Question:

Praise to our fundamental teacher Shakyamuni Buddha,

Please kindly clarify the following:

– We create karma with our thoughts, speech and action. Must these become habit energies first before we create karma?

– Suppose that we are on our 100th lifetime. Does it mean that we are subject to the karma created the prior 99 lifetimes? Going backwards, how did it all get started?

– Do we cultivate in order to realize the true self which is un-produced and un-perishing? If our self is unproduced and un-extinguished, what revolves in the Reincarnation Wheel?

I have been pondering about the above issues. Please kindly clarify them for me.

Emituofo!
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NVL

Question:

I am 19 years old. I saw a video on the grave consequences of violating the deviant sex precepts.
I realize that I violated the precept and wish to repent. Would I still need to undergo the retributions?
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PVT

Question:

Greetings Venerable Master,

I came across your website while searching for the teachings of Venerable Master Xuan Hua, and I had the luck of finding the Q&A section. ​
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I’d like to say in advance that I am sorry if I may sound rude or offensive. I do not consider myself to be a Buddhist but I greatly admire Buddhist teachings; they sound right in my heart. I also admire the resolve of left-home people to cultivate in order to help all living beings. I already learned a lot from the Q&As, but I have some questions I was hoping that you may clarify:

Question:

Ven. Master,

If I have sex with the person I love, is it a violation of the Deviant Sex Precept? If so, how do I repent for it? Please kindly instruct me.

Emituofo,
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HP

Question:

Na Mo Shakyamuni Buddha!

Ven. Master:
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I became a newly minted Buddhist disciple a few months ago. My parents and husband are good people but do not believe in the Buddha. After I took refuge with the Triple Jewel, I started encountering obstructions from my family. My husband would often take issue about the Buddha with me.

Question:
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I don’t know what offenses I had done in my past lives that have caused me to carry a female body but function like a male in this current life. I possess male personality traits. I often fall in love with females. All of my intimate relationships have failed miserably and painfully. We are rejected by society. Families provide no support. We hesitantly live our daily lives.

Question:

Master,
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I sincerely apologize for my arrogance on Saturday [‘s Dharma Talk]. I was more concerned about getting an answer to my question than understanding what you were explaining when you were discussing fighting for promotions and I wanted to know about fighting for a job. I am sorry for my thoughts and actions.