Entries 41–50

41

Follow the scriptural teachings of the ancient sages: see the worthy and aspire to equal them, strictly observe the guiding principles, and admire virtue so as to advance — but never, under any circumstances, treat immortals, Buddhas, or any individual as an idol to be worshipped.

42

Follow the way of virtuous character and honor the commandments. Among Dao-kin, admonish and encourage one another, support and guide one another. Cultivate and serve together, and bring forth the family spirit of the great Maitreya household.

43

Do not let greed and anger give rise to indignation over perceived injustice. Under the great principle of freedom from greed and delusion, cultivating with sincerity and genuineness, follow the instructions bequeathed by your predecessors. Broadly proclaim the selflessness of the Great Dao, in the spirit of bringing relief to all under heaven. As for rights and wrongs — Heaven itself will render fair judgment. There is no need for argument, lest it create divisions within the temple.

44

A hundred rivers converge into the sea — in the end, all return to one source. As long as you truly cultivate and truly serve, people may fail you, but Heaven never will. In the Dao situation of the future, where fish and dragons shift through a hundred transformations, hold fast to your own mission and responsibility.

45

Transmitting masters must be upright and proper, open and candid, dignified and presentable in how they conduct themselves and cultivate Dao. Only then will they avoid contaminating their own Heavenly Mandate.

46

The promotion of transmitting masters, lecturers, and the Three Talents requires careful deliberation. It must not be done in disorder, lest one lose the great for the sake of the small.

47

White Era temples are already far too many — what does this tell us? When your teacher and the Matriarch were alive, what grand temple did we have? And how did we carry out the work of Dao? This is worthy of my disciples' reflection!

48

Only the heartfelt aspiration of newly initiated Dao-kin — those with the freshness of initial resolve — can truly be counted as pure, sincere, and unadorned. Senior Dao-kin, by contrast, have been unable to keep their feet on solid ground or to free themselves from the confusion of right and wrong turned upside down.

49

This great White Era ordeal is imminent — right before your eyes — and it will be the dividing line of Heaven's evolutionary winnowing. The worldly situation, the Dao situation, the human situation: all are changing, and even your teacher cannot bring balance.

50

Every person's rising or falling is tightly bound to nine generations above and seven below. How can a cultivator of Dao not be cautious and careful?