220 - Q&A with a Contemporary Dharma King, Vol. 2

Today’s world is within the dharma ending period.

A true virtuous advisor is very rare,

and not easy to find and encounter.

Sheng-Yen Lu

Preface: Q&A with a Contemporary Dharma King, Vol. 2

The publication of my book: Q&A with a Contemporary Dharma King, Vol. 1 (Book#216), caused an unusual sensation. Many readers sent me letters, one after another, which raised new doubts. I had to sort these questions out and then give explanations.

That’s the reason for the publication of this book. I believe this book is very helpful for studying Buddhism and cultivation. I hope all practitioners will cherish this book.

Today’s world is within the dharma ending period. A true virtuous advisor is very rare, and not easy to find and encounter.

Even worse, ordinary beings without the dharma-eye have no discernment, and they miss the true dharma king who is right in front of their faces.

Instead, ordinary beings pursue the one who builds big temples, who is famous, and who does secular work.

In fact, ordinary beings should look for the virtuous advisor, one who has thoroughly achieved realization, who has the enlightened mind and has seen the Buddha-nature, who has mastered Buddhism, and who is honorable without any obstacles. The honorable one must be:

Selfless.

Non-active.

Withoutthought.

Unborn.

Nobody

After the honorable one attained realization, he practiced, saw the Buddha-nature, and manifested the great Bodhi heart. Thereafter, he vowed to deliver all sentient beings in the evil period of the five turbidities throughout all his future incarnations.

Who is this honorable one?

Readers, please pay attention and look carefully.

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Although this book is for everyone, the questioners are all vajra masters, erudite with broad knowledge, whose questions are especially thorough and sharp. If it was not for the presence of a true virtuous advisor, these questions could not be answered.

I’ll reply to the vajra masters, without anger and resentment, with great compassion, by analyzing correct principles, by obtaining evidence from the sutra-pitaka, and with self-realization and self-knowing. I believe my thorough and complete answers to my readers’ questions will resonate with them.

●

Doubts discussed in this book include:

“Substitution of karma.”

“Killing the living.”

“Contradictions within Grand Master Lu’s books.”

“Questions about practice.”

“Conflict between precepts of the Buddha’s time and those of the present era.”

And so on.

These topics are very interesting. How would I address and provide explanations tothese doubts? Fortunately, Grand Master Lu is enlightened and has seen the Buddha-nature. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to reply to these questions. Readers, please carefully study how Grand Master Lu has answered these questions.

  “Is it right to build big temples?”

“Is it right to build hospitals?”

“Is it right to focus oncharities?”

   “Isit right for practitioners to chase fame?”

I would like to go through these questions one by one and analyze them in a clear sequence, demonstrating a clear understanding of the principles and associated subtle points. The book has many more insightful statements which will benefit the Future Buddha as well!

I would encourage readers to ask many more questions.

I will provide “supreme” answers.

Please read this book repeatedly, and you will certainly achieve realization.

Living Buddha Lian Sheng, Sheng-YenLu

17102 NE 40th Ct.

Redmond, WA 98052

U. S. A.