Yesterday, my Daoist friend and I had a meaningful discussion on how of late; Daoist immortals have been honoring him with their presence. Over the years, he had continually remonstrated to his master, a heavenly immortal, on disciplinary issues in the temple. However he still accepts tasks from his master and dutifully executes them. Since last year, he had indicated to me that he may leave Quanzhen upon completing his latest assignment; to oversee building of the new main temple.
The heavenly immortals must have noted his intention to leave; consequently many had come forth to talk with him. Of the four Northern Patriarchs, Donghua Dijun, Zhongli Quan and Lu Dongbin had through the planchette praised his good works and cultivation. Patriarch Wang Chungyang, the founder of Quanzhen, has so far remained silent. Even Laozi (Taishang Laojun) tried to convince my friend of the merits in continuing to help develop and expand Taoism to the West.
And my simple note on Ways of Heaven spoken in jest to my friend was:
Heaven, Earth and the sage are not humane (bu ren) for they treat things and people like straw dogs*. But Heaven is always on the side of the good**.
(*Chapter 5 and **Chapter 79 TTC, Legge.)
We ended the conversation laughing. For although Heaven treats all things and people equally, Heaven invariably favors the good and virtuous. From experience, so do Buddhas and Daoist immortals.
Self cultivation and doing good deeds comes from the heart/mind (hsin), therefore it transcends religions. The ancients merely taught people to meditate, cultivate virtues and do good deeds. Yet ‘New Age’ Daoists (religious or philosophical) fail to understand the teachings and continuously yak in forums on irrelevant things attempting to put words into the ancients’ mouths. Although humans are born good (and pure), such are the times. But it is never too late to learn, do kind deeds and/or to correct ourselves. That is cultivation.
Have a nice trip and Heaven will be on our side when we start returning to the original state of goodness. The state before each of us was born.
4 comments:
Hi,
I don't understand what you mean by:
"For although Heaven treats all things and people equally, Heaven invariably favors the good and virtuous."
If Heaven treats all people equally, how can it favor the good? Doesn't "equally" mean both good and bad?
pakua,
If there are heavy rains or severe droughts is anyone favored by heaven? If the weather is extremely cold or hot, does heaven care whether anyone can withstand the cold or heat? Therefore Heaven treats everyone equally (like straw dogs) or can be considered not humane depending on the circumstances.
In my part of the world, Buddhas, Daoist immortals and deities come to cure the sick and protect their disciples or those who have affinity with them. But I have also seen or aware that these divinities refused to cure those who are of bad character and who have done harm to people. If my Daoist friend is not good or virtuous, do you think he would be honored by the presence of so many Daoist immortals trying to persuade him to stay? If these heavenly divinities have preferences for the good and virtuous, would Heaven choose otherwise? Are they not representatives of Heaven? Therefore Laozi is also not wrong in saying that Heaven invariably favors the good in Chapter 79 of TTC.
Thank you, I think I understand.
But how would you explain why some fine people, of good character, who fall sick and die? Do they have hidden flaws that we can't see, but Heaven can see?
pakua,
People whether of good or bad character do fall ill and die. It is only natural to have lived and die.
Yes, just like what the ancients said, it is difficult to hide flaws from Heaven, and the divine.
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