Q: What is the difference between prayer and Chan meditation?
A: If you think they're the same, then they are the same; and vice versa.

Q: The recitation of the "Six-Syllable True Words" brings boundless merit and virtue. Furthermore, Bodhisattvas from the Seventh Ground become a part of you. What is this about?
A: The recitation of the "Six-Syllable True Words" is not the only way to obtain boundless merit and virtue. One can also obtain them by not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not pursuing personal advantage and not lying. Even though these actions will bring us merit and virtue, we should not be attached to them.

Q: Please tell me whether or not Dharma Master Kuanjing is a disciple of Dharma Master Hsu Yun? Is what he wrote in A Visit to the Land of Ultimate Bliss true?
A: I knew Dharma Master Kuanjing when I was at Nanhua Temple. He was a youngster then. I do no know whether he is a disciple of Elder Master Hsu Yun or not. He claims to be, though I have never heard the Elder Master mention him and I did not ask the Elder Master either. So, I can't answer your question without having the facts. However, A Visit to the Land of Ultimate Bliss is a fiction.

Q: I often feel so uneasy that I'm restless whether sitting or standing. What should I do about it?
A: You should recite the Great Compassion Mantra, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva's name, and not lie.

Q: Where do good and evil come from?
A: They come from each living being's karma.

Q: Recently, Christians and Buddhists are having frequent discussions on their similarities and differences. They appear to be communicating and trying to understand each other. But I have a question: can a religion really accept another religion unconditionally? For example, can Catholics and Christians really believe that people will be saved through religions other than faith in the "one and only true God?"
A: I can't answer this question categorically as I have not attended the meetings with these religious leaders and they have not attended our meetings either. If you really want to know the truth, you should invite all the leaders of all the major religions around the world for a conference. They should sit down and speak directly, openly, and publicly about how they feel. Ask them if they can really accept each other wholeheartedly. If these religious people discriminate against others, praising themselves and condemning others, they would be violating the spirit of their founders. The purpose for the founding of every major religion was not to fight with other religions and not to insist that they alone are right while others are wrong.

Another important point to pay attention to: It is now trendy for Christians and Buddhists to organize seminars for frequent exchange of ideas. However, we must verify whether these so-called Buddhist organizations can really represent Buddhism. Many phony groups pretend to be Buddhists to con the rest of the world. For example, some in the Secret School have contracted AIDS because they treat sex as child's play; also, some Buddhist monks in Japan marry. How can they be considered members of the Sangha? There are so many phonies in the West that we can't tell if they are legitimate, so we must observe them carefully. Can these Buddhists really speak on behalf of Buddhism? We should not be hoodwinked by them.

Q: Master, what is your view on the styles of constructed temples?
A: I don't like gaudy temples painted red and green, like women with bright red lipsticks on. The basic rule for the construction of temples is that they be labor-effective and durable.

Q: What is your religion?
A: My religion is that of the principles of truth, of humans, of living beings, of the general public, and of wisdom.

Q: Buddhism says, "Fixed karma means that it can't be changed." Will we definitely face the corresponding retribution for the unwholesome karma that we've committed?
A: Even though it is said that fixed karma can't be changed, offenses can be eradicated if aided by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in samadhi. However, we must be extremely repentant, sincere, full of faith, and willing to change courageously. As the saying goes,

Anger and resentment can create happiness;
The dead can return to life.
If you think these words are false,
You should know that Buddhas never lie.

Serious offenses vanish the moment we repent. No matter how large our karmic debt, we could eradicate disasters and illnesses to befall us by setting our minds on enlightenment, regarding the Triple Jewel with great faith, and accumulating enough merit and virtue to make up for our mistakes.

Q: Why are there poor people?
A: Poor people do not have blessings in this life because in their previous lives they did not do good deeds to earn merit and virtue, they did not sow any roots of goodness, they always tried to take advantage of others, and they fretted over their gains and losses.

Q: Can we become enlightened though we eat meat?
A: Anyone with a mouth so large as to be able to swallow a whole pig, lamb, or cow in one gulp can become enlightened. Except for those with such a big mouth, no one is guaranteed enlightenment.

Q: By praying, we already develop inner spiritual energy that could benefit all things. So do we still need to do good deeds on the outside?
A: Cultivation should be about a balance between developing inner merit and outward results. When we're doing external merit, we are not attached to the attainment of such merit. We can help ourselves by cultivating virtue within, purifying our thoughts, and lessening our desires. If we can stop being greedy, we will be helping others.

Q: What should we do if others libel us when we try to serve our community?
A: Work even harder if people libel you when you work for the community. It's not really genuine service if you were to stop it because of libel.

Q: Most people say that you have several kinds of supernatural powers?
A: I will not admit to it. It's just coincidental. Those who are meant to live will not die by asking me for help. Those who are meant to die will not live by asking me for help. Do you understand?

Q: Every Dharma Master stresses that the name of the Buddha or Bodhisattva that he/she recommends is the best. As beginners, which name is most suitable for us to recite?
A: "All the Buddhas in the ten directions and three times share the same Dharma body." The recitation of any Buddha's name is a path to the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Buddhas are equal; no particular one is true or false, alive or dead.

Q: Does everyone have the affinity to become your disciple?
A: You have the affinity if you are sincere. Affinity will become no affinity if you're insincere. No affinity will become affinity if you're sincere.

Q: How do we be good monks and nuns?
A: Just don't violate the precepts! Why do you need to analyze the obvious?

Q: What is the difference between learning one character a day and studying one character all day?
A: What is the difference between eating a meal and a meal which is being eaten?

Q: Is the study of martial arts and Tai Chi helpful to Chan meditation and cultivation?
A: Everything is made from the mind alone. They are helpful as long as we know how to use them. Otherwise, they could be harmful. Excelling in martial arts helps us to concentrate and enter samadhi more easily. As long as we don't entertain idle thoughts, anything can be helpful to our cultivation.

Q: How do we train and test ourselves?
A: You have too much time on your hands.

Q: 1. Can Buddhas and Bodhisattvas shoulder living beings' obstructive karma? 2. How can we tell who is really a good teacher?
A: 1. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have the power to acquit us of our crimes if we are willing to change. It is wrong to not reform but rely solely on the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for taking on our karma. 2. To know whether someone is truly a good teacher, just watch and see if he is into fighting, being greedy, and being selfish. Does he say things out of convenience, lying but claiming that he is being expedient? It doesn't make sense to call this kind of a person a wise advisor.

Q: How do we detach ourselves from the mark of form?
A: Don't just throw out Buddhist cliches. Don't be all talk and no action.

Q: How do we help sick people?
A: You should cure your own sicknesses before you try to cure other people's sicknesses.

Q: How do I tell what kind of illnesses are derived from obstructive karma?
A: This type of illness is strange, the onset of it happens all of a sudden without any apparent reason.

Q: Why do we doze off?
A: We doze off because we don't have enough energy, probably from the lack of sleep. We doze off because we can't sleep at night: men are thinking about women, women are thinking about men, and left-home people are thinking about food. This is nothing; it's very simple.

Q: "It is better to study nothing for a day than it is to study wisdom for a thousand days." What does this quote mean?
A: "Not knowing when to quit the studying of different terms, we only trap ourselves by counting sand in the sea." Who is learning wisdom for a thousand days? Who is learning nothing for a day? We should not keep on doing others' laundry.

Q: How do we eliminate the three poisons of greed, anger and delusion?
A: Left-home people are eliminating greed, anger and delusion every day. How can you eliminate greed, anger, and delusion at once without even leaving home? If you really want to do it, you should learn from Mr. Pang by throwing all your valuables into the ocean. Can you do it?

Q: Single people can do that, but it's impossible for people with a family. How are we helping others by throwing our valuables into the ocean?
A: You are skeptical about Mr. Pang's enlightenment. He became enlightened because he was the dumbest person. You are way too smart.

Q: Master, I would like to know what Buddhadharma really is.
A: The fact that you are asking this question is because of your Buddha nature. You would not be asking this question if it were not for your Buddha nature. You deserve to be hit 100 times for not knowing that this is the Buddha nature.

Q: Master, how do we say thank you at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas?
A: People at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas do not say thank you. Whoever says so will be fined $500. I never say these two words, "thank you." That's why they say I only like to yell at people.

Q: What can we say to show respect?
A: You don't need to say anything, just do it.

Q: What are the advantages to being a vegetarian? What are the disadvantages to being a non-vegetarian?
A: You lose out by being a vegetarian while alive. By being a non-vegetarian, you will lose out after death.

Q: I heard that you recently met Vice President Bush of the United States, also one of the presidential candidates in the next election. Did he ask you to predict his chances of winning the election?
A: No. I just told him to be a good president and that it will be right for him to uphold the six ideals at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas: no fighting, no greed, no seeking, no selfishness, no pursuing personal advantage and no lying. He will be a good president by keeping to these six principles.

Q: Master, the main theme for this Assembly is to protect the nation by reciting the Great Compassion Mantra. Can you tell us your insight on this?
A: Guanshiyin Bodhisattva became a Bodhisattva with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands by the power of the Great Compassion Mantra. The Great Compassion Mantra possesses the wonderful power of the Dharma to penetrate heaven and earth. As long as we are sincere and committed, every disaster will become serendipity. Its wonder is indescribable and inexhaustible. During this tour, the Dharma-propagation group is reciting this mantra 'round the clock because it hopes to obtain some results. Everyone will have his/her wish fulfilled that way.

Q: How can we be free of anger that comes from ignorance?
A: One must cultivate the practice of the paramita of patience and never get upset. This is the key: we become wiser by not getting upset.

Q: Those who have received the precepts must uphold the precept of not killing. However, I have so many ants at home that I would step on them by accident. I violate this precept every day. Please tell me how to eradicate my offenses.
A: I am also a little ant and you should kill me first.

Q: I have killed more than ten thousand dung beetles and earthworms before. How many times must I recite the Rebirth Mantra before I clear my karma from killing?
A: Once is enough if you were to have put an end to your desire. Ten thousand times will not be enough if you have not put an end to your desire.

Q: If the nature of Bodhi is inherently pure and complete, how does that thought of ignorance arise?
A: If you were free of ignorance, you would not be here.

Q: Venerable Master, with your experience in cultivation, please tell us: how can I balance and resolve the conflicts and frustrations from the meeting of my mind and various external states (such as family, work, children, etc.), health, anxiety, and different desires? Will the Venerable Master please provide an explanation that is more adaptable and concrete. Don't use the traditional method of shoving things down our throats.
A: Just have no greed, anger, and delusion, that's all!

Q: Why would people improve if it were not for greed? Why would people persist if it were not for deluded attachments? Why would people be strong if it were not for the force from their anger?
A: Don't get confused. To pick ourselves up when we're down is not greed; that is hard work. Delusion includes getting angry and doing stupid things such as playing the lottery, prostituting, and gambling.

Q: No more desire means no more trouble. How would this world advance if there were no more desires? There would be no more scientific and technological inventions. How do we control desire?
A: It is okay to invent things that help others but not the other way around. We are often remiss about what is beneficial and what is harmful. To invent things blindly creates suffering. For example, the pleasure of scientific invention has poisoned people and made them numb. What good is this type of invention?

Q: Given the prospect of Taiwan's future, how should we cultivate to avert our collective karma?
A: Do not do anything evil and do everything that is good.

Q: Who are the original ancestors of all sentient beings, including animals that fly and swim, flowers, grass and trees?
A: The Buddha nature is our ancestor.

Q: Master, before you came here last year, I dreamed of at least seven Honored Ones wearing red precept sashes and hats embroidered with the image of five Buddhas descending from the heavens. Even though I have dreamed of Buddha and Bodhisattvas before, I had never dreamed of so many at one time. Please kindly accept my sincere bow and give me your explanation.
A: Since you know about wearing the hat with the image of Buddhas, why don't you wear it now?

Q: When I attended last week's session on reciting the Buddha's name, I actually wept. Master, was my crying because I have a great deal of obstructive karma? I am just starting to study Buddhism.
A: You may have been crying because you had bumped into too many walls in the outside world. You were crying because you realized that to some extent.

Q: 1. How do I overcome my worries and fears? 2. Will demons more readily test me because I recite mantras? Also, will I more easily become greedy with the Dharma? How do I calm myself and concentrate on reciting the Buddha's name?
A: 1. If you're scared for no reason, that is because you've got ghoul on your mind and in your heart. 2. Concentrate on reciting the Buddha's name and eat less!

Q: Will the Master please give me a more clear definition on "greed," "anger," and "delusion"? Does the Master have any greed, anger and delusion?
A: Why do you like to bother with other people's business? I did not order you not to have them. I just talked about them. Why are you questioning me?

Q: What does it mean by taking refuge with the Sangha?
A: What is refuge with the Sangha? Let me ask you, who takes refuge with you? The Sangha consists of past and present sages and regular monks.

Let me first make this clear: I won't answer difficult questions because I don't have a great deal of wisdom. I also won't answer simple questions because I will be wasting other people's time.

Q: My older sister is close to a deviant sect that cheats others by claiming to be the Dharma Protector of Earth Store Bodhisattva. How can I help my sister to stay away from them?
A: She will turn around after you understand yourself.

Q: If the Buddhas were compassionate and omnipotent, why is there still suffering (earthquake, fire, war, famine, sickness, etc.) in the world?
A: According to your line of thinking, you would say that the Buddhas are not omnipotent or compassionate. I don't dare say that.

Q: Please tell us where the Dharma Master will be going after your death?
A: There is nowhere to go.

Q: Why do we need to cut off our sexual desire as we cultivate? How do we cut it off?
A: Why do you ask this question? Do you want to cut off your sexual desire? It would be way too easy if we were able to cut off sexual desire by asking one question. Let's not talk about you. It is not easy for many monastics to cut sexual desire, not to mention lay people. One question will not eliminate all sexual desires. People live and die for sexual desire. We came from our father's semen and mother's blood. Sex is the dirtiest. However, people nevertheless pursue it until they die. To get rid of desire, we must work hard on inward reflection.