Cleansing of poverty

Explanation

The main focus of Master Nick’s teachings is the concept of “Sending off Poverty & Welcoming Wealth.” This service is offered daily to customers and followers, and its purpose is to eliminate any negative karma or bad luck that may be present on an individual’s body. The belief is that by purifying the mind, body and spirit, one can clear the path for blessings and abundance to come into their lives. Master Nick emphasises that true wealth and prosperity come from within, and by purifying inner selves, one can manifest this wealth in the external world.

Master Nick also believes that karma is the root of trouble and that everyone has some karma and bad luck on their body, accumulated from the past life to this life. He emphasises that regardless of Buddhism, Taoism, and other religions, they all believe in cause and effect and retribution. The impact of karma is directly related to us.  

Furthermore, Master Nick also points out that the idea behind “Sending off Poverty & Welcoming Wealth” is to eliminate these negative influences and karmic obstacles, so that one can attract prosperity and good fortune in their life.   As early as the Tang Dynasty, there was a famous poet named Han Yu, who clearly expressed in his poetry that everyone actually has different troubles, even if a person is rich and powerful, they will still have troubles. Han Yu, the poet, described it as poor wisdom (智穷), poor cultivation (文穷), poor learning ability (学穷),  poor fate (命穷), and poor relationships (交穷).  These five things can all cause trouble and suffering.  The idea behind “Sending off Poverty & Welcoming Wealth” is to eliminate these negative influences and karmic obstacles, so that one can attract prosperity and good fortune in their life.This concept is not just  about material wealth, but it encompasses all aspects of one’s life including health, relationships, and spiritual well-being. He encourages his followers to understand that true wealth and prosperity come from within, and by purifying our inner selves, we can manifest this wealth in the external world.

The most important first step in eliminating karma is to understand the importance of repentance, to have a mind filled with good intentions and to have a grateful heart. Master Nick encourages all believers to learn the Repentance Prayer (忏悔文):

我今懺悔，

往昔所造諸惡業，

皆由無始貪瞋痴，

從身語意之所生，

一切我今皆懺悔。

Which when translated into English meaning:
“I, who have committed all kinds of evil deeds in the past, which have arisen from greed, anger, and ignorance since the beginning of time, and from body, speech, and mind, now repent remorsefully.”

The second step after repentance is to practice filial piety and to have a mind filled with good intentions. Under the witness of Lord Ksitigarbha, believers write their ancestors’ name on the “Gold and Silver Mountains” to express their gratitude and prepare to transfer the merit to their ancestors. The compassionate vow of Lord Ksitigarbha is selfless and great. He first rescues all sentient beings from suffering and brings them to peace and happiness, and then attains Buddhahood himself.

After expressing their gratitude, the Master will then begin the blessing ceremony “Sending off Poverty & Receiving Wealth” for the believers.