Jun Hong Lu

Jun Hong Lu (Chinese: 盧軍宏; pinyin: Lú Jūnhóng, born 4 August 1959) is the leader and the founder of the organisation Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door along with several other religions organisations owned by himself. Controversially, the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door created by Lu was denounced by Malaysian Buddhist Community and Singapore Buddhist Federation.[1][2][3]

In this Chinese name, the family name is Lu.
Jun Hong Lu
卢军宏
Photo of Lu Jun Hong
Born (1959-08-04) 4 August 1959
Shanghai, China
NationalityAustralian
Occupation
  • Chairman of Australia Oriental Media Group
  • President of Australian Chinese Buddhist Research Center
Known forFounder of the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese盧軍宏
Simplified Chinese卢军宏
Websiterichardjunhonglu.org

Early life

Lu was born on 4 August 1959, in Shanghai, China. He later migrated to Australia in the late 80s and became an Australian citizen. In year 2010, he created his own religious belief called Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door (Chinese: 觀世音菩薩心靈法門) and launched organization for the belief.

Founding of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door
The Grand Dharma Talk by Jun Hong Lu in National Stadium Singapore 2017
Jun Hong Lu giving a conference at AccorHotels Arena at Paris in 2019

Since the creation of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door in year 2010, Lu also set up several Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door organization office in many countries. He and his propagating Team later begin to organizes public talks in many countries and regions including major cities in Australia; New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston in the United States; and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, Brussels in Belgium and Madrid in Spain and Rome in Italy. Lu also conducted speech in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, UK, France, Germany, Denmark, Thailand, New Zealand, and Taiwan.[4] The Dharma Convention held by Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door allows visitors to enter for free. The discipleship initiation ceremony is conducted for free.[5] In December 2013 Lu was invited to give a speech at Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD)[6] in recognition of Jun Hong Lu's contribution to the international community.

Publications

Lu written more than 30 books about the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door teaching and issued publicly for free and accessible by online reading and download.[7] Some of his books were being translated into English, French, Spanish and German.[8]

Awards

The UK-based Unity of Faiths Foundation (Charity No.1153619) honored Lu with the 'World Peace Award (Buddhism)' and the title of the Ambassador for World Peace Ambassador for World Peace' in July 2012 for his effort of promoting Traditional Chinese Culture, Buddhism, and World Peace. The Unity of Faiths Festival was one of the events in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. In September 2012, Lu was invited to give a public talk at Harvard University. In October 2012, he received the 'British Community Honors Award' at the House of Lords, United Kingdom.[9]

On 31 March 2014, Lu was awarded Honorary visiting professor by the University of Siena, Italy. The visiting professorship is under the Master Program in Global Governance and Cultural Diplomacy of the University of Siena.[10]

Lu was invited to attend a global summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York as a keynote speaker. The objective of the summit is to formulate a road map for a culture of peace as conflict prevention and mediation. In appreciation for Lu's dedication and service to the promotion of education to nurture a culture of peace, the summit awarded Lu with the title "Ambassador of Peace Education". The award was presented by Emil Constantinescu, the former president of Romania, and Joana, the executive director of International Strategic Alliance Committee.[11]

Views

Mahayana Buddhism

Lu claims that Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door belongs to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and he encourages believers to recite the Buddhist scriptures (Sutras and mantras) on a daily basis, practice life liberation (that is, saving the lives of beings destined for slaughter), make great vows to help more people. Lu claims that these three "golden practices" lay a solid foundation for improved physical and mental well-being.[12]

Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door practices
  1. Reciting Buddhist Sutras/mantras: Guan Yin Citta believes that reciting Buddhist sutras and mantras on a daily basis helps one benefit from the blessings of Buddhas and Bodhisattva. Recitation will not only help eliminate one's negative karma; it will also bring strength, wisdom and inner peace, so that one can overcome all kinds of obstacles. The three major sutras and mantras recited by Guan Yin Citta followers are: the Great Compassion Mantra, the Heart Sutra, and the Eighty-eight Buddhas Repentance. A few optional sutras and mantras are Cundhi Dharani, Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots and Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra.[13]
  2. Practicing life liberation: that is, Release of animals, especially those in grave danger of being killed, is a popular practice performed by all schools of Buddhism. Guan Yin Citta believes that setting animals free helps one cultivate compassion towards all beings, and deepens the understanding that all living beings are all interdependent.[14]
  3. Making great vows: When one makes a vow, he or she will be motivated to fulfill the vow. The vow then becomes very strong energy; it can overcome countless obstacles. This is especially true when one makes a vow out of compassion. Seeing the suffering and hearing the cries of sentient beings, Bodhisattva bring forth immense compassion and vow to benefit all sentient beings.[15]

Organization

On Jun Hong Lu's official Chinese-language blog,[16] he emphasizes the importance of Guan Yin Citta followers' abiding by the rules and regulations in their respective countries and regions when practicing Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door.[17] The main principle of Guan Yin Citta is to love respective country and people, abide by the laws of the country, in achieving a harmonious society. The secretariat further state that, "The Guan Yin Citta practitioner must cultivate compassion for other people, must love respective country and the people, must protect respective country and cultivate harmony in the society; these are the basics of the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist practice, be a pillar of strength for society and respective country."[18]

Religions

In an interview with Radio France Internationale, Lu stated that: "The reason of having 84,000 Dharma is to accommodate all beings and creatures to understand One's self in order to create a soulful world. It will be good enough as long as you have the heart and soul to create a better place for all beings. That is why I respect the Dharma. It doesn't matter which Dharma you choose; it will still be the path that you have to proceed. This is a very important point. Therefore, Chinese in Sydney will practice vegetarian during the first and the fifteenth of the Chinese calendar. There are also a lot of Chinese worshiping the Buddha during festive seasons. Some even know how to practice loving kindness. A few organizations in Sydney such as the Tzu Chi Foundation, Pure Land Buddhism by Master Chin Kung and also Master Hsing Yun's Nan Tien temple are all well established with the same priority, and that is to carry forward the Buddhism Teaching in order to unite everyone physically, mentally and soulfully. Hence, I believe that every Buddhist Chinese from all over the world should continue to practice Buddhism as it will benefit in the cultivation of One's mindset, and also to create a peaceful and harmonious world."[19]

World peace

On 26 March 2014 in Washington, DC, Lu attended a global summit on world peace as a keynote speaker in the US Congress. He was awarded the title of "World Peace Ambassador" at the summit. Lu said: "the dream of a peaceful world could only be realized if we treat each other with compassion, and show kindness to our communities."[20]

In August 2016, Lu stated that: "We want the world to be filled with compassion; we want love to spread to all over the globe; we want countries to be well; we want the people to be well; we want every family to be well - this is Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. Let every one of us be well; let every family be well; let our society be well; let our country be well - this is Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door." [21]

Philanthropy

Flood relief
Yantze River, China – 1998[22]

Criticism

The Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door created by Lu Jun Hong claimed itself as Buddhism, and was criticized by the public and other religious organization for irrelevant teachings and activities towards Buddhism. An example indicated by the religious specialist which is Lu and the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door teaches the believer to burn the yellow paper, known as "Little house". However, the burning of "Little house" was pointed out that it is irrelevant towards Buddhism because it does not exist in the Buddhist teaching.The religious ideology founded by Lu were also criticized for intending to profiting the organization and Lu himself.[23]

Lu are also criticized for forcing the believers to donate money to fund his activities.[24]

Malaysia Buddhism organization's reaction

On 28 December 2018, 9 Buddhism organizations from Malaysia publicly declared that Lu Jun Hong's Guan Yin Citta belief does not match Buddhism's teaching, and urged the public to avoid attending Lu's Guan Yin Citta religious event. The 9 organizations are Malaysian Buddhist Association, Young Buddhist Association Of Malaysia / YBAM ATC, Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, Buddhist Maha Vihara Malaysia, Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia, Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia, BLIA, and Malaysian Buddhist Kulapati Association. Lu Jun Hong self-claimed he has the ability to conduct Totem reading, to see a person's previous life and the doings, and as well as communicate with the Buddhist god, the GuanYin. The Buddhism organizations pointed out that Lu's Totem reading, uses and burning of the "Little house" does not exist in Buddhism.[25] They also declared that their actions of promoting a cult of personality for Lu Jun Hong are also not part of the Buddhist practice.[1]

Singapore Buddhist Federation's reaction

The Singapore Buddhist Federation from Republic of Singapore indicated that they had received numerous complaints from the former believers of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door since Lu jun Hong starts his activity, including the spreading of his Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door's teaching, advertisement campaign and set up an office in Republic of Singapore. Singapore Buddhist Federation responds by issuing a statement on a newspaper from Singapore, declaring the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door is not Buddhism. As well as stating its position clearly in front of the news media by issuing the statement: "The 'Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door' founded by Lu Jun Hong is attached to the Buddha's external road, not Buddhism. I hope that the believers who have joined will quickly withdraw from the 'Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door', and those who have not joined should please stay away."[26]

See also

References
  1. "Visit of Aussie-based 'Buddhist Master' draws controversy". The Star. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  2. "Malaysia Buddhist Community Warns About Lu Jun Hong - Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia". www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. "World Zhengxin Buddhist Association". en.itisalllie.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  4. "Events". Guan Yin Citta. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  5. Facts, Dharma. "Guan Yin Citta Convention - Free Entrance".
  6. "CD-N.ORG |". Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  7. "卢台长 观世音菩萨 心灵法门 书籍 - 卢台长著". Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  8. http://richardjunhonglu.org/jun-hong-lu-publications/
  9. "Ardent promoter of Chinese culture and world peace and Winner of multiple international awards Master Junhong Lu was awarded the 'Ambassador for Peace Education' at UN, "World Peace Ambassador" in U.S. Congress, and "honorary visiting professorship" in Italy". Arabtelegraph.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  10. "Master Lu Awarded Honorary Visiting Professorship by University of Siena in Italy". Guan Yin Citta. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  11. "Ardent promoter of Chinese culture and world peace and Winner of multiple international awards Master Junhong Lu was awarded the "Ambassador for Peace Education" at UN, "World Peace Ambassador" in U.S. Congress, and "honorary visiting professorship" in Italy – عرب تليجراف". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  12. Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. p. 4. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  13. Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. p. 7. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  14. "救彼命，救己心——放生的重要性".
  15. "Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door - Dharma Wheel". www.dharmawheel.net.
  16. "东方台卢军宏台长的博客". Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  17. "中华文化普利众生指导人生 佛法精髓救度众生觉悟人生 ——2016年香港卢军宏台长世界大型弘法活动盛大开幕 : 东方台卢军宏台长的博客".
  18. "About "Guan Yin Citta" and "Master Lu Jun Hong"". sites.google.com.
  19. "中华世界 - 自度渡人-采访澳洲华人佛教学会卢军宏会长". RFI - 法国国际广播电台. 18 July 2012.
  20. Telegraph, Arab. "Ardent promoter of Chinese culture and world peace and Winner of multiple international awards Master Junhong Lu was awarded the 'Ambassador for Peace Education' at UN, "World Peace Ambassador" in U.S. Congress, and "honorary visiting professorship" in Italy". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  21. "What is Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door About". Charitywellbeing.
  22. Telegraph, Arab. "Jun Hong Lu".
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "World Zhengxin Buddhist Association". en.itisalllie.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  25. "九大佛教团体联合声明 吁民众勿出席卢台长见面会". 光华网. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  26. "World Zhengxin Buddhist Association". en.itisalllie.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
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