Visit of Aussie-based 'Buddhist Master' draws controversy

PETALING JAYA: A gathering in Kuala Lumpur featuring a so-called "Buddhist Master" who is based in Australia has drawn flak from local Buddhist groups.

Nine Malaysian Buddhist groups and associations came together to issue a statement to advise the public to examine the controversies surrounding the teachings by Lu Jun Hong.

"The spiritual teachings advocated by Lu contain many interpretations that go against Buddhism.

"Buddhist teachings emphasise on educating devotees to realise the true reality of the universe and human life. In no way, Buddhism encourages greed and attachment to worldly pleasures.

"Lu is against universal transference of merits, thereby disregarding the main objectives of compassion and wisdom advocated by Buddhism," they said in a statement.

It added that Lu's teachings, the "Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door" is not recognised by the Chinese government and the Buddhist Association of China had also issued a statement requesting Buddhists to boycott the teaching.

A similar statement was released by Buddhist associations here in 2014.

"Lu claims to have the ability to interpret the significance of dream, totems and adjust feng shui and claims to be able to converse with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy). Some even regard him as an incarnation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

"Interpretation of totems does not exist in Buddhist sutras and texts and Buddhism emphasises on following the Dharma, not individuals," they said.

They also said that the practice of promoting a cult of personality is not a Buddhist practice.

"There has never been a high monk or learned Buddhist propagator who publicly self-proclaims to be the incarnation or spokesperson of a certain Bodhisattva," it said, adding that most of Lu's followers who are in Malaysia to attend the gathering are from other countries.

The gathering is scheduled to be held on Sunday (Dec 30) at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.