In Tao Te Ching Chapter 79, Laozi said:
The Way of Heaven is impartial; it is always on the side of the good.
Having Heaven on your side indicates that you are a right person for Tao and will receive its blessings. With Heaven on your side, you count amongst the central, correct, and the blessed. (Refer to the Book of Changes.)
If students of the Way ever wondered how to become good persons and to have Heaven on their side, they would need to read the T’ai-Shang Kan-Ying P’ien and thereafter practise the numerous moral injunctions prescribed therein. Apparently, this Treatise of the Exalted One on Response and Retribution has had more copies in circulation than the Bible and Shakespeare and that millions of devout Chinese down the ages have had practised its moral injunctions and/or had it published.
Amongst the moral injunctions for practice and blessings are:
To accumulate virtue, increase merits. Take pity on orphans, assist widows, respect the old, be kind to children. Assist those in need, and rescue those in danger. Stay evil and promote goodness. Extend help without seeking reward.
Blessings of the Good
Those who are thus (practised the moral injunctions), are good: people honor them; Heaven's Reason gives them grace; blessings and abundance follow them; all ill luck keeps away; angel spirits guard them. Whatever they undertake will surely succeed, and even to spiritual saintliness they may aspire.
Those who wish to attain heavenly saintliness should perform one thousand three hundred good deeds, and those who wish to attain to earthly saintliness should perform three hundred good deeds.
[T’ai-Shang Kan-Ying P’ien as translated by Teitaro Suzuki and Paul Carus – Terebess Asia Online]
When students have had practised the moral injunctions for a while, they may realized that they are becoming good and virtuous. This could also signify the return of a prodigal son.
Where possible students should also learn palmistry and physiognomy since there may come a time when these arts could prove useful to determine if someone’s life is in real danger and in need of saving.
Remember, the saving of innocent lives is of the highest merit; since life is precious to Heaven. This could probably help explain why Daoists down the ages practise Chinese herbal medicine and/or acupuncture to help heal people.
If students have had practised the moral injunctions and have happened to save some people from impending deaths, Heaven will most likely be on their side. (Read the various blogged articles on how to tell that Heaven is on your side.)
It is a requisite for those who practise the dual cultivation of human nature (Xing) and fate (Ming) to have Heaven on their side otherwise they would not be the right persons for Tao. Remember that Heaven governs fate and Laozi had had indicated that Heaven is on the side of the good. Otherwise it would be unlikely they can become Daoist immortals. Therefore they too have to study and practise what is taught in the T’ai-Shang Kan-Ying P’ien. To practise the moral injunctions would also help to change fate for the better.
By studying this treatise, disciples of Daoist celestial immortals would understand better why their ancestor master(s) often remind them to accumulate virtue and to increase merits. And according to the treatise, the number of merits obtained count towards the level of attainment of immortality.
By reading this treatise, evil doers and students of masters who malign renowned Daoist celestial immortals, paragons of virtue, and things of Heaven (respectively Lu Dongbin, Guan Gong, and the Book of Changes for example) may come to realize why they and/or their masters have so much suffering and why some have had their lives unexpectedly shortened. Hopefully after reading the treatise, they would desist in doing further evil and/or stop perpetuating falsehoods on Daoist divinities and on things of Heaven for their own good. That is if they know what is good for them. (There is a long description of evil doers and the consequential punishments in the treatise.)
By reading through the series of articles on this study of the ancient Way, serious neidan students and fellow travelers would probably acknowledge that it would take decades to study and practise what is taught in the four books and five classics together with the practice of the Circulation of the Light for the internal alchemical transformations; and to accumulate virtues and increase merits.
Therefore their masters are either pulling their legs or are misleading them when they lightly promise enlightenment just by following their lineage’s secret neidan formulae. Sad to say, there are no such complete formulae for enlightenment. (Think of the four Confucian books and five ancient Chinese classics, numerous Daoist texts and the Tao Te Ching, several Buddhist sutras and texts for students to study.)
Only real masters know how to teach students to attain the Way (Tao). But even then, whether or not the diligent student can attain Tao will by and large depend on his or her success in the dual cultivation of nature and fate.
Reverting to original nature and to change or master fate could be the key to the return to destiny – Heaven.
P.S. Advising readers how to get Heaven on their side with this article has not brought forth any warnings from Heaven! No sudden thunderstorms, unlike previous drafts on how to get Heaven on their side.
Showing posts with label Blessed by heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blessed by heaven. Show all posts
Friday, December 26, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
A study of the ancient Way (Tao) – The studies
If Yijing aficionados put on their thinking cap for a while; they would realized that the holy sages who wrote the Book of Changes and the three great ancient sages – Laozi, Confucius, and the Buddha - were incredibly wise. If intended neidan (inner alchemy) practitioners have the affinity to consult Daoist celestial immortals; they would also find these divinities extremely wise.
The question to be addressed in this article is how that these personages and divinities became so wise?
Since there is a dearth of records on how the holy sages, Laozi, and the Buddha became so knowledgeable, intelligent, and wise; it could be appropriate to look into what Confucius and Daoist celestial immortals had done before they became great.
However it would be pertinent to first look into the Ten Wings on what the holy sages had done:
In the Discussion on the Trigrams (Shou Gua) (Eight Wing), ancients of great antiquity indicated that “the holy sages by thinking through the order of the outer world to the end, and by exploring the law of their nature (Xing) to the deepest core, they arrived at an understanding of fate (Ming).
Their purpose was to follow the order of their nature and of their fate. Therefore they determine the Tao of heaven and called it the dark and the light. They determined the Tao of earth and called it the yielding and the firm. They determined the Tao of man and called it benevolence (Ren) and righteousness (Yi).” [Book of Changes - W/B]
Since the very actions of the holy sages stated in the Eight Wing could act as a guide but could be beyond many a Yijing aficionado or a neidan practitioner, it is suggested that they look at something simpler to learn more about human nature and fate.
Confucius had had compiled five ancient classics for posterity. They are the Book of Changes (Yijing), Book of History (Shujing), Book of Odes (Shijing), Spring and Autumn Annals (Chun Chiu), and the Book of Rites (Li Ki).
According to Sima Qian (the grand historian of Han), Li Er better known as Laozi was a Royal Zhou Court librarian which means that he also had access to versions of the five ancient classics.
Since both sages are known to greatly admire the ancients, they would have studied and practised their teachings embedded in these five classics. Probably by studying and practising the teachings, both became knowledgeable, intelligent, and wise.
Confucius, his students, and his grandson’s student, Mencius, had had made it even more simpler and easier for posterity to learn about human nature and fate by recording their thoughts and teachings in what is known as the four books. These books are the Analects of Confucius, the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean (Chung Yung), and the Works of Mencius.
The Chinese called these writings; the “Four books and five classics”.
From tradition, the four books and five classics were imperative readings for scholars who sat for and/or passed the imperial exams to become court officials in olden China. By diligently studying the writings over the years or decades, a student could gain extreme intelligence and clarity. This is important for the intended neidan practitioner since according to Lu Dongbin in his Secret of the Golden Flower, only those with extreme intelligence and clarity can work the secret charm in the ancient Circulation of the Light.
Therefore those who delve into the Circulation of the Light meditation without first having the extreme intelligence and clarity would find to their chagrin that they have wasted much of their time and efforts. That probably explains why the many who have had claimed online that they got it after spending decades practising what is taught in the Secret of the Golden Flower actually never did. How could they when they seemed not to possess the extreme intelligence and clarity to make it work?
Furthermore, none of them have had ever mentioned the requisite studies and/or the eternal signposts of the Way that can be witnessed. This statement is equally applicable to the many ‘masters’ who currently teach neidan or its meditation. So be careful.
The dual cultivation of nature (Xing) and fate (Ming) start not with meditation as many tend to believe but with the studies. For without the requisite studies how do students emulate the holy sages to think through the order of the outer world to the end and investigate into their own nature to understand fate? And without the studies, how could they possess extreme intelligence and clarity to work the secret charm in the Circulation of the Light?
The skeptical and those with bias of things Confucian could be in for a surprise to know that several of the renowned Neo Daoists who went on to become celestial immortals have had read the four books and the five ancient classics from a young age. From their biographies, most of these Neo Daoists have been court officials or have had sat for the imperial exams.
If anyone can penetrate the real teachings in the four Confucian books and the Book of Changes; they would deepen their knowledge of the Yijing, they would be able to change and/or master their fate (Ming), they could rectify and keep still their heart (Xin) and by cultivating the four cardinal virtues taught therein they could become good to also enjoy the protection of Heaven. By putting these teachings into practice, they could become a Junzi (superior person) of old.
In the Records of the Grand Historian, Sima Qian had indicated that the Han Court officials who followed the Huang / Lao tradition read the Tao Te Ching during their leisure. Intended neidan practitioners must also study this ancient classic in time to come. Reading the Tao Te Ching could become rather more meaningful after several years of practising the Circulation of the Light meditation; since this particular ancient classic contains many eternal signposts of the Way.
By now, readers would understand a bit more on how the holy sages, the great ancient sages and the Daoist celestial immortals had had become so incredibly wise.
Therefore whether you are young or old, if you really want to practise neidan and/or learn more about Chinese culture, it is best that you read the four books and five classics.
However since the studies, the meditation, and the cultivation could take a lifetime to master, it is for those with seriousness of purpose to consider properly before they decide to embark on the magical far journey to Tao. Probably millions have tried and only a handful of them have had succeeded in the return to Tao.
This brings to mind, an archaic truth where Confucius said: “By nature, men are nearly alike: by practice, they get to be wide apart.” This deep insight into humanity remains true till today.
The question to be addressed in this article is how that these personages and divinities became so wise?
Since there is a dearth of records on how the holy sages, Laozi, and the Buddha became so knowledgeable, intelligent, and wise; it could be appropriate to look into what Confucius and Daoist celestial immortals had done before they became great.
However it would be pertinent to first look into the Ten Wings on what the holy sages had done:
In the Discussion on the Trigrams (Shou Gua) (Eight Wing), ancients of great antiquity indicated that “the holy sages by thinking through the order of the outer world to the end, and by exploring the law of their nature (Xing) to the deepest core, they arrived at an understanding of fate (Ming).
Their purpose was to follow the order of their nature and of their fate. Therefore they determine the Tao of heaven and called it the dark and the light. They determined the Tao of earth and called it the yielding and the firm. They determined the Tao of man and called it benevolence (Ren) and righteousness (Yi).” [Book of Changes - W/B]
Since the very actions of the holy sages stated in the Eight Wing could act as a guide but could be beyond many a Yijing aficionado or a neidan practitioner, it is suggested that they look at something simpler to learn more about human nature and fate.
Confucius had had compiled five ancient classics for posterity. They are the Book of Changes (Yijing), Book of History (Shujing), Book of Odes (Shijing), Spring and Autumn Annals (Chun Chiu), and the Book of Rites (Li Ki).
According to Sima Qian (the grand historian of Han), Li Er better known as Laozi was a Royal Zhou Court librarian which means that he also had access to versions of the five ancient classics.
Since both sages are known to greatly admire the ancients, they would have studied and practised their teachings embedded in these five classics. Probably by studying and practising the teachings, both became knowledgeable, intelligent, and wise.
Confucius, his students, and his grandson’s student, Mencius, had had made it even more simpler and easier for posterity to learn about human nature and fate by recording their thoughts and teachings in what is known as the four books. These books are the Analects of Confucius, the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean (Chung Yung), and the Works of Mencius.
The Chinese called these writings; the “Four books and five classics”.
From tradition, the four books and five classics were imperative readings for scholars who sat for and/or passed the imperial exams to become court officials in olden China. By diligently studying the writings over the years or decades, a student could gain extreme intelligence and clarity. This is important for the intended neidan practitioner since according to Lu Dongbin in his Secret of the Golden Flower, only those with extreme intelligence and clarity can work the secret charm in the ancient Circulation of the Light.
Therefore those who delve into the Circulation of the Light meditation without first having the extreme intelligence and clarity would find to their chagrin that they have wasted much of their time and efforts. That probably explains why the many who have had claimed online that they got it after spending decades practising what is taught in the Secret of the Golden Flower actually never did. How could they when they seemed not to possess the extreme intelligence and clarity to make it work?
Furthermore, none of them have had ever mentioned the requisite studies and/or the eternal signposts of the Way that can be witnessed. This statement is equally applicable to the many ‘masters’ who currently teach neidan or its meditation. So be careful.
The dual cultivation of nature (Xing) and fate (Ming) start not with meditation as many tend to believe but with the studies. For without the requisite studies how do students emulate the holy sages to think through the order of the outer world to the end and investigate into their own nature to understand fate? And without the studies, how could they possess extreme intelligence and clarity to work the secret charm in the Circulation of the Light?
The skeptical and those with bias of things Confucian could be in for a surprise to know that several of the renowned Neo Daoists who went on to become celestial immortals have had read the four books and the five ancient classics from a young age. From their biographies, most of these Neo Daoists have been court officials or have had sat for the imperial exams.
If anyone can penetrate the real teachings in the four Confucian books and the Book of Changes; they would deepen their knowledge of the Yijing, they would be able to change and/or master their fate (Ming), they could rectify and keep still their heart (Xin) and by cultivating the four cardinal virtues taught therein they could become good to also enjoy the protection of Heaven. By putting these teachings into practice, they could become a Junzi (superior person) of old.
In the Records of the Grand Historian, Sima Qian had indicated that the Han Court officials who followed the Huang / Lao tradition read the Tao Te Ching during their leisure. Intended neidan practitioners must also study this ancient classic in time to come. Reading the Tao Te Ching could become rather more meaningful after several years of practising the Circulation of the Light meditation; since this particular ancient classic contains many eternal signposts of the Way.
By now, readers would understand a bit more on how the holy sages, the great ancient sages and the Daoist celestial immortals had had become so incredibly wise.
Therefore whether you are young or old, if you really want to practise neidan and/or learn more about Chinese culture, it is best that you read the four books and five classics.
However since the studies, the meditation, and the cultivation could take a lifetime to master, it is for those with seriousness of purpose to consider properly before they decide to embark on the magical far journey to Tao. Probably millions have tried and only a handful of them have had succeeded in the return to Tao.
This brings to mind, an archaic truth where Confucius said: “By nature, men are nearly alike: by practice, they get to be wide apart.” This deep insight into humanity remains true till today.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Right persons for Tao
Many people who have shown interests in learning the Way invariably ask what Tao can do for them. Yet they often tend to forget to ask themselves what they have done or could do for Heaven and Tao in return for a fair exchange.
From decades old studies and observations and similar to ancient times, Heaven and Tao would just as mysteriously take back what they have granted.
Therefore if we have ever achieved supreme success through the help of Heaven and Tao, we would need to repay the favor via the Way of Man by practising benevolence (Ren) and righteousness (Yi). Failure to do so has brought on untold hardships to arrogant dragons with cause to repent (refer nine at the top of Hexagram Qian) – since in a way, these particular dragons have offended Heaven.
For those who wish to make achievements in attaining immortality as indicated in the Tao Te Ching by Laozi, they first have to become the right persons for Tao. Even if they happened to be disciples of celestial immortals, it does not necessary mean that they are the right persons for Tao since they still need to study and cultivate (siu hang) just like everyone else including the self-taught to become one.
To be a right person for Tao is not difficult. Just do not expect instant gratification, since it will take much time and real efforts to become the right person for Tao – the trails and tribulations of the Buddha before his enlightenment provide a good example.
If earnest students do not study the ancient books and classics and cultivate themselves according to what is taught therein, they would not become cultivated, learned and/or wise. If they are not learned and wise they would be unable to comprehend, let alone penetrate (Tong), the profound Book of Changes and the Tao Te Ching.
Without being cultivated, learned and wise, they will not be the right persons for Tao.
To know more about the qualifications of the right person for Tao, we turn to the definition given by Liu Huayang in his Hui Ming Ching and later to Lu Dongbin in the Secret of the Golden Flower [both texts translated by Wilhelm / Baynes]:
“He who lacks the right virtue may well find something in it, but heaven will not grant him his Tao. Why not? The right virtue belongs to the Tao as does one wing of a bird to the other: if one is lacking, the other is of no use. Therefore there is needed loyalty and reverence, humaneness and justice and strict adherence to the five (Buddhist) commandments; then only does one have the prospect of attaining something.”
What Liu Huayang has indicated is that even if the meditation is correct, those without the right virtue(s) will not attain immortality or Buddha hood. While others may have reservations, Daoists in the East would agree that Liu Huayang’s indications (which include the requisite meditation) about the right person for Tao are apt. Since these personal qualities are taught in the Book of Changes and in the Tao Te Ching, in the four Confucian books, and in the Buddhist sutras – the three doctrines.
“The Golden Flower is the Elixir of Life (Jindan). All changes of spiritual consciousness depend on the heart (Xin). There is a secret charm which, although it works very accurately, is yet so fluid that it needs extreme intelligence and clarity, and the most complete absorption and tranquility. People without this highest degree of intelligence and understanding do not find the way to apply the charm; people without this utmost capacity for absorption and tranquility cannot keep fast hold of it.”
Even if we have the right virtue(s), but are not sufficiently learned and wise – according to Lu Dongbin-, we would not find the way to apply the secret charm since the highest degree of intelligence and understanding is required to practise the backward flow method for the Circulation of the Light. If we cannot empty our mind (Xin) and still our heart (Xin) we would not have the utmost capacity for absorption and tranquility to keep fast hold of the charm.
Therefore without the right virtue(s) and the requisite meditation how could Heaven (Tian) grant Man (Ren) his Tao?
With what had been discussed over the years, regular readers and others should know the numerous benefits of studying the ancient books and classics, and of cultivation. With this definition of right persons for Tao, they would also be able to discern real neidan masters from the fakes.
So there you go. This little, I would know.
From decades old studies and observations and similar to ancient times, Heaven and Tao would just as mysteriously take back what they have granted.
Therefore if we have ever achieved supreme success through the help of Heaven and Tao, we would need to repay the favor via the Way of Man by practising benevolence (Ren) and righteousness (Yi). Failure to do so has brought on untold hardships to arrogant dragons with cause to repent (refer nine at the top of Hexagram Qian) – since in a way, these particular dragons have offended Heaven.
For those who wish to make achievements in attaining immortality as indicated in the Tao Te Ching by Laozi, they first have to become the right persons for Tao. Even if they happened to be disciples of celestial immortals, it does not necessary mean that they are the right persons for Tao since they still need to study and cultivate (siu hang) just like everyone else including the self-taught to become one.
To be a right person for Tao is not difficult. Just do not expect instant gratification, since it will take much time and real efforts to become the right person for Tao – the trails and tribulations of the Buddha before his enlightenment provide a good example.
If earnest students do not study the ancient books and classics and cultivate themselves according to what is taught therein, they would not become cultivated, learned and/or wise. If they are not learned and wise they would be unable to comprehend, let alone penetrate (Tong), the profound Book of Changes and the Tao Te Ching.
Without being cultivated, learned and wise, they will not be the right persons for Tao.
To know more about the qualifications of the right person for Tao, we turn to the definition given by Liu Huayang in his Hui Ming Ching and later to Lu Dongbin in the Secret of the Golden Flower [both texts translated by Wilhelm / Baynes]:
“He who lacks the right virtue may well find something in it, but heaven will not grant him his Tao. Why not? The right virtue belongs to the Tao as does one wing of a bird to the other: if one is lacking, the other is of no use. Therefore there is needed loyalty and reverence, humaneness and justice and strict adherence to the five (Buddhist) commandments; then only does one have the prospect of attaining something.”
What Liu Huayang has indicated is that even if the meditation is correct, those without the right virtue(s) will not attain immortality or Buddha hood. While others may have reservations, Daoists in the East would agree that Liu Huayang’s indications (which include the requisite meditation) about the right person for Tao are apt. Since these personal qualities are taught in the Book of Changes and in the Tao Te Ching, in the four Confucian books, and in the Buddhist sutras – the three doctrines.
“The Golden Flower is the Elixir of Life (Jindan). All changes of spiritual consciousness depend on the heart (Xin). There is a secret charm which, although it works very accurately, is yet so fluid that it needs extreme intelligence and clarity, and the most complete absorption and tranquility. People without this highest degree of intelligence and understanding do not find the way to apply the charm; people without this utmost capacity for absorption and tranquility cannot keep fast hold of it.”
Even if we have the right virtue(s), but are not sufficiently learned and wise – according to Lu Dongbin-, we would not find the way to apply the secret charm since the highest degree of intelligence and understanding is required to practise the backward flow method for the Circulation of the Light. If we cannot empty our mind (Xin) and still our heart (Xin) we would not have the utmost capacity for absorption and tranquility to keep fast hold of the charm.
Therefore without the right virtue(s) and the requisite meditation how could Heaven (Tian) grant Man (Ren) his Tao?
With what had been discussed over the years, regular readers and others should know the numerous benefits of studying the ancient books and classics, and of cultivation. With this definition of right persons for Tao, they would also be able to discern real neidan masters from the fakes.
So there you go. This little, I would know.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Getting to know Heaven
This is not the original article that I had set out to write. The article in final draft forms and titled, “How to get Heaven on our side” had to be deleted after receiving a warning from Heaven (Tian) probably for revealing its secrets (Ke). Just as I was finishing that particular draft, a sudden thunderstorm appeared with loud thunder very close by. By instinct I had quickly deleted the entire draft, emptied the recycle bin in the computer, and the thunder immediately stopped. Within minutes the thunderstorm passed. Regular readers will not find anything strange about this phenomenon since they have read it before in my articles on the then yet-to-unfold global omens, and the yet-to-unfold twelfth prophecy of Zhuge Liang on China, from the Yijing.
After all, the phenomenon serves as a fair warning from Heaven to those who want to over reveal its secrets. Not too much different from the fair warning given by the two divinities to Guan Lo of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms fame. Therefore I am now writing this article instead. And you know what; there is no thunderstorm, so far so good!
Yijing aficionados and students of Tao should learn to know Heaven if they wished to or have already dedicated a lifetime to their respective studies. They may be able to get Heaven on their side if they cultivate both Human nature (Xing) and Fate (Ming) as taught by the Holy Sages who wrote the Book of Changes. And do good deeds as indicated in Daoist texts. Sincere and serious students of Tao and the Yijing should take note of this. Human lives are precious to Heaven, if you can save an innocent life (or lives); do so without hesitation.
Perchance, if they already know heaven, they can still learn something deeper from the Book of Changes or from the three great ancient sages, Laozi, Confucius, and the Buddha. For these three sages knew Heaven well. Read on.
Confucius told his students, when they were facing danger of being robbed and killed, that since the passing of King Wen, Heaven has chosen him to be the standard bearer of culture; the men of Guang (the pillagers) can do nothing to him. [Records of the Grand Historian - Shiji]
In the Analects, Confucius has had made several statements which depicted his deep and profound knowledge of Heaven but I will only use one which have much relevance in this discourse and found to be true from actual experiences and observations over the past two decades:
“He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray”. [III, xiii Legge]
Confucius had used this statement to provide a fair warning to the officer who had wanted to usurp his position.
Although ancient, what Confucius had stated two thousand five hundred years ago is still applicable till today. Truths always withstand the passage of time. Those on the receiving end of Heaven’s wrath, with or without fair warning, may still quite not understand what they have done wrong. Perhaps by reading this article, they can learn from their past mistakes.
Pedant scholars the likes of the late Professor Homer Dubs will hardly believe a word of what I say since there is dearth of literature to substantiate the phenomena of Heaven’s actions on behalf of the good, unless they are deep and thorough enough to comprehend the sayings of the three great sages. When even Xunzi, a top ancient philosopher of his time and an accredited Confucian, did not quite understand these two statements of Confucius, what more can be expected of both ancient and modern pedant scholars?
Instead of being a Confucian Junzi (superior person) who stands in awe of sages, Xunzi proffered a contrary view on Heaven which opposes the identical thoughts of the three great ancient sages, and his contemporary, Mencius.
For only those who have experienced it can appreciate the phenomena of Heaven’s moral will. They may further get to know the Mandate of Heaven (Tian Ming) around the age of fifty, give or take a few years.
In the modern context and with great contributions from science, readers should pay more particular attention to what they say or do in Daoist or Yijing forums and in this lowly blog. If they happen to come across a dull and seemingly ignorant person with no oratorical skills at all and yet ventured to talk in simple English about Tao and/or Yijing omens, stay well clear if you do not believe a word of what he says!
Never call him names, nor disparage his practices or his works, unless you really know more than this particular frog-in-the-well that had been sent-down-the-mountain by the Yijing for fellowship with men. He could already have Heaven on his side. And/or assisting the gods as indicated in the Great Treatise (Da Zhuan).
By calling him names; by disparaging his practices and his works; by injuring him with words or thievery; by reneging on agreements or promises made to him; culprits had offended Heaven and had been punished. Therefore this also goes to show that Heaven has moral will.
To remain blameless, he has always hinted to (previous and present) forum members and to readers not to cast aspersions on what he does or says unless they try to correct his mistakes, if any. And according to Confucius and the Buddha, the culprits had brought Heaven’s wrath down upon themselves.
To settle doubts, please also listen carefully to what the Buddha and Laozi had respectively said:
The Buddha asked the man who came to denounce his Way and his practice that if he offers a gift to his neighbor and his neighbor accept it not; would not the gift be returned to him? And the man replied, ‘It will’. The Buddha then said: “You denounce me now, but as I accept it not, you must take the wrong deed back on your own person.”
The Buddha said, “Evil doers who denounce the wise resemble a person who spits against the sky; the spittle will never reach the sky; but comes down on himself.” [Both quotations Google from: The sayings of Buddha in forty-two sections]
Laozi in Chapter 79 of his Tao Te Ching said:
“The Way of Heaven is impartial; it is on the side of the good”.
By providing a reference on Heaven’s moral will in Chapter 79, and by providing many other references on Heaven and Earth in his Tao Te Ching for future generations, Laozi depicted his profound knowledge of Heaven.
What the Buddha and Confucius had respectively taught, ‘evil deed(s) will redound on the culprits’ and ‘those who offends Heaven will be punished and has no one to pray to,’ is but one of the ways how Heaven protects the good.
The observant and those who are directly taught by Daoist celestial immortals or Buddhas would know more ways than this. These ways form part and parcel of Heaven’s secrets. Disclosures of which can be subjected to fair warnings from Heaven!
The mysterious workings of Heaven and Tao are certainly not easy to comprehend until experienced. We should know our own limitations and be circumspect of what we say or do in public regarding ancient Yijing and Tao practices, lest we inadvertently offend Heaven.
Good deeds seemed unrewarded and evil deeds seemed unpunished yet Heaven’s and/or divinities’ rewards and punishments often manifest for those who in the know. Those who know this phenomenon down the ages based on what they have taught include Laozi, Confucius, the Buddha, and Mencius.
Perhaps after reading this article, readers got to know the ways of Heaven a bit better?
After all, the phenomenon serves as a fair warning from Heaven to those who want to over reveal its secrets. Not too much different from the fair warning given by the two divinities to Guan Lo of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms fame. Therefore I am now writing this article instead. And you know what; there is no thunderstorm, so far so good!
Yijing aficionados and students of Tao should learn to know Heaven if they wished to or have already dedicated a lifetime to their respective studies. They may be able to get Heaven on their side if they cultivate both Human nature (Xing) and Fate (Ming) as taught by the Holy Sages who wrote the Book of Changes. And do good deeds as indicated in Daoist texts. Sincere and serious students of Tao and the Yijing should take note of this. Human lives are precious to Heaven, if you can save an innocent life (or lives); do so without hesitation.
Perchance, if they already know heaven, they can still learn something deeper from the Book of Changes or from the three great ancient sages, Laozi, Confucius, and the Buddha. For these three sages knew Heaven well. Read on.
Confucius told his students, when they were facing danger of being robbed and killed, that since the passing of King Wen, Heaven has chosen him to be the standard bearer of culture; the men of Guang (the pillagers) can do nothing to him. [Records of the Grand Historian - Shiji]
In the Analects, Confucius has had made several statements which depicted his deep and profound knowledge of Heaven but I will only use one which have much relevance in this discourse and found to be true from actual experiences and observations over the past two decades:
“He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray”. [III, xiii Legge]
Confucius had used this statement to provide a fair warning to the officer who had wanted to usurp his position.
Although ancient, what Confucius had stated two thousand five hundred years ago is still applicable till today. Truths always withstand the passage of time. Those on the receiving end of Heaven’s wrath, with or without fair warning, may still quite not understand what they have done wrong. Perhaps by reading this article, they can learn from their past mistakes.
Pedant scholars the likes of the late Professor Homer Dubs will hardly believe a word of what I say since there is dearth of literature to substantiate the phenomena of Heaven’s actions on behalf of the good, unless they are deep and thorough enough to comprehend the sayings of the three great sages. When even Xunzi, a top ancient philosopher of his time and an accredited Confucian, did not quite understand these two statements of Confucius, what more can be expected of both ancient and modern pedant scholars?
Instead of being a Confucian Junzi (superior person) who stands in awe of sages, Xunzi proffered a contrary view on Heaven which opposes the identical thoughts of the three great ancient sages, and his contemporary, Mencius.
For only those who have experienced it can appreciate the phenomena of Heaven’s moral will. They may further get to know the Mandate of Heaven (Tian Ming) around the age of fifty, give or take a few years.
In the modern context and with great contributions from science, readers should pay more particular attention to what they say or do in Daoist or Yijing forums and in this lowly blog. If they happen to come across a dull and seemingly ignorant person with no oratorical skills at all and yet ventured to talk in simple English about Tao and/or Yijing omens, stay well clear if you do not believe a word of what he says!
Never call him names, nor disparage his practices or his works, unless you really know more than this particular frog-in-the-well that had been sent-down-the-mountain by the Yijing for fellowship with men. He could already have Heaven on his side. And/or assisting the gods as indicated in the Great Treatise (Da Zhuan).
By calling him names; by disparaging his practices and his works; by injuring him with words or thievery; by reneging on agreements or promises made to him; culprits had offended Heaven and had been punished. Therefore this also goes to show that Heaven has moral will.
To remain blameless, he has always hinted to (previous and present) forum members and to readers not to cast aspersions on what he does or says unless they try to correct his mistakes, if any. And according to Confucius and the Buddha, the culprits had brought Heaven’s wrath down upon themselves.
To settle doubts, please also listen carefully to what the Buddha and Laozi had respectively said:
The Buddha asked the man who came to denounce his Way and his practice that if he offers a gift to his neighbor and his neighbor accept it not; would not the gift be returned to him? And the man replied, ‘It will’. The Buddha then said: “You denounce me now, but as I accept it not, you must take the wrong deed back on your own person.”
The Buddha said, “Evil doers who denounce the wise resemble a person who spits against the sky; the spittle will never reach the sky; but comes down on himself.” [Both quotations Google from: The sayings of Buddha in forty-two sections]
Laozi in Chapter 79 of his Tao Te Ching said:
“The Way of Heaven is impartial; it is on the side of the good”.
By providing a reference on Heaven’s moral will in Chapter 79, and by providing many other references on Heaven and Earth in his Tao Te Ching for future generations, Laozi depicted his profound knowledge of Heaven.
What the Buddha and Confucius had respectively taught, ‘evil deed(s) will redound on the culprits’ and ‘those who offends Heaven will be punished and has no one to pray to,’ is but one of the ways how Heaven protects the good.
The observant and those who are directly taught by Daoist celestial immortals or Buddhas would know more ways than this. These ways form part and parcel of Heaven’s secrets. Disclosures of which can be subjected to fair warnings from Heaven!
The mysterious workings of Heaven and Tao are certainly not easy to comprehend until experienced. We should know our own limitations and be circumspect of what we say or do in public regarding ancient Yijing and Tao practices, lest we inadvertently offend Heaven.
Good deeds seemed unrewarded and evil deeds seemed unpunished yet Heaven’s and/or divinities’ rewards and punishments often manifest for those who in the know. Those who know this phenomenon down the ages based on what they have taught include Laozi, Confucius, the Buddha, and Mencius.
Perhaps after reading this article, readers got to know the ways of Heaven a bit better?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
To be blessed by heaven (3)
The headline in Reuters on January 9 2008 reads:
Pollsters flummoxed by New Hampshire primary.
The online article went on to say:
“Ahead of Tuesday’s vote in NH, pollsters had widely predicted that senator Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the Democrats’ contest with many foreseeing a double-digit margin. In the event, the New York senator and former first lady beat Obama, edging him out by under 3 percent.”
While the various pollsters try to figure out how and where their polls had gone wrong, perhaps it is timely to refer back to the Yi prognostication given to Professor Sam Crane in January 2007 on Hillary Clinton’s chance to become the next US President. (Sam blogged the prognostication on January 23 2007 in his ‘The Useless Tree’ blog. My entry which relied on his accurate oracles and with additional interpretation was made a week later.)
To become a democratic elected ruler of the most powerful nation on earth is never easy. Many equally good and well qualified individuals will contest in the elections. The ancient Chinese believe rulers have the mandate from heaven to rule over the people. The modern Chinese may use many different prediction methods to try to determine the outcome, in this case, of the current US presidential contest. Just like the pollsters, they may scratch their heads if the predicted candidate drops out midway or fails to win.
In the prognostication by way of Hexagram 14 Da Yu / Possession in Great Measure which changed to Hexagram 32 Heng / Duration, the Yi did not say outright that Hillary Clinton will win the US Presidency elections; the outcome depends on whether or not she will follow the way of Heaven. If she does, she will be blessed by Heaven and win the Democrat contest. Later she will have to face her selected opponent, a minister, from the Republican party. If she has improved upon her cultivation, again she will be blessed by Heaven.
For sincerity (in serving the people and truth) is also the way of Heaven. While the pollsters still scratch their heads, Hillary Clinton should know it by now after the Iowa loss and the New Hampshire win. The Yi has spoken. The voters from New Hampshire may have recognized the 'change' when Clinton spoke from her heart, and approved.
To understand the profound Yi proves difficult, more so if an accurate prognostication relates to the will of Heaven?
Pollsters flummoxed by New Hampshire primary.
The online article went on to say:
“Ahead of Tuesday’s vote in NH, pollsters had widely predicted that senator Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the Democrats’ contest with many foreseeing a double-digit margin. In the event, the New York senator and former first lady beat Obama, edging him out by under 3 percent.”
While the various pollsters try to figure out how and where their polls had gone wrong, perhaps it is timely to refer back to the Yi prognostication given to Professor Sam Crane in January 2007 on Hillary Clinton’s chance to become the next US President. (Sam blogged the prognostication on January 23 2007 in his ‘The Useless Tree’ blog. My entry which relied on his accurate oracles and with additional interpretation was made a week later.)
To become a democratic elected ruler of the most powerful nation on earth is never easy. Many equally good and well qualified individuals will contest in the elections. The ancient Chinese believe rulers have the mandate from heaven to rule over the people. The modern Chinese may use many different prediction methods to try to determine the outcome, in this case, of the current US presidential contest. Just like the pollsters, they may scratch their heads if the predicted candidate drops out midway or fails to win.
In the prognostication by way of Hexagram 14 Da Yu / Possession in Great Measure which changed to Hexagram 32 Heng / Duration, the Yi did not say outright that Hillary Clinton will win the US Presidency elections; the outcome depends on whether or not she will follow the way of Heaven. If she does, she will be blessed by Heaven and win the Democrat contest. Later she will have to face her selected opponent, a minister, from the Republican party. If she has improved upon her cultivation, again she will be blessed by Heaven.
For sincerity (in serving the people and truth) is also the way of Heaven. While the pollsters still scratch their heads, Hillary Clinton should know it by now after the Iowa loss and the New Hampshire win. The Yi has spoken. The voters from New Hampshire may have recognized the 'change' when Clinton spoke from her heart, and approved.
To understand the profound Yi proves difficult, more so if an accurate prognostication relates to the will of Heaven?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
To be blessed by heaven (2)
Shortly after the entry of the same title, by coincidence, the Yi answered Sam Crane’s question on the presidential prospect of Hillary Clinton with moving first and top lines of Hexagram 14 Da You / Possession in Great Measure with a resultant Hexagram 32 Heng / Duration. The top line of Da You means someone blessed by heaven. Sam was so enthusiastic over what Yi has said about Hillary’s prospects that he did not wait to post the oracle in his ‘The Useless Tree’ blog on the usual Fridays. Instead, he posted it on a Tuesday and titled the entry, “Another President Clinton?”
Indeed it is a good prognostication, but as Sam correctly interpreted, Hillary Clinton has much to cultivate before she can expect blessings from heaven. If heaven bless her, the USA and the world would be a happier place for people to live in. If you wonder why one had said that, perhaps we can take a look at what she has to cultivate to be blessed by heaven.
The Judgment :
Possession in Great Measure. Supreme success.
The Image:
Fire in heaven above: Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good, and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.
If Hillary can cultivate to become a Junzi or a Da Ren to curb existing evil and furthers good in the US and in the world, is it not for the common good?
Since she has just announced her candidacy for the US President, the bottom line change of Da You is certainly apt. It means :
No relationship with what is harmful; there is no blame in this. If one remains conscious of difficulty, one remains without blame.
The line signals caution in what she has set out to do. If there is no relationship with evil doers, then it is alright. Hillary has just entered the situation in Da You. She has to constantly be aware of the difficulties which lay ahead.
'From the bottom line of Trigram Qian, she has to overcome two lines (probably competitors from her own Democratic Party) before she can reach - Trigram Li - clarity. If she gets clear as indicated by the Yi, she will still need to beat her worthy opponent from the Republican Party represented by the fourth line (a minister) to become the next US President. If she is sincere and truly serve the people, she can win the US presidency. And represent the female in the fifth line which rules over five male lines of the hexagram.'
The top line of Da You means :
He is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further.
By giving a changing top line instead of the fifth, the Yi probably wants to indicate that Hillary can do more for the world and thereby receive blessings from heaven. In this second entry, one repeats what Confucius says of this top line :
To bless means to help. Heaven helps the man who is devoted; men help the man who is true. He who walks in truth and is devoted in his thinking, and furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. He has good fortune, and there is nothing that would not further. (Think King Wen.)
Sincerity in serving the people and truth are what the US people have demanded. The whole world wants peace but has no current leader to look up to. A great statesman or stateswoman is sorely lacking to resolve the current crises.
Can Hillary Clinton curbs evil and furthers good in the world?
With the prognostication, the Yi has indicated that she can certainly rise to the challenges ahead and receives blessings from heaven.
In case some world leaders still cannot see it, only true words and sincere actions - like those expected in a husband and wife relationship - can result in duration (Hexagram 32 Heng).
Indeed it is a good prognostication, but as Sam correctly interpreted, Hillary Clinton has much to cultivate before she can expect blessings from heaven. If heaven bless her, the USA and the world would be a happier place for people to live in. If you wonder why one had said that, perhaps we can take a look at what she has to cultivate to be blessed by heaven.
The Judgment :
Possession in Great Measure. Supreme success.
The Image:
Fire in heaven above: Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good, and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.
If Hillary can cultivate to become a Junzi or a Da Ren to curb existing evil and furthers good in the US and in the world, is it not for the common good?
Since she has just announced her candidacy for the US President, the bottom line change of Da You is certainly apt. It means :
No relationship with what is harmful; there is no blame in this. If one remains conscious of difficulty, one remains without blame.
The line signals caution in what she has set out to do. If there is no relationship with evil doers, then it is alright. Hillary has just entered the situation in Da You. She has to constantly be aware of the difficulties which lay ahead.
'From the bottom line of Trigram Qian, she has to overcome two lines (probably competitors from her own Democratic Party) before she can reach - Trigram Li - clarity. If she gets clear as indicated by the Yi, she will still need to beat her worthy opponent from the Republican Party represented by the fourth line (a minister) to become the next US President. If she is sincere and truly serve the people, she can win the US presidency. And represent the female in the fifth line which rules over five male lines of the hexagram.'
The top line of Da You means :
He is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further.
By giving a changing top line instead of the fifth, the Yi probably wants to indicate that Hillary can do more for the world and thereby receive blessings from heaven. In this second entry, one repeats what Confucius says of this top line :
To bless means to help. Heaven helps the man who is devoted; men help the man who is true. He who walks in truth and is devoted in his thinking, and furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. He has good fortune, and there is nothing that would not further. (Think King Wen.)
Sincerity in serving the people and truth are what the US people have demanded. The whole world wants peace but has no current leader to look up to. A great statesman or stateswoman is sorely lacking to resolve the current crises.
Can Hillary Clinton curbs evil and furthers good in the world?
With the prognostication, the Yi has indicated that she can certainly rise to the challenges ahead and receives blessings from heaven.
In case some world leaders still cannot see it, only true words and sincere actions - like those expected in a husband and wife relationship - can result in duration (Hexagram 32 Heng).
Saturday, January 06, 2007
To be blessed by heaven
Blessings from heaven can come in many forms: rain in a drought area (think farmers and peasants); heavy downpours that extinguish fierce fire traps (think Sima Yi and sons); special gifts - children for barren parents, a son for those who desire one; miracles - the extensions of and saving of lives; special stock market ‘tips’; and many others.
From ancient times till now and whether religions had been established or not, while the way people think may change, heaven has not changed. Many people down the ages liked to be blessed by heaven. Who would not want miracles to happen or to become rich without doing much – like finding a gold mine, striking a ‘snowballed’ lottery or winning the football pools?
People around the world like to think that if they pray to this god or that deity they would get heaven’s blessings. Others tend to believe that if they follow this or that Daoist sect, heavenly immortals will make them rich. If it was that simple and easy, every devotee, religious follower, and/or disciple will become rich and no one needs to work. Therefore if their real intentions to practice a religion were to secure great wealth and miracles, most will end up disappointed since money does not fall from heaven and miracles do not just happen. Those who cannot think through may then lay blame on the various religions or even heaven.
However, all is not lost, since we could learn a thing or two from the Zhouyi and the ancients on how to obtain a blessing from heaven. The top line of Hexagram 14 Da Yu / Possession in Great Measure means:
He is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further.
Confucius says of this line:
To bless means to help. Heaven helps the man who is devoted; men help the man who is true. He who walks in truth and is devoted in his thinking, and furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. He has good fortune, and there is nothing that would not further.
That is one thing we can learn from the great sage’s explanations on how a person of truth and devotion can get blessings from heaven.
We can learn another thing from the Image of Da Yu:
Fire in heaven above: The image of Possession in Great Measure. Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good, and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.[W/B]
If the Junzi curbs evil and furthers good thereby obeying the benevolent will of heaven, would heaven not stand on his side and give him blessings?
Another great sage, Laozi, had answered this question in Chapter 79 of the Tao Te Ching:“The Way of Heaven is impartial; it is on the side of the good man.”
For starters, Buddha, yet another great sage had this to say in the Dhammapada:
Not to commit any sin, to do good, and to purify one's mind, that is the teaching of (all) the Awakened. [Chapter 14 The Buddha (The Awakened)]
From the wisdom in the Zhouyi, and confirmations by three great sages - Confucius, Laozi and Buddha, surely we can think of how to be good, going forward, to be blessed by heaven. If devotees, religious followers and disciples alike do not earnestly and sincerely cultivate to be good and do good deeds to help their fellowmen, they will most likely end up disappointed for not being blessed by heaven. After all what did they ever do for heaven and Tao to deserve such blessings?
From ancient times till now and whether religions had been established or not, while the way people think may change, heaven has not changed. Many people down the ages liked to be blessed by heaven. Who would not want miracles to happen or to become rich without doing much – like finding a gold mine, striking a ‘snowballed’ lottery or winning the football pools?
People around the world like to think that if they pray to this god or that deity they would get heaven’s blessings. Others tend to believe that if they follow this or that Daoist sect, heavenly immortals will make them rich. If it was that simple and easy, every devotee, religious follower, and/or disciple will become rich and no one needs to work. Therefore if their real intentions to practice a religion were to secure great wealth and miracles, most will end up disappointed since money does not fall from heaven and miracles do not just happen. Those who cannot think through may then lay blame on the various religions or even heaven.
However, all is not lost, since we could learn a thing or two from the Zhouyi and the ancients on how to obtain a blessing from heaven. The top line of Hexagram 14 Da Yu / Possession in Great Measure means:
He is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further.
Confucius says of this line:
To bless means to help. Heaven helps the man who is devoted; men help the man who is true. He who walks in truth and is devoted in his thinking, and furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. He has good fortune, and there is nothing that would not further.
That is one thing we can learn from the great sage’s explanations on how a person of truth and devotion can get blessings from heaven.
We can learn another thing from the Image of Da Yu:
Fire in heaven above: The image of Possession in Great Measure. Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good, and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.[W/B]
If the Junzi curbs evil and furthers good thereby obeying the benevolent will of heaven, would heaven not stand on his side and give him blessings?
Another great sage, Laozi, had answered this question in Chapter 79 of the Tao Te Ching:“The Way of Heaven is impartial; it is on the side of the good man.”
For starters, Buddha, yet another great sage had this to say in the Dhammapada:
Not to commit any sin, to do good, and to purify one's mind, that is the teaching of (all) the Awakened. [Chapter 14 The Buddha (The Awakened)]
From the wisdom in the Zhouyi, and confirmations by three great sages - Confucius, Laozi and Buddha, surely we can think of how to be good, going forward, to be blessed by heaven. If devotees, religious followers and disciples alike do not earnestly and sincerely cultivate to be good and do good deeds to help their fellowmen, they will most likely end up disappointed for not being blessed by heaven. After all what did they ever do for heaven and Tao to deserve such blessings?
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