Question:

Master,
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In the Catholic tradition, we pray for everyone: for the newborn (so that he may grow in God’s goodness and protection), for newlyweds (that they may grow in love and support together in deeper love and devotion to Jesus Christ), for those who are sick (to become well or to cope with the eventualities), in need of spiritual guidance, for people’s souls when they have died (that they may be in eternal rest with Jesus), and so on. In the Buddhist tradition do we also pray to help those we care for? Will we have to pay for it later with bearing some affliction? 

Question:

(The original question was in Vietnamese. It was translated as follows: )
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1. Before reciting the Buddha’s name, I used to recite the Great Compassion mantra every day. Occasionally, when I would not be able to recite the Mantra for a few days in a row because I could not find the time to recite, I would dream that I was reciting it. About eight months ago, I started switching to reciting the Buddha’s name and stopped reciting the Great Compassion Mantra. Recently, I started dreaming that I was reciting the Mantra again. Does it mean that I have good affinity with the Mantra? If so, what should I do? If I recite both the Mantra and the Buddha’s name, would it make it difficult to be single-minded?

Question:

Master:
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[My friend] invited me to her house for her dinner several times. I could not refuse so I accepted her request and will see her tomorrow. It turned out that she did this for a reason. Her potential employer called me today for a reference which I don’t mind to keep my promise to help her. The problem is that employer is our company’s competition which is located 10-minute away.

​Question:

Emituofo,

Master,

I have a few questions for you. Please explain.
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1. At the time of death: the hot spot at the forehead results a rebirth into the heavens; the hot spot at the chest results a rebirth in human realm; the hot spots at the feet result a falling to hells or animal realm. Is that right, Master? What materials, sutras would mention about this matter?