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FEATURES | EASTERN HORIZON 35

Buddhism in Plain Terms, page 237: Lu claims that when nature and impact if they are allowed to circulate freely
human beings pass away, for example in hell where they as if they are consistent with Buddhism.
are being tortured in a pot of boiling oil, their Buddha-
nature will be totally destroyed, and no longer exist. Buddhism in Plain Terms, page 21: Lu opines that
“Buddhism, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Eastern
This is clearly against the Buddha’s teaching that the Orthodox Christianity and Hinduism also believe in
Buddha-nature of all sentient beings will not disappear. deities and God, and hence are all the same.”
Metaphysics Q&A, page 30: Lu claims that “everyone In the same book, page 146: Lu repeats “There is only
(including those without religion) upon death will one God. Jesus Christ, the Holy Mother and Bodhisattvas
receive judgment. They will be judged according to serve the same God in heaven. So, belief in God and
whether they are Westerners or Orientals.” belief in Bodhisattvas are the same.”

This statement of Lu is trying to influence people that All orthodox religions remind people to avoid evil and
Buddhist cultivation and practice is irrelevant as far do good. So superficially, all religions are the same. But,
as rebirth is concerned because “the assignment after the criteria for evil and good deeds are not entirely the
death” is entirely decided according to the color of the same for all religions. Not all religions have the same
skin of the deceased. set of precepts. Furthermore, the concepts of suffering,
emptiness (Śūnyatā), non-ego and impermanence,
Metaphysics Q&A, page 156: Lu says “The good or bad which are core teachings of Buddhism, are not found
retributions arising out of good or bad deeds committed in other religions. Buddhists believe that gods and
in a person’s past life will end upon the person heavenly beings (devas) exist but do not believe in
becoming 45 to 50 years of age”. a Creator God. On the other hand, followers of other
religions believe that God is the Creator. These few
According to Buddhism, karmic retributions will take examples make it abundantly clear that Buddhism is not
place either during this life time, next lifetime, or after the same as other religions.
many lifetimes. There is no such thing as a cut-off point
at the age of 45 or 50 years. Precautionary and Counter Measures

Buddhism in Plain Terms, page 47: Lu stresses that “The In the process of debunking deviant teachings such
Heart Sūtra will be converted to “hell currency” during as those of Lu Tai-Zhang, we must be mindful that
the night. Many small demons will come to grab the hell followers of pseudo-Buddhist cults do have some
currency.” affinity with Buddhism. If they have no affinity at all,
they will not pay homage to Buddha and Bodhisattvas
Surely no right-thinking Buddhist will view the Heart or chant Buddhist sūtras and mantras in the first
Sūtra as “hell currency” and that no right-thinking place. Therefore, we must not be confrontational but
follower of any religion will make such a blasphemous compassionate towards them and guide them with
statement about his or her holy text. empathy to return to the right path.

Buddhism in Plain Terms, page 111: Lu implies that the The majority of Lu Tai-Zhang’s followers merely listen
“Heavenly Realm” is higher than the “Buddha Realm”, to his words blindly. They have been misled to believe
meaning heavenly beings are more enlightened than that Lu’s teachings are consistent with Buddhism
Buddhas; and he regards a Śrāvaka (arahat) as a “high- because his two main publications are titled “Buddha-
class Asura”. Dharma in Plain Terms”, and “The Buddha’s Words”. It is
unfortunate that people tend to judge the contents of
Such statements are very damaging to the Buddha’s Lu’s books by their covers and titles.
teachings. We should not overlook their slanderous