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dailybuddhismpractice · 6 months

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Amitabha Buddha’s eighteenth Vow is the King of all Fundamental Vows.

Start the day. Think of what u can take with u when u die? What u can take with u is 阿弥陀佛. Others like money, social status, property, food, love ones, feelings & etc. cannot be taken with u. For whatever u cant take with u, just let go...

1. Namo Amitabha x 10 times, 阿弥陀佛. 🙂

2. Sending gratitude to the Universe & Amitabha.

3. Wish that all beings can meet Amitabha and be reborn in Sukhavati - Western Pureland.

Zeng yip. hwazang. 6 gen needs sau hui lai become 1 yin.

You are undervalued.

32 creates everythg when combined.

Formula for success: Lou se (Honesty), Ting hua (listen to the Buddha), Zhen kan (really do), fang xia (let go).

May sentient beings caught in the various realms of rebirth be reborn soon in my land, so they can enjoy peace and happiness. Exercising compassion constantly to save all beings, I will deliver them from Avici Hell. “May sentient beings caught in the various realms of rebirth be reborn soon in my land, so they can enjoy peace and happiness.” This is a message from Amitabha Buddha to all beings.

Understanding yuan chi (yun hei) is the starting point for cultivation to enlightenment. One tung everything will tung, means u understand the rise/fall in life (cycle), next step is let go, make vows (to zhong sarng), then go pureland whuch is the end is also the beginning is also the end. From then on u will start to save and liberate other, having learn from the enlightened ones on how to nian fo cheng fo. Lower down the expectations to achieved more. Set goals that are low so u could achieve more. Start something but start low. No frustration. The power to create depends on this, the more u let go, the more u create, the more u give the more u get, the more u desire the more u give love to others. Human has 84,000 yip need 84,000 fart mun to resolve. Nianfo is outside of all these fart mun and need to learn how meet the requirements to be reborn in Western Pureland. Must maintain 10 leem tao of buddha name and ying sing bu luan.

Amitabha Buddha’s eighteenth Vow is the King of all Fundamental Vows because all the benefits and merits of admiring the 47 vows eventually return us to the 18th, the Vow of Amitabha-Recitation for Rebirth. The 18th Vow states:

If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten directions who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offences and abuse the right Dharma.

Among the 48 vows, the words “should they not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment” are found only in the 18th Vow, not in the other two vows of rebirth, the 19th and 20th Vows. It is only the 18th Vow upon which the pristine Pure Land School is founded. If there were no 18th Vow, there would be no Pure Land School. 5 Skandhas. Materiality & spirituality. All buddhas have their own individual causal vows, but Amitabha’s 18th Vow is the foremost among them, so Amitabha Buddha is known as the Buddha of the Great Vow. It could be said that Amitabha was the example for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who is also known as the Bodhisattva of the Great Vow, as Ksitigarbha’s vow is the greatest among all bodhisattvas. Tam chan chi cheng yuk. UFO. Chung kuo tai. Third eye can open.

Universe started together when your xin (mind) is shakened. Yi than zhin too many 32,000. Xing fu yuan man. It is created even before any time and space. Alaya consciousness is created. How big? Bigger than the universe, it is zhe xin. Lun wui is to tai yim and change it. Meng sarm kin seng (sarm leng) where u have chap seng (dirty, tham chan chi, ko sarng wud too use to it this turned into wisdom, chi seng sickness). Sarng meng is sarng wud. Zhuan seng to become zhi wai. Fui fuk zhi seng, seng fat (cheng fo). Close to Enlightenment which is with no differentiation. Mona become pin deng. Xin fo peng deng. That is the state of Buddhahood. Time & space came from one source. Me but still got fa sheng. Western Pureland is created by it too of Amitabha Buddha but it does not have 'zhi xin dong nian'. Non differentiation mind. The truth behind the tooth. The papaya croach story. When you let go of yourself, you got the world. When you let go of this world, you will get Western Pureland. Tree is life. Today is world environmental day, Jun 5th 2022. A tree is a universe. Money is printed from destroying a universe (tree) and then used in ways to cause more harm to the planet, the universe. Change it dont chase for it, seek and manage. Everything you do, everyone you see, dharma help you see the truth all attachments become saha world, then suffering arise, everything is Amituofo, the way you see the world becomes Amituofo. Ching jing peng deng sure reborn in Pureland. Practicex3. Zhen fa meng ru lai (Kuan yin aeons ago. Kuan ser yin ru lai teaches Kuan Ser Yin pusa the disciple, er kern zhui ling). My true nature is the Buddha. Wui guai zhi sing. Dharma is the cure of sickness (Fart). Li (bu shen bu miet) ser jen, xiang sher jia. Xin is chen, ser is jia. True or false also dont be too attached. Bu ji xing dong nien jiu ser the tips. With a sickness, ji, xing, dong, nien, fern, bie, zhe, zhuo (6 gen). Karn po. Yi cher yau wei fart, sern miet fa. Mei lai mei chu, sam mo se de mei you. Wo you 3 bao. Ching jing peng den. Arhat achieve zeng jue. Pusa practice Peng deng xin to achieve chen deng zeng jue, Buddha chen wu sarng chen deng jue. Ser jie wan wu ser yi ti. This body is my manifestation (you r the greatest magician). Dont do anything in saha world that makes you attached too much that you couldnt let go and seek rebirth in Western Pureland. Wu xin is Amituofo. Amituofo is my xin. Every ben xin is Amituofo. You seek yourself. Let yourself be found, not search outside but inside. The world is using a piece of paper to weigh everything, cert for qualification, paper owns land and houses. A piece of paper becomes everything, your self worth as light as a piece of paper....Jing zhen guo. Fang xia chai but ku, let go and burden's gone...Compassion is your focus, is your life. If no compassion then only left unhappiness and sorrow. Happiness in Saha world is the start of unhappiness. Go back to the neutral state is happiness, no unhappiness. You need to peace down, silent give rise to wisdom. My heart is my way place. Wo xin ju shi tao chang. Fo got 52 jie ti. Let go, become Arhat, let go become Pusa and let go become Buddha. 1 second contains 1600 leem which is rise / fall. Life & death. Change alaya to 9 sik then end, no more life & death. Wu wo.a

Chaotu prayers / retreat: Lunch by 1.30 pm on Pusa 8 kwan zhai day. Note: June 21st in china kills dog, Korea, Vietnam, use zhi lig, fa lig, fo lig. Then, it will combined at a great strength to change the world. 30 days be vegan. House concept, a house its like a cell. No matter how beautiful, you are trapped within. Your body is already like a house. Ur problem is u let go of ur house and came here, that is the dna effect of leaving China to Malaysia living a house there like grandpa. Let go 1. Love. 2. Ego. 3. Doubt. Then be born in western pureland. Amituofo + 1000 Guan ser yin pu sa (1 men). Use zhen sing and peng deng xin. Get away from yuan, called li yuan.

All problems are caused by yu wang, cause of 6 realms of rebirth, u loose Buddhahood becos of yu wang. Seong kung yeong, har pin po xi. Shang kung xia shi. Sau harng, sau kung yeong. Biggest fu is ching jeng sam but xin but ngok, warng sarng jeng to (pureland).

Call upon the 7 Buddhas x 3:

Namo Duo Po Yu Loi

Namo Bo Seng Yu Loi (zhun seng)

Namo Miew Sik Sarn Yu Loi

Namo Kong Pok Sarn Yu Loi

Namo Lee Po Wai Yu Loi (guard)

Namo Kam Lou Wong Yu Loi

Namo A Mi Tuo Yu Loi

1. Offering to Buddha

2. Serve Buddha house & others

3. No killing

4. Believe in cause & effect, seize all bad cause

10 ngok lun.

1. 1 sesame oil producer

2. 10 x sesame producer equal one prostitute center.

3. 10 x pros ctr equal one shop selling alcohol shop / club.

4. 10 x shop selling equal one ctr killing animal.

5. 10 x ctr killing animal equal one ngok by losat fart chut ka yan po fart fart.

3 kwai, 5 kai, 10 xin（十善）

Buddhist morality is codified in the form of 10 precepts (dasa-sīla), which require abstention from: (1) taking life; (2) taking what is not given; (3) committing sexual misconduct (interpreted as anything less than chastity for the monk and as sexual conduct contrary to proper social norms, such as adultery, for the layman); (4) engaging in false speech; (5) using intoxicants; (6) eating after midday; (7) participating in worldly amusements; (8) adorning the body with ornaments and using perfume; (9) sleeping on high and luxurious beds; and (10) accepting gold and silver.

Laymen are to observe the first five precepts (pañca-sīla) at all times. Occasionally, such as during the fortnightly fast day, they may observe eight precepts (aṣṭā-sīla; the first nine, with the seventh and eight combined as one). Normally, the full 10 vows are observed only by monks or nuns, who also follow the detailed monastic rules (see pātimokkha) that are a further elaboration of the precepts.

As of October 2nd, 2023

Start - Basic (10.30 am)

One off bo: Multiplier mantra 10.5 = (243)

Xu kung jin, Zung sherng jin, Niet pan jin, Wo yuan nai jin.

Hui hung zhun, zhung sharng jun, nit pun jun, ngo yun nai zhun.

Mouth (om soli soli..), Body (om sowa..) x7

Multiplier mantra 4x108, Done 110.75 + 24.5

Om Ram (Om Ram....Svaha), x 108, Done 34.25

Om Chrine (7 times, one protect hse, three protects whole place, seven protects the country) x108, Done 33.25

Earth Gods of Five Directions mantra (Namo Samanta Buddhanam Om Dulu Dulu Di Wei Soha) x3 per day, Done 86

Stupa mantra x3 per day, Done 56

A va la ka kia, Done 9 + 14.25

Sakyamuni Buddha mantra 4x108 Done 13.25

Cundi Bodhisattva Mantra

(Namaḥ Saptānāṃ Samyaksaṃbuddha Koṭīnāṃ Tadyathā Oṃ Cale Cule Cundī) x108, Done 6 + 14.5

Oṃ Cale Cule Cundī Svāhā x 108, Done 42 + 46

Om Mani Padme Hum, A Ah Sha Sa Ma Ha 1x108 per day, Done 19

Usnisa Vijaya mantra, Om Bhrum Soha - 1x108 per day, Done 19

Om Bhrum x 108, Done 30

Part 1 (11.30 am)

Om Vasudhare Svaha x108, Done 13

Namo Samantha Buddhanam Om Mahakalaye Svaha x108, Done 3.5

Om Mahakalaye Svaha x1080, Done 10

(20x27x2 = 1080 or 60 x small beads)

Part 2 (12.30 am), Lunch @ 1.30 pm

Medicine Buddha long mantra, Medicine Buddha heart mantra x108, Done 15

Manjushri mantra, Done 9

Om Avira Hum Kachara Mum Soha, Done 9.5

Earth store mantra x108, Done 14.5

7th Past Parents mantra x108, Done 16

Long life mantra (Om sam) x108, Done 9

Om ye ye nan 4x108, Done 9

Food mantra 4x108, Done 9

Water offering mantra, Done 9

Liberate small water being mantra, Done 9

Namo Bo bo Ti li, Cher (li) To li, Dan tuo ye tuo ye, Done 9

Om Maiyura Krante Svaha, Done 7

Om Ah Hum x108, Done 28.5

Part 3 (3.30 pm)

Amitabha (Nian fo) - 108 (6 syllable), 2x108 (4 syllable), Done 11

Avalokiteśvara - 108, Done 11

Mahasthamaprapta - 108, Done 11

Ksitigarbha - 108, Done 11

Heart sutra, Done 39

Tadyatha om gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha x108, Done 7.5

Compassionate mantra, Done 56

Om Du lin, Du lin, Jia Du lin, Soha, Done 7

Om zhi zhe ya soha, Done 0.5

7 Buddha Names x3 per day, Done 44 days

Eliminate karma by 7 buddhas mantra 4x108, Done 5.5

Pureland rebirth mantra 4x108, Done 5.5

Om Pu Kam (Pureland), Light mantra 4x108, Done 5.5

Acala Heart Mantra (Namah Samanta Vajranam Ham), Done 6

Oṃ Bodhicittam Utpādayāmi, 14 x per day, Done 3405 + 1145

Part 4 End (6.50 pm), Dinner @ 7.30 pm

Tara mantras

- Green 4x108, Done 4

- Red 4x108, 100% Done 4

- White 4x108, Done 4

(Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayuh Punya Jñana Pustim Kuru Svaha)

Setrap mantra 4x108, Done 3

Dorje Shugden mantra; Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha, Done 3

~ Shize

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Shanti Siddhi Hung 4x108, Done 3

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Ayu Siddhi Hung, Done 3

During pandemic, Om Benza Wiki Bitana Chintau Kuru Ye Soha 4x108, Done 3

~ Gyenze

(Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha, Tseso Paljor Long Cho, Thamched Putrim Kuru Om) 1x108, Done 3

Om Benza Satto Hung 4×108, Done 170.75 + 13

During 8 Kwanzai

34, 102, 238, 476, 918, 8.5

33, 99, 231, 462, 891, 8.25

31, 93, 217, 434, 837, 7.75

30, 90, 210, 420, 810, 7.5

28, 84, 196, 392, 756, 7

27, 81, 189, 378, 729, 6.75

26, 78, 182, 364, 702, 6.5

25, 75, 175, 350, 675, 6.25

22, 66, 154, 308, 594, 5.5

20, 60, 140, 280, 540, 5

19, 57, 133, 266, 513, 4.75

15, 45, 105, 210, 405, 3.75

14, 42, 98, 196, 378, 3.5

13, 39, 91, 182, 351, 3.25

11, 33, 77, 154, 297, 2.75

10, 30, 70, 140, 270, 2.5

9, 27, 63, 126, 243, 2.25

8, 24, 56, 112, 216, 2

7, 21, 49, 98, 189, 1.75

6, 18, 42, 84, 162, 1.5

5, 15, 35, 70, 135, 1.25

4, 12, 28, 56, 108, 1

3, 9, 21, 42, 81, 0.75

2, 6, 14, 28, 54, 0.5

1, 3, 7, 14, 27, 0.25

(7x per day)

Surangama mantra, Done 117

Om Amarani Jivantiye Svaha, Done 117

Om Maitri Maha Maitri Maitriye Svaha, Done 117

Om Alolika Svaha, Done 117

Mahapratisara Bodhisattva (Om Bhara Bhara Sambhara Sambhara Indriya Visudhani Ha Ha Ru Ru Ca Re Svaha), Done 117

Om Kurukulle Hrih Svaha, Done 117

Oṃ āḥ hūṃ vajra guru padma siddhi hūṃ,

Done 117

Je Tsongkhapa/Jungkapa, Done 117

(Om Ah Guru Benzadhara Sumati Kirti Siddhi Hum Hum)

Om Garbe Ragam Soha, Done 117

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Shanti Siddhi Hung ~ peace

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Ayu Siddhi Hung

~ health

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Punye Siddhi Hung

~ increase, done 180

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Washam Kuru Ho

~ control, done 180

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Rakya Rakya Hung

~ protection, done 180

Namkar Barzin (Om Biyada-Par Dhama-Dhara Soha), Done 117

Zambala of Five Directions (Om Zambala Gari Zanayeh Soha), Done 180

Yellow Zambala (Om Zambala Zalendraye

Soha), Done 180

Om Samaya Cha, Done 180

Hum Mama Hum Ni Soha, Done 180

TADYATHA OM ANALE ANALE KHASAME KHASAME BHAYRE BHAYRE SAUMA SAUME SARVA BUDDHA ADISHTANA ADISHTITE SOHA OM SARVA TATHAGATHA USHINISHA SITATAPUTRA HUM PHAT HUM MAMA HUM NI SOHA

Medicine Buddha (3 times per day), Done 256

Namo bhagavate bhaiṣajyaguru-

vaiḍūryaprabhārājāya tathāgatāya

arhate samyaksaṃbuddhāya,

tadyathā oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajya-samudgate svāhā

Makura (Buddhist Patron protector of the zodiac sign monkey), 7x per day, Done 117

Bhaisajya-guru-vaidurya-prabha-raja Tathagata

(3 times per day)

Akshobhaya (Pudong Rulai), Done 214

- Namo bhagavate Akshobhaya, tathagataya arhate samyaksambuddhaya.

Tadyatha Om kamkani kamkani, Rochani rochani, Trotani trotani, Trasani trasani, Pratihana pratihana, Sarva karma paramparanime sarva sattvanancha svaha

Target: 60 per month with 5 to 6 days of 8 kwanzai. Each time 26 to 34, each day 10 to 15 times until reached 60 or more.

Mantra of Ferocious Eating 殘食咒為(Namah samanta vajranam, trat, amogha canda, maha rosana, sphataya, hum, tramaya, hum trat ham mam), Done 3

Others:

+ Cui sui chow

Om tore tore cha tore so poho

Om Lan Soha

Om Chrine

Om Brim

Om Pu Kam (Pureland).

Om Bodhicitta, Mudaba, Dayami.

Om abichanaga

Am Bi Chanaga.

Om da de da de mohe dade svaha.

Om Mani Padme Hung A a sa sa maha

Namo bhagavate...x4

Om Amida Ayu Dadi Soha

Food Mantra

Ganlu sui zhou

Namo bo bo ti li, cher (li) to li, dan tuo ye tuo ye

Om mani facili hum

Om Ami Dewa Hrih

Om Kurukulle Hrih Svaha

“After I pass away and my pure doctrine is absent,

You will appear as an ordinary being,

Performing the deeds of a Buddha

And establishing the Joyful Land, the great Protector, In the Land of the Snows.”

-Buddha Shakyamuni in the Root Tantra of Manjushri

You need to nian fo then can achieve fo.

But now, you only nian 6 realm of rebirth how to achieve fo?

You are fo why cannot become fo?

Becos u never let go of the 6 realm of rebirth activities. Greed, anger, ignorance

(3 poisons need to let go 1st)

All ppl are the creation of their minds.

Then can u nian fo (real valuable activities the rests are useless)? All problems are due to cant let go of afflictions. Zhe xin give rise to Amituofo & Western Pureland. All existence is creation of the mind. How to let go of everything and seek rebirth in Pureland. All existence, this Saha world is creation of the mind / messy thoughts. Our body is our own manifestation of the (our) mind. Let go of the thoughts and mind, it will take u to next creation / manifestation. Practice but forget don't put practice into the mind. Be forgetful but only remember where you are going, Western Pureland so keep that in mind. This is called freedom of the mind (like depicted in Heart Sutra, freedom - zezai), our only aim which is zezai warng serng si fang ji le sher chieh. Love is the opposite of wisdom. Wisdom can only arise from compassion if you can turn love to compassion. Love can be a distraction to a cultivator. Love is not real. Reason stuck in 6 realms of retribution is love (because got form and conditions), everything of this nature is impermanent, hence love is not real, jia xiang. U cant come out. Dont let jia siang chi pien ni de xin. Dont be fooled by a false image / appearance. Use peng deng xin to console sentient beings, Buddha treat everyone like his father, the King. The thanxiang, cow agarwood no longer here. Go Western Pureland: (Haitao Fashi) Use 3 fu tien, kan ern de fu tien, zhun jing de fu tien, cher pei de fu tien. (Chin Kung Fashi) 3 fu, xiao shun fu mu / respective teachers - 1. Filial piety is the root. 2. Take refuges, san kwai yi / chi kai. 3. Sam sun yan ko (first, nian fo yin, cheng fo zhi ko). Ying guang fa shi. Wu liang yik

zhi zhai fan now, Da zhi zai tien wang tha men di fu de guang ming bu nen kan dao. In front of rulai, it's gone. Fan fu. We have 51 mental factors

https:///wiki/Mental_factors_(Buddhism)

some past lives that u cant see or remember. The purpose of cultivation is to realised this truth (6 realms of rebirth). To break and escape this cycle is to achieve Buddhahood. Fastest way is to see all existences as one and of the same. If u destroy ur own defilements u are doing the same for others only when u have compassion and use 'peng deng, chi pei, po re xin'. This body is yeap bo. Life is like a bowl of salt water. Living it is like drinking it. You need to add more water not morr salt so it geys better over time. Get out of it, pour it back to the sea. You dont need to drink it. It is where water would return (thru true self discovery and enlightenment, practice of Buddhism to the highest level).

4 Universal Vows

Also sometimes called the Bodhisattva Vows, as they are essential to the Bodhisattva path of Mahāyāna Buddhism.

1. Sentient beings are limitless; I vow to liberate them.

眾生無邊誓願度

Zhòngshēng wúbiān shìyuàn dù

Zhong Shen Wu Bian Ser Yuan Tu

2. Afflictions are endless; I vow to eradicate them.

煩惱無盡誓願斷

Fánnǎo wújìn shìyuàn duàn

Fan Now Wu Jing Ser Yuan Tuan.

3. Teachings are infinite; I vow to learn them.

法門無量誓願學

Fǎmén wúliàng shìyuàn xué

Fa Men Wu Liang Ser Yuan Shue.

4. Buddhahood is supreme; I vow to attain it.

佛道無上誓願成

Fú dào wú shàng shìyuàn chéng

Fo Dao Wu Sharng Ser Yuan Chern.

Om Bodhicitta, Mudaba, Dayami.

Oṃ Bodhicittam Utpādayāmi

Say this 4 things, ask to let go:

Ken ching qiu fangxia yuen:

1. Du bu qu. Sorry.

2. Ching yuan liang wo. Please forgive me.

3. Xie xie ni. Thank you.

4. Wo ai ni. I love you.

Duration of cultivation:

41 years. May 3rd, 2022 - May 3rd, 2062 (add one year worth of cultivation)

When the Prince, Siddhartha Gautama bids

farewell to his father saying:

Even my love for Yasodhara…and my son...cannot remove the pain I feel.

For I know that they too will have to suffer,

grow old…and die.

Like you, like me, like us all.

Yes. We must all die…

and be reborn…

and die again,

and be reborn and die,

and be reborn and die again.

No man can ever escape that curse.

Then that…is my task. I…will lift that curse.

At the moment of the attainment of awakening, the Buddha uttered the following:

"I travelled through the rounds of countless births through the cycle of existence,

Seeking but not finding the builder of this house [of 'self'] and again and again, I faced the suffering of new birth.

O Housebuilder, you have now been seen,

You shall not build a house again for me.

Your beams [defilements] have now been broken, Your ridgepole [ignorance] utterly shattered.

My mind has attained the supreme 'nibbana' ('blowing out')

Realised is the unconditioned, Achieved is the end of craving."

- Siddhartha Gautama

(Dhammapada Verses 153 and 154)

When attachment arises in our mind it does not feel harmful; on the contrary it usually feels beneficial. Therefore, it is important to contemplate repeatedly the faults of attachment and to recognize it as a delusion whose only function is to cause us harm.

Remember one cannot trust what you sees because ur eyes are imperfecg and cannot see the absolute truth. This organ limitation is bounded by it creations. It is created from delusion. What is deluded cannot revealed it undeluded nature. Just like the blind leading the blind...it is still within the same state which is called suffering. When u see without seeing and when u have sight of not using any organ is when the truth would be revealed and the absolute truth is the state overcoming delusion or samsara, the true escape of realm of rebirths. Is when u crossed the other shore. The state of relization, Buddhood, the enlightment. Life's biggest problem is reincarnation. Settle that, settle death using Buddha name recitation and seek rebirth in Western Pureland. Turn back bad effect. Power of Amitabha Buddha, power of others not you. Can u fly, cannot but plane and make u fly, power of others. Simplify cultivation, use 4 letter words or 6 letter words, most utmost technology to take u from all sufferings to ultimate bliss.

#daily practice #chaotu

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pure-land-mind-life · 7 months

Text

Amitabha Buddha’s eighteenth Vow is the King of all Fundamental Vows

Start the day

Think of what u can take with u when u die? What u can take with u is 阿弥陀佛. Others like money, social status, property, food, love ones, feelings & etc. cannot be taken with u. For whatever u cant take with u, just let go...

1. Namo Amitabha x 10 times, 阿弥陀佛. 🙂

2. Sending gratitude to the Universe & Amitabha.

3. Wish that all beings can meet Amitabha and be reborn in Sukhavati - Western Pureland.

Zeng yip. hwazang. 6 gen needs sau hui lai become 1 yin.

You are undervalued.

32 creates everythg when combined.

Formula for success: Lou se (Honesty), Ting hua (listen to the Buddha), Zhen kan (really do), fang xia (let go).

Call upon the 7 Buddhas x 3:

Namo Duo Po Yu Loi

Namo Bo Seng Yu Loi (zhun seng)

Namo Miew Sik Sarn Yu Loi

Namo Kong Pok Sarn Yu Loi

Namo Lee Po Wai Yu Loi (guard)

Namo Kam Lou Wong Yu Loi

Namo A Mi Tuo Yu Loi

1. Offering to Buddha

2. Serve Buddha house & others

3. No killing

4. Believe in cause & effect, seize all bad cause

10 ngok lun.

1. 1 sesame oil producer

2. 10 x sesame producer equal one prostitute center.

3. 10 x pros ctr equal one shop selling alcohol shop / club.

4. 10 x shop selling equal one ctr killing animal.

5. 10 x ctr killing animal equal one ngok by losat fart chut ka yan po fart fart.

3 kwai, 5 kai, 10 xin（十善）

Start - Basic (10.30 am)

Mouth (om soli soli..), Body (om sowa..) x7

Om Ram (Om Ram....Svaha), Done 16.25

Om Chrine (7 times, one protect hse, three protects whole place, seven protects the country) x108, Done 15.25

Earth Gods of Five Directions mantra (Namo Samanta Buddhanam Om Dulu Dulu Di Wei Soha) x3 per day, Done 91

Stupa mantra x3 per day, Done 36

A va la ka kia 108, Done 15.75

Sakyamuni Buddha mantra 4x108 Done 8.75

Cundi Bodhisattva Mantra

(Namaḥ Saptānāṃ Samyaksaṃbuddha Koṭīnāṃ Tadyathā Oṃ Cale Cule Cundī) x108, Done 13.25

Oṃ Cale Cule Cundī Svāhā x 108, Done 77

Om Mani Padme Hum, A Ah Sha Sa Ma Ha - 8x108 Done 11.25

Usnisa Vijaya mantra, Om Bhrum Soha - 8x108 x 2, Done 11.25

Om Bhrum x 108, Done 11.25

Part 1 (11.30 am)

Om Vasudhare Svaha x 108, Done 3

Namo Samantha Buddhanam Om Mahakalaye Svaha x 108, Done 2.25

Om Mahakalaye Svaha x 1080, Done 1 (20 x 27 x 2 = 1080 or 60 x small beads)

Part 2 (12.30 am), Lunch @ 1.30 pm

Medicine Buddha long mantra, Medicine Buddha heart mantra x108, Done 10

Manjushri mantra, Done 6.25

Om Avira Hum Kachara Mum Soha, Done 6.25

Earth store mantra x108, Done 11.5

7th Past Parents mantra x108, Done 19.75

Long life mantra (Om sam) x108, Done 12.25

Om ye ye nan 4x108, Done 5.75

Food mantra 4x108, Done 5.75

Water offering mantra, Done 5.75

Liberate small water being mantra, Done 6.25

7 Buddha Names x3 per day, Done 34 days

Namo Bo bo Ti li, Cher (li) To li, Dan tuo ye tuo ye, Done 5.75

Om Maiyura Krante Svaha, Done 4

Om Ah Hum x108, Done 24

Part 3 (3.30 pm)

Nian fo - 108 (6 syllable), 2x108 (4 syllable) Done 3

Kuan yin - 108, Done 3

Great Strength - 108, Done 3

Ksitigarbha - 108, Done 3

Heart sutra, Done 3

Tadyatha om gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha x108, Done 2

Compassionate mantra, Done 3

Om Du lin, Du lin, Jia Du lin, Soha, Done 2

Eliminate karma by 7 buddhas mantra 4x108, Done 1

Pureland rebirth mantra 4x108, Done 1

Om Pu Kam (Pureland), Light mantra 4x108, Done 1

Acala Heart Mantra (Namah Samanta Vajranam Ham), Done 4.75

Oṃ Bodhicittam Utpādayāmi, 14 x per day, Done 3,808

Part 4 (6.30 pm)

Tara mantras

- Green 4x108, Done 1.75

- Red 4x108, 100% Done 1.75

- White 4x108, Done 1.75

(Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayuh Punya Jñana Pustim Kuru Svaha)

Setrap mantra 4x108, Done 1.25

Dorje Shugden mantra; Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha, Done 1.25

~ Shize

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Shanti Siddhi Hung 4x108, Done 0.75

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Ayu Siddhi Hung, Done 0.75

During pandemic, Om Benza Wiki Bitana Chintau Kuru Ye Soha 4x108, Done 0.75

~ Gyenze

(Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha, Tseso Paljor Long Cho, Thamched Putrim Kuru Om) 1x108, Done 0.75

Part 5 - End (6.50 pm), Dinner @ 7.30 pm

Om Benza Satto Hung 4×108, Done 177.75

Multiplier mantra 4x108, Done 109.25

During 8 Kwanzai

34, 102, 238, 476, 918, 8.5

33, 99, 231, 462, 891, 8.25

31, 93, 217, 434, 837, 7.75

30, 90, 210, 420, 810, 7.5

28, 84, 196, 392, 756, 7

26, 78, 182, 364, 702, 6.5

25, 75, 175, 350, 675, 6.25

22, 66, 154, 308, 594, 5.5

20, 60, 140, 280, 540, 5

19, 57, 133, 266, 513, 4.75

15, 45, 105, 210, 405, 3.75

14, 42, 98, 196, 378, 3.5

13, 39, 91, 182, 351, 3.25

11, 33, 77, 154, 297, 2.75

10, 30, 70, 140, 270, 2.5

9, 27, 63, 126, 243, 2.25

8, 24, 56, 112, 216, 2

7, 21, 49, 98, 189, 1.75

6, 18, 42, 84, 162, 1.5

5, 15, 35, 70, 135, 1.25

4, 12, 28, 56, 108, 1

3, 9, 21, 42, 81, 0.75

2, 6, 14, 28, 54, 0.5

1, 3, 7, 14, 27, 0.25

(7x per day)

Surangama mantra, Done 95

Om Amarani Jivantiye Svaha, Done 76

Om Maitri Maha Maitri Maitriye Svaha, Done 76

Om Alolika Svaha, Done 95

Mahapratisara Bodhisattva

(Om Bhara Bhara Sambhara Sambhara Indriya Visudhani Ha Ha Ru Ru Ca Re Svaha), Done 76

Om Kurukulle Hrih Svaha, Done 76

Oṃ āḥ hūṃ vajra guru padma siddhi hūṃ, Done 76

Je Tsongkhapa/Jungkapa, Done 76

(Om Ah Guru Benzadhara Sumati Kirti Siddhi Hum Hum)

Om Garbe Ragam Soha, Done 76

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Shanti Siddhi Hung ~ peace

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Ayu Siddhi Hung

~ health

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Punye Siddhi Hung

~ increase, done 187

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Washam Kuru Ho

~ control, done 187

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Rakya Rakya Hung

~ protection, done 187

Namkar Barzin (Om Biyada-Par Dhama-Dhara Soha), Done 95

Zambala of Five Directions (Om Zambala Gari Zanayeh Soha), Done 95

Yellow Zambala (Om Zambala Zalendraye Soha), Done 95

Om Samaya Cha, Done 76

TADYATHA OM ANALE ANALE KHASAME KHASAME BHAYRE BHAYRE SAUMA SAUME SARVA BUDDHA ADISHTANA ADISHTITE SOHA OM SARVA TATHAGATHA USHINISHA SITATAPUTRA HUM PHAT HUM MAMA HUM NI SOHA

Hum Mama Hum Ni Soha, Done 87

Medicine Buddha (3 times per day)

Namo bhagavate bhaiṣajyaguru-

vaiḍūryaprabhārājāya tathāgatāya

arhate samyaksaṃbuddhāya,

tadyathā oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajya-samudgate svāhā, Done 133

Makura (Buddhist Patron protector of the zodiac sign monkey), 7x per day Done 76

Bhaisajya-guru-vaidurya-prabha-raja Tathagata

(3 times per day)

Akshobhaya (Pudong Rulai), Done 79

- Namo bhagavate Akshobhaya, tathagataya arhate samyaksambuddhaya.

Tadyatha Om kamkani kamkani, Rochani rochani, Trotani trotani, Trasani trasani, Pratihana pratihana, Sarva karma paramparanime sarva sattvanancha svaha

Target: 60 per month with 5 to 6 days of 8 kwanzai. Each time 26 to 34, each day 10 to 15 times until reached 60 or more.

Mantra of Ferocious Eating 殘食咒為(Namah samanta vajranam, trat, amogha canda, maha rosana, sphataya, hum, tramaya, hum trat ham mam), Done 3

Others:

+ Cui sui chow

Om tore tore cha tore so poho

Om Lan Soha

Om Chrine

Om Brim

Om Pu Kam (Pureland).

Om Bodhicitta, Mudaba, Dayami.

Om abichanaga

Am Bi Chanaga.

Om da de da de mohe dade svaha.

Om Mani Padme Hung A a sa sa maha

Namo bhagavate...x4

Om Amida Ayu Dadi Soha

Food Mantra

Ganlu sui zhou

Namo bo bo ti li, cher (li) to li, dan tuo ye tuo ye

Om mani facili hum

Om Ami Dewa Hrih

Om Kurukulle Hrih Svaha

“After I pass away and my pure doctrine is absent,

You will appear as an ordinary being,

Performing the deeds of a Buddha

And establishing the Joyful Land, the great Protector, In the Land of the Snows.”

-Buddha Shakyamuni in the Root Tantra of Manjushri

You need to nian fo then can achieve fo.

But now, you only nian 6 realm of rebirth how to achieve fo?

You are fo why cannot become fo?

Becos u never let go of the 6 realm of rebirth activities. Greed, anger, ignorance (3 poisons need to let go 1st)

All ppl are the creation of their minds.

https:///wiki/Mental_factors_(Buddhism)

- sing so 11 san de (seong ying), fanuo de 26 (seong ying). The 10 recitation method x 9 times in a day, 2 minutes each time, nian nian bu warng Amituofo. The tipper is must be continuous....then u see improvement (kungfu). Must use chen xing. (Learn from the best learn from the Muslims. Let go to do prayer when the time comes.) Ying ye, 5 jie 10 sarn. Huan xi pu ser. Pu ser, cai yuen guenx2 lai. All existence are manifestation of karma, the fruits of causes (combination of effects). All are swihuan de. At one point, u are here, there, everywhere in the universe of existence, different space and time like a multiverse. This body is like a bowl of water with lots of salt added (a.k.a. sufferings which r the effects of ur past karma). Everything u have contact with is to let u 'suffer' all circumstances created in some past lives that u cant see or remember. The purpose of cultivation is to realised this truth (6 realms of rebirth). To break and escape this cycle is to achieve Buddhahood. Fastest way is to see all existences as one and of the same. If u destroy ur own defilements u are doing the same for others only when u have compassion and use 'peng deng, chi pei, po re xin'. This body is yeap bo. Life is like a bowl of salt water. Living it is like drinking it. You need to add more water not morr salt so it geys better over time. Get out of it, pour it back to the sea. You dont need to drink it. It is where water would return (thru true self discovery and enlightenment, practice of Buddhism to the highest level).

4 Universal Vows

Also sometimes called the Bodhisattva Vows, as they are essential to the Bodhisattva path of Mahāyāna Buddhism.

1. Sentient beings are limitless; I vow to liberate them.

眾生無邊誓願度

Zhòngshēng wúbiān shìyuàn dù

Zhong Shen Wu Bian Ser Yuan Tu

2. Afflictions are endless; I vow to eradicate them.

煩惱無盡誓願斷

Fánnǎo wújìn shìyuàn duàn

Fan Now Wu Jing Ser Yuan Tuan.

3. Teachings are infinite; I vow to learn them.

法門無量誓願學

Fǎmén wúliàng shìyuàn xué

Fa Men Wu Liang Ser Yuan Shue.

4. Buddhahood is supreme; I vow to attain it.

佛道無上誓願成

Fú dào wú shàng shìyuàn chéng

Fo Dao Wu Sharng Ser Yuan Chern.

Om Bodhicitta, Mudaba, Dayami.

Oṃ Bodhicittam Utpādayāmi

Say this 4 things, ask to let go:

Ken ching qiu fangxia yuen:

1. Du bu qu. Sorry.

2. Ching yuan liang wo. Please forgive me.

3. Xie xie ni. Thank you.

4. Wo ai ni. I love you.

Duration of cultivation:

41 years. May 3rd, 2022 - May 3rd, 2062 (add one year worth of cultivation)

When the Prince, Siddhartha Gautama bids farewell to his father saying:

Even my love for Yasodhara…and my son…

cannot remove the pain I feel.

For I know that they too will have to suffer,

grow old…and die.

Like you, like me, like us all.

Yes. We must all die…

and be reborn…

and die again,

and be reborn and die,

and be reborn and die again.

No man can ever escape that curse.

Then that…is my task. I…will lift that curse.

At the moment of the attainment of awakening, the Buddha uttered the following:

"I travelled through the rounds of countless births through the cycle of existence,

Seeking but not finding the builder of this house [of 'self'] and again and again, I faced the suffering of new birth.

O Housebuilder, you have now been seen,

You shall not build a house again for me.

Your beams [defilements] have now been broken, Your ridgepole [ignorance] utterly shattered.

My mind has attained the supreme

'nibbana' ('blowing out')

Realised is the unconditioned, Achieved is the end of craving."

- Siddhartha Gautama

(Dhammapada Verses 153 and 154)

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janedrewfinally · 3 years

Text

Well, if I’m engaging in this whole….string-covered wall-of-crazy calculation, I might as well post it.

Given how much of “Word of Honor” is a Glazed Armor quest/shell-game, it seemed useful to note exactly where the fool pieces start out and what happens to them. I’ve split up the “Glazed Armor pieces” and the “Armory Key,” because the Key doesn’t come up until later in the story and follows a different trajectory.

As we know, twenty years ago, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked Rong Xuan, the runaway disciple of Changming Mountain Immortal Ye Baiyi, gathered a group of martial artists from different sects, plus the Longyuan Cabinet, and together they created the World’s Armory, using an abandoned stronghold/library from an ancient kingdom, filling it with texts from the various sects. Their idealistic plan to combine all of that knowledge failed; Rong Xuan was poisoned; his wife, a member of the Miracle Healer Valley, saved him using forbidden techniques that caused him to go insane, whereupon he was defeated in a massive battle outside of Ghost Valley.

The Magical Wuxia McGuffin Glazed Armor, the key to the World’s Armory, was divided between the five young men who would become the leaders of the sects that make up the Five Lakes Alliance. They did not share the Glazed Armor or the Armory with the rest of the martial arts world- at least partly because, without the key, the doors won’t actually open. “Word of Honor” opens with an Armory/Rong Xuan-related flashback, setting up the extent to which the pieces of the Glazed Armor (and later the Armory key) will shape the plot.

The Glazed Armor Pieces:

Imaginary Glazed Armor: “Hanging Ghost stole my Glazed Armor!” Wen Kexing declares, in full murder make-up mode having a) just killed Hanging Ghost and b) never had a piece of the Glazed Armor. However, this imaginary Ghost Valley piece of Glazed Armor is the justification for sending out all of the Ghosts into the human world to supposedly try to track down Hanging Ghost, but really to start Phase One of Wen Kexing's complicated revenge plot. The idea that Ghost Valley has at least one piece of Glazed Armor also causes complications later.

Glazed Armor Piece 1 (round exterior bit): In the possession of Gao Chong, leader of the Yue Yang Sect and the leader of the Five Lakes Alliance. He hands it over to Mo Huaiyang, leader of the Gentle Wind Sect (Qing Feng Sect), before the Hero’s Conference. Later, Xie Wang (Scorpion King/leader of the assassin's group Venemous Scorpions, just wants his adoptive father Zhao Jing to love him and be proud of him) takes it off of Mo Huaiyang’s corpse, sadly without stabbing him some more.

Glazed Armor Piece 2 (round exterior bit): In the possession of Shen Shen, leader of the Da Gu Shan Sect, part of the Five Lakes Alliance. He gives it to Gao Chong when Gao Chong asks for it, and Gao Chong hands it over to Mo Huaiyang before the Hero’s Conference. Later, Xie Wang takes it.

Glazed Armor Piece 3 (small connecting bit): In the possession of Zhang Yusen, leader of the Jing Hu Sword Sect (Mirror Lake- and why I am having trouble finding the other sect names in English I could not say). When Mirror Lake is attacked by a group from Ghost Valley, Zhang Yusen makes a cut in the stomach of his youngest son, Zhang Chengling, and hides the Glazed Armor piece in the wound. Since everybody assumes (correctly) that Zhang Chengling is carrying his father’s piece of the Glazed Armor, Zhang Chengling becomes a target for kidnapping by the Begger’s Guild and the Scorpions and for very loud lectures from Shen Shen and Gao Cheng. After telling Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing about the Glazed Armor, Zhang Chengling tries to give the piece to them, but Zhou Zishu, who is extremely disinterested in it, tells him to give it to Gao Chong so that he’s no longer a target. Back in the Yue Yang sect, Zhang Chengling dramatically removes the piece in front of Gao Chong and hands it over. This is the third piece that Gao Chong collects and hands over to Mo Huaiyang before the Hero’s Conference, all of which are then taken by Xie Wang.

Glazed Armor Piece Four (the third round exterior bit): This piece originally belonged to Lu Taichong, leader of the Dan Yang Sect, who gets killed offscreen, along with almost all of the members of his sect. Before he dies, he entrusts his two remaining disciples and his piece of the Glazed Amor to Ao Laizi, leader of the Tai Shan Sect (which is part of the Wu Yue Sword Alliance). Ao Laizi fends off both Lv Liu Weng and Tao Hong Po when they come after the Glazed Armor, and then also manages to use the arrival of Zhao Jing and co. to fend off Shen Shen. Then he gets killed by Happy Ghost (it’s implied), and Long-Tongued Ghost puts the Glazed Armor piece into the bottom of his box of soul-winding thread, heading off to the ancestral hall (“Coffin House”) of the Zhao family to wait for Xie Wang to show up for the hand-off. Exceeept Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing manage to defeat the various traps, and Wen Kexing kills Long-Tongued Ghost and takes the box. When Zhou Zishou opens the box and discovers the Glazed Armor, he tosses it over to Wen Kexing, who a) is shocked that Zhou Zishu really was serious about not wanting the Glazed Amor and b) immediately starts trying to figure out how he can leverage this to cause maximum chaos. Wen Kexing later gives this piece to Xie Wang as part of their deal.

Glazed Armor Piece Five (the spiked circle in the center): In the possession of Zhao Jing, leader of the Tai Hu Sect. Zhao Jing takes advantage of the banquet welcoming Zhang Chengling and the murder of Ao Laizi to have his godson Song Huiren, who is one of the favored disciples of the Yue Yang sect, “steal” his piece from its hiding place and “escape” with it, killing Yu Tianjie when Yu Tianjie pursues the “thief.” Unfortunately for Song Huairen, Xie Wang is NOT here for their yifu having other sons he might like better, so Xie Wang kills him, takes the Glazed Armor, and tells Zhao Jing that Song Huairen had been a traitor. Xie Wang keeps this piece on a chain around his neck, as a statement of his loyalty, but also inadvertently kind of sort of as a future creepy trophy for Worst Yifu Zhao Jing.

Fake Glazed Armor One: When Wen Kexing gets Glazed Armor Piece Four, he cheerfully visits a glass maker and demands thirty copies, which he proceeds to scatter around in advance of the Hero’s Conference in the hopes of creating chaos (oops). In addition to interrupting a lovely moonlit date and causing his first quarrel with Zhou Zishu, the Fake Glazed Armor leads to the tragic deaths of the Four Sages of Anji… and, much later, to the tragic death of Han Ying. However, it also seems to have given Gao Chong a useful idea….

Fake Glazed Armor Two-Four: Gao Chong, having handed the real Glazed Armor pieces to Mo Huaiyang, comes to the Hero’s Conference prepared with three fake pieces, which he then very publicly smashes. Sadly, this does not fool people for long, and the Gentle Wind Sect becomes a target. Even more sadly, Mo Huaiyang does not get stabbed at this time.

The Armory Key

Yue Feng’er, senior disciple of Miracle Healer’s Valley and wife of Rong Xuan, gives the key to Gu Miaomiao and Wen Ruyu (the "Divine Hands" of Miracle Healer Valley) to take to Ye Baiyi at Changming Mountain. Unfortunately, this goes… poorly.

Imaginary Amory Key: In a vain attempt to take the target off of Gu Miaomiao and Wen Ruyu’s backs, Longyuan Cabinet leader Long Que spreads a rumor that Longyuan Cabinet has the Armory Key and then relocates the Cabinet to a more secure, secret location.

Fake Armory Key One: Wen Kexing holds up this fake key when he’s carrying out his fake death plan as a way to rile up his opponents (who, frankly, don't need any more riling).

Fake Armory Key Two: As part of their deal, Wen Kexing hands this fake key over to Xie Wang, who for some reason is shocked- SHOCKED- that it then doesn’t work.

Actual Armory Key: Gu Miaomiao and Wen Ruyu hide the Armory key by putting it in their son’s hair; he keeps it, and wears it frequently. Later, of course, he gives it to Zhou Zishu because they are very very married… and then uses it to open the Armory.

#word of honor spoilers #word of honor #word of honor meta #why do i do this to myself? who knows

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rosethornewrites · 3 years

Text

Fic: this body yet survives, ch. 4

Relationship: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn

Characters: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Lán Qǐrén, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Jiāng Yànlí

Additional Tags: No War AU, Recovery, Trauma, Dissociation, Courtship, Courting Rituals

Summary: A conversation is had with Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen, and Wei Wuxian's trauma is an issue.

Notes: See end

Parts 1 & 2

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3

AO3 link

------------

Wei Ying flagged on the path back up the mountain, his previous bright energy replaced by a sort of trudge. He didn’t flit around, made no mention of catching a new rabbit as he had on the way down. He seemed wrung out, exhausted, simply letting Wangji lead him.

When they arrived back in Cloud Recesses, Wangji brought Wei Ying straight to the jingshi, where they released the turtle into the front pond. It was named, Wei Ying insisted, Tang, for the soup it would never become, and the glimpse of his sharp wit was relieving. Wangji found himself more focused on Wei Ying’s peaceful expression, rather than the turtle that sank into the depths of the pond to hide after its ordeal.

After, Wangji wrapped him in a blanket and played ‘Rest’ and ‘Clarity’ to help Wei Ying relax after the unexpected stress of the morning, then watched him nap.

They had a couple of hours before Uncle and xiongzhang expected Wei Ying, before his formal invitation to the sect, and before Wangji would approach the Jiang siblings for permission to court him. The music helped him, as well, nervousness bubbling in him, though logically he knew there was nothing to justify it—Jiang Yanli had made it clear, in her gestures and facial expressions, that she approved, and though he was uncertain how Jiang Wanyin might feel about it, he knew the young man cared about his brother’s happiness.

Wei Ying had consented to the courtship; that was what mattered, and it added a new layer to the anxiety, a lightheaded sort of happiness that he might have assumed in any other situation was the beginning of illness, it was so strong.

But perhaps love was a sort of illness.

Wangji was relieved Wei Ying seemed to be sleeping better, was eating and putting back on the weight he had lost in the year since his near death. He still looked fragile, curled on the bed, his body gaunt and skin pale. But his brow was unfurrowed as he slept, and good sleep was paramount to healing.

He kept playing his guqin, different songs but always returning to one.

Wei Ying woke after a shichen while he was playing WangXian. Wangji glanced up by chance to find him smiling softly, watching him. Wangji finished the song and stilled the strings before rising to go to him.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better,” Wei Ying said with a smile, sitting up. “The nap helped.”

Wangji offered a hand, and was gratified when it was taken. He helped Wei Ying up, and then helped him adjust his robes, smoothing any wrinkles.

As it was nearly time to meet with shufu and xiongzhang, they made their way to the hanshi after checking on Tang. The turtle seemed at home, sunning itself on a rock on the far side of the pond. Though it was odd to assign human emotions to a non-human creature, Wangji thought perhaps it looked content.

Xiongzhang answered their knock, opening the hanshi to show shufu waiting at the table with a steaming teapot.

He led them in, smiling and gesturing for them to sit.

Wangji tried not to be nervous, though he clenched Bichen’s textured sheath almost convulsively, a habit he had not quite overcome.

Wei Ying, too, seemed nervous, only barely managing not to drop the teacup shufu handed him. He knew only that their courtship would be discussed, not his status as a disciple of Gusu Lan; Wangji wondered if he should have informed him.

“Wei Ying has consented to a courtship,” he said, deciding to open with that.

“You gifted Mother’s guan as a love token, then,” xiongzhang said, sounding approving.

“My—my guan broke this morning,” Wei Ying admitted. “We- we’re going to get a new one in Caiyi, but Lan Zhan asked if I would wear it always.”

Wangji was delighted to notice the blush on Wei Ying’s cheeks, fetching on his still-too-pale skin.

“We approve, of course,” shufu said. “We also were made aware recently that we were not clear enough about your role in Gusu Lan.”

Xiongzhang pulled a simple box made of rosewood from his sleeve and offered it to Wei Ying, who took it, looking confused.

Inside was a pure white disciple’s ribbon with a light blue embroidered cloud in the center. It was a step above the peripheral disciple’s unadorned ribbon; that he was being given an adorned ribbon was a surprise even to Wangji. He had known Wei Ying would be given a ribbon, but that his denoted his status as higher than peripheral disciples was a clear statement of his acceptance on the part of Gusu Lan.

Wei Ying set the box on the table with shaking hands, glancing up at shufu and xiongzhang speechlessly.

“We should have made it clear from the beginning, and offered this when you arrived in Cloud Recesses,” XiChen told him gently. “Should you wish it, this is your home.”

Wei Ying looked like a startled rabbit, as though he might bolt, his mouth working soundlessly. Wangji reached forward slowly and took his hand, hoping to offer comfort, and was relieved when Wei Ying blinked at him, his eyes clearing.

“But… I’m so bad at following the rules. And you really hated me, xiansheng.”

“You have been following the rules for a year,” Wangji pointed out, not caring to address the latter.

Shufu sighed softly.

“Wei Wuxian, you are brilliant and undisciplined, and during your studies you were quite a bit more exuberant than is thought proper.”

It sounds almost like a rebuke, and Wangji squeezes Wei Ying’s hand.

“You were curious about forbidden topics, and I made judgments based on that curiosity,” Lan Qiren finished. “I was wrong to dismiss you so quickly.”

Even xiongzhang seemed surprised by shufu’s admission.

“Perhaps your exuberance was in part from being out from under the abusive thumb of that woman,” he finished. “Which is completely understandable.”

There was a sheen to Wei Ying’s eyes, and he looked down at his lap, trembling. He seemed beyond speech for a moment.

“No. It just… I was always punished no matter what I did,” he whispered. “I figured if I might as well earn it.”

Wangji ran his thumb against the back of Wei Ying’s hand, hoping to comfort him. Wei Ying looked almost haunted, and he wondered if Madam Yu had whipped him on other occasions, only less severely. He wasn’t certain he wanted to know. Wangji had learned more about abuse in the last year than he ever expected, knew that it likely escalated slowly, starting emotional and slowly normalizing until it was physical.

More realistically, he wondered how often Madam Yu had whipped Wei Ying, how many times he had endured until the last.

Shufu frowned, clearly taking in the new information.

“We intended to offer you a place as a Gusu Lan disciple at the beginning,” xiongzhang said, filling the silence. “I’m afraid we did not make that clear to you.”

A tear broke free and made its way down Wei Ying’s face. He managed a smile, though, one that was so filled with relief it broke Wangji’s heart.

“I guess I’ve followed the rules this long.”

His tone was almost cheeky, and xiongzhang laughed softly.

“You are a boon to Gusu Lan,” shufu said, though he shook his head at Wei Ying’s cheek. “As I said, any sect would be foolish to let go of such a talented young cultivator.”

A distant look passed over Wei Ying’s face.

“You did say that,” he murmured. “You said I would be welcome here. I… It’s hard to remember.”

Xiongzhang looked concerned.

“Do not push yourself to,” he advised.

Wei Ying nodded.

“The healers say my mind is repressing the trauma, that it’s protecting me, but that it can affect me. The memories can pop up, can be triggered.”

He crooks a smile, but it’s tremulous.

“But xiansheng told her off, so that’s a good memory.”

His voice was as tremulous as his smile, and Wangji knew these memories were painful regardless of what he said. Even shufu looked concerned and cleared his throat.

“When you are wed, you will receive a ribbon like Wangji’s, signifying you are a part of the inner Lan clan,” he said, clearly an attempt to distract Wei Ying, one Wangji appreciated.

He was even more pleased when it worked, the tremulous expression disappearing under open-mouthed surprise and elation.

“I’ll… I’ll be inner family?”

Wei Ying’s voice is rough. Wangji remembers suddenly that he was never formally adopted into the Jiang clan, referred to as a ward, often berated as the mere son of a servant by various members of the cultivation world, as though the circumstances of his birth lessened his talent and value. That, combined with constant punishment, had to have tainted his sense of self-worth.

“And you will be my husband,” Wangji added.

The way Wei Ying looked at him then, a tiny, almost dreamy smile gracing his lips, had Wangji clutching Bichen for a different reason—it would be inappropriate to push him against the hanshi wall and kiss him senseless, particularly as they were just beginning their courtship and in front of shufu and xiongzhang.

“That’s the best part,” Wei Ying said softly, and raised their joined hands to his lips to kiss the back of Wangji’s.

His eyes were like hot smoke. Wangji thought he was on fire or might melt, his mind going to the book Wei Ying had slipped in the sleeve of the Tao Te Ching...

Shufu cleared his throat, startling both of them. Xiongzhang, on the other hand, was watching with a little smile. Wangji appreciated that his brother was happy for him, but it was nonetheless embarrassing to have lost himself in front of family.

“Gusu Lan has prepared a betrothal gift for Wangji to present to your siblings,” shufu said, blessedly not commenting otherwise.

“I wish to present it to them today, to formally ask for their blessing,” Wangji added.

A gentle pink blush spread across Wei Ying’s cheeks.

“Am I to be the bride, Lan Zhan?” he asked. “I’m afraid I don’t have a dowry.”

Another wave of heat spread through Wangji’s body, imagining Wei Ying draped in red and gold, lifting a red veil.

“You’ve provided your own dowry,” Xichen replied. “All of those talismans you created, and the ones you will undoubtedly invent in the future.”

“Neither of you are brides,” shufu said. “It will be a wedding of a different sort, but the betrothal gifts in this case are to honor you and make it clear you are valued. Rumors in the cultivation world are often vicious, and it’s best to nip them in the bud by preventing them.”

Wei Ying grimaced at that, and Wangji distracted him by returning the gesture from earlier, bringing their joined hands to his lips to kiss gently. He was pleased when Wei Ying relaxed, smiling at him softly, but he couldn’t help but notice that shufu’s ears had gone red.

“I believe I will accompany the two of you,” xiongzhang said, not bothering to hide his amusement. “It’s fairly clear you will need a chaperone.”

Wei Ying blushed, disentangling their hands, and Wangji could feel his ears were red as well.

“Would you like to put on your forehead ribbon before you go?” shufu asked.

He looked at the box with the ribbon, biting his lip.

“I don’t know the right way to put it on,” Wei Ying confessed softly. “If… I mean, since Lan Zhan’s courting me, can he help?”

Wangji knew without looking, in part from how Wei Ying frowned, that his uncle would not approve until they were officially married. If he knew that just this morning Wangji had combed and styled his hair, he might even be scandalized.

“I would be happy to teach Jiang Yanli,” he said.

It was the right thing to say; Wei Ying lit up.

“Shijie taught me how to… how to do the proper style when I was young.”

His smile turned a little strained.

He was speaking of the Yunmeng Jiang style, Wangji knew, but he had never seen Wei Ying wear it. He suspected this was a delicate topic, one related to the cause of so many of his traumas.

Wangji often disagreed with Jiang Wanyin, but in this case he was of the opinion that lingchi would let Madam Yu off too lightly.

He could tell by the way shufu’s mouth tightened, the way Xichen smiled too widely, that they also understood the implications.

“I see you are wearing your hair in a Gusu Lan style today,” xiongzhang commented, clearly hoping to move the topic lighter.

Wei Ying nodded.

“Lan Zhan helped me, after my guan broke. All… all the rest of mine have… They have lotuses,” he finished in a whisper, looking down at the table.

Xiongzhang closed his eyes, clearly overwhelmed, and shufu stroked his beard, a nervous tic of his. They had been there when Wei Ying was found, had seen the lotuses in the water where he had been weighted down and left to die.

The silence that followed was almost oppressive, and Wangji busied himself topping off their tea just to have a reason to move.

“Perhaps your siblings would be willing to go through your qiankun bags to remove the clothing and other things that have that design,” shufu finally said.

“It would make them sad,” Wei Ying said, his voice small.

That it would upset his siblings made sense; large parts of their childhood had happened among the lotuses, swimming and harvesting them. Wei Ying’s favorite soup was made of them, and Wangji wondered if eating it was difficult for him now, if he showed Jiang Yanli a brave face when she made it while hurting inside, or if he could handle the pods but not the flowers. But they would be more hurt that he felt he had to hide his pain.

“They would prefer to help you,” Wangji pointed out gently. “Knowing would allow them to.”

“They would be more focused on helping you, Wei-gongzi, as they are now,” Xichen added. “It would be prudent to discuss this with them.”

Wei Ying grimaced, but said nothing, instead sipping his tea.

“I can help you speak to them,” Wangji offered.

He was troubled when Wei Ying didn’t cheer up, instead tracing a finger around the lip of the teacup in a pensive manner.

“Wei Ying?” he asked softly.

“You already do so much for me, Lan Zhan.”

Wangji could hear shame in his voice, and he took his hand again. He hated that Wei Ying felt like a burden, hated that he constantly put himself last, that he’d been taught to do so. He had been self-sufficient, trying not to bother others with his pain, until he had nearly died.

If he had been able to hide his near-death, Wangji was certain he would have. That the entire cultivation world knew of it almost certainly weighed on him.

“I will do as much as you need, as long as you need it,” he said. “And I will always want to.”

Wangji didn’t know how to convince him he wasn’t a burden, that his continued existence was a blessing. He could only keep trying to show him.

Wei Ying squeezed his hand, ducking his head and blushing.He could see tears in the corners of Wei Ying’s eyes, and thought perhaps he believed after all.

“Aiya, Lan Zhan, my heart can’t take your sincerity! Warn me next time.”

He knew this was Wei Ying’s way of deflecting in a moment of high emotion, injecting levity to try to avoid getting overwhelmed.

“Mn. This is your ongoing warning,” he replied.

A thrill ran through him when Wei Ying gaped at him, looking delighted. He wanted him to have that happiness always.

“Not fair! You have to warn me every time.”

“Not possible. Wei Ying always deserves sincerity.”

“Lan Zhan!”

A fetching blush spread across Wei Ying’s face, and Wangji caught himself leaning closer unconsciously.

Shufu cleared his throat, and Wangji realized he’d forgotten they were not alone for a moment, so focused he had been on reassuring Wei Ying.

But it seemed since he’d met him, his attention was always on Wei Ying. It belonged on Wei Ying.

“Perhaps we should go speak to the Jiang siblings now, to make your courtship official,” xiongzhang said diplomatically.

Xichen seemed amused, a little smile playing at the edges of his mouth.

“Though we will of course need to arrange for consistent chaperones, as well.”

Wei Ying blushed even brighter than before, and Wangji mentally recited relevant rules. He wanted to kiss those plush lips and the mole under them.

“I would not disrespect Wei Ying,” he said, though truly he could see himself tempted in moments. “But a chaperone would show his worth to the world.”

Shufu made a noise of agreement, stroking his beard.

“Now, more than ever, it is necessary to make that clear.”

It occurred to Wangji then to inform them of the encounter with Madam Jin and Jin Zixuan in the marketplace of Caiyi.

“She wished to keep the purpose of the talismans quiet,” Wei Ying murmured when he was done explaining.

“You accepted her commission, then?” shufu asked, looking surprised.

Wei Ying simply nodded, not offering any other details. He had shrunk in on himself, his posture defensive. Wangji could see that shufu and xiongzhang were concerned.

“Madam Jin mentioned she has dissolved her sworn sisterhood,” Wangji said carefully. “She commissioned talismans to help find Jin Zixuan’s half siblings so she may offer protection and a place in the cultivation world, should they wish it.”

A tremor ran through Wei Ying.

“She said she dissolved it because of what… what happened to me. That she didn’t want…”

Wei Ying choked on his words, and Wangji impulsively pulled him close, holding him as he did when he had finally reached him through “WangXian.”

“She’s going to blame me,” he said weakly. “She will.”

Wangji pulled him tighter against him, almost convulsively. Madam Yu had nearly killed him over something minor comparatively. He could only imagine what was running through Wei Ying’s mind, what memories were being dredged up.

“She will not be permitted in the Cloud Recesses,” xiongzhang said, his voice forceful, angrier than Wangji had ever heard his brother. “You are safe. You will be protected.”

Wei Ying said nothing, only trembled, and Wangji could supply what he was thinking with little effort—he had thought himself safe and protected at Lotus Cove, and it had not been so. How could he possibly feel safe anywhere when his last home turned out not to be?

Seeing him like this was difficult, watching him joke one minute and shake helplessly the next, but some days were like this for Wei Ying. Regardless, it was an improvement over his days of fugue.

“Madam Jin wants the world to know that behavior is unacceptable,” Wangji said hollowly, rubbing his thumb against the nape of Wei Ying’s neck in a way he hoped might comfort him, petting the soft baby hair at his hairline. “She said there needed to be an alternate example.”

Shufu looked intrigued by that, but Wangji kept his focus on Wei Ying. He was surprised to have not been scolded for this transgression, but perhaps his uncle and brother were taking Wei Ying’s mental well-being into account.

“We will speak to her. I assume she and Jin-gongzi will be visiting Cloud Recesses shortly if they are in Caiyi,” shufu said after a moment. “Though gossip is forbidden here, it can be weaponized in the cultivation world.”

Wangji frowned at shufu as Wei Ying’s grip tightened in his robes; he needed no reminder of that. The gossip of the cultivation world had stoked Madam Yu’s bitterness. Wei Ying had lived much of his life under its shadow, and the scars it had left pained him daily.

“Rumors can be turned,” xiongzhang said thoughtfully. “The talisman you will invent for Madam Jin would demonstrate the falseness of prior rumors.”

Such a demonstration would make it clear Wei Ying shared no blood with the Jiangs.

Wei Ying shook his head, still hidden against Wangji’s chest.

“I don’t want to.”

Even his voice trembled, and Wangji’s heart ached. So long ago, they had watched their lantern rise into the evening sky, and he had been awed by Wei Ying’s simple but profound wish, to stand with justice and live with no regrets. What was being proposed skirted the line between justice and revenge. Of course he would be opposed.

“‘Do not sow discord,’” Wangji said softly, ignoring how both his uncle and brother flinched at the reminder they were violating a tenet of Gusu Lan. “Nothing good would come of such a course of action.”

He turned his focus more completely to Wei Ying then, running a hand gently through his hair, humming “WangXian” again softly. Wangji was relieved when he started to relax against him.

“Please accept my apologies, Wei Wuxian,” shufu said eventually.

Though Wangji didn’t know how long it had been since he had spoken, Wei Ying had relaxed almost fully.

“Rumors, whether true or not, have done far too much damage,” xiongzhang acknowledged. “We are humbled by your reminder, Wangji.”

Wei Ying’s grip loosened on Wangji, and he sat back up, still leaning close. He didn’t say anything, but there was a sort of misery in his expression that made Wangji want to pull him back into his arms and protect him.

“I don’t wish her ill,” he whispered finally, his voice hoarse. “Even after everything, I don’t.”

“Wei Ying is righteous,” Wangji murmured, earning a tiny smile from Wei Ying.

So much of his attention was on Wei Ying that until Wei Ying gasped he didn’t realize that both shufu and xiongzhang had kowtowed.

“Our idle words have caused you unnecessary pain,” shufu said, still bowed forward. “I truly misjudged you when you came to the lectures before; you embody the virtues of Gusu Lan.”

“I don’t,” Wei Ying immediately denied. “I break the rules all the time.”

Wangji frowned at him; shufu was not speaking of rules but virtues, and he knew Wei Ying was aware of the difference. He was discounting his own virtue, his inherent goodness, that light in him that had nearly been snuffed out.

“Not the most essential teachings,” xiongzhang said before he could correct him, rising out of his kowtow. “You have the sort of integrity and moral compass that all our disciples should have.”

Wei Ying shrugged slightly, dismissive. Shufu righted himself, frowning.

“Wei Wuxian, perhaps one virtue you must work on is ‘Love and respect yourself.’”

Wei Ying flinched, looking down.

“I will try, xiansheng.”

“See that you do,” shufu replied easily. “I would prefer not to insist you study the virtues, though I will if necessary.”

Wangji wondered if such an exercise would help, if perhaps conversation about the virtues and their history and meaning would help Wei Ying understand what shufu meant, or if he would always doubt his own worth.

“As I am certain Madam Jin and Jin-gongzi will come to visit your sister shortly, we should speak to your siblings now,” xiongzhang said. “They will undoubtedly greet shufu first, so we have some time.”

Nervousness fluttered in Wangji’s stomach, but he helped Wei Ying stand when xiongzhang rose. Wei Ying picked up the box with his forehead ribbon with a sort of reverence.

Before they could move to properly bow to shufu and leave, there was a knock on the hanshi door.

“Enter,” shufu called.

One of the peripheral disciples, from his unadorned ribbon, came in and bowed.

“Jin-furen and Jin-gongzi have arrived at the Cloud Recesses and seek audience, xiansheng. They are being escorted here now.”

Shufu nodded.

“I will prepare tea. Please accompany Xichen, Wangji, and Wei Wuxian. There are several baskets to carry.”

He gestured toward a screen, behind which presumably were the betrothal gifts. The disciple bowed.

“Yes, xiansheng.”

Wei Ying shifted nervously as the baskets were brought out, all decorated in red ribbon and draped in red veil-like material to hide the contents from prying eyes. Wangji squeezed his hand. They would be together for this, and for all things to follow.

---------

This chapter was difficult and went places I didn’t entirely expect. Initially I thought it would get through the betrothal meeting, but Wei Wuxian’s trauma reared up and was important to explore. In the novel canon, Madam Yu has whipped him before the incident with Wang Lingjiao, but she whips no other Yunmeng Jiang disciples. Meanwhile, in CQL canon it seems to be an act that is completely shocking to Jiang Cheng, while Wei Wuxian accepts it as necessary for political reasons.

The Gusu Lan forehead ribbons here are kind of a meld of CQL and novel canon. Inner clan in the novel wear the embroidered ribbon, but in CQL there seems to be three levels, as Lan Wangji is shown wearing the metal cloud ribbon as a child and both Jingyi and Sizhui wear ones with an embroidered cloud, while some other disciples have unadorned ribbons. Technically, Wei Wuxian should probably have a plain ribbon, but here Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen are making a statement.

Yes, frankencanon. The rule about sowing discord is from CQL according to Unforth’s “A Compiled List of Known Lan Clan Rules.��

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #chen qing ling #cql #mdzs #untamed fanfiction #untamed fanfic #mdzs fanfic #mdzs fanfiction #cql fanfic #cql fanfiction #lan wangji #lan qiren #lan xichen #wei wuxian #wei ying #lan zhan #my fanfiction

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sifeng · 4 years

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Review: The Legend of Zhen Huan

Harem dramas (or gongdou dramas) are really extremely interesting, not just because the schemes and plots are smart and evil, but also because the ones planning are ladies. Typically, in big historical political dramas, such as Nirvana in Fire (琅琊榜) or the legendary Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义), the big players are all males. In the former example, you have a few notable female roles, but in the latter, there are a lot of main characters, and only one is a woman. In harem dramas, the tables are reversed. The ladies are the ones doing the scheming, and they’re doing it while completely hiding inner feuds from the emperor. Out of all the harem dramas that have been made by China, the prize for “Best Harem Drama” typically goes to The Legend of Zhen Huan (甄嬛传). So what’s so good about Zhen Huan? And why should you watch it?

The main five ladies fighting for the emperor’s love (or are they really just fighting for power?) From left to right: Hua Fei (华妃), the Empress (皇后), Zhen Huan (甄嬛), Shen Meizhuang (沈眉庄), An Lingrong (安陵容)

Plot:

Zhen Huan is a young woman who looks to have a normal life. However, all chances at a normal life are crushed when she is selected to become the emperor’s concubine. Now, she must learn the ways of the harem, which not only include etiquette, but also scheming and betrayal.

Cast:

Sun Li/Betty Sun (孙俪) as Zhen Huan (甄嬛)

Chen Jianbin (陈建斌) as Yongzheng/Emperor (雍正/皇上)

Cai Shaofen/Ada Choi (蔡少芬) as Ulanara Yixiu/Empress (乌拉那拉·宜修/皇后)

Li Dongxue (李东学) as Prince Guo/Yun Li (果郡王/允礼)

Jiang Xin (蒋欣) as Consort Hua/Nian Shilan (华妃/年世兰)

Tao Xinran (陶昕然) as An Lingrong (安陵容)

Lan Xi (斓曦) as Shen Meizhuang (沈眉庄)

My Opinions:

Plot (My Rating - A):

I would say the best thing about the plot is the pacing. It doesn’t go extremely fast, to the point where you lose track of everything that is happening, but it does go at a relatively reasonable pace so the show never gets boring.

This drama does an amazing job of showing the cruelty of the harem. Also, I kind of think the kind of scheming that goes on in harem dramas are even more scary than the big political schemes of the big historical dramas, because these ladies put on this image of being good sisters that support each other, when in reality they have thought up a million ideas on how to kill each other.

Of course, being a harem drama, there’s not a whole lot of cute romance here, but there are quite a few couples (beyond the emperor and his concubines) that are kind of cute. Also, as it is a harem drama, focus on friendship and loyalty to friends is rarely mentioned. There’s really only two cases of friendship in the entire drama, everything else is much more like an “alliance”.

Characterization (My Rating - A+):

I would say the two best parts of this drama are characterization and acting. Every character in this drama has their flaws, but also traits that we should be admirable of and learn from. Let’s take An Lingrong for example. Her biggest flaw is that she has extremely low self esteem, which leads her to be paranoid and loose her ability to trust her friends. However, she is also extremely persistent. She knows singing is her talent, and so she uses it on a number of occasions to gain favor. When she looses her voice, she learns to ice skate, and is able to do it wonderfully, and again, she gains favor with the emperor. She also later learns to take her future into her own hands, instead of depending on her friends, or the Empress to protect her.

Characters also grow throughout the series. Though they start out innocent, Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong grow to become wise and mature. And as this show is extremely long, we get to see what events set off character growth. All slightly major characters undergo some kind of character development, and all of them have developed personalities that make you want to root for them sometimes, but sometimes you really just want to throw them in the Cold Palace.

No villain is left without a humanized side. No one is evil for the sake of being evil (which cough, Gao Guifei in Yanxi?), and even the villains have backstories that make you sympathize with their actions. At the end of the day, I can’t even really call them “villains” since, let’s be real, some of the “good guys” do things that are just as bad. Similarly, the very few heroes in our show have their negative traits as well. No one is perfect. Everyone is human.

The most impressive thing is definitely the growth of Zhen Huan. She starts out weak and somewhat of a coward, however, by the end, she is the one that people fear. As the show narrates the story of Zhen Huan from a 16 year old girl to the powerful Empress Dowager, we can see how every event in her life changes her. Every scheme, death, betrayal, they all build Zhen Huan to be a strong, powerful, but cruel person. Some have criticized the show because it seems to send out the message that in order to get above your bullies, you have to become just as evil. I disagree. Two of the concubines in the palace, Jing Pin and Duan Fei are more low-key, rarely participating in schemes, and they survive until the very end, earning the third and second highest ranks possible in the harem respectively. You don’t need to scheme in this show if you develop good relationships with everyone, and have a low-key and simple existence. As long as you don’t push yourself Ito the race for the emperor’s favor, you’re sure to live.

Acting (My Rating - A+):

My god. How did they literally manage to get ever single actor portray their characters perfectly? Not just the main leads, but literally everyone, made me truly believe their characterization. Of course I have to give props to Sun Li, Ada Choi and Jiang Xin for their portrayals of Zhen Huan, the Empress and Hua Fei. THEY WERE AMAZING. Even though the latter two are arguably villains, they played their parts so well that honestly, I felt bad when the Emperor didn’t believe them or ignored them.

I also think Tao Xinran did really good as An Lingrong. In the beginning she did a great job of bringing out An Lingrong’s self-deprecating and unconfident personality, and I could see that even though An Lingrong ended up growing significantly in power, underneath the facade of confidence, she’s has low self esteem and confidence.

What’s really amazing is that a lot of the supporting actors here have become stars themselves. Three of the supporting concubines, Qi Guiren, Chun Changzai and Ying Guiren are played by three rising stars Tang Yixin, Tan Songyun and Mao Xiaotong.

Cinematography (My Rating - A-): The shots of the Forbidden City are beautiful, but seeing as this is a 2011 drama, the quality isn’t amazing.

Costumes (My Rating - A+): I mean just look at the pictures above. The costumes are STUNNING.

Overall Rating: A+

Recommend For: People looking for a drama full of schemes and mystery. People who are okay with a drama that doesn’t include a whole to of romance or friendship. People looking for a good harem drama. People who liked Yanxi or Ruyi should definitely watch this drama!

#Cdrama #Cdrama Review #the legend of Zhen huan #Zhen huan #the story of yanxi palace #empress in the palace #RECOMMEND FOR EVERYONE HONESTLY #ITS THE BEST HAREM DRAMA

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bookofjin · 6 years

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Biography of Tao Kan, Part 3

[From JS066.]

Wang Dun deeply envied Kan's achievements. When he was about to [?] to turn back to Jianglinag, he desired to pay visit to Dun to separate [?]. Huangfu Fanghui, Zhu Si, and others, remonstrated, considering it impossible. Kan did not accept. Dun as a result detained Kan and did not dispatch him. He moved him left to Inspector of Guang province and Commander of the Palace Gentlemen who Pacifies the Yue, and used Wang Yi [JS076] in Jing province.

Kan's subordinates magistrates, officers and men paid visit to Dun requesting to detain Kan. Dun was angry and did not allow it. Kan's generals Zheng Pan, Su Wen, Ma Jun and others did not journey south, and thereupon went west to welcome Du Zeng [JS100] to thereby resist Yi. Dun thought Pan was carrying out Kan's intentions. He donned armour and grasped a spear, and wanted to kill Kan, he set out and then turned around again four times. Kan with a stern face said:

To cause you Lord's valour be cut off will diminish Under Heaven. Why this indecisiveness!

Following that he stood up and went to the privy.

The Consultant Army Advisor Mei Tao and the Senior Clerk Chen Ban talked to Dun, saying:

Zhou Fang and Kan are friends and relatives by marriage, and are like the left and right hands. How to have cut off a person's left hand and yet the right hand is not obedient! [?]

Dun's thoughts thereupon loosened, hence he prepared abundant fine food, to thereby send them off. Kan expediently went out at night, Dun pulled in his son Zhan to be Army Advisor. When Kan had reached Yuzhang, he saw Zhou Fang, and with flowing tears said:

Without Sir's outside aide, my peril [would be] unavoidable.

Kan following that advanced to arrive in Shixing.

Before this, the people of Guang province betrayed the Inspector, Guo Ne, and welcomed a native of Changsha, Wang Ji [JS100] as Inspector. Ji then dispatched envoys to pay visit to Wang Dun, requesting to be [Inspector of] Jiao province. Dun accepted it, but Ji had not yet gone out. It happened that Du Hong occupied Linhe, and because of that Ji requested to surrender, urging Hong to capture Guang province. Hong thereupon together with Wen Shao and the Flowering Talent of Guang province Liu Chen, planned rebellion.

Some recommended Kan moreover to stay in Shixing, to observer and examine the circumstances. Kan did not listen and straight-away arrived in Guang province. Hong dispatched envoys to pretend to surrender. Kan perceived their lies, and first at Fengkou erected stone catapults. Shortly after Hong then arrived leading light troops. He realized Kan was prepared and therefore withdrew. Kan pursued, struck and routed him, and captured Liu Chen at Xiaogui. He also dispatched his section general Xu Gao to punish Ji, beheaded him, and transmitted his head to the Imperial Capital. The various generals all requested to exploit the victory and strike Wen Shao. Kan laughed and said:

My power and fame is already visible, why engage in dispatching troops. Only a single sealed paper is sufficient for myself, that is all.

Hence he sent down a document to notify it. Shao was afraid and ran, [they] chased and captured [him] in Shixing. Due to his merits he was enfeoffed Marquis of Chaisang, with a revenue estate of 4 000 households.

Kan was in the province with nothing going on. Every morning he moved a hundred bricks to the outside of [his] study. At dusk [he] moved [them] to the inside of [his] study. People asked about his reasons. He replied, saying:

I am just making effort for the Central Plain. [If I] go beyond these comfortable indulgences, [I] fear [I] will not be capable of affairs.

His strive and aspirations for diligent vigour was always of this kind.

At the beginning of Taixing [318 – 321], he was advanced in title to General who Calms the South, and made additionally Commander-in-Chief of the Army Affairs of Jiao province. When Wang Dun raised troops in rebellion, there was decree for Kan to use his original office to act as Inspector of Jiang province, and made to move to Commander-in-Chief and Inspector of Xiang province. Dun obtained his ambitions, and sent up for Kan to return to his original duty, additionally Cavalier in Regular Attendance.

At the time the Inspector of Jiao province, Wang Liang, was captured by the traitor Liang Shuo. Kan dispatched general Gao Bao to advance, strike and pacify him. Used Kan to act as Inspector of Jiao province. For a record of merits from beginning to end [?], enfeoffed his second son Xia as Marquis of Duting, and he was advanced in title to Great General who Conquers the South, Opening Office with the Same Ceremonies as the Three Ministers.

When Wang Dun was pacified, he transferred to Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Jing, Yong, Yi and Liang# provinces, acting Colonel who Protects the Southern Man, Great General who Conquers the West, and Inspector of Jing province; the remainder like before. In Chu and Ying the gentlemen and women could not but congratulate each other.

Kan was by nature intelligent and smart, and diligent at his official duties. He was respectful yet with simple manners, he was fond of human relations. The whole day he would pull back his knees and sit upright. Outside the threshold there were many affairs, a thousand thread-ends and ten thousand sprouts, never was he neglectful in keeping track [?]. Near and far wrote missives, he could not but reply in his own hand. His writing brush was like a current, not once stopping still. He drew forth and received missives from far away, the gates never delayed guests. He often told people, saying:

Yu the Great was a sage and therefore regretted a cun's shadow [on the sundial]. Reaching [us] people of the multitudes, [we] must regret a fen's shadow. How can we indulge in roaming about desolate and drunk. While living to make no improvments to the times, and when dead there beings nothing to ask about to the descendants, this is to abandon one-selves.

[1 cun = 10 fen]

Of the various advisors and assistants there were some who due to talk and play abandoned affairs. He therefore instructed to take their alcohol vessels and implements for dice games, and thoroughly throw them into the Jiang. The magistrates and generals he then additionally whipped and beat, saying:

Chaupar is a game for pig shepherds [?] and slaves, that is all. The Lao and Zhuang are frivolous and superficial, not the model words of former kings, and cannot be acted on. The lordly man will make proper in his clothes and cap, and manage his imposing manners. How can he make disordered hair support his expectations and speak of himself as vastly unimpeded!

When he was offered supplies [?], he always asked about their actions. If [they] had made efforts to make what was delivered [?], even if it was little he was surely pleased, he placated and bestowed, taking part multiple times. If not managed to obtain it [?], then he cuttingly and sharply scolded and abused, turning back their supplies [?].

He once set out to travel, and saw a person hold a single uprooted unripe rice plant. Kan asked:

Why have you done this?

The person told him:

What seen by the road will be taken, that is all [?]

Kan greatly angered said:

You have not farmed, yet for sport spoil people's rice plants.

He held and whipped him. Thus accordingly the hundred families were diligent in farming and rearing, families were well provided and people had sufficient.

At the time when building ships, the sawdust and bamboo butt ends he thoroughly ordered to begin managing them [?]. Nobody understood what for. Later at the New Year's Assembly, there piled up snow and only then the weather cleared. In front of the audience hall it was still wet from the remaining snow. Hence they used the sawdust to spread out on the ground. And when Huan Wen invaded Shu, they again used the bamboo butt heads stockpiled by Kan to make nails to outfit the boats. His arrangements and management of the small and circumstantial [?] was always of this kind.

#js066

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libertariantaoist · 6 years

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“The appearance of Empty Virtue this is what comes from the Tao the Tao as a thing waxes and wanes it waxes and wanes but inside is an image it wanes and waxes but inside is a creature it’s distant and dark but inside is an essence an essence that is real inside which is a heart throughout the ages its name hasn’t changed so we might follow our fathers how do we know what our fathers were like by means of this”

-Lao-tzu- (Taoteching, verse 21, translation by Red Pine)

WANG PI says, “Only when we take emptiness as our virtue can our actions accord with the Tao.”

SUNG CH’ANG-HSING says, “Sages have it. So does everyone else. But because others are selfish and attached, their virtue isn’t empty.”

HUANG YUAN-CHI says, “Emptiness and the Tao are indivisible. Those who seek the Tao cannot find it except through emptiness. But formless emptiness is of no use to those who cultivate the Tao.”

YEN LING-FENG says, “Virtue is the manifestation of the Way. The Way is what Virtue contains. Without the Way, Virtue would have no power. Without Virtue, the Way would have no appearance.”

SU CH’E says, “The Tao has no form. Only when it changes into Virtue does it have an appearance. Hence, Virtue is the Tao’s visual aspect. The Tao neither exists nor does not exist. Hence, we say it waxes and wanes, while it remains in the dark unseen.”

CH’ENG HSUAN-YING says, “The true Tao exists and yet does not exist. It does not exist and yet does not not exist. Lao-tzu says it waxes and wanes to stress that the Tao is not separate from things, and things are not separate from the Tao. Outside of the Tao, there are no things. And outside of things, there is no Tao.”

WU CH’ENG says, “‘Inside’ refers to Virtue. ‘Image’ refers to the breath of something before it is born. ‘Creature’ refers to the form of something after it is born. ‘Distant and dark’ refers to the utter invisibility of the Tao.”

CHANG TAO-LING says, “Essence is like water; the body is its embankment, and Virtue is its source. If the heart is not virtuous, or if there is no embankment, water disappears. The immortals of the past treasured their essence and lived, while people today lose their essence and die.”

WANG P’ANG says, “Essence is where life and the body come from. Lao-tzu calls it ‘real’ because once things become subject to human fabrication, they lose their reality.”

And RED PINE explains, “In China people trace their descent through their male parent. The male is visible, the female hidden. Lao-tzu is nourished by his mother (Tao) but follows his father (Te).”

–

The problem Lao-tzu has described for us, in the last several verses, is the Great Way (the Tao) has disappeared. His prescription for what ails us, getting rid of artifice, getting rid of pretense, getting rid of any extra thing – all these things which have replaced the Tao — serves one purpose for Lao-tzu: The reappearance of Empty Virtue, which comes from the Tao.

Lao-tzu has talked a lot about emptiness, before. So, it is something we have already covered, before. And, I don’t want to spend my commentary trying to reiterate what has already been said. What I would rather do is focus on what he is saying in today’s verse about Empty Virtue. Empty Virtue, is just that, empty. It doesn’t have any additions, no attachments, no desire. It is empty of artifice, pretense, anything that is extraneous to the Tao.

This does come with a warning, however. The practice of Empty Virtue won’t earn you love and praise from others. On the other hand, you won’t be feared or despised by them, either. If you are a practitioner of Empty Virtue you can pretty much expect that people will hardly be aware you are even there.

That is just fine with me, for I am not looking to be noticed, or to be rewarded for doing what I know is the right thing. Quite frankly, I just want to be left alone, as I leave everybody else alone.

I think of Empty Virtue, pretty much, as minding my own business. Not interfering, not intervening, not forcing things, not trying to be in control.

I know, I know, with all the virtue-signaling going on in the world today, you might think my not signaling my virtue would raise a few eyebrows. But I haven’t found it to be so. I simply don’t call attention to the fact I am not virtue-signaling. And, it really isn’t surprising how unnoticed and ignored I can be. Anyone who doubts that probably has too high an estimation of themselves.

No, to be quite honest, the world doesn’t revolve around you, or me. When I don’t draw attention to myself, people don’t give me a second thought. And that is just the way I like it.

What was it Lao-tzu said in yesterday’s verse? He was alone. And, alone, isn’t a bad thing. I go out every morning, alone. Well before sunrise. Just walking in the darkness. It is my “me” time. The darkness, the emptiness, make those two hours a walking meditation. I see the waxing and waning of the moon; and, I see the waxing and waning of the Tao. Alone, in the dark, I see the essence of the Tao, the only thing that is real. It is by means of this that I empty my mind, and am renewed, day by day.

–

Red Pine introduces the following sage with today’s verse:

YEN LING-FENG (B. 1910). Classical scholar and specialist in Taoteching studies. In addition to his own books on the subject, he republished most of the surviving commentaries in his monumental Wu-ch’iu-pei-chai lao-tzu chi-ch’eng, including a number of “lost” commentaries that he reconstructed from diverse sources. Lao-tzu chang-chu hsin-pien.

#philosophical taoism #libertarian

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derekhernandezfuentes · 4 years

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I really do agree that my company and manufacturing plant will be a place of worship, an organization for services, and to help us humans and our beloved animals and plant life. Government should never take away connectivities to a Higher Power/God/Goddess/Divine. As a Buddhist, I know that both meditating with trees and Christian mindful praying work, and that in Tao Ying and Yang symbol, our Democrats can see that our Republican friends and family members are smart, intend well, and that pro-Industries tax cuts create good karma known as dharma, through creating increases in foods supplies and essential medical supplies as well as devices and other technologies that may connect us with our Divine Nature, giving us longer lifespans such as 300 to 3,000-year lifespans for all 9 billion of us humans and our animal and plant life friends, in interplanetary travel and residences.

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swipestream · 5 years

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Fantasy and Adventure New Releases: 13 April 2019

This week’s roundup of the newest releases in fantasy and adventure features elemental magi, xianxia monks, and three flavors of cop–saint, superhero, and Burrito Avenger.

City of Shadows (Saint Tommy, NYPD #4) – Declan Finn

London is alive with the sound of shadows.

When Tommy Nolan was sent abroad to avoid being made a saint too soon, he thought he’d be a glorified tourist. But when an impossible prehistoric artifact the Vatican is looking at is stolen from the British Museum, they do the first thing that comes to mind — they call the cops.

But Tommy is soon convinced that the artifact is more than it seems. The crime scene looks like a war zone. The owners of the stolen merchandise eye him with suspicion. His new partner has a shady, mysterious past. The police are ready to arrest him. The city itself seems primed to explode.

Worst of all, the darkness itself is closing in on Tommy, the city, and everyone who lives there.

But Tommy isn’t one to curse the darkness. The darkness curses him.

Cloak of Dragons (Cloak Mage #1) – Jonathan Moeller

My name is Nadia, and I’m an errand girl.

Except my boss is the High Queen of the Elves.

And my errands for her involve spying on people. Or stealing things. Or hunting down monsters. Or, on occasion, killing people.

But this time she wants me to solve a murder.

And unless I find the killer, I’m going to be his next target…because dragons never forgive a murder.

The Fire Within (Elemental Academy #1) – D.K. Holmberg

A single mistake has far-reaching consequences for a carpenter’s apprentice.

With the threat of rogue elementals escaping from the element bond and fear of another attack by the Draasin Lord, life at the edge of Terndahl is difficult for Tolan. Without any magic of his own, he spends his days working a menial job as a carpenter’s apprentice. When an elemental attack draws the attention of the Inquisitors from the Academy, everything changes.

A mistake brings Tolan into the Terenhall Academy, a prestigious training ground for powerful shapers, but it’s a world where he doesn’t belong. Unlike his classmates, he can’t control the magic of the element bonds.

As elementals continue to escape the bond and attack the Academy, Tolan finds himself in the middle of danger. With no shaping ability, he fears there’s something more to the attacks. Now he must save the Academy and find a way to stop these attacks—and find the one behind them.

Going Native & Other Stories – J. Manfred Weichsel

It’s a strange world out there…

A space traveler learns the dangers of getting too involved with another species…

Aliens want to teach humanity the secrets of the universe—If only we could stop laughing at them…

The social elites have a dark, twisted secret that makes race relations a nightmare…

It would be misleading to say J. Manfred Weichsel only writes fantasy or science fiction. Going Native features six stories to entertain and explore the darkest realities of what it means to be human (or not.) With bizarre alien landscapes, gripping plotlines, and unforgettable satire, this collection showcases a powerful voice in genre fiction.

Hollow City (Song of Karma #1) – Kai Wai Cheah and Thomas Plutarch

Six kills in six years.

Super powered cop Adam Song has dedicated his life to the law. In the military and the police force, Adam ruthlessly protects the innocent.

But this time he’s killed the wrong bad guy. Now the local drug lord’s son is dead, and the boss is out for Adam’s blood. Even his secret identity won’t keep him safe. The police department hangs him out to dry, his years of exemplary service forgotten. Adam must take justice into his own hands to keep his family safe.

Because Adam is a Song. And Songs take care of their own. No matter the cost.

When does justice become murder? And just how far will he go to protect his clan?

Maxwell Cain: Burrito Avenger – Adam Lane Smith

An action novel for fans of John Wick, Demolition Man, or Die Hard.

Maxwell Cain, also known as “Bloody Rain Cain,” is a cop fed up with the murderous hooligans who control the streets of San Pajita, California.

After years of public service, Max is fired for executing too many dirtbags, and he seeks solace at his favorite taqueria. When his comfort burrito is sullied by the careless actions of brutal thugs, Max finally snaps. What begins as an argument over a ruined lunch quickly spirals into a hurricane of blood and revenge.

Max is joined in his fight by the gorgeous Kate Valentine, a baker with an itchy trigger finger. As the two rush into battle against an entire criminal organization, they are hunted by the relentless terror of the seedy underworld: Johnny Legion.

The Scribbly Man (The Children of D’Hara) – Terry Goodkind

“They are the monsters under the bed when you are little, the shape just caught out of the corner of your eye when you thought you were alone, the shadow of something in a dark corner that surprises you and then isn’t there. They stop you dead with a knot of unexpected terror in the pit of your stomach. We have all seen fleeting glimpses of them. Never long enough to see them as I saw them, but it was them. I recognized it the instant I saw it. We’ve all seen flashes of them, the dark shadow just out of sight. They could briefly terrify us before but never hurt us because they came from so far distant. They were never able to fully materialize in our world so we saw only transient glimpses of them, the shape of them if the light was just right, if the shadows were deep enough . . . if you were afraid enough. I think that the star shift has brought us closer to their realm so that they now have the power to step into our world and hurt us.” —Kahlan Amnell

A Thousand Li: the First Step – Tao Wong

Long Wu Ying never expected to join a Sect or become a real cultivator. His days were spent studying, planting rice on the family farm and spending time with his friends. Fate, however, has different plans for Wu Ying and when the army arrives at his village, he and many other members of the village are conscripted. Given the opportunity to join the Verdant Green Waters Sect, Wu Ying must decide between his pedestrian, common life and the exciting, blood soaked life of a cultivator.

Join Wu Ying as he takes his first step on his Thousand Li journey to become an immortal cultivator.

The First Step is the first novel in A Thousand Li series, a book on cultivation, immortals, wondrous martial art styles and spirit beasts and will be loved by wuxia and xanxia fans.

Fantasy and Adventure New Releases: 13 April 2019 published first on https://medium.com/@ReloadedPCGames

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dailybuddhismpractice · 6 months

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Amitabha Buddha’s eighteenth Vow is the King of all Fundamental Vows

Start the day

1. Namo Amitabha x 10 times, 阿弥陀佛. 🙂

2. Sending gratitude to the Universe & Amitabha.

3. Wish that all beings can meet Amitabha and be reborn in Sukhavati - Western Pureland.

Zeng yip. hwazang. 6 gen needs sau hui lai become 1 yin.

You are undervalued.

32 creates everythg when combined.

Formula for success: Lou se (Honesty), Ting hua (listen to the Buddha), Zhen kan (really do), fang xia (let go).

liberate other, having learn from the enlightened ones on how to nian fo cheng fo. Lower down the expectations to achieved more. Set goals that are low so u could achieve more. Start something but start low. No frustration. The power to create depends on this, the more u let go, the more u create, the more u give the more u get, the more u desire the more u give love to others. Human has 84,000 yip need 84,000 fart mun to resolve. Nianfo is outside of all these fart mun and need to learn how meet the requirements to be reborn in Western Pureland. Must maintain 10 leem tao of buddha name and ying sing bu luan.

The 18th Vow states:

18th Vow is the foremost among them, so Amitabha Buddha is known as the Buddha of the Great Vow. It could be said that Amitabha was the example for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who is also known as the Bodhisattva of the Great Vow, as Ksitigarbha’s vow is the greatest among all bodhisattvas. Tam chan chi cheng yuk. UFO. Chung kuo tai. Third eye can open.

seng, seng fat (cheng fo). Close to Enlightenment which is with no differentiation. Mona become pin deng. Xin fo peng deng. That is the state of Buddhahood. Time & space came from one source. Me but still got fa sheng. Western Pureland is created by it too of Amitabha Buddha but it does not have 'zhi xin dong nian'. Non differentiation mind. The truth behind the tooth. The papaya croach story. When you let go of yourself, you got the world. When you let go of this world, you will get Western Pureland. Tree is life. Today is world environmental day, Jun 5th 2022. A tree is a universe. Money is printed from destroying a universe (tree) and then used in ways to cause more harm to the planet, the universe. Change it dont chase for it, seek and manage. Everything you do, everyone you see, dharma help you see the truth all attachments become saha

world, then suffering arise, everything is Amituofo, the way you see the world becomes Amituofo. Ching jing peng deng sure reborn in Pureland. Practicex3. Zhen fa meng ru lai (Kuan yin aeons ago. Kuan ser yin ru lai teaches Kuan Ser Yin pusa the disciple, er kern zhui ling). My true nature is the Buddha. Wui guai zhi sing. Dharma is the cure of sickness (Fart). Li (bu shen bu miet) ser jen, xiang sher jia. Xin is chen, ser is jia. True or false also dont be too attached. Bu ji xing dong nien jiu ser the tips. With a sickness, ji, xing, dong, nien, fern, bie, zhe, zhuo (6 gen). Karn po. Yi cher yau wei fart, sern miet fa. Mei lai mei chu, sam mo se de mei you. Wo you 3 bao. Ching jing peng den. Arhat achieve zeng jue. Pusa practice Peng deng xin to achieve chen deng zeng jue, Buddha chen wu sarng chen deng jue. Ser jie wan wu ser yi ti. This body is my manifestation (you r

the greatest magician). Dont do anything in saha world that makes you attached too much that you couldnt let go and seek rebirth in Western Pureland. Wu xin is Amituofo. Amituofo is my xin. Every ben xin is Amituofo. You seek yourself. Let yourself be found, not search outside but inside. The world is using a piece of paper to weigh everything, cert for qualification, paper owns land and houses. A piece of paper becomes everything, your self worth as light as a piece of paper....Jing zhen guo. Fang xia chai but ku, let go and burden's gone...Compassion is your focus, is your life. If no compassion then only left unhappiness and sorrow. Happiness in Saha world is the start of unhappiness. Go back to the neutral state is happiness, no unhappiness. You need to peace down, silent give rise to wisdom. My heart is my way place. Wo xin ju shi tao chang. Fo got

52 jie ti. Let go, become Arhat, let go become Pusa and let go become Buddha. 1 second contains 1600 leem which is rise / fall. Life & death. Change alaya to 9 sik then end, no more life & death. Wu wo.a

Call upon the 7 Buddhas x 3:

Namo Duo Po Yu Loi

Namo Bo Seng Yu Loi (zhun seng)

Namo Miew Sik Sarn Yu Loi

Namo Kong Pok Sarn Yu Loi

Namo Lee Po Wai Yu Loi (guard)

Namo Kam Lou Wong Yu Loi

Namo A Mi Tuo Yu Loi

1. Offering to Buddha

2. Serve Buddha house & others

3. No killing

4. Believe in cause & effect, seize all bad cause

10 ngok lun.

1. 1 sesame oil producer

2. 10 x sesame producer equal one prostitute center.

3. 10 x pros ctr equal one shop selling alcohol shop / club.

4. 10 x shop selling equal one ctr killing animal.

5. 10 x ctr killing animal equal one ngok by losat fart chut ka yan po fart fart.

3 kwai, 5 kai, 10 xin（十善）

such as adultery, for the layman); (4) engaging in false speech; (5) using intoxicants; (6) eating after midday; (7) participating in worldly amusements; (8) adorning the body with ornaments and using perfume; (9) sleeping on high and luxurious beds; and (10) accepting gold and silver.

Start - Basic (10.30 am)

Mouth (om soli soli..), Body (om sowa..) x7

Multiplier mantra 4x108, Done 118.25

Om Ram (Om Ram....Svaha), Done 18.25

Om Chrine (7 times, one protect hse, three protects whole place, seven protects the country) x108, Done 17.25

Earth Gods of Five Directions mantra (Namo Samanta Buddhanam Om Dulu Dulu Di Wei Soha) x3 per day, Done 67

Stupa mantra x3 per day, Done 9

A va la ka kia 108, Done 16.5

Sakyamuni Buddha mantra 4x108 Done 7.25

Cundi Bodhisattva Mantra

(Namaḥ Saptānāṃ Samyaksaṃbuddha Koṭīnāṃ Tadyathā Oṃ Cale Cule Cundī) x108, Done 13.5

Oṃ Cale Cule Cundī Svāhā x 108, Done 72

Om Mani Padme Hum, A Ah Sha Sa Ma Ha

- 8x108 Done 4

Usnisa Vijaya mantra, Om Bhrum Soha - 8x108 x 2, Done 4

Om Bhrum x 108, Done 12

Part 1 (11.30 am)

Om Vasudhare Svaha x108, Done 1

Namo Samantha Buddhanam Om Mahakalaye Svaha x108, Done 1.25

Om Mahakalaye Svaha x1080, Done 0

(20x27x2 = 1080 or 60 x small beads)

Part 2 (12.30 am), Lunch @ 1.30 pm

Medicine Buddha long mantra, Medicine Buddha heart mantra x108, Done 10.25

Manjushri mantra, Done 4.75

Om Avira Hum Kachara Mum Soha, Done 5.25

Earth store mantra x108, Done 10

7th Past Parents mantra x108, Done 15.25

Long life mantra (Om sam) x108, Done

7.75

Om ye ye nan 4x108, Done 4

Food mantra 4x108, Done 4

Water offering mantra, Done 4

Liberate small water being mantra, Done 4

7 Buddha Names x3 per day, Done 30 days

Namo Bo bo Ti li, Cher (li) To li, Dan tuo ye tuo ye, Done 4

Om Maiyura Krante Svaha, Done 2.25

Om Ah Hum x108, Done 14.5

Part 3 (3.30 pm)

Nian fo - 108 (6 syllable), 2x108 (4 syllable) Done 4

Kuan yin - 108, Done 4

Great Strength - 108, Done 4

Ksitigarbha - 108, Done 4

Heart sutra, Done 2

Tadyatha om gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha x108, Done 3

Compassionate mantra, Done 5

Om Du lin, Du lin, Jia Du lin, Soha, Done 2

Eliminate karma by 7 buddhas mantra 4x108, Done 0.5

Pureland rebirth mantra 4x108, Done 0.5

Om Pu Kam (Pureland), Light mantra 4x108, Done 0.5

Acala Heart Mantra (Namah Samanta Vajranam Ham), Done 1.75

Oṃ Bodhicittam Utpādayāmi, 14 x per day, Done 3,825

Part 4 End (6.50 pm), Dinner @ 7.30 pm

Tara mantras

- Green 4x108, Done 1.5

- Red 4x108, 100% Done 1.5

- White 4x108, Done 1.5

(Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayuh Punya Jñana Pustim Kuru Svaha)

Setrap mantra 4x108, Done 1.5

Dorje Shugden mantra; Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha, Done 1.5

~ Shize

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Shanti Siddhi Hung 4x108, Done 1.5

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Ayu Siddhi Hung, Done 1.5

During pandemic, Om Benza Wiki Bitana Chintau Kuru Ye Soha 4x108, Done 1.5

~ Gyenze

(Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha, Tseso Paljor Long Cho, Thamched Putrim Kuru Om) 1x108, Done 1.5

Om Benza Satto Hung 4×108, Done 178.25

During 8 Kwanzai

34, 102, 238, 476, 918, 8.5

33, 99, 231, 462, 891, 8.25

31, 93, 217, 434, 837, 7.75

30, 90, 210, 420, 810, 7.5

28, 84, 196, 392, 756, 7

26, 78, 182, 364, 702, 6.5

25, 75, 175, 350, 675, 6.25

22, 66, 154, 308, 594, 5.5

20, 60, 140, 280, 540, 5

19, 57, 133, 266, 513, 4.75

15, 45, 105, 210, 405, 3.75

14, 42, 98, 196, 378, 3.5

13, 39, 91, 182, 351, 3.25

11, 33, 77, 154, 297, 2.75

10, 30, 70, 140, 270, 2.5

9, 27, 63, 126, 243, 2.25

8, 24, 56, 112, 216, 2

7, 21, 49, 98, 189, 1.75

6, 18, 42, 84, 162, 1.5

5, 15, 35, 70, 135, 1.25

4, 12, 28, 56, 108, 1

3, 9, 21, 42, 81, 0.75

2, 6, 14, 28, 54, 0.5

1, 3, 7, 14, 27, 0.25

(7x per day)

Surangama mantra, Done 106

Om Amarani Jivantiye Svaha, Done 86

Om Maitri Maha Maitri Maitriye Svaha, Done 86

Om Alolika Svaha, Done 106

Mahapratisara Bodhisattva

(Om Bhara Bhara Sambhara Sambhara Indriya Visudhani Ha Ha Ru Ru Ca Re Svaha), Done 86

Om Kurukulle Hrih Svaha, Done 86

Oṃ āḥ hūṃ vajra guru padma siddhi hūṃ, Done 86

Je Tsongkhapa/Jungkapa, Done 86

(Om Ah Guru Benzadhara Sumati Kirti Siddhi Hum Hum)

Om Garbe Ragam Soha, Done 106

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Shanti Siddhi Hung ~ peace

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Ayu Siddhi Hung

~ health

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Punye Siddhi Hung

~ increase, done 141

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Washam Kuru Ho

~ control, done 141

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Rakya Rakya Hung

~ protection, done 141

Namkar Barzin (Om Biyada-Par Dhama-Dhara Soha), Done 86

Zambala of Five Directions (Om Zambala Gari Zanayeh Soha), Done 106

Yellow Zambala (Om Zambala Zalendraye Soha), Done 106

Om Samaya Cha, Done 86

Hum Mama Hum Ni Soha, Done 149

TADYATHA OM ANALE ANALE KHASAME KHASAME BHAYRE BHAYRE SAUMA SAUME SARVA BUDDHA ADISHTANA ADISHTITE SOHA OM SARVA TATHAGATHA USHINISHA SITATAPUTRA HUM PHAT HUM MAMA HUM NI SOHA

Medicine Buddha (3 times per day), Done 130

Namo bhagavate bhaiṣajyaguru-

vaiḍūryaprabhārājāya tathāgatāya

arhate samyaksaṃbuddhāya,

tadyathā oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajya-samudgate svāhā

Makura (Buddhist Patron protector of the zodiac sign monkey), 7x per day, Done 86

Bhaisajya-guru-vaidurya-prabha-raja Tathagata

(3 times per day)

Akshobhaya (Pudong Rulai), Done 87

- Namo bhagavate Akshobhaya, tathagataya arhate samyaksambuddhaya.

Tadyatha Om kamkani kamkani, Rochani rochani, Trotani trotani, Trasani trasani, Pratihana pratihana, Sarva karma paramparanime sarva sattvanancha svaha

Target: 60 per month with 5 to 6 days of 8 kwanzai. Each time 26 to 34, each day 10 to 15 times until reached 60 or more.

Mantra of Ferocious Eating 殘食咒為(Namah samanta vajranam, trat, amogha canda, maha rosana, sphataya, hum, tramaya, hum trat ham mam), Done 3

Others:

+ Cui sui chow

Om tore tore cha tore so poho

Om Lan Soha

Om Chrine

Om Brim

Om Pu Kam (Pureland).

Om Bodhicitta, Mudaba, Dayami.

Om abichanaga

Am Bi Chanaga.

Om da de da de mohe dade svaha.

Om Mani Padme Hung A a sa sa maha

Namo bhagavate...x4

Om Amida Ayu Dadi Soha

Food Mantra

Ganlu sui zhou

Namo bo bo ti li, cher (li) to li, dan tuo ye tuo ye

Om mani facili hum

Om Ami Dewa Hrih

Om Kurukulle Hrih Svaha

“After I pass away and my pure doctrine is absent,

You will appear as an ordinary being,

Performing the deeds of a Buddha

And establishing the Joyful Land, the great Protector, In the Land of the Snows.”

-Buddha Shakyamuni in the Root

Tantra of Manjushri

You need to nian fo then can achieve fo.

But now, you only nian 6 realm of rebirth how to achieve fo?

You are fo why cannot become fo?

Becos u never let go of the 6 realm of rebirth activities. Greed, anger, ignorance (3 poisons need to let go 1st)

All ppl are the creation of their minds.

Our body is our own manifestation of the (our) mind. Let go of the thoughts and mind, it will take u to next creation / manifestation. Practice but forget don't put practice into the mind. Be forgetful but only remember where you are going, Western Pureland so keep that in mind. This is called freedom of the mind (like depicted in Heart Sutra, freedom - zezai), our only aim which is zezai warng serng si fang ji le sher chieh. Love is the opposite of wisdom. Wisdom can only arise from compassion if you can turn love to compassion. Love can be a distraction to a cultivator. Love is not real. Reason stuck in 6 realms of retribution is love (because got form and conditions), everything of this nature is impermanent, hence love is not real, jia xiang. U cant come out. Dont let jia siang chi pien ni de xin. Dont be fooled by a false image / appearance. Use peng

deng xin to console sentient beings, Buddha treat everyone like his father, the King. The thanxiang, cow agarwood no longer here. Go Western Pureland: (Haitao Fashi) Use 3 fu tien, kan ern de fu tien, zhun jing de fu tien, cher pei de fu tien. (Chin Kung Fashi) 3 fu, xiao shun fu mu / respective teachers - 1. Filial piety is the root. 2. Take refuges, san kwai yi / chi kai. 3. Sam sun yan ko (first, nian fo yin, cheng fo zhi ko). Ying guang fa shi. Wu liang yik zhi zhai fan now, Da zhi zai tien wang tha men di fu de guang ming bu nen kan dao. In front of rulai, it's gone. Fan fu. We have 51 mental factors

https:///wiki/Mental_factors_(Buddhism)

improvement (kungfu). Must use chen xing. (Learn from the best learn from the Muslims. Let go to do prayer when the time comes.) Ying ye, 5 jie 10 sarn. Huan xi pu ser. Pu ser, cai yuen guenx2 lai. All existence are manifestation of karma, the fruits of causes (combination of effects). All are swihuan de. At one point, u are here, there, everywhere in the universe of existence, different space and time like a multiverse. This body is like a bowl of water with lots of salt added (a.k.a. sufferings which r the effects of ur past karma). Everything u have contact with is to let u 'suffer' all circumstances created in some past lives that u cant see or remember. The purpose of cultivation is to realised this truth (6 realms of rebirth). To break and escape this cycle is to achieve Buddhahood. Fastest way is to see all existences as one and of the same. If u

destroy ur own defilements u are doing the same for others only when u have compassion and use 'peng deng, chi pei, po re xin'. This body is yeap bo. Life is like

a bowl of salt water. Living it is like drinking it. You need to add more water not morr salt so it geys better over time. Get out of it, pour it back to the sea. You dont need to drink it. It is where water would return (thru true self discovery and enlightenment, practice of Buddhism to the highest level).

4 Universal Vows

Also sometimes called the Bodhisattva Vows, as they are essential to the Bodhisattva path of Mahāyāna Buddhism.

1. Sentient beings are limitless; I vow to liberate them.

眾生無邊誓願度

Zhòngshēng wúbiān shìyuàn dù

Zhong Shen Wu Bian Ser Yuan Tu

2. Afflictions are endless; I vow to eradicate them.

煩惱無盡誓願斷

Fánnǎo wújìn shìyuàn duàn

Fan Now Wu Jing Ser Yuan Tuan.

3. Teachings are infinite; I vow to learn them.

法門無量誓願學

Fǎmén wúliàng shìyuàn xué

Fa Men Wu Liang Ser Yuan Shue.

4. Buddhahood is supreme; I vow to attain it.

佛道無上誓願成

Fú dào wú shàng shìyuàn chéng

Fo Dao Wu Sharng Ser Yuan Chern.

Om Bodhicitta, Mudaba, Dayami.

Oṃ Bodhicittam Utpādayāmi

Say this 4 things, ask to let go:

Ken ching qiu fangxia yuen:

1. Du bu qu. Sorry.

2. Ching yuan liang wo. Please forgive me.

3. Xie xie ni. Thank you.

4. Wo ai ni. I love you.

Duration of cultivation:

41 years. May 3rd, 2022 - May 3rd, 2062 (add one year worth of cultivation)

When the Prince, Siddhartha Gautama bids farewell to his father saying:

Even my love for Yasodhara…and my son…

cannot remove the pain I feel.

For I know that they too will have to suffer,

grow old…and die.

Like you, like me, like us all.

Yes. We must all die…

and be reborn…

and die again,

and be reborn and die,

and be reborn and die again.

No man can ever escape that curse.

Then that…is my task. I…will lift that curse.

At the moment of the attainment of awakening, the Buddha uttered the following:

"I travelled through the rounds of countless births through the cycle of existence,

Seeking but not finding the builder of this house [of 'self'] and again and again, I faced the suffering of new birth.

O Housebuilder, you have now been seen,

You shall not build a house again for me.

Your beams [defilements] have now been broken, Your ridgepole [ignorance] utterly shattered.

My mind has attained the supreme

'nibbana' ('blowing out')

Realised is the unconditioned, Achieved is the end of craving."

- Siddhartha Gautama

(Dhammapada Verses 153 and 154)

within the same state which is called suffering. When u see without seeing and when u have sight of not using any organ is when the truth would be revealed and the absolute truth is the state overcoming delusion or samsara, the true escape of realm of rebirths. Is when u crossed the other shore. The state of relization, Buddhood, the enlightment. Life's biggest problem is reincarnation. Settle that, settle death using Buddha name recitation and seek rebirth in Western Pureland. Turn back bad effect. Power of Amitabha Buddha, power of others not you. Can u fly, cannot but plane and make u fly, power of others. Simplify cultivation, use 4 letter words or 6 letter words, most utmost technology to take u from all sufferings to ultimate bliss.

#spiritualhealing #spiritual development #Amitabha

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libertariantaoist · 7 years

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-Lao-tzu- (Taoteching, verse 21, translation by Red Pine)

WANG PI says, “Only when we take emptiness as our virtue can our actions accord with the Tao.”

SUNG CH’ANG-HSING says, “Sages have it. So does everyone else. But because others are selfish and attached, their virtue isn’t empty.”

HUANG YUAN-CHI says, “Emptiness and the Tao are indivisible. Those who seek the Tao cannot find it except through emptiness. But formless emptiness is of no use to those who cultivate the Tao.”

YEN LING-FENG says, “Virtue is the manifestation of the Way. The Way is what Virtue contains. Without the Way, Virtue would have no power. Without Virtue, the Way would have no appearance.”

WANG P’ANG says, “Essence is where life and the body come from. Lao-tzu calls it ‘real’ because once things become subject to human fabrication, they lose their reality.”

–

Today’s verse may seem difficult to understand; but, if you stop trying so hard to understand it, it just might make perfect sense. In my commentary a couple of verses ago, we were looking at a saying of Chuang-tzu. “When springs dry up, fish find themselves in puddles, spraying water on each other to keep each other alive. Better to be in a river or lake and oblivious of one another.”

I said, about that saying, that it isn’t that the spring has really dried up. It just seems as if it has. There just may be a blockage. We need to delve a bit deeper to find the vast reservoir that is there to be used. We behave like fish in puddles, when there are rivers and lakes we could be swimming in. Wouldn’t it be better to be oblivious of each other, and not oblivious of our source?

Ah, but overcoming our oblivion with regard to our source? That can be quite the difficulty. That emptiness is unnerving. No wonder we are spraying water on each other! But Lao-tzu insisted we must get rid of all substitutes for the Tao, before we can begin again to accord with the Tao. We need to be empty, because the Tao is empty.

What Su Ch’e and Ch’eng Hsuan-ying have to say here is of a whole lot more help to us than we might at first understand.

“The Tao has no form. Only when it changes into Virtue does it have an appearance. Hence, Virtue is the Tao’s visual aspect. The Tao neither exists nor does not exist. Hence, we say it waxes and wanes, while it remains in the dark unseen.”

“The true Tao exists and yet does not exist. It does not exist and yet does not not exist. Lao-tzu says it waxes and wanes to stress that the Tao is not separate from things, and things are not separate from the Tao. Outside of the Tao, there are no things. And outside of things, there is no Tao.”

It has been more than thirty years since I took that intro to philosophy course in college. As I remember it, Western philosophy seemed to be quite taken up with the question of essence and existence. Which came first?

Taoists might have a good laugh at that. They would say that they arise together.

This is important for us to understand because we try so hard to distinguish them. And, we really need to stop doing that.

Waxing and waning. Waxing and waning, waning and waxing. We keep looking for permanence, when the only thing which remains permanent is the state of flux which is our reality.

–

Red Pine introduces the following sage with today’s verse:

#philosophical taoism #libertarian

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libertariantaoist · 7 years

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“Higher Virtue isn’t virtuous thus it possesses virtue Lower Virtue isn’t without virtue thus it possesses no virtue Higher Virtue involves no effort or the thought of effort Higher Kindness involves effort but not the thought of effort Higher Justice involves effort and the thought of effort Higher Ritual involves effort and should it meet with no response then it threatens and compels virtue appears when the Way is lost kindness appears when virtue is lost justice appears when kindness is lost ritual appears when justice is lost ritual marks the waning of belief and the onset of confusion augury is the flower of the Way and beginning of delusion thus the great choose thick over thin the fruit over the flower thus they pick this over that”

-Lao-tzu- (Taoteching, verse 38, translation by Red Pine)

HAN FEI says, “Virtue is the Tao at work.”

WANG PI says, “Those who possess Higher Virtue use nothing but the Tao. They possess virtue, but they don’t give it a name.”

YEN TSUN says, “Those who embody the Way are empty and effortless, yet they lead all creatures to the Way. Those who embody virtue are faultless and responsive and ready to do anything. Those who embody kindness show love for all creatures without restriction. Those who embody justice deal with things by matching name with reality. Those who embody ritual are humble and put harmony first. These five are the footprints of the Tao. They are not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is not one, much less five.”

WANG P’ANG says, “Kindness is another name for virtue. It differs, though, from virtue because it involves effort. The kindness of sages, however, does not go beyond fulfilling their nature. They aren’t interested in effort. Hence, they don’t think about it.”

LU HUI-CH’ING says, “Higher kindness is kindness without effort to be kind. Kindness is simply a gift. Justice is concerned with the appropriateness of the gift. Ritual is concerned with repayment. When ritual appears, belief disappears and confusion arises.”

SU CH’E says, “These are the means whereby sages help the people to safety. When the people don’t respond, sages threaten and force them. If they still don’t respond, sages turn to law and punishment.”

FAN YING-YUAN says, “‘Augury’ means to see the future. Those in charge of rituals think they can see the future and devise formulas for human action, but they thus cause people to trade the spirit for the letter.”

WU CH’ENG says, “The Tao is like a fruit. Hanging from a tree, it contains the power of life, but its womb is hidden. Once it falls, it puts forth virtue as its root, kindness as its stem, justice as its branches, ritual as its leaves, and knowledge as its flower. All of these come from the Tao. ‘That’ refers to the flower. ‘This’ refers to the fruit. Those who embody the Tao choose the fruit over the flower.”

RED PINE adds, “And yet the plastic flowers of civilization still deck a billion altars.”

–

We finished up last week saying, “Let the world fix itself!” It was an admonition to rulers, and all of us, really, not to intervene, not to interfere, not to use force, not try to control. That gives us a strong indication of what Lao-tzu is explaining in today’s verse regarding virtue. For, in today’s verse, Lao-tzu teaches there is virtue, and then there is Virtue.

As I was reading through today’s verse, I was reminded of what Lao-tzu said previously. “All the world knows good. But if that becomes good, this becomes bad. The coexistence of have and have not … is endless.”

The highest Virtue, with a capital V, is a virtue that is virtuous without being virtuous. If that seems odd, consider all of Lao-tzu’s teachings regarding the practice of wei-wu-wei. Doing without doing. Knowing without knowing. Competing without competing. And he does go on to explain this is exactly what he means by a virtue that isn’t virtuous. It doesn’t involve any effort. Not even the thought of effort. It is a natural virtue, an effortless virtue.

He contrasts that with Lower virtues. Lower virtues take effort. They are virtues that strive to be virtuous. The lower virtues could be further explained as what we perceive as virtue, as contrasted with Higher Virtue which isn’t perceptible.

Here, Lao-tzu talks about three different perspectives on what is virtuous: Kindness. Justice. Ritual.

Each of these “virtues” have their advocates.

I happen to be pretty big on kindness. Often wondering to myself, “Why can’t people just treat people like they want to be treated?”

For many, justice is the be all and end all virtue. This virtue focuses on what is right and what is wrong. And how wrongs can be made right.

Then, there are those for whom ritual is the most important virtue. This virtue is all about the appearance of virtue. It speaks of humility and harmony. Today, I think the name for it is virtue-signaling. It trades the “spirit” for the “letter,” in an effort to keep up appearances.

Of course, what is most common is that we advocate for some combination of these three virtues.

Lao-tzu takes them one by one, however, and seems to suggest a kind of hierarchical order to them, as well. But keep in mind, these virtues, however high they might be, are all much lower than the Higher Virtue Lao-tzu talked about first.

Kindness is perhaps the highest of the lower virtues. It involves effort, but without giving a thought to the effort involved in being kind. Hence, my constant wonder of why it isn’t easier for people to practice.

Justice involves effort, and it is always thinking about the effort it involves. What is right? Once, you start naming what is right, what is wrong surely follows.

And then there is ritual. I am just going to go ahead and say it. Ritual is the ugliest of the lower virtues. Quite frankly, I find it difficult to call it a virtue. That is kind of what I was feeling as I was reading Su Ch’e’s commentary on today’s verse. Should we really be calling “Su ch’e’s sages” sages? They certainly don’t seem to possess any virtue, given Lao-tzu’s definitions in today’s verse. Yes, ritual requires effort. And, when it doesn’t meet with the expected response, “Watch out!”

The lower virtues only appear because the Great Way has been lost. Remember, the highest form of Virtue? The natural kind, the one which doesn’t involve any effort at all, the one that is a virtue without trying to be virtuous? Well, that is only going to be realized as a result of following the Tao.

Kindness appears when Virtue disappears. Justice appears when kindness is lost. Ritual appears when justice is lost. When things have spiraled downward to where all you have left in the way of virtue is ritual, that is the mark of just how far our belief in the Tao has waned. It is the onset of confusion. Ritual thinks it can see into the future by dwelling on what is past. But that is nothing but the flower of the Way. It is the beginning of delusion.

Thus, choose the thick over the thin, the fruit over the flower: Pick this over that.

–

Red Pine introduces the following sage with today’s verse:

FAN YING-YUAN (FL. 1240-1269). One of the first scholars to examine variations in pronunciation and wording in the Taoteching. Lao-tzu tao-te-ching ku-pen-chi-chu.

#philosophical taoism #libertarian

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libertariantaoist · 7 years

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Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame. Therefore the Master fulfills her own obligations and corrects her own mistakes. She does what she needs to do and demands nothing of others.

Lao Tzu - (Tao Te Ching, chapter 79, translation by Stephen Mitchell)

War and Peace

Regarding the last line of yesterday’s chapter, “True words seem paradoxical” (in Stephen Mitchell’s translation), and “upright words sound upside down” (in Red Pine’s translation), Red Pine had this to add. “Wu Cheng puts the last line at the beginning of the next verse [today’s chapter], Yen Tsun combines both verses, and some commentators suggest combining this with verse 43.” Indeed, much of Lao Tzu’s teaching will seem paradoxical. It sounds upside down to all, but those who are followers of the Way. I only mention this because today’s chapter, regarding dispute resolution, will certainly seem paradoxical to most. Here is Red Pine’s translation:

“In resolving a great dispute

a dispute is sure to remain

how can this be good

sages therefore hold the left marker

and make no claim on others

thus the virtuous oversee markers

the virtueless oversee taxes

the Way of Heaven favors no one

but it always helps the good”

TE-CH’ING says, “In Lao Tzu’s day, whenever feudal rulers had a dispute, the most powerful lord convened a meeting to resolve it. But the resolution of a great dispute invariably involved a payment. And if the payment was not forthcoming, the dispute continued.”

WANG PI says, “If we don’t arrange a contract clearly and a dispute results, even using virtuous means to settle it won’t restore the injury. Thus, a dispute will remain.”

SU CH’E says, “If we content ourselves with trimming the branches and don’t pull out the roots, things might look fine on the outside, but not on the inside. Disputes come from delusions, and delusions are the product of our nature. Those who understand their nature encounter no delusions, much less disputes.”

HO-SHANG KUNG says, “Murderers are killed, and criminals are punished, according to their crime. But those who inflict such punishments offend their own human feelings and involve innocent people as well. If even one person sighs, we offend the Heart of Heaven. How can resolving disputes be considered good?”

CH’ENG HSUAN-YING says, “If someone lets go of both sides but still clings to the middle, how can he be completely good?”

CHENG LIANG-SHU says, “In ancient times, contracts were divided in two. In the state of Ch’u, the creditor kept the left half, and Lao-Tzu was from Ch’u. In the central plains, this was reversed, and the creditor kept the right half.”

SUNG CH’ANG-HSING says, “Seeking to make peace with others is the Way of Humankind. Not seeking to make peace but letting things make peace by themselves is the Way of Heaven. Despite action and the expenditure of energy, energy and action seldom bring peace. Sages therefore hold the left marker because they rely on non-action and the subtlety of letting things be.”

CHIANG HSI-CH’ANG says, “If one does not make demands of others, disputes cannot arise. If one constantly takes from others, great disputes cannot help but occur.”

WANG AN-SHIH says, “Those concerned with taxes cannot avoid making claims on others and thus cannot prevent disputes. This is why they lack virtue.”

MENCIUS says, “The rulers of the Hsia dynasty exacted a tribute [kung] on every five acres of land. The rulers of the Shang exacted a share [chu] on every seven acres. The rulers of the Chou exacted a tax [ch’e] on every ten acres. In reality, what was paid was a tithe of 10 percent” (Mencius: 3A.3; see also Lunyu: 12.9).

LU TUNG-PIN says, “Those who are good cultivate themselves. They don’t concern themselves with others. Once you concern yourself with others, you have disputes. The good make demands of themselves. They don’t make demands of others. The Way of Humankind is selfish. The Way of Heaven is unselfish. It isn’t concerned with others. But it is always one with those who are good.”

And, RED PINE adds, “The way of Heaven always helps the good because the good expect nothing. Hence, they are easily helped. The last two lines were a common saying. In the Shuoyan:10.25, they conclude an exhortation to keep still. They also appear in slightly different form in the Shuching and in Ch’u Yuan’s Lisao: ‘High Heaven favors no one / but it helps the virtuous.’”

This past Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of Woodrow Wilson’s address to Congress asking them to declare war on the Central powers, and formally involve us in the Great War, later dubbed WWI. The war was propagandized as the war to end all wars, and the war to make the world safe for democracy. History has shown it was, in reality, the war to begin all wars. I have recently been relearning World War I history as part of my teaching the 8 year old girl I work with on a daily basis. We discussed, at length, all the entangling alliances which brought about the war in the first place. What a mess!

How could this have been resolved differently? As my readers are no doubt aware, I am opposed to all wars. But, could peace have been negotiated, and conflict and disputes avoided?

Lao Tzu’s words may seem paradoxical, but I find myself agreeing with him. Not intervening, not interfering, not trying to force things, not trying to dominate or control is always the best solution. Take care of your own business. Look after yourself. Leave others alone. We shouldn’t be the world’s policemen, even when it comes to attempts at negotiating diplomacy between rivals. Stay out of it. Let it resolve itself.

#philosophical taoism #libertarian

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