better pay, etc. At the same time, these Buddhist friends are worried that their virtuous achievement will be converted into material blessings and expended as a result. May I ask, Master Lu, how do we tell if our smooth-sailing life is a manifestation of our karmic obstacles being eliminated or our virtuous achievement being expended?

Master Jun Hong Lu: It is very simple. It goes like this. Generally, when you perform virtuous deeds, it will be expended on eliminating your karmic obstacles. When a person starts to reap material blessings, there are two explanations. Number one, it could be a coincidence that, at that time he has some good fortune. The Buddhist scriptures that he recited may have quickly elevated his good fortune. For example, when a fortune teller advises someone that he will be able to find a good job at the age of 23, and fair enough, in that year he experiences some good fortune. At this point in time, when he performs recitation of Buddhist scriptures, very quickly he will land himself on an ideal job. This is how it works. Do you understand?

Caller: Yes, and….

Master Jun Hong Lu: You are concerned that the virtues from performing recitation of Buddhist scriptures will be completely expended? That is impossible. A small portion of your virtuous achievement will be converted into material blessings. Should you have some karmic obstacles, any virtuous deeds that follow will be utilized to eliminate your misdeeds. Do you understand?

Caller: I understand now.

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

WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO BE SAVED?

Shuohua20150522 00:56  [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

Master Jun Hong Lu: There are some who have performed excessive acts of killing. When their karmic retribution comes about, they can no longer be saved.

Once when I was reading a man’s Totem, I said to the spirit: “Well, let it pass. Spare his life.”

As a result, the spirit transmitted to me a scene on how this guy had tormented him. He then said, “How am I supposed to forgive this kind of person?” I was speechless!

That man actually drew out his tendons and skinned him alive! Aren't the fishmongers and butchers doing the same to animals? How can a person ever avoid the karmic retributions of such evil acts?

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

PEOPLE WITH BLACK PATCHES OF ENERGIES IN THEIR BODIES WILL BE UNHEALTHY, UNLUCKY AND HAVE UNSTABLE CAREERS. THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD DRINK MORE GREAT COMPASSION WATER

Zongshu20160823 00:56 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

Caller: Greetings to you Master Lu! Deepest gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva! I would like to ask about my totem. I was born in 1979, the year of a Goat. Please check on the quality of my scripture recitations and Little Houses.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Your energy field does not seem good. There are black patches in it. You have to be careful and enhance the quality and quantity of the Great Compassion Mantra (Da Bei Zhou).

Caller: Alright, how should I resolve this problem? Will the increase in the quantity of Great Compassion Mantra suffice?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You need to enhance the quantity of The Great Compassion Mantra, alright?

Caller: Presently, I am reciting 21 times per day.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Make it 29 times.

Caller: Alright.

Master Jun Hong Lu: How many times per day are you reciting the Heart Sutra (Xin Jing)?

Caller: For Heart Sutra, I am reciting 27 times.

Master Jun Hong Lu: You may reduce the Heart Sutra to 21 times.

Caller: Alright, Master Lu, I would also like to enquire about my career.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Your career is not very smooth.

Caller: Yes, you are right.

Master Jun Hong Lu: How could your career be smooth when you have black patches in your body? Think about it and you would understand.

Caller: Right, I understand.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Why do you think I could see the black patches in your body? People with black patches will be sickly besides and have unstable careers.

Caller: Yes, that is true. Lately, my career is not smooth sailing at all.

Master Jun Hong Lu: If it is very bad, you must take note of two points:
(1) enhance your “Yang” energy and increase your recitations of the Great Compassion Mantra,
(2) stay away from “Yin” matters and drink Great Compassion Water persistently.
From now on, all of you must remember to drink Great Compassion Water when you are encountering misfortunes.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat

COUNTER PETTINESS BY HAVING MORE COMPASSION AND FIND JOY IN GIVING

Shuohua20160429 25:20  [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

Caller: If a person is petty, how do we counter the fundamental of this temperament? In the recent Public Talk on Buddhism, Master Lu said that I’m very petty. You also mentioned that a person with small eyes, generally has a petty disposition.

Master Jun Hong Lu: While you perform recitation of the Heart Sutra, you must also understand the importance of compassion and the joy in giving. Once you have gained more compassion, you will be more generous. Those who are generous are those who are magnanimous. Your finding of joy in giving relies on the compassion you have. Being able to find joy in giving is a matter of state of mind. On the contrary, if you are asked to give but you do not find any joy in doing so, there is nothing I can do to help. Do you understand?

Caller: Yes.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

WHEN FACED WITH DEBTORS WHO DON’T PAY UP, RECITE MORE MANTRA TO UNTIE KARMIC KNOTS AND HEART SUTRA

Wenda20170113 01:23:41
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s Call-In Radio Program)

Caller:  Suppose someone owes my friend money, and the friend requested me to help recite the Heart Sutra for the debtor.  I understand that by doing so, it has the effect of helping him to repay his karmic debts.

Master Jun Hong Lu:  That’s right.

Caller:  Will it be even more effective, should I state in my prayer: “I am acting on behalf of my friend to recite this Sutra for the other party.”?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  If you want the debtor to pay up, recite more Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots. 

Caller:  Alright.  What about the Heart Sutra?

Master Jun Hong Lu:  To get the debtor to repay his debts, recitation of Heart Sutra should be kept going.

Caller:  I understand now.  Thank you, Master Lu.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

AVOID EATING DURIANS BEFORE PERFORMING RECITATION AND WORSHIPPING BUDDHA; TRY TO AVOID FOUL-SMELLING FOOD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Shuohua20180727 22:11
(Master Jun Hong Lu's call-in radio program)

Caller: Master Lu mentioned that Buddhist practitioners should not eat durians; if we did, what should we do?

Master Jun Hong Lu: I didn't say you can't eat durians. Just refrain from doing so prior to performing recitation and worshipping Buddha.

Caller: If we have eaten it...

Master Jun Hong Lu: There can't be any foul smell in your mouth. Can you imagine if your mouth is full of the foul smell when you are performing recitation and worshipping Buddha?

Caller: In the event that we have taken some, we should then refrain from performing recitation within an hour?

Master Jun Hong Lu: You can just brush your teeth.

Caller: If we would like to follow the Bodhisattva Path, is it true that we should not eat durians?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Anyway, try to avoid foul-smelling food as much as possible.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

EQ AND IQ ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS THEY COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER

Wenda20161021 57:56 [Master Jun Hong Lu's call-in radio program]

Caller: Master Lu, relatively speaking, is EQ more important than IQ, or are they equally important?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Both EQ and IQ are important, because EQ influences IQ and vice versa.

Caller: Both are equally important?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, as they are complementary to each other.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

STRIVE TO CREATE OUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES

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

STRIVE TO CREATE OUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES

Master Jun Hong Lu: 
Do not impute all faults and wrongs on others. Our fate and destiny are in our very own hands. When the opportunity presents itself to us, do not hesitate to forge ahead vigorously and advance. Do not be jealous when you see the success of others as their achievement is the result of their dedication to progress and hard work. When opportunity knocks, break new paths!; if it doesn't, strive to create your own.

Given the right conditions, with the ideal spiritual foundation, we should dedicate ourselves to progress and may we fall into the arms of Guan Yin Bodhisattva hereafter; lacking such circumstances calls for our sincere repentance, through our conscientious recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance. We should desperately strive to accomplish our spiritual cultivation within this lifetime; and with this life that we have gained, we should make every effort to eventually fall back into the arms of our “Mother”.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

AGE ENDING WITH “3,6,9” — PREDESTINED CALAMITIES CAN ONLY COME SOONER RATHER THAN LATER

Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
Wenda20180624A 06:45
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

Caller: I am 36 years old this year. It is my birth year and also the year of “3,6,9”. I would like to check, for how long would I experience this period of predestined calamity? What should we pay attention to?

Master Jun Hong Lu: The answer would require the reading of your totem. But generally speaking, three months before and after your birthday for birth age ending “3,6,9”.

Caller: That is to say within these 6 months, right?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, be especially careful for this half a year, it will be fine once it is over.

Caller: Will it happen earlier?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it will only be ahead of this period and will not be delayed.

Caller: I understand!

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

THREE WAYS TO INTRODUCE BUDDHISM TO THE OTHERS

Wenda20111111 48:10 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program]

Caller: There is an elderly lady who is now very diligent in practicing Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. Every day, besides performing scripture recitations, she listens to Master’s radio programs and she has adopted a full vegetarian diet too. However, she is unsure how she should help more people by introducing Buddhism to them. I would like to seek Master Lu’s advice.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Please convey this message to her. There are three ways of doing so.

Number 1: When you distribute some Buddhist materials for others to read, it is considered as introducing Buddhism to the others

Number 2: When you share with others through conversations, it is considered as introducing Buddhism to the others

Number 3: When you demonstrate good behaviour, it is also considered as introducing Buddhism to the others. 

For example, you have family members who do not believe in Buddhism. If you, on the other hand, are serious in your cultivation and you treat them with the utmost respect, you act totally differently to what they expect. Once they witness the changes in you, they will go “Wow! Learning Buddhism seems to have a very good effect on you!”. You can respond to them: “Yes, that’s right. I am learning Buddhism. You should, too!”. Don’t you consider this as introducing Buddhism to your family? Demonstrate more to others about what Buddhism entails through your behaviour and your words. In addition, offer them books to read or let them listen more, these are all possible ways of propagating Buddhism.

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2ORSecretariat 

HOW MANY FISHES ARE CONSIDERED LARGE QUANTITY IN TERMS OF LIFE LIBERATION?

Q&A Session with Buddhist friends, Tokyo
October 7, 2016

HOW MANY FISHES ARE CONSIDERED LARGE QUANTITY IN TERMS OF LIFE LIBERATION?

Q: When we are releasing fishes, what amount is considered to be ‘large’? One of our Buddhist practitioners dreamed that he was making a vow to Guan Yin Bodhisattva to perform Life Liberation in large quantities for his mother once a year. After he woke up, he realized that he is unclear about the idea of Life Liberation in large quantities. If I remember correctly, Master Lu once mentioned that it should be at least 500 fishes. Is that correct?

A: Yes, at least 500 fishes, and preferably more than 1,000 fishes.

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