Do Talismans and Spells Affect a Person's Future Merit?

    There is often a saying that using talismans and spells may bring temporary benefits, but in reality, this actually consumes one's future luck. Many people hold this view. The general reasoning behind this claim is that a person's merit is limited, and therefore their total wealth in life is also limited. If one uses certain methods to acquire more wealth, it must be at the expense of future merit.

    In fact, this argument seems reasonable but is merely presumptuous. If those who first encounter these matters say such things, it is due to ignorance and can be understood. However, for some who have been in contact with these matters for many years, still holding such views and spreading them stubbornly, I can only express regret at their worldview, which lacks understanding of the principles of the world.

    Although Heaven and Earth are impartial, they also provide vitality. They do not allow the world to consist only of lifeless, isolated things, but rather allow for the existence of life. If Heaven did not preserve its opportunity, living beings would not appear in this world. Since life is allowed to exist within Heaven and Earth, a thread of opportunity is correspondingly granted.

 Although this thread is slender, it is continuous and unbroken. It is small without internal boundaries and large without external limits. A person can fully rely on this thread of vitality to become a deity, immortal, Buddha, or sage. Through this, one can harmonize with Heaven and Earth, emerge from them, be identical with them, surpass them, remain indestructible when Heaven and Earth fall silent, and remain unharmed even when myriad kalpas are reborn. This thread of opportunity is profound, subtle, mysterious, and difficult to comprehend. It is the ultimate pursuit of orthodox Daoism, and how can it be explained by mere talk of merit?

    Talismans and spells are methods passed down by ancient sages to transmit the Dao. The proper name for talismans should be "Yin Fu" (Hidden Talisman). What is Yin Fu? "Yin" means hidden, and "Fu" means harmony. Hidden yet harmonized, this is called Yin Fu. All things are complex and diverse, but within them lies a unified entity that is not limited by space or time, running through the beginning and end, standing alone and unchanging, circulating without fatigue. This entity is not truly a thing; it is forced to be named. We call it Dao. Those who know it have attained the Dao. However, existence and non-existence originate from the same source but have different names. Thus, Dao is also called Non-Dao. Attaining the Dao is actually attaining nothing. Between existence and non-existence lies the Mystery. Mystery upon mystery is the gateway to all wonders. Talismans and spells are one of these wonders.

    Precisely because talismans and spells are one of the wonders, originating from the Dao, evolving through the Dao, verified by the Dao, and ultimately returning to the Dao, their power can move Heaven and Earth, shake mountains and rivers, subdue dragons and tigers in the light, and subdue ghosts and spirits in the dark. They can assist nations on a grand scale and dispel disasters on a small scale. Their efficacy is immeasurable.

    Let me ask: If one moves the mountains and rivers, whose merit is diminished? If one shakes the mountains and rivers, whose merit is diminished? If one subdues dragons and tigers, whose merit is diminished? If one assists in the rise of a nation and dispels disasters, whose merit is diminished?

    Since ancient times, cultivation has been verified by having few illnesses and disasters, by longevity, by family harmony, and by prosperous descendants. If one cannot achieve these, do not speak of the Dao or discuss the methods.

    I have scattered a few words. If you can understand them, read on. If you do not understand and still cling to your own views, you are undoubtedly destined to have no connection with the Great Dao. If you persist in slandering the orthodox methods of our Daoist school, please do not go to hospitals for treatment or take medicine when you fall ill in the future. According to this demonic and heretical theory of merit, quickly die of illness to eliminate karma, and perhaps you will immediately achieve the status of an immortal or Buddha.