Question:

Namo Emituofo.

Ven. Master,

I am a Buddhist disciple living in Da Nang [Vietnam].
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I have always believed in the power of reciting “Emituofo” and especially in lofty and revered sanghans. Please help me discern whether what I am about to ask you could arise from my stupidity or from my loss of faith in Buddhism.

Question:

Ven. Master,
​
My name is HG. My Dharma name is TA. I have a daughter who came to the US in 1991 when she was 12 years old. Now she is a pharmacist who is talented but lacks virtue. She is more preoccupied with benefitting herself than helping others. She does not believe in the Buddha nor Cause and Effect. ​

Question:

Greetings Ven. Master!

I think I found you because of Medicine Master Buddha’s guidance! I have always recited Medicine
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Master Buddha’s name albeit not that frequently! I hope that you will clarify a few things for me!!!
​

Question:

[A Buddhist disciple who is 63 years old asks:]

I have been meditating for several years with little result… Thanks to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I was able to get a hold of your book, “The Chan Handbook: The Learner’s Guide to Meditation.” ​​

After reading it, I realized that you are a competent and kind Good Knowing Adviser. That is why I wish to learn meditation from you. I live quite far away, in Illinois. Please kindly tell me when you will hold your meditation retreats, the location and duration. Also, how can I get in touch with you?

Thank you very much.
​
TA

​Question:

Ven. Master,

I read Great Master Xuan Hua’s explanation of the Great Compassion Mantra. It made me sincerely want to practice the 42 Hands & Eyes Dharma. Please help me fulfill my wish.
​
HS

Question:

I wish to cultivate at home. Please tell me what books I should purchase and how to recite sutras. I still have a young child and therefore cannot take the time to go to the temple to cultivate. Is it OK to eat vegetarian six days a month?
​
LTA

Question:

I don’t know why, but every time I sit down to study I cannot concentrate. However, when I
recite the Buddha’s name fervently my scatteredness disappears. Should I quit school and
leave the home life?

TT

Question:

Ven. Master:

Is masturbation a violation of the deviant sex precept? Please kindly instruct me.

Thank you,
​
K

Question:

Can one certify to the sagely fruitions by cultivating blessings only and not practice meditation? Please kindly and compassionately teach us.
​
QD

Question:

Ven. Master:

I worship the Earth Spirit in my house but inadvertently broke the statue. As per the elders’ counsel, I moved the broken statue to an Earth Spirit temple. Is that appropriate?

Should I now worship another Wealth Spirit?
​
NLTV ​

Question:

Ven. Master:

I find it hard to believe that by merely reciting the Buddha’s name, I could obtain rebirth to the Pure Land. My brother said that the Sutras were altered, and that videos about rebirth used professional actors.
​
TT

Question:

Ven. Master:

I worship four Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha, Guan Yin and Maitreya.

The Amitabha statue is longer and is placed in the center. ​Shakyamuni Buddha is to his left and Guan Yin is to his right. Maitreya is on the altar. They are of different dimensions.

Is this arrangement appropriate?

Thank you,
​
H

Question: 

Ven. Master:

I read the post on Ven. XianJie. It says that he certified to Second Dhyana. How does he know? I have often heard that if we knew we should not even say it because it would cause a loss of merit and virtue and would easily bring forth the mind of arrogance.

Please kindly instruct and forgive my shallow understanding.

Thank you,

ALL

Question:

Amitabha Buddha!
​
Ven. Master! I have several questions regarding Taking Refuge and the Five Precepts. Please kindly and compassionately instruct me.

Question:

​Would you please do me the favor of defining ignorance as it is mentioned below:

“At the center of every Wheel of Life are a cock, a snake and a pig, which represent greed, anger and ignorance. In Buddhism, greed, anger (or hate) and ignorance are called the ‘Three Poisons’.”

Thank you,
​
DW

Question:

Ven. Masters!
​
I have been practicing Minh Sát meditation at home for close to two months. At first, I contemplated the nostril area where the breath came in and out. As I practiced for a month at home, I became afflicted with laziness and became lethargic. Then it went away. Next, I became scattered: [I have a hard time concentrating]. 

Question:

Ven. Master,
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I read your instructions on maintaining the Great Compassion Mantra and now realize that it is more effective to receive transmission before practicing it. Also, it is my understanding that if we had conditions with Great Master Xuan Hua, we should go to his temples or seek out his students to make the request for transmission.

Question:

Emituofo! Greetings to you, Master. I have been pondering about this for a long time. Please help clarify it for me.

Ven. Master, in Buddhism, which Buddhas became Buddhas before Amitabha Buddha? Please kindly instruct me.

Emituofo.
​
TD

​Question:

I prayed to GuanYin and obtained a response. I therefore have been eating vegetarian in order to repay her kindness. Unfortunately, I inadvertently ate a non-vegetarian cake. What should I do?
​
LTĐ

​Question:

Greetings to you, Master! I have a few questions.
​
In the Universal Chapter [of the Lotus Sutra], Shakyamuni Buddha says that those who recite GuanYin’s name will be able to eliminate greed, hatred and stupidity… Therefore, how should I go about reciting her name in order to achieve those objectives? I am not particularly worried about hatred and stupidity, however, my sexual desires are particularly strong. 

Question:

Ven. Master,
​
I most fortunately came across the Sutra regarding The Great Compassion Mantra which helped me cope with my unbearable suffering. I later learned that if I sincerely recite this Mantra 12,000 times and print the Sutra 1,200 times, I will be able to get whatever I wish.

Question:
​
I started reciting Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s name two weeks ago.  I try to be single-minded in my recitation in the four comportments of sitting, walking, lying or standing just like Amitabha Buddha.  Late at night, I use the recitation beads for over thirty minutes.  I can concentrate pretty well on the Bodhisattva’s name even though I worship Medicine Master Buddha.  In the morning, I recite the Medicine Master Mantra while at night I recite Guan Yin.  Is this appropriate, Master?

Question:

Greetings Ven. Master,

I practice Reciting the Buddha’s name.

Why do you advocate Chan and Pure Land Joint Cultivation? Would that not be difficult to become single-minded?

Emituofo,
​
TH

Question:

Na Mo Emituofo!

Most venerated Master!
​
I am a Buddhist disciple residing in Vietnam. Because of family obligations, I have not been able to leave the home life. Twenty-two years ago, I took refuge with Meditation Master Thích Thanh Từ but have not done much to be called a meditation student. I feel ashamed because I have not been able to follow my teacher’s teachings and doctrines.

Question:

Na Mo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha!

Ven. Master,
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I am 18 years old. I may be young but I feel that I have a clear idea of what to do with my life. My family has been Buddhist for many generations. When I was young, my father set up an altar at home for Guan Yin: it is lovingly decorated and made me so happy. My father would often offer flowers, lamps, water, fruits, and candles to the Triple Jewel. Visitors would often compliment the altar, saying how adorned it is. As a result, I have had a very positive impression of Buddhism and became personally interested.