A True Account Of A Miraculous Person
The Legend of a Taoist (5)
Narrated By Fellow Initiate Hu, Nantou, Formosa
Recorded By A Resident Initiate, Hsihu, Formosa
The Law Of The Universe Is All Encompassing
Karmic Retribution Cannot Be Avoided
Around the year 1955, the Taoist was once requested by some fellow brothers
in the same practice to inspect the grave of his friend's father in Tainan.
The reason was, soon after the cremated ashes of this friend's father had
been buried, something started to happen in his family. He had consulted
a very famous geomancer, however, even after re-burial, the mishaps in the
family still continued. Therefore, he invited the Taoist to come.
That day, the geomancer was also invited to go along. Arriving at the
burial place, the Taoist took a look and said, "There is a nest of ants in
the cinerary urn." Hearing his words, the geomancer immediately scolded him
rudely, "You, child! What do you know? It has only been buried a few
months, how could there be ants inside? Don't talk rubbish if you really
don't know." The fellow brother who was standing aside then said, "There
is no need to argue now. We can find out by digging it up."
The next day, they brought the tools and dug up the grave. Unearthed,
the urn looked as perfect as new, without any signs of cracks. It was very
clean on the outside, no trace of ants could be found. Observing the
situation, the geomancer immediately put on an accusing expression. The
Taoist said, "Don't say anything yet. Anyway, you will understand
everything by opening the urn and taking a look." Sure enough, upon opening
the urn, it was full of ants.
That evening, at the home of that friend, the Taoist explained the
cause to him, "After your father was married, he had an affair with a woman.
She had two children. Your father was hoping to take her for his concubine,
but your mother opposed strongly. Subsequently, the woman committed suicide
by jumping into the sea with her two children. The animosity of their
ghosts had not dissolved, so they returned to take revenge. This is why
your two brothers have become crazy. You had better invite your mother to
come here and ask her whether this incident is true." The mother denied it
at first, but the Taoist spoke to her seriously, "If you are unwilling to
admit it, then I can't help you with this matter; and your two ill children
cannot be cured. You must bear all the consequences." Finally, his mother
admitted it. The Taoist continued, "Where did the present wealth of your
family come from? Didn't your husband get it from that woman? At first,
she was assured that she could enter the family; so the money was taken.
But later she was abandoned. You were also aware of this incident. Losing
both her money and her lover, in anger she jumped into the sea and committed
suicide. Therefore, her ghost always troubles you." Later, the Taoist
taught them how to handle the matter. She was instructed to correct the
mistakes by doing good deeds and compassionately taking a vegetarian diet
in order to dissolve the resentment. Her children recovered soon after.
It is necessary to keep the five precepts in following Master. Some
people complain that there are too many rules, no freedom. They do not
realize that keeping the precepts strictly is the true freedom. We should
be an honest person in normal times, instead of appealing to heaven and
earth when the retribution comes. Especially do not think that it is all
right to do bad deeds without anyone being aware. Do not forget 'God is
always there'.
Virtuous Nature Is The Foundation
Of Learning The Dharma
It was the Taoist's life long goal to set up a Taoist temple to serve
people, and to do what is fair, complying with heaven's will. Even though
his superior magical ability had resolved many disastrous situations for
people, many others resented him. Some even came to his temple to challenge
his ability.
Many years ago, an old couple came to the Taoist temple. As the old
man stepped onto the stairs of the Taoist temple, he started murmuring
something. He then performed hand mudras and recited mantras at the
entrance incense burner. Observing no response from the Taoist, the old man
intensified his actions. Entering the temple, he began to pound on the
altar of the temple deity. The Taoist could tolerate no more; so he also
performed hand mudras under the table and silently recited some mantras.
Watching the old man walking up to the highest alter of the deity, the
Taoist secretly flicked his finger. Suddenly, the old man felt dizzy; he
went out of the Taoist temple and vomited under a tree. When he later
reentered the temple, the Taoist started to talk to him, "Old uncle, what
is wrong with you? Do you have car sickness? Why are you vomiting so
severely? Please do not do this any more. I hardly know you at all. Why
do you come to my place to expel the deities here?" The old lady then
started to reprimand her husband, "You old fool! Having nothing to do, you
love creating trouble in other people's temples. Today, you have finally
kicked an 'iron board'! See if you dare to do it anymore?" The Taoist then
removed the spell that he had just cast.
Soon after this incident, several people from another temple came to
his place. One of them was very old with a very long beard. Judging from
their attire, it was obvious that these visitors were also Taoists. They
came in anger. As they entered the temple, the Taoist offered them tea and
asked them of their intention. The elder with the long beard asked
directly, "Did a very old man come to your place several days ago?" He then
described the man. The Taoist replied, "Yes!" The elder added, "Then, why
did you deceive him and injure him for no reason? The Taoist said, "How
could it be without reason? As soon as he entered the temple, he started
using magical power to expel the door deities and the incense burner deity
in my temple. He then intensified his aggression and expelled the deity on
my front altar. I took action against him only when I saw that he had no
intention to stop, and even tried to expel the host deity of my temple.
Even then, I only used the lightest spell. Do you think that what I did was
too much?" Having listened to his words, the elder said, "Is this true?"
Then, he noticed an incantation on the altar. Feeling it very familiar, he
picked it up to take a look and asked the Taoist about its origin. The
Taoist answered him in detail.
The elder smiled and asked, "Do you remember, when you were eight years
old, that I once brought you to the grocery store and bought something for
you to eat? Your father and I were brothers of the same teaching.
Together, we followed your grandfather and learned from him. Can you still
remember?" The Taoist said, "It was so long ago. I cannot remember
anymore." Meeting the son of an old friend and observing that he had
achieved some fruit in the practice, the elder was delighted and said, "Your
father didn't make the wrong decision in transmitting the method to you.
If it was an ordinary priest, dealing with someone who came to make trouble
and expel the deity in the temple, he would not have tolerated so much, nor
inflicted so light a punishment." After exchanging some greetings and
regards, he left in good spirits.
Learning magical power is similar to learning a martial art, the worst
thing is loving to compete and show off. A minor consequence may only bring
about physical injuries, while a severe one could cost the life of the
practitioner, or even victimize his family. This is especially true in the
case of magical power. Using this power to harm people may give a moment's
pleasure, but the law of heaven cannot be escaped. Harming others is the
same as harming oneself. This is the eternal law of the universe.
Master once said that it is not difficult for a spiritual practitioner
to acquire supraworldly power or the so-called magical power. The difficult
thing is, having attained this power, you have to be able to control it and
refrain from abusing it. This is real competence. Otherwise, it could be
very troublesome. By frequently intervening with other people's karma, one
incurs heavy karma. As other people continue to admire us, our arrogance
and ego continue to grow. Our mind is also immersed in the level of the
magical power and forgets to seek the superior spheres. Anyway, magical
power only goes as far as the level of the mind. Should we cling to it and
not let go, we are adding insurmountable obstacles to our spiritual
cultivation. Therefore, since ancient times, all enlightened Masters have
not encouraged people to learn magical power.
Ever since initiated, adhering to Master's instruction, the Taoist has
been striving hard to rectify his easily roused temper. He has also stopped
hurting people with magical power.
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