Chapter 8: The Meaning Of Dharma Is Not Lightly Transmitted
What is called Guanyin is a translation, which means you can observe your inner heart and gain freedom.
And the meaning of Bodhisattva is that you possess this brave and fearless determination.
Or you can compare it to a kind of powerful energy; possessing this energy, you can attain liberation.
Once, at a certain moment, I felt lost about my own cultivation. I didn’t know if continuing my cultivation would lead me astray or in the wrong direction.
However, in a dream, I dreamed of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Just as I was about to repent for some past mistakes, fearing the Bodhisattva’s reprimand.
She, like a mother, was kind and smiled at me, saying, “Don’t worry, take your time.”
From then on, I strengthened my path of cultivation and realized that I hadn’t been cultivating incorrectly; all my comprehension was on the right path.
From then on, I continuously persevered in my practice, until I completely controlled myself.
Then, instinctually, an altruistic heart arose, which is to think about how I can use what I know to help the masses.
Actually, cultivating Buddhism to attain enlightenment is both simple and somewhat complex.
It’s simple in that every little bit and every thought is cultivation. It’s complex because of the dialectical theories of dualistic opposition and other frameworks.
For example, some people might tell you that cultivators need a lot of money, while others might say that cultivation has nothing to do with having money or not.
Which do you think is right? Actually, both are right and neither are right.
When they speak of Dharma and cultivation, they mix in their personal perceptions and concepts, which leads to different interpretations.
True cultivation means not getting caught up in existence or non-existence. If you have it, use it; if you have money, think about how to use it to help sentient beings.
If you don’t have it, there are many ways to help others.
If you care about existence or non-existence, that is attachment to form and will lead to birth and death, because existence and non-existence are opposing concepts; existence can only manifest non-existence, and non-existence can only manifest existence.
You see some masters instilling in you that cultivators must cultivate wealth, and if you don’t have wealth, you can’t even afford to eat, so how can you save others?
Such talk is basically heresy, why? Are you spreading Dharma out of an altruistic heart or for financial gain?
If it’s out of an altruistic heart, how can you seek a reward? If you seek a reward, isn’t that still a transaction?
Do you understand? Anyone who promotes the Dao with a purpose is actually just after your pocket change.
What is compassion? Having no desires is compassion. Not seeking any reward is the greatest compassion and good fortune.
What is merit? After helping others without seeking a reward, the sincere joy you obtain is merit.
This is the key to the altruistic heart.
If an altruistic heart is followed by seeking wealth or having ulterior motives, then this altruistic heart is not sincere.
Perhaps some friends might say, isn’t that foolish? No, it’s not foolish; rather, it’s a great wisdom.
The resources you obtain are not sought; rather, by helping others without seeking reward, this virtue naturally brings its own reward.
This is why you can see that some high monks and high Daoists do not touch money, yet they seem to have enough to eat and wear. This is because many believers or disciples sincerely care for such cultivators’ daily needs, simply so that the master can have more time to spread Dharma and preach the Dao.
Just remember, any act of making money under the guise of cultivation is a transaction, not spreading Dharma.
Because the true meaning of “Dharma is not lightly transmitted, Dao is not cheaply sold” does not mean it is not transmitted lightly, nor does it mean you need a lot of money to buy it.
This saying should be understood separately. The true meaning of “Dharma is not lightly transmitted” is that you should not preach Dharma to everyone. When sentient beings’ wisdom is not yet awakened, imparting this knowledge to them will not only not help them but will also bring them and yourself much trouble. Helping means helping those who truly need help and ask for your advice, not going around preaching to everyone.
The meaning of “Dao is not cheaply sold” actually has nothing to do with money. It means that the Great Dao cannot be measured by money or other things, nor can it be used to gain benefits. Furthermore, it cannot be easily transmitted to others. Instead, it depends on a person’s character and virtue; only those who have a righteous heart and righteous mind can be taught. One should not easily teach it to others because of money or other benefits.
Many demons and monsters have altered its true meaning, using these words repeatedly to extort money from you when collecting money or committing fraud.
They constantly say, “Dharma is not lightly transmitted, Dao is not cheaply sold,” and that those behind you need to offer tribute, and so on, giving you a long list of reasons to demand money from you.
They will also tell you that they are acting on behalf of Heaven! Ridiculous! Truly ridiculous!
How does acting on behalf of Heaven require asking others for money? Whether it is Heaven or gods, do you think they need the good things you offer as tribute?
Of the offerings you buy, which one do you not like to eat yourself? Which one have you not eaten yourself? What have you given to those idols? Besides the cheap incense you light endlessly, haven’t you benefited from the rest yourself?
What kind of “Grand Master” are you pretending to be in front of me? Aren’t you just working like anyone else? What are you talking to me about? Damn it!
The ancient saying goes, “As Heaven maintains vigor through ceaseless self-improvement.” But you people, Heaven maintains vigor through ceaseless deception. You are something else.
That’s why there are so many demons and monsters nowadays! Look at them, all looking like humans, saying “Amitabha” with their mouths open, and “Infinite Celestial Venerable” with their mouths closed. When their mouths aren’t open or closed, you hear them burping and farting.
Good heavens! None of them aren’t amassing wealth on a grand scale. So, this is how you cultivate the Dao, Buddhism, and Spirit Mediumship, huh?
Six Roots Pure and the Buddhist Sect, you’ve actually turned it into a listed company! Free and unfettered Daoist Mountain, you’ve actually turned it into a cultural tourism site!
The most infuriating are those who practice Spirit Mediumship; ninety-nine out of a hundred are con artists, one moment they fool you into confusion, the next they’ve tricked you.
When they can’t scam any more money, they turn around and say they’re going to uphold righteousness and ward off evil. Damn it, they’ve fooled these common folk.
Their own daughters and sons, who haven’t learned a single character since childhood, are too lazy to the point of headaches and pains. After taking some cold medicine, they go out and party all night, and in the end, they are all fooled into becoming spirit mediums.
Holding a bunch of incense in one hand, they sway you into confusion with the other. Heh, damn it, these degenerates have made the mortal world a mess.
In the end, these bastards have destroyed the basic trust between people. Anyone who strikes up a conversation or asks for directions has to think for a long time, lest they be from a pyramid scheme, and then I’ll be fooled into becoming a spirit medium again!
The reason I say these things is not because I can’t stand it; there’s nothing I can’t stand or can stand, because my attention is not on such trivial matters.
It’s just that by saying this, it will bring some vigilance to some people, so that in the future, when they encounter similar situations, they won’t be at a loss.
Don’t panic, don’t be afraid, see clearly whether it’s a person or a ghost before you believe. Don’t end up being played by a ghost and then say they are a true god. Don’t you think so?
