Practice Guidance

1)

Question: How can one better control one’s own emotions? Especially when facing my child, I always lose temper, sometimes I even hit him. Afterwards, I regret it a lot, but I still cannot control myself.

Master: Although the motivation of striking an enemy and striking one’s own child may appear different, the anger behind them is the same. One must gradually train in compassion, and most importantly, cultivate patience. When the bad temper arises, one should immediately turn to observe his own mind. In doing so, the force of anger dissolves. This is because the arising of anger depends upon an external object and conditions; when you observe directly in your own mind, anger cannot continue, and thus anger can be controlled.

2)

Question: Listening, contemplating, and cultivating Dharma are regarded as something ‘strange.’ I feel increasingly unable to fit into this society. I wonder why; after taking refuge in the Buddha and devoting my energy to the Dharma, my career and emotional life remain a complete mess—indeed, even worse than before.

Master: On the surface, it may seem that worldly affairs are neglected and delayed because of practicing the Dharma. However, in reality, one does not truly suffer, because the most important task of a practitioner is listening, contemplating, and cultivating the Dharma. Therefore, even if worldly matters diminish, there is no regret. It is like the autumn harvest; the grain is gathered but the grass surrounding it can be destroyed. In the same way, having obtained the precious human body to practice the Dharma, even if worldly affairs do not go as expected, it does not matter, because the most important thing has already been gained.

3)

Question: I feel that my life is full of obstacles, everything in life goes against my wishes, and I am deeply frustrated. Reciting the Buddha’s name seems to have no effect. My faith is losing. What should I do?

Master: Do not be too anxious, and do not treat chanting Amitābha Buddha as a painkiller. In truth, reciting ‘Amitābha Buddha’ even once surpasses tens of thousands of painkillers, because his sacred name can fundamentally bring an end to afflictions. Moreover, through reciting the Buddha’s name, karmic obstacles can be purified; though things may temporarily appear unsmooth, it may actually be the removal of the karma that would otherwise lead one to hell or the three lower realms. Therefore, one should continue reciting the Buddha’s name, attend Dharma assemblies on the Buddha’s birthday, and increases one’s merit. In this way, everything one undertakes will become smoother and smoother.

4)

Question: Homage to the Guru, the Three Jewels, and the Three Roots!

How can foolish and ignorant beings, before and after losing control, stop indulging reckless indulgence without restraint?

Master: One needs to listen to the Dharma, contemplate it, and read books.  The Buddha does not need to study, for he is omniscient. But we ordinary beings must study, because of our ignorance. Until we attain Buddhahood, we must continually increase our wisdom.

5)

Question: How can Buddhist disciples make their daily life and the Dharma inseparable, without difference? Grateful for the Guru’s blessings!

Master: When getting up in the morning, one should visualize oneself liberating all beings.

When opening the door, one should visualize the gate of liberation being opened for all beings.

When eating, one should visualize offering to the Guru and the Three Jewels. When meeting others, one should hold compassion in the heart; when speaking, one should be gentle and accommodating, as if seeing one’s own parents. Regardless of whether others believe in the Buddha, one should vow that in the future all the sentient beings will be benefited and liberated. Even if work leaves no time for Dharma practice, one’s daily recitations and participation in Dharma assemblies must never be interrupted.

6)

Question: Guru, my child is eleven years old this year and has been experiencing intermittent episodes of staring blankly, each lasting about 10 seconds. When examined in the hospital, all the results are normal. May I ask Guru how we should approach this situation, and how can we eliminate these symptoms?

Master: This is related to the child’s past karma. Do not be overly anxious or distressed. You should regularly recite the Four Refuges and the Prayer for Removing Obstacles, and frequently chant the Vajrasattva mantra, dedicating the merit to the child. Additionally, engage in many “Life Release”

activities to help your child.

7)

Question: At home I, a disciple, once happened to take in a stray kitten. Afterwards, in the area where I live, I encountered many abandoned cats. Seeing their pitiful state, I took in more than ten of them, and I also went out to feed the stray cats outside. The more I feed, the more there are, and my energy and finances have become overwhelmed. I cannot bear to see them hungry and thirsty without support. I wish to take the mother cats to the animal hospital for sterilization surgery to reduce reproduction, which would also lessen much human-inflicted harm, since some people, for profit, capture cats, skin them for meat, and strip their hides to make children’s vests to sell. I have been feeding them for nearly four years, spending a lot of energy and money. Some people say that the reason I do this to help them is because in a past life I saved them, so in this life I encounter them again to repay. Is this truly the case? And is it right or wrong to have them sterilized? I sincerely pray for the Guru’s guidance for this ignorant disciple.

Master: It is better to raise male and female cats separately. When you cannot manage raising them yourself, you may entrust them to people with pure motivation and sufficient ability to care for them. This is also in accordance with the Dharma.