WHICH METHOD IS MORE EFFECTIVE IN GAINING WISDOM, “PERFORMING RECITATION” OR OBSERVING “PRECEPTS, SAMADHI AND WISDOM”?
2018-02-17
Wenda20160327B 24:04 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s radio program extracts]
Wenda20160327B 24:04 [Master Jun Hong Lu’s radio program extracts]
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| Master Lu Jun Hong at Dharma Talks Event, Sabah |
Caller: We know that there are two approaches in gaining wisdom, that is, through performing recitation and through observing “precepts, samadhi and wisdom”. Of these two approaches, which is more effective?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course, it is observing “precepts, samadhi and wisdom”. It is faster to gain wisdom through observing precepts and samadhi. This is because you are well aware of the “Do’s and Don’ts”. As you develop your morality by adhering to the precepts, your mind will become more easily controlled, enabling you to develop your power of concentration. With the development of concentration, wisdom will arise.
Performing recitation, on the other hand, relies on the Bodhisattva to bless you with a little more wisdom. However, if you do not observe the precepts and abstain from committing unwholesome acts, the Bodhisattva will not be able to grant you wisdom even if you perform recitation.
Caller: Understood. As an example, when we are troubled by something, reciting the Heart Sutra many times can only help us to gain wisdom at that very moment, meaning that it’s only temporarily. Is that right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. Also, wisdom may not necessarily arise at that moment. Let me give you an example, after reciting the Heart Sutra, many people would start to think, “Hey, perhaps I should listen to Master Jun Hong Lu’s “Buddhism in Plain Terms” radio program. In this case, it is the Bodhisattva who has guided him to listen to “Buddhism in Plain Terms” in order to help him gain wisdom. Reciting scriptures may not be able to help you think something through immediately. It works by channelling us to some other means to solve our issues. It is like when we are ill and Guan Yin Bodhisattva would help us find a good doctor for our treatment.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course, it is observing “precepts, samadhi and wisdom”. It is faster to gain wisdom through observing precepts and samadhi. This is because you are well aware of the “Do’s and Don’ts”. As you develop your morality by adhering to the precepts, your mind will become more easily controlled, enabling you to develop your power of concentration. With the development of concentration, wisdom will arise.
Performing recitation, on the other hand, relies on the Bodhisattva to bless you with a little more wisdom. However, if you do not observe the precepts and abstain from committing unwholesome acts, the Bodhisattva will not be able to grant you wisdom even if you perform recitation.
Caller: Understood. As an example, when we are troubled by something, reciting the Heart Sutra many times can only help us to gain wisdom at that very moment, meaning that it’s only temporarily. Is that right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. Also, wisdom may not necessarily arise at that moment. Let me give you an example, after reciting the Heart Sutra, many people would start to think, “Hey, perhaps I should listen to Master Jun Hong Lu’s “Buddhism in Plain Terms” radio program. In this case, it is the Bodhisattva who has guided him to listen to “Buddhism in Plain Terms” in order to help him gain wisdom. Reciting scriptures may not be able to help you think something through immediately. It works by channelling us to some other means to solve our issues. It is like when we are ill and Guan Yin Bodhisattva would help us find a good doctor for our treatment.
Namaste, Page Admin
