《太平經》Vol. 100

Taiping Jing, Volume 100 · A Plain Language Reading

Image on the East Wall, No. 163

(The image shows nine female immortals, resembling immortal youths and jade maidens. They are dressed with decorum and painted on the east wall.)

The divine beings of antiquity instructed their disciples and later students: images of good deeds can secretly offer protection and benefit people, bringing them lasting good fortune. Merit and virtue can grow many times over.

Yang goodness (good deeds done openly): people respond at once, offering help and easing difficulties.

Yin goodness (good deeds done in secret): Heaven, Earth, and the spirits know of them, so their blessings likewise multiply.

Those who accumulate virtue are respected and cherished by the wealthy, and good rewards come to them day after day. What people praise, spirits and gods praise as well; they therefore protect and assist such people. Those who love the Dao live long, in harmony with the ways of Yin and Yang.

They are concerned to follow the course of the Imperial Spirit, accord with the nature of Heaven and Earth, and understand the principles at the heart of things; therefore Heaven protects them. When virtue is lost, disorder follows, and Heaven gives no protection.

To seek goodness through goodness is nothing strange. To study the Dao through benevolence is the beginning of the Dao; to attain the Dao through virtue is its middle path and harmony; to attain the Dao through the Dao is its highest level.

Take heed! Be ever more careful, and do not act recklessly. Reflect deeply on this book and pass it down to later generations; doing so can prevent harm. To move in step with the turning of the four seasons is the Dao at its utmost.

The good flourish of their own accord; the wicked bring affliction upon themselves. Good fortune and calamity both arise from within oneself. Things gather according to their kind, and each remains true to its own nature. The Way of Heaven is impartial; outcomes follow only from one’s actions. Disciples come before, and good Qi follows after. If they pursue learning without stopping, their lives attain a flourishing course under Yang. Some may gain long life, their bodies free from ruin. Thus, when people do good, the spirits within and without turn to remove harm on their behalf. Disciples take the place in front, and the master stands opposite them. Things follow their own nature; all under Heaven proceeds according to its kind.

Note: This section follows a format that combines Daoist Canon illustrations with admonitions, in which the image title and scripture mutually illuminate one another. It emphasizes Yang and Yin goodness, the accumulation of virtue, love of the Dao, alignment with the nature of Heaven and Earth, and the principle that things gather according to their kind. The source text may contain uncertain punctuation and erroneous characters; this plain language reading follows common interpretations to clarify the text without changing its meaning.