Guan Yin Citta & Master Lu

[Curiousparty]

Dear Dharma Friends,

Below are the links to the videos that we shared during the Online English Group Study on 22 Jan 2022.

*Topic: About Master Jun Hong Lu*

*The Life of Master Jun Hong Lu and His Noble Wish*
https://youtu.be/dU6XDkVCExA

*In Remembrance of My Revered Master*
https://youtu.be/-VxEcgqOqf8

*The Buddha‘s Final Nirvana*
https://youtu.be/Nq2ul3OvGZQ

*Be Diligent | The Words by our Loving Father*
https://youtu.be/uri40_3ZECw

Do share these videos with your family and friends and share the dharma bliss.

*If you would like to revisit our past session notes, please click the link below:*
https://orientalradio.com.sg/category/en...ain-terms/

[Curiousparty]

Master Jun Hong Lu’s
World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting
New York, US
22 September 2014

A man asked a farmer, “Have you planted wheat?” The farmer replied, “No, I’m worried that it will rain.” “Have you planted cotton?” The farmer answered, “No, I’m afraid the worms will eat the seeds”. “What have you planted then?” the man questioned. The farmer said, “Nothing at all. I won’t sow the seeds unless I am certain they will grow safely”.

A person who is unwilling to make the effort and take risks will be a complete failure in life. Likewise, a person who is reluctant to help others will never become a Buddha or a Bodhisattva. Only those who show love, devote their time to helping people, tame their desires and possess the state of mind of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas can become a true Buddha in the Human Realm.

[Curiousparty]

Wenda20200119 37:30
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

*ON THE FIRST DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR, DO NOT FOCUS ON RECITING A SPECIFIC BUDDHIST SCRIPTURE; IT IS BENEFICIAL TO RECITE ALL OF THEM*

Caller: Hi Master, you recommend us to perform more recitation on the first day and the eve of Lunar New Year. As the supreme light will radiate from above, and many Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors will descend to the human realm on these days, we should go all out to perform our recitation. May I know, specifically, which of the Buddhist scriptures are you referring to here?

Master Jun Hong Lu: I am referring to all of the Buddhist scriptures that you recite as your daily homework because the effects will be magnified on these days. Please do not focus on reciting one specific Buddhist scripture because you stand to gain if you recite all of them.

[Curiousparty]

Singapore Guan Yin Hall Consecration Discourse
21 April 2016
(An Excerpt)

*HOW TO ENHANCE THE EFFICACY OF OUR PRAYERS*

Master Jun Hong Lu: Many do not know the proper rituals when praying to Bodhisattvas. After offering incense, they will kneel down, start crying and wailing. Please remember, should you have an important matter to pray for, after lighting up the incense, do not insert the incense in the censer immediately. Instead, hold it in your hands and with your utmost sincerity, state your prayer, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva, please bless my child with good health”. Thereafter, insert the incense in the censer. When holding the incense, you are tapping into your heart to make a connection with Bodhisattva. The original aspiration comes about at the initial stage of one’s spiritual cultivation.

When offering the first incense of the day, with the incense in hands, the mind and Buddha become one, through which Bodhisattvas will be able to hear your inner voice. After stating that important prayer, insert the incense in the censer and perform prostration. This shall enhance the efficacy of your prayer.

[Curiousparty]

🧧🧧 *THINGS TO NOTE ON CNY EVE* 🧧🧧

*Q&A 96. Offering First Incense and performing recitations on the first day of Chinese New Year*
(An Excerpt)

A: From the night of Chinese New Year’s Eve until the end of the first day of the Chinese New Year, it is best to perform recitations as much as possible. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

The *merits and virtues accumulated from the recitations during this period are multiplied.* It is best to recite the _Great Compassion Mantra_, the _Heart Sutra_, and the _Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance_.

*On the night of Chinese New Year’s Eve, you can recite all the sutras and mantras* that are included in Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, including those contained in the _Little Houses_, and those that are usually not recommended to be recited at night, such as the _Heart Sutra_, and the _Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra._

If there is no Buddhist altar in your home, you can offer the Heart Incense. But it will be hard to achieve the same effects as a real First Incense offering, and it is not recommended that you recite sutras and mantras throughout the night.

During the eve and the first day of Chinese New Year, it is vital to remember that it is the time we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. *We should remain happy and cheerful, spread kind words and good wishes, and perform recitations as often as possible.*

It is *best to stay up all night for the arrival of Chinese New Year*. If you cannot wait and end up falling asleep before 12am, then “the old year has not gone, and the new year has not come” for you.

👨🏻‍🦳👵🏻 Therefore, it is recommended that you stay up late. *The longer you stay up on that night, the longer the elders in your family would live.*

💡💡 On Chinese New Year’s Eve, you can also *switch on all the lights in your house* to make it brighter.

It is best to *avoid looking at yourself in the mirror too often* on Chinese New Year’s Eve, and each time should be limited to less than 30 seconds.

🥣☕️ *Avoid breaking any bowls or cups in your home, or tipping over an oil container and spilling oil.*

🤫🤫 *Refrain from speaking loudly or inappropriately, and avoid joining a crowd.* Most importantly, you should *not argue or fight with others.*

Read more: https://bit.ly/3ASHscc

[Curiousparty]

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Brisbane
Australia
7 June 2019
Be Compassionate and Allow Our Heart to Be Like the Sea

Master Jun Hong Lu:
See the world through your eyes, and the world appears small; See the world through your heart, and you will find the world to be boundless. Treat others with compassion and your heart will be as encompassing as the vast ocean, which receives hundreds of rivers. There are many matters in life where we must rely on our wisdom and genuine intentions to resolve our troubles.

[Curiousparty]

Master Jun Hong Lu's Discourse
(Question 360)
29 January 2020
(An Excerpt)

*ALL BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS GATHER AT THE SOUTHERN HEAVENLY GATE ON THE FIRST DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR*

Moments before the clock struck midnight to herald the first day of Chinese New Year,
the Heavenly Dharma Protectors,
the Buddha,
Guan Yin Bodhisattva,
Nanjing Bodhisattva,
12 Tai Sui Bodhisattvas,
Guan Di Bodhisattva,
Victorious Battle Buddha,
Amitabha Buddha,
Great Strength Bodhisattva (Da Shi Zhi Pusa),
Maitreya Buddha (Mi Le Fo),
Jigong Living Buddha,
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (Pu Xian Pusa),
Manjushri Bodhisattva (Wen Shu Pusa),
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Di Zhang Wang Pusa),
the Four Great Vajras (Si Da Jin Gang), and
the 88 Buddhas in the _Eighty-Eight Great Buddhas Repentance_
arrived at the front of the Southern Heavenly Gate (Nantian Gate) to observe the current state of affairs of sentient beings in the Saha world.

Tens of thousands of golden dragons, phoenixes, divine beasts, and golden tortoises were in front of the Southern Heavenly Gate, welcoming the arrival of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Guan Yin Bodhisattva told all disciples that it is only on the first day of Lunar New Year that all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from different Buddha Worlds and Pure Lands will come to the Southern Heavenly Gate to observe the Saha world with their heavenly eyes.

On this day, performing life liberation, reciting sutras, undertaking meritorious deeds, making offerings to Buddha, and making vows will be a hundred times more efficacious than usual.

[Curiousparty]

Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk
Jakarta, Indonesia
12 Mar 2018
 
DO NOT THINK LIGHTLY OF THE LITTLE GOOD DEEDS
 
Master Jun Hong Lu: Do not think lightly of the little good deeds that seem insignificant because even by the falling of water drops, a water pot is filled; a man becomes filled with goodness, even if he gathers it little by little.

[Curiousparty]

Wenda20160313B 34:54
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)

*CONNECTION TO THE HEAVENLY ENERGY IS BETTER ON THE 1ST AND 15TH DAYS OF LUNAR MONTHS, AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT BUDDHISM FESTIVALS*

Caller:  A fellow practitioner has discovered that he is in good form when reciting scriptures on the1st and 15th days of Lunar Calendar months and on other significant Buddhism festivals.  Is it true that it is easier to be connected to the Heavenly energy on these days?  

Master Jun Hong Lu:  Yes, of course. There are additional heavenly blessings on those days.  For example, when we hold Dharma Conventions - many Bodhisattvas are present.  The 1st and 15th day of the lunar months, are days where Bodhisattvas get-together in Heaven, it is a day they descend to the human world to save sentient beings, and to visit all of us the disciples of the Buddha.  Bodhisattvas know that we are gathered in the Guan Yin Citta Local Chapters on these days and as such they will visit us. 

Caller:  Is it right to say that it is scheduled by Heaven for Bodhisattvas to visit the human realm and bless the people on the 1st and 15th days of the Lunar Calendar as well as Commemorative days of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas? 

Master Jun Hong Lu: Not necessarily on those days, but basically this is the case. This is because the 1st and 15th days of the Lunar Calendar months are days of festivities in Heaven.

[Curiousparty]

Q: How do we welcome the Bodhisattva of Wealth? What sutras and mantras should we recite?

A: On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, keep in mind that we should not openly state that our wish is to become wealthy.

Many people make incense offerings and pray for wealth on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year but are unable to have their wish fulfilled. It is because they have said their wishes out loud.

Many people like to talk about the good deeds that they have done. For example, “I have helped many poor people”, “I have donated such and such amount of money”, or “I have made such and such contributions”, etc. It is best to refrain from doing so.

On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year when the Bodhisattva of Wealth is visiting us, avoid saying things such as, “I want to get rich.” If you say this, then it is very likely that your wish to become rich would not be fulfilled.

Master Lu hopes that everyone will be truly well, I am not teaching you ways to get rich asultimately, money cannot bring us happiness. Many people are very wealthy, but they are not happy. A truly wise person would pray for peace and safety. There is a Chinese saying: “Being safe and well itself is a blessing (平安就是福).”

We should not be greedy. Once a person becomes greedy, they will experience sorrow, poverty and suffering. As Buddhists, we should not be greedy.

Generally, during the daytime on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, you can recite the Cundi Dharani 108 times and the Heart Sutra 21 times.

Before you recite, you can say the following prayer: “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva and the Bodhisattva of Wealth protect and bless me, so that I will have a smooth career and improved financial situation.”



Wenda20130210 27:47 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program] – an excerpt
IT IS BEST TO ADOPT A VEGETARIAN DIET ON THE FIFTH DAY OF THE FIRST LUNAR MONTH, THE DAY WHEN THE BODHISATTVA OF WEALTH BRINGS GOOD FORTUNE

Caller: Dear Master Lu, it’s Chinese New Year now and we will absolutely adopt a full vegetarian diet on the first and the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Due to the many gatherings of relatives and friends during this period, could you please let us know which days we should avoid eating meat?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Firstly, keep in mind that you need to adopt a vegetarian diet on the first and the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Do you know why? It is because many Bodhisattvas come on these days. As you are not a vegetarian yet, after Chinese New Year’s day you may return to your normal diet on the second, third and fourth day. However, it is still best not to eat creatures that are slaughtered alive.

The fifth day is when the Bodhisattvas of Wealth brings us good fortune. People commonly pray for prosperity on this day, therefore do you think eating meat on this day will help?

Compassion could bring you wisdom and prosperity. When we are merciful and compassionate, we abstain from killing and eating animals slaughtered alive, don’t we? Adopt a vegetarian diet on this day to welcome the Bodhisattva of Wealth and see if you gain better financial opportunities.



Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Sydney, Australia – 12 January 2020
OFFERING INCENSE THREE TIMES DAILY MAY HELP INCREASE WEALTH LUCK

Master Jun Hong Lu: How many times do you usually offer incense at home daily? I suppose twice? Remember this, you may offer incense three times daily when it comes to your zodiac year of birth, and if you wish to avoid possible financial loss. This practice will not only save you from financial problem but also benefit your wealth luck.



Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Sydney, Australia – 12 January 2020
TIPS ON IMPROVING WEALTH LUCK AND ELIMINATING NEGATIVE KARMA

Master Jun Hong Lu: Do you know of another way to improve wealth luck? That is, when the incense burner is not in use, take it down from the altar and wipe it. If you are investors, wiping the incense burner will help to increase your fortune. If you observe, this is a common practice in many dharma doors.

Performing the act of washing is also a good way to eliminate negative karma. Hence, you can throw yourself into washing whenever you feel unhappy as this will improve your mood. You may notice many people will start washing in the kitchen whenever they are upset. They will feel much better after a while, because this is one of the ways to give vent to their negative emotions.



Wenda20200209 35:15 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
WIPING THE INCENSE BURNER TO PRAY FOR WEALTH IS CONSIDERED A WISH FOR WORLDLY AND HEAVENLY BLESSINGS, AND WILL EXPEND ONE’S MERITS

Caller: Hello Master. Master has said that we can wipe the incense burner to wish for better wealth luck. However, a Buddhist friend worries that this is akin to praying for worldly and heavenly blessings which will expend their merits. Is it true, Master?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course it will. Think about it, if you pray for wealth, it will certainly transform into worldly and heavenly blessings.

I shared this tip in the public talk as there were many participants who are non-Buddhist practitioners, the Chinese emigrants in Australia and their western friends. These people may be interested to pray for wealth, so I offered them some tips. It is not meant for those with a high state of spirituality. Logically, a person with a high state of spirituality wouldn’t pray for wealth in the first place, would they?

Caller: That’s right. A Buddhist friend was desperate to pray for wealth, so after completing his recitation, he will bring down the incense burner and keep wiping it. Are we supposed to do this within a stipulated time? This Buddhist friend is under the impression that he will have abundant wealth luck if he continuously performs this action.

Master Jun Hong Lu: No. After the incense is fully burned, before offering the next incense, you may wipe the incense burner on the altar. In doing this, please ensure that you do not move the incense burner. The only time you can move the incense burner is when you plan to bring it down from the altar. Do not rotate it when it is on the altar. In wiping, you should manoeuver your hand around it, instead.

Caller: If he brings the incense burner down from the altar, can he go on wiping it all day long?

Master Jun Hong Lu: No. Don’t do that.



Wenda20200124 58:11 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
LEVELLING ASHES IN INCENSE BURNER WILL INCREASE WEALTH

Caller: Is levelling of ashes in the incense burner a meritorious deed?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, that’s very good.

Caller: How many times a day should we level the ashes in the incense burner? Is there any aspect that we need to pay attention to?

Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s up to you. If you feel you are financially tight or having some degree of financial difficulty recently, you may pray to Bodhisattva for improved financial conditions while levelling the ashes in the incense burner. Additionally, if you would like to further boost your financial luck, you may also declare to Bodhisattva, “I will perform more meritorious deeds, I will…” When your mind is filled with such positive energy coupled with the act of levelling the ashes in the incense burner, your prayer will be answered very soon. This is a form of meritorious deed.

Caller: Oh, the act of levelling the ashes in the incense burner also increases the fortune.

Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it increases the fortune significantly.

Caller: Which scriptures should be recited when we do it?

Master Jun Hong Lu: Heart Sutra.



Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Belgium May 10, 2016
CHERISH YOUR GOOD FORTUNE

Wealth and fame are acquired from the good deeds and merits accumulated by us in our cycle of reincarnations. If you still have some wealth and fame in this life, including those who are able to lead a life overseas, it is considered a type of karmic reward.

Karmic rewards should be utilised gradually, the same way you should utilise your credit card. You will not feel the “pinch” when you are using it, until you receive the credit card statement and you realise, “oh no! I have spent so much!”.

We have to cherish our good fortune, do not squander it away (惜福).

Do you know what it means by “cherishing one’s good fortune”? It means one should not splurge and should only spend when necessary.