8.11 What Should We Do If Family Members Obstruct the Setting Up of Altar?

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 Words of wisdom in English

Setting Up an Altar

Some people may encounter obstructions from their families during their spiritual practice. If such obstructions have already hindered their practice, they should proactively resolve the problem and persuade their families through other means. They should learn from previous experience and not fear frustrations. They should keep trying until their family members’ doubts and misunderstandings are cleared. This method will not only broaden our path of spiritual practice, but also increase our families’ and our own wisdom and the spiritual state. The purpose of the wonderful Dharma of Bodhisattvas is to help sentient beings to become spiritually awakened. Helping sentient beings are essentially helping ourselves. Saving others and saving ourselves are mutually reinforcing.

Avoid setting up an altar too soon when your family members do not believe in Buddhism at all.

Excerpt from Wenda 20140126A 05:19
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
I (Master Lu) never recommend that people set up an altar when their family members do not believe in Buddhism at all. If you set up an altar while your family members have little belief in it, you may be in bigger trouble as your families may defame the Buddhas. Defamers will undergo karmic retributions for committing defamation. You will not get away with it, either. As you are the one who triggered the blasphemy, you create negative karma.

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Why does my husband still not allow me to set up an altar after my years of practice?

Excerpt from Wenda 20150703 41:54
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
Master, I haven’t been able to set up an altar. I’ve even decided the location, but my husband keeps discouraging me from setting up the altar. What should I do to set up the altar?

Master Lu:
The conditions for you to set up an altar are not ripe yet. You can keep reciting sutras for your husband.

Caller:
Will he become a Buddhist in the future?

Master Lu:
Were you a Buddhist in the past? You need to carefully reflect on my words as I won’t give you a straightforward answer. I usually give examples that helps people to become awakened and think clearly. My answers tend to stimulate people to think.