集 Series
Studies on Orthodox Daoist Belief
- 01Explorations in Orthodox Taoist Faith Part I: Ancient Gods and Immortals
- 02Discussion on Orthodox Taoist Beliefs II: Cultivation Paths and the Way of Spirits
- 03Discussion on Orthodox Taoism Part III: A Correct Understanding of Reincarnation
- 04Discussion on Orthodox Belief in Daoist Religion, Part Three: AddendumOccasionally, I see messages and questions on the official account regarding points that were not explained very clearly in Chapter 3, so I will address them here. I have also just seen some other messages, but since it has been over forty-eight hours, I am unable to reply to them. Therefore, please forgive me if you asked a question and did not receive a response. 1. The Ancient Theory of the Three Souls and Seven Spirits The three souls are Taiguang, Shuangling, and Youjing. The seven spirits are Shigou, Fushi, Queyin, Tunzei, Feidu, Chuhui, and Choufei. Throughout successive generations of ancient texts, this topic has been obscured and kept vague, unwilling to be explained clearly. Furthermore, it has spawned a large number of far-fetched scriptures, which are often self-contradictory across different texts.
- 05Discussion on Orthodox Taoist Beliefs IV: Good and Evil, Merits, Blessings, and Transformation
- 06Discussion on Orthodox Taoist Belief Part 5: Cultivation Cannot Deceive OthersThere is a view in other religions that one can first use supernatural powers or other bizarre and strange theories to induce people to believe in the religion, and then gradually guide them to orthodox belief. This is considered to be of boundless merit. Taoism must absolutely not act in this way. Those who follow the Tao must strictly prohibit such views! Even in Buddhism, if the Buddha were still alive, he would absolutely not approve of such views! In order to induce people to join the religion, one might resort to deception and other means. Such arguments are heretical and deviant, and must absolutely not be listened to! Why is this said? It is simple: if one can deceive others to induce them to join the religion because one believes this is right, does this mean that whenever one believes something is right, one's actions are justified, and one can deceive others at will?
- 07Discussion on Orthodox Taoist Belief Part 5: Recognizing Sophistry
- 08Discussion on Orthodox Taoist Beliefs Part 6: Folk Magic and Orthodox Taoist MethodsSome folk magic arts, such as turning grass into a snake or stones into fish, or making tables spin, are often used for pranks or mischief. Others involve making rice undercooked or trapping smoke. These are classified as illusion arts, which have magical content but are not pure magic. Illusion arts are mostly harmless and often used by Taoist priests for play, involving chemical or physical principles. Some phenomena are hard to explain, like instant melon growth or making paper fish swim. Pure magic arts, like making coffins heavier or controlling bees, are considered unexplainable by modern science. Magic tricks, however, rely on skill and speed. Folk magic has a strong shamanistic color and differs significantly from orthodox Taoist methods, which are simpler and less reliant on folk superstitions. Orthodox Taoist methods for healing, like collecting fright, use spells and talismans directly without complex folk rituals. Some Taoist texts contain folk shamanistic elements due to insufficient priestly cultivation. Folk magic origins are often fragmented from shamanism or incomplete Taoist teachings. For example, the Small Heavenly Dipper Palm is a fragment of the Heavenly Heart Method, which can have side effects if not balanced. Taoist methods generally ensure health and longevity, unlike folk taboos on food. Orthodox Taoist skills differ from folk skills in system and side effects. Folk magic practitioners may suffer from bad luck despite claims of progress. Folk magic contains valuable insights, such as the "One Bowl of Water for All Diseases," which has real effects beyond psychology. The key is the skillful refinement of simple methods. Old Taoist priests may lack effectiveness compared to folk priests who use limited magic precisely. Taoist rituals cover a broader plane than the point-focused folk magic. Modern cultivators often disperse their power by involving too many people, reducing effectiveness. Cultivation requires patience and precision, mastering one method deeply rather than knowing many superficially.
- 09Discussion on Orthodox Taoist Beliefs Part VII: Divination, Cultivation, and 'My Fate is in My Own Hands'"My fate is in my own hands, not in heaven; the returned elixir becomes gold for billions of years." (Baopuzi Inner Chapters); "My fate is in me, not belonging to heaven and earth" (West Ascension Sutra); "My fate is in me, longevity is achieved by oneself" (Cloud Collection of Seven Signs); "My fate is in me, why seek from heaven" (Guidance of the Lord of Fate). This is the orthodoxy of Taoism. As for later generations, worshipping heaven and gods with reverence is a correct worship; worshipping them in delusion is an incorrect worship, because my fate is in me, not in heaven and earth. If one cannot uphold this view, it is a heretical view. However, among the Five Arts of Taoism, there are the Art of Life and the Art of Divination. These two arts can measure the hidden and perceive the subtle, know the past, understand the future, and deduce human fate with no error. Can this be proof of determinism?
- 10Taoist Orthodoxy VIII: How to Burn IncenseThe practice of burning incense has ancient origins. The Zhou people raised smoke to sacrifice to Heaven, a practice known as 'Yin' or 'Yin Sacrifice'. It is described in the 'Rites of Zhou · Spring Offices · Grand Master of Ceremonies': "With Yin sacrifices, one worships the Great Heaven and Supreme Deity; with solid firewood sacrifices, one worships the Sun, Moon, and stars; with Xi Liao sacrifices, one worships the Lords of the Stars and Life, the Wind Master, and the Rain Master." For later generations and common use, it was impossible to replicate these practices everywhere. Therefore, for convenience, firewood was simplified into incense, using the power of incense smoke to facilitate communication. This, however, gave rise to problems. Originally, burning incense involved burning aromatic materials to create a fragrant aura, used to purify impurities, break evil, and cleanse the altar. This was the fundamental purpose of burning incense. In primitive sacrifices, the power of incense smoke was also used to ascend offerings to Heaven, communicating with deities. Note, however, that the deities communicated with here are still those within the incense smoke.
- 11Exploration of Orthodox Taoist Faith IX: The Correct Method of Worship and the Secret of the Taoist Heart IncensePeople in the world often have opportunistic hearts, seeking the grace of deities. Although this is a private desire, it is also a common human sentiment. As the saying goes, 'The movement of Heaven is vigorous; thus the gentleman strives unceasingly.' Within this self-strengthening, one must maintain righteous thoughts in the heart. If so, it is as if aided by divine help; otherwise, evil spirits will invade. What is meant by righteous thoughts? Righteous thoughts require first understanding the principles. If one sees others wealthy and immediately feels resentment, wishing to rob them and cursing all the rich in the world as bad people, only to turn around and burn incense to pray to deities, hoping for blessings and sudden wealth, such people are far from wealth. Therefore, seeking wealth is difficult for them. Because the wealth in their thoughts is all ill-gotten, and they desire to seek wealth, their intent is to seek ill-gotten gains. Where their mental power reaches, knowing they desire ill-gotten gains, righteous deities will naturally ignore them, while evil spirits will naturally rejoice.
- 12Discussion on Orthodox Taoist Faith No. 10: To Cultivate Immortals, First Be a Human; To Be a Human, First Understand RighteousnessTo cultivate immortals, one must first be a human. While a person may disregard fame and wealth, they must uphold justice. Professor A wrote a paper but had not yet published it. Professor B saw it, quickly plagiarized it, and published it, publicly claiming it as his own. Professor A questioned Professor B, who replied that science belongs to humanity, not to any single individual. The laws of the sages are uniform; one should not generate discriminatory thoughts. Does it matter whether you publish it or I publish it? Subsequently, Professor B secured funding, received money, obtained a professional title, and continued living happily. Professor A became disheartened and stopped writing papers. Author A wrote a novel, but at the time, few people read it. Author B saw the novel was good, so he copied it, posted it online, and claimed it as his own, resulting in great popularity. Author A questioned Author B, who said the novel is for the public, not for any single individual. One should not harbor discriminatory thoughts. Does it matter whether you publish it or I publish it? Author B then made a lot of money from the novel and lived very comfortably. Author A became disheartened and stopped writing. Mr. A invented something but had not yet applied for a patent. Mr. B saw the invention was good, so he quickly stole the technology, promptly applied for the patent, and claimed it as his own. Mr. A questioned Mr. B, who said this already exists in the world between heaven and earth, having nothing to do with your invention. Mr. B then sold the patent, gained a good reputation, and kept the money for himself. Mr. A became disheartened and stopped inventing.