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《太平經》Vol. 49

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Taiping 太平部 Vol. 49 / 57 4,697 characters

About this page. The original text of 《太平經》 Vol. 49 (Taiping 太平部, 57 volumes) is shown in Classical Chinese as transmitted in the Kanripo (Kyoto University) edition. An English interpretation of the 10 passages on this page accompanies it: select a passage or press “Interpretation” to show it. All texts in English

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Source textInterpretation

太平經卷之四十九受九    急學真法第六十六 真人前今良和氣且俱至人但當游而無職 事當以何明其心而正其意常使其忽然忘 爲邪惡而日好爲善不知置令帝王垂拱而 無可治上善之人滿其朝忠信孝子皆畢備 當以何致之乎真人有天性好善之心常汲 汲憂天道宜自精具陳說之然但當急學之 以真道真德真仁耳何以當學以真道哉然 道乃能導化無前好生無輩量夫有眞道乃 上善之名字夫無道者乃最惡衰凋凶犯死 喪之名稱也眞人此今但說眞善哉吾無以 加之何以當學之以眞德夫人有眞德乃能 包養無極之名字夫無德者乃最劣弱困窮 小人之名字也善哉眞人之言吾復無以加 之也眞眞是也何以當學之以仁道也仁者 乃能恩愛無不包及但樂施與無窮極之名 字夫不仁之人乃好德反惡典與是乃大貪 鄙之名稱與禽獸同志無可以自别異也善 哉眞人之言吾復無以加此也今眞人說三 事吾無以加此也今人當學爲善邪不當邪 當力學爲善夫爲善亦豈有名稱字不邪小 子不及唯師開示之然夫爲善者乃事合天 心不逆人意名爲善善者乃絶洞無上與道 同稱天之所愛地之所養帝王所當急仕人 君所當與同心並力也夫惡者事逆天心常 傷人意好反天道不順四時令神祇所憎人
Interpretation

“Needing to Learn the True Way Urgently,” Chapter 66, Taiping Jing (Scripture of Great Peace), Scroll 49: “Receiving the Nine” — A Plain-Language Interpretation

The Perfected One stepped forward and said: “Now the vital energy of goodness is about to arrive all at once. People in the world should simply live at ease, free from distracting concerns. How can they clarify their minds and correct their intentions, so that people gradually forget to do evil and do good day by day? How can even the emperor rule the whole world with ease, while the court is filled with people of supreme goodness, all endowed with loyalty and filial devotion? What means can achieve this?”

The Perfected One was born with a heart inclined toward goodness and was always deeply concerned about the Way of Heaven. He should prepare himself fully and explain it clearly. Above all, however, he must urgently learn the true Dao, true De, and true benevolence.

Why should one learn the true Dao? The Dao transforms and guides all things, advances without obstruction, and gives rise to life without measure. To possess the true Dao is to be called “supremely good”; to be without the Dao is to be called utterly evil, fallen, violent, and doomed to death.

“Perfected One, you have spoken only of true goodness. I have nothing to add. Why should one learn true De? Only when a person has true De can they embrace and nurture others, and make their name known without limit. Without De, a person is at their weakest and most destitute: such is the name of a petty person.”

“Excellent are your words, Perfected One. I have nothing to add. I have nothing to add to the three things you have spoken of. Should people in the world learn to do good?”

“They should strive to learn to do good.”

“Does doing good have no name or designation?”

“I, your humble student, cannot answer. I await the Master’s instruction.”

“To do good is to act in accord with Heaven’s heart and not go against people’s wishes; this is called goodness. Goodness penetrates to the highest level and shares its name with the Dao. Heaven cherishes it, and Earth nourishes it. Emperors should pursue it urgently, and officials and gentlemen should unite their hearts and efforts in its service. Evil consists of acting against Heaven’s heart and constantly harming people’s wishes. It delights in opposing the Way of Heaven and failing to follow the four seasons, and is hated by the spirits.”

所不欲見父母之大害君子所得愁苦也最 天下絶凋凶敗之名字也故人之行失吉輒 入凶離凶則入吉一吉一凶一善一惡爲不 純謹之徒子寧知之唯唯令於眞人意凡人 之行當云何哉然人今不力學道輒爲無可 知道輒名無道之人夫無道之人人最爲惡 凶人也今不力學德輒爲無可知德夫無德 而好害傷之人乃凶敗之符也今人不力學 仁已不仁矣夫不仁之人乃與禽獸同路人 與禽獸同心愈於死少耳今人不旦夕力學 善失善即入惡夫惡乃死凶之處故凡人不 力學吉輒乃入凶夫凶廼天下惡名稱善哉 子已長入眞道不復還反惡矣今眞人久懷 智而作愚何哉不敢行子幸有能極陳子所 言吾甚喜之今能極於此子曾但見吾言說 反中棄而止耶不敢也見師比勅使說適意 有所不及不敢悉言之善哉子之言常大謙 今能極意眞門唯天師録示所不及然子向 所言悉是也是故古者大聖三皇常自旦夕 力學眞道見不好學眞道者名爲無道之人 夫無道之人其行無數天之大重怨夫無道 之人本天不欲覆蓋地不欲載也神靈精鬼 所不欲祐天下所共苦也聖人賢者君子乃 大疾無道之人故古者上皇之時人皆學清 靜深知天地之至情故悉學眞道乃後得天 心地意人不力學德名爲無德之人夫無德
Interpretation

Plain-Language Interpretation of the Taiping Jing

The Main Meaning of the Scripture

What people least wish to see, a noble person’s deepest distress, and the ill-omened name of the world

What people least wish to see is their parents suffering great harm. This is also a noble person’s deepest distress, and a sign of the world’s decline, danger, and ruin. When a person’s conduct loses its good fortune, it falls into danger; only by leaving danger can it return to good fortune. Good and ill fortune, goodness and evil, become mixed together in this way when a person cannot remain steadfast and pure.

The disciple replied, “Yes, indeed.” The Perfected One asked, “How should ordinary people conduct themselves?” The disciple answered, “People today who do not strive to learn the Dao are called people without the Dao. They are among the most wicked and dangerous people in the world. Those who do not strive to learn De become people without De. A person who lacks De and delights in harming others and damaging things is a sign of danger and ruin. Those who do not strive to learn benevolence are already lacking in benevolence. The unbenevolent follow the same path as animals, and their hearts are like those of animals; they are scarcely better off than the dead. Those who do not strive to practice goodness day and night will fall into evil as soon as they lose goodness. Evil is where death and danger reside. So when ordinary people do not strive for good fortune, they fall into danger. Danger is the most ill-omened condition in the world.”

The Perfected One praised him: “Excellent! You have matured and entered the true Dao; you will not fall back into evil. You have long held wisdom within you while appearing foolish. Why? Because you did not dare act recklessly on your own. Fortunately, you can now speak your mind fully.” The Perfected One was greatly pleased. “Now that you have spoken this far, did you hear only half of your teacher’s words and then abandon them without putting them into practice?” The disciple replied, “I would not dare. I spoke only after seeing my teacher’s instruction. Though I have not said everything I think, I dare not say it all.” The Perfected One said, “Excellent! You have always been deeply modest, yet now you have spoken your mind fully within the true tradition. Only what is recorded in the Celestial Master’s register remains beyond what you have addressed. Everything you have said is correct.”

How the ancient sages treated people without the Dao

For this reason, in ancient times the great sages and the Three Sovereigns (Sanhuang) strove day and night to learn the true Dao. They called those who did not care to learn it people without the Dao. The conduct of such people is beyond counting, and Heaven bears them a profound grievance. Heaven does not wish to cover them, Earth does not wish to bear them, and the spirits, numinous beings, Jing, and ghosts do not wish to protect them. They are a burden to the whole world. Sages, worthies, and noble people deeply detest those without the Dao.

Thus, in the age of the ancient Supreme Sovereigns, everyone learned purity and stillness and deeply understood the true nature of Heaven and Earth. For that reason, they all studied the true Dao, and only then attained the mind of Heaven and the intent of Earth. Those who do not strive to learn De are called people without De.

Notes

The “Perfected One” is the realized person who asks and instructs in the scripture, much like a Celestial Master or teacher.

The “Three Sovereigns” and “Supreme Sovereigns” refer to the age of the ancient sage-kings, which the Taiping Jing often presents as an ideal time when people followed the true Dao and practiced purity and stillness.

The “mind of Heaven and intent of Earth” refers to a state of mind in harmony with the Dao of Heaven and the Dao of Earth, the aim of learning the true Dao.

The “Celestial Master’s register” refers to a text or record of transmission mentioned in the scripture. The disciple says that what remains unsaid is supplied by the Celestial Master’s instruction.

This passage takes the form of a dialogue and stresses the need to strive to learn the true Dao, De, benevolence, and goodness. Those who fail to do so are called people without the Dao, without De, or without benevolence, and are rejected by Heaven, Earth, spirits and ghosts, and the sages and worthies. Their conduct is contrasted with the ancient ideal of people living in purity and studying the Dao.

之人天不愛地不喜人不欲親近之其行常 行事不爲德乃爲王者致害爲君子致灾鬼 神承天教不久與爲治是故古者賢聖大儒 見無德之人不與其通言語也不力旦夕學 仁即且忽事爲不仁夫不仁之人言即逆於 凡事傷人心不合天意反與禽獸相似故古 者聖賢不與其同路也今人不事師力學善 即且愚闇不知爲善也反且恣其無知之心 輕爲惡夫惡人下愚蔽闇之人其行乃不順 天地之道尚爲君子得事戮其父母愁其宗 親爲行無法鬼神承天心爲使不喜之爲害 其處三法所當誅古者聖賢以爲大怨故古 者悉自實核其學問也合於天心事入道德 仁善而已行要當合天地之心不以浮華言 事所以然者且失天法失之即入凶絶短命 矣或害後世天道不誤有格法夫不力學大 吉之道反事者輕忽自易必且入凶夫凶者 乃天地人萬物所疾惡不可久存是大患之 本禍之門户過而陷其中便死不得還悔過 反故也天下莫不共知之而下士大愚常共 笑道不知守道早避凶害傳傳爲愚更相承 負後生愚闇復劇於前故眞道閉而不通令 人各自輕忽不能窮竟其天年其大咎過乃 由此也眞人見吾書宜深計之愼無閉藏以 付賢柔明使其覺悟是故古道乃承天之心 順地之意有上古大眞道法故常教其學道
Interpretation

A Plain-Language Interpretation of the Taiping Jing

Scripture:

Heaven does not cherish such people, Earth does not welcome them, and others do not wish to be close to them. Their conduct is often without De (Virtue); instead, it brings calamity upon rulers and disaster upon the noble-minded.

The spirits and deities carry out Heaven’s teachings and will not govern the world alongside such people for long. For this reason, the sages and great scholars of antiquity would not speak with those who lacked De, nor would they devote themselves day and night to learning benevolence. Once they neglect doing good, they are no longer practicing benevolence.

Those who do not practice benevolence speak in ways that oppose all things and wound people’s hearts. Their words go against Heaven’s intent and make them resemble beasts. That is why the sages of old would not walk alongside them.

Today, some people do not serve their teachers and elders or make an effort to learn goodness. They are foolish and unenlightened, know nothing of doing good, and instead indulge their ignorant minds and readily do evil.

Evil people, the deeply foolish, and the benighted act against the ways of Heaven and Earth. Even a noble-minded person may be put to death because of them; their parents grieve, and their clan is burdened—all because they act without any proper standards. The spirits and deities follow Heaven’s will and carry out its commands. They do not favor such people, but bring harm upon them; these people fall under the “Three Laws” that warrant punishment.

The sages of antiquity regarded this as a grave wrong. That is why people of old carefully examined their learning: it had to accord with Heaven’s intent, and their thoughts had to be grounded in Dao, moral conduct, benevolence, and goodness. Their actions had to accord with the heart of Heaven and Earth, and they were not to rely on empty, showy words. The reason is that once people lose Heaven’s law and abandon it, they fall into danger and an early death, or bring harm upon later generations. The Dao of Heaven makes no mistakes; it has its standards.

Those who do not strive to learn the most auspicious Dao, but instead take it lightly and treat their own affairs carelessly, will surely fall into danger. Danger is hated by Heaven, Earth, people, and all things. It cannot endure; it is the root of great trouble and the gateway to calamity. Once someone steps into it and becomes trapped, they die, with no chance to return, regret, or make amends.

No one in the world is unaware of this principle. Yet the foolish and base often mock it together. They do not know to uphold the Dao and turn away from harm in time. From one generation to the next, they pass down their foolishness; each generation is more benighted than the last. As a result, the true Dao is blocked and cannot circulate. People grow careless in their own ways and fail to live out their full span of years. This is how grave offenses and calamities arise.

When a Perfected One sees my book, they should reflect deeply and take care not to keep it hidden away. They should pass it on to worthy, wise, and gentle people so that those people may awaken.

Thus, the ancient Dao received the heart of Heaven and followed the intent of Earth. It had the great and true methods of antiquity, and for this reason it has always taught people to learn the Dao.

學德學壽學善學謹學吉學古學平學長生 所以盡陳善者天之爲法乃常開道門地之 爲法常開德户古之聖賢爲法常開仁路故 古者聖賢與天同心與地合意共長生養萬 二千物常以道德仁意傳之萬物可興也如 以凶惡意傳之凡物日衰少故有道德仁之 處其人日多而好善無道德仁之處其人日 衰少其治日貧苦此天地之格懸法夫有至 道明德仁善之心乃上與天星曆相應神靈 以明其行故古者聖賢常思爲善無極力盡 乃以不敢有惡念凶路也夫下愚之人其心 常閉塞實無知不可復妄假之以凶衰之惡 路也不自知大失天道相隨爲惡以爲常習 俗不能自退還也是以吾上敬受天書教勅 承順天心開闢之大開上古太平之路令使 人樂爲善者不復知爲惡之術天下之人其 志也常高而其所成者反常下不能應其本 所志念也故夫上士忿然惡死樂生往學仙 勤能得壽耳此上士是尚第一有志者也中 士有志疾其先人夭死忿然往求道學壽勤 而竟其天年耳是其第一堅志士也其次疾 病多而不得常平平忿然往學可以止之者 勤能得復其故已小困於病病乃學想能禁 止之已大病矣其次大病劇乃求索道術可 以自救者已死矣是故吾書教學人乃以天 長壽之法旦夕自力爲之纔得且平平耳如
Interpretation

Learn De, learn longevity, learn goodness, learn caution, learn auspiciousness, learn the ways of the ancients, learn balance, and learn how to live long—these are the directions in which the Way of Great Peace calls people to cultivate themselves.

So it is Heaven’s law to explain the principles of goodness as fully as possible: Heaven keeps the gate of the Dao open. Earth’s law is to keep the gate of De open, while the law of the ancient sages is to keep the path of benevolence open. Thus the ancient sages shared Heaven’s heart and were in accord with Earth’s intent. Together, they lived long and nurtured all things—the “twelve thousand things” being an ancient general term for everything between Heaven and Earth. They constantly used Dao, De, benevolence, and righteousness to guide all things, allowing them to flourish. If instead fierce and wicked intentions are passed down, all things gradually decline. Where Dao, De, benevolence, and righteousness are present, good people abound; where they are absent, people are few and government is harsh. These are laws set forth by Heaven and Earth.

Only with the Highest Dao, luminous De, benevolence, and goodness in one’s heart can one accord with the courses of the stars and the calendar in Heaven; the spirits, too, will see one’s conduct. That is why the ancient sages always sought to carry goodness through to its fullest and dared neither to harbor evil thoughts nor to follow a ruinous path. The most foolish people are closed of heart and truly ignorant; one must not rashly pass on to them wicked paths that lead to ruin. They do not know that they have already strayed far from the Dao of Heaven. Yet they follow evil and make it a habit, bound by worldly desires and unable to turn back.

Therefore, I respectfully received the teachings and commands of the Heavenly Book, followed Heaven’s intent, and opened wide the ancient path of Great Peace, so that people might delight in doing good and no longer know how to do evil. The aspirations of people throughout the world are naturally high, but what they achieve often falls short of those aspirations and fails to match what is in their hearts.

The highest type of person is the superior adept, who passionately abhors death and cherishes life, studies the Dao of the immortals, and through diligent effort can attain longevity. Next comes the person of the middle rank, who grieves that their ancestors died young and fervently seeks the Dao and longevity; through diligent effort, they can enjoy the full span of their allotted years. A step below them is the person who suffers frequent illness and cannot enjoy ordinary health and peace. In anger, they seek methods to stop illness and, with diligence, can recover their former health. But they have already been worn down by illness; if they wait until it has taken hold deeply before seeking ways to ward it off, or until they are gravely ill before searching for Daoist arts to save themselves, it is often already too late.

Therefore, this book teaches people to practice, morning and evening and through their own effort, the methods by which Heaven grants long life. Even then, they can barely attain an ordinary measure of it.

以平平之法學凡人已入凶矣愚者不知天 下凡人其本志所爲常念善高己者不能應 其所志故爲其高舉之上極於仙即纔得保 其天年耳夫大賢者志十得十必與吾道書 相應中賢者志十或中止更懈纔得五小人 朝志之暮忘其所言故大高舉者樂使其上 中下各得其心所志念今下古人大愚去眞 道遠力學以天正文法纔不陷於僞欺耳學 以平平之文已大欺矣學以習文好言大僞 姦猾已起矣天以帝王爲子惡下欺上夫人 行下多邪僞即上道德仁君無所信下民人 無所附歸其命夫力旦夕教學以眞道耳力 學以善道纔得平平之道也力學以平平之 道已入浮華矣入浮華凡人大迷惑窮困矣 便成大凶惡之路帝王爲愁苦人不可治眞 人欲知是信比若人家慈父母日教其子爲 善自苦絶衣食養之老尚固固爲惡何况凡 人乃相示教以浮華之文哉以吾書不信也 使凡人見吾書者各自思所失中古以來有 善道者皆相教閉藏不肯傳與其弟子反以 浮華僞文教之爲是積久故天道今獨以大 亂矣天地灾怪萬類不空也賢儒宜各深思 口口然吾今雖不旦夕與俗人同處昭然已 知之矣天下大疾苦之故使吾出此文以告 屬之吾不空也眞人實宜重愼之且有天讁 唯唯不敢也每見天師言常駭慄子之言是
Interpretation

A person who studies by means of the “level and plain” method has already set out on a dangerous path. The foolish do not understand: ordinary people in the world ought always to keep goodness in mind and strive to improve themselves, but they often fail to live up to their aspirations. So they set their goal exceedingly high, raising it all the way to becoming immortals, and only then can they just manage to preserve the years of life bestowed on them by Heaven.

The great worthy sets a complete aspiration, one that must accord with our Daoist scriptures. The middling worthy often slackens halfway through an aspiration that was initially complete, and so achieves only half of it. The petty person makes an aspiration in the morning and has forgotten by evening what he said. Thus, those who set their aspirations very high hope that people at every level—high, middle, and low—will act in accordance with the thoughts in their own hearts.

People in these latter days are exceedingly foolish and far removed from the true Dao. Only by exerting themselves to study the authentic teachings of Heaven can they avoid falling into deceit. To study “level and plain” writing is already a great deception. If they study ornate writing and pleasing but empty words, great falsity and cunning have already arisen.

Heaven regards emperors and kings as its children and detests those below deceiving those above. If people below mostly act with wickedness and falsehood, then those above—virtuous and benevolent rulers—have no one they can trust, while the people below have no one to rely on, and their lives are endangered. One should exert oneself day and night to teach the true Dao. Exert yourself to study the good Dao, and only then will you attain the level and plain Dao. Exert yourself to study the level and plain Dao, and you will already have entered into empty splendor.

Once people enter into empty splendor, ordinary people become deeply deluded and impoverished, and set out on a path of great wickedness. Emperors and kings grieve over this, and governing people becomes truly difficult. The Perfected should know that this is true. It is like a family whose loving parents teach their child to do good every day, deprive themselves of food and clothing to raise him, and yet, when old, still find him stubbornly doing evil. How much more so with ordinary people, who teach one another through empty splendor and false writing? They do not believe our scriptures.

When ordinary people see our scriptures, let each of them reflect on what they have lost. Since the middle antiquity, those who possessed the good Dao have taught one another to conceal it, refusing to pass it on to their disciples and instead teaching them through empty splendor and false writing. As this has gone on for a long time, the Dao of Heaven has become uniquely beset by great disorder. The calamities and portents of Heaven and Earth, and the unrest among all kinds of beings, are no empty talk. Worthy Confucian scholars should each reflect deeply…

Though I no longer spend my days and nights among ordinary people, this is already clear to me. The great suffering in the world has moved me to issue this text and instruct those under my charge; I do not speak idly. The Perfected must truly take care, for Heaven’s chastisement and calamity may also follow. The disciples answer, “Yes, yes,” and dare not object. Whenever we hear the Celestial Master’s words, we are often struck with awe and fear: “Your words are right.”

也即天且大悅大喜不害子也唯唯凡人雖 力旦夕學勅教以眞德尚纔得平平之德耳 學以平平之德已入邪僞德矣學以邪僞德 愚人已無復數矣無有眞德恣心而行此純 君子之賊力學以上仁纔得成中仁耳力學 以中仁其行纔平平無有仁也學以不仁愚 人已成盜賊矣不自知殺傷無復數恣意而 行不用道理是正天怨地咎人之大賊力旦 夕學以大吉之道纔得中吉耳學以中吉纔 得小吉耳學以小吉此已入凶道矣學以凶 道已不復救矣俱大闇昧無一知見天道言 其不眞但欺罔純信其愚心妄言上干天文 下亂地理爲百姓害灾是故吾道書學凡人 也乃大學之使其上列眞仙如不能及眞仙 可得平安不爲有德之君憂眞人宜深思惟 吾言勿復反怪之唯唯今吾乃爲天談當悉 解天地開闢以來承負之責不能大張之以 上大道大德之法上壽之術上善之路人失 諸闇昧誠久信其愚蔽之心人會爲惡不可 禁止猶復不能解其承負天地之讁過眞人 寧曉吾言耶唯唯夫聖賢高士見文書而學 必與吾書本相應不失絲髮之間中士意半 達必得其半下士自力勤能不失法所以大 舉天民凡人者樂其上下中無失法者皆得 正道各自愛不敢輕事爲大憂上士得吾道 學之不止可爲國之良臣久久得其要意可
Interpretation

Since Heaven is greatly pleased, it will not harm its people. Yet even if ordinary people study teachings diligently day and night and cultivate “true De,” at most they can attain “ordinary De.” If they learn only ordinary De, they have already fallen into false and corrupt De. Those who go on to learn false and corrupt De become countless fools, without true De, acting recklessly according to their whims. This is precisely a calamity brought on by the pure and noble junzi.

If they strive upward toward benevolence, they can barely attain middling benevolence. Acting from middling benevolence is in fact merely ordinary; it cannot be called benevolence. If they then learn to be unbenevolent, fools become thieves and robbers without realizing that they have killed and injured countless people. They act as they please and disregard reason. Such people are hated by Heaven, blamed by Earth, and are the greatest bandits among the people.

If they study the “Way of Great Good Fortune” day and night, they can barely attain middling good fortune; by learning middling good fortune, they attain small good fortune; by learning small good fortune, they have already entered the way of misfortune. Once they learn the way of misfortune, they cannot be saved. They are all sunk in utter darkness, with no understanding or insight into the Dao of Heaven. Their words are untrue; they know only how to deceive. Trusting wholly in their foolish minds, they speak recklessly, offending the celestial patterns above and throwing the geography of the earth below into disorder, bringing calamity and harm upon the people.

Therefore, my Daoist book is meant to teach ordinary people on a grand scale, so that they may be listed among the perfected immortals above. If they cannot reach the level of perfected immortals, they can at least attain peace and safety, and need not cause a virtuous ruler concern. Perfected adepts should reflect deeply on my words and should not turn around and blame me again.

Now I speak on behalf of Heaven. I should fully resolve the burden of inherited consequences accumulated since the creation of Heaven and Earth. Yet I cannot widely proclaim the supreme Great Dao, the methods of great De, the arts of longevity, or the path of supreme goodness. People have long been sunk in darkness, their hearts blinded by foolish trust. They do evil beyond restraint, and still I cannot resolve the inherited burden of Heaven and Earth’s punishment for their transgressions. Do perfected adepts understand what I mean?

When worthy sages and elevated scholars see the writings and study them, they will surely accord with my book, without deviating by even a hair’s breadth. Those of middling ability will grasp half the meaning and gain half the benefit. Those of lesser ability who apply themselves diligently can still avoid departing from the teaching. Thus, when I broadly teach the people of Heaven and ordinary people, I rejoice that those of higher, middle, and lower ability who do not stray from the teaching all attain the correct Way. Each cherishes their own life and dares not act lightly in ways that could bring great trouble. Those of the highest ability who receive my Way and study it without stopping can become worthy ministers of the state; in time, they will grasp its essential meaning.

Chengfu (承负) is a Daoist concept referring to accumulated transgressions and calamities passed down through generations and borne by descendants. “Perfected immortals” (真仙) and “perfected adepts” (真人) refer to those who have attained the Dao; here, “perfected adepts” generally means those who hear and practice the teaching. “Those of the highest, middle, and lowest ability” (上士、中士、下士) refers to three grades of capacity and attainment among those who study the Dao.

以度世不復爭訟事視權也中士學吾道可 以爲良善小臣可以竟其天年小人學吾道 可以長謹父慈母愛子孝兄良弟順夫婦同 計不相賊傷至死無怨魂神居地下尚復長 不復見作事不見名爲惡子無夭年戮死者 也夫古者本元氣天生之時人盡樂學欲仙 尚不能壽纔使人各畏死不犯刑法耳夫下 古人大愚反誦浮華相教共學不壽之業生 時忽然自言若且無死反相教無可愛惜共 興凶事治死喪過生生乃屬天也死乃屬地 事地反過其天是大害也吾以是行占之知 其俱愚積久無一知也凶事興即鬼大盛共 疾殺人人不得竟其天命夫力學眞道纔得 僞道力學眞德尚纔得僞德耳何况下古之 人反相學以浮華之文其去道遠哉困窮不 得復相拘制反相教爲章奏法律辯慧相持 長短夫教其爲仁尚愁其不仁及教其學爲 不仁之路天乃爲人垂法天自名爲大道地 自名爲德所以然者夫天地乃萬物之父母 凡事君長故常導之以善不敢開昌導教之 以凶惡之路而況人乎人者天之子也當象 天爲行今乃失法故人難治教導之以道與 德乃當使有知自重自惜自愛自治今反開 之以刑法使其視死忽然尚勇力自輕令使 傳相治因而相困反更相尅賊迭相愁苦故 天下人無相愛者大咎在此眞人知之耶愼
Interpretation

Plain-Language Interpretation of the Taiping Jing (Scripture of Great Peace)

To save people from worldly suffering, avoid contention and lawsuits, and refrain from serving the powerful: If a middling-ranking scholar follows my Dao, he can become a good person; a minor official can live out his full natural lifespan; and an ordinary person who follows my Dao can live with lasting care and restraint. Fathers will be kind, mothers loving, children filial, older brothers good, younger brothers respectful, and husbands and wives of one heart. They will not harm one another, and none will die bearing a grudge. The souls and spirits of the dead remain beneath the earth and can endure for a long time, no longer appearing to do evil. No one will die young or be killed.

In ancient times: When the original Qi first transformed and brought forth the myriad things, everyone was eager to study the Dao and wished to become an immortal. Yet people still could not live long. Only then did each person come to fear death and refrain from breaking the laws.

People of the later ancient age were profoundly foolish: Instead, they recited and studied empty, showy writings, passed them on to one another, and learned together the practices that do not lead to long life. While still alive, they suddenly claimed, “We will not die for now.” They then taught others not to cherish life, joined together in violent deeds, and devoted more attention to funerals than to living. Life belongs to Heaven, while death belongs to Earth. To serve Earth more than Heaven is a grave harm. I judge their conduct by this and see that they are all foolish; as time passes, not one among them understands. Violent deeds flourish, ghosts grow greatly in number, and people join in killing one another. People cannot live out the lifespans Heaven has allotted them.

Only by diligently studying the true Dao can one attain the false Dao; only by diligently studying true De can one attain false De. How much farther from the Dao, then, are people of the later ancient age, who instead imitate one another by studying empty, showy writings? Unable to find what they seek, they bind and constrain one another, teaching one another to write memorials, make laws, and sharpen their debating skill, each arguing over who is right and wrong. Even when people are taught to be humane, there is still concern that they may not become humane; now they are being taught to follow a path of inhumanity. Heaven has set down laws for humanity. Heaven calls itself the Great Dao, and Earth calls itself De. This is because Heaven and Earth are the parents of the myriad things.

In all matters, those who serve rulers and elders should always guide them toward goodness, and dare not open the way or give encouragement to evil. How much more should this apply to people in general? Human beings are children of Heaven and ought to model their conduct on Heaven. Now they have lost the proper way, and so they are difficult to govern. They should be guided by the Dao and De, so that they become aware, respect themselves, cherish themselves, care for themselves, and govern themselves. Instead, people are introduced to penal laws, taught to take death lightly and prize brute force, and made to despise themselves. They are set against one another to impose order, and so they oppress one another, then go further and harm one another, taking turns causing sorrow and suffering. That is why people under Heaven do not love one another; the great fault lies here. Does the True Person understand this? Be careful.

之唯唯夫力勅教其仁尚苦不仁下古之人 反相教數書已大簿矣其相憎怨不得絶力 教其爲吉尚苦不吉下古之人反相勅力學 死喪之具豫與凶事以待之日死不以其壽 幾滅門矣而不自知過誤臨時呼天號地自 言冤王治不平使我失年内行自得之愚人 不防其本罪定乃悔不爲謹以無益也雖號 死其口猶不復救矣故吾今力勅教以大仙 經道纔開其壽階耳學人以德纔使其仁學 人以仁纔使其平平保其故不敢相欺奪人 財物也學人以平平已失法矣學人以法已 失相尅賊矣學人相尅賊已入大武矣入大 武即民已無罪而欺矣困窮也成盜賊故吾 承天道法開大吉之門閉其凶惡之路開天 太平之階人人誦之且各自謹無可復治也 致令天時運轉樂王者乃長游而無事是故 吾書悉考凡事之本元纔得其中也考其中 已得其下矣學愚人以下已大亂矣今下古 所以帝王雖有萬萬人之道德仁思稱天心 而凶不絶者乃承負流災亂以來獨積久雖 愁自苦念之欲樂其一理變怪盜賊萬類夷 狄猾夏乃先王之失非一人所獨致當深知 其本是以天使吾出書爲帝王解承負之過 眞人以吾道不與天相應今但案吾文行之 不失銖分立相應矣是吾文大信不力行以 解寃結天道安能默空相應乎夫愚不學安
Interpretation

The general meaning of this passage is that Heaven urges people to take benevolence as their foundation, yet people in later ages instead lead one another astray. They teach people to arrange funerals and prepare for calamity. They fail to enjoy the full span of their natural lives and nearly bring their families to ruin without recognizing their own faults; only when death is near do they cry out to Heaven and protest their wrongs.

For this reason, Heaven uses the Great Immortal Scripture and the Dao to open the gate to longevity for them. First, De (Virtue/Power) makes people benevolent; then benevolence brings them peace and harmony. Only in peace and harmony can they preserve their foundations and refrain from cheating or robbing others of their property. To study only “harmony” is already to stray from the law; to study only the law is to fall into harming one another. Mutual harm and betrayal lead into “Great Martiality,” a great calamity. The people are innocent, yet are oppressed and impoverished until they become thieves.

Heaven therefore follows the law of the Dao: it opens the gate of great good fortune, closes the road to evil, and opens the steps to peace and order. It lets each person keep to their proper conduct, so that governance can no longer fall into disorder, the cycles of Heaven can turn, and rulers can remain secure for a long time.

This book investigates the source of all things and thereby grasps what lies at its center and at its base. To study what lies beneath this, as foolish people do, is to fall into great disorder. Even emperors in later ages possessed the De of ten thousand people, and their benevolent intentions accorded with Heaven’s heart, yet calamities continued without end. This was because inherited burdens and disasters had accumulated over a long time. Strange transformations, bandits, and foreign peoples all arose from the accumulated faults of earlier kings; they were not caused by any one person. Their origins must be understood deeply.

Heaven therefore caused me to bring forth this book to help emperors resolve the faults of inherited burdens. If the Perfected Ones think my Dao does not accord with Heaven, they need only put this text into practice without the slightest deviation, and it will accord with Heaven. This text is utterly trustworthy. If people do not strive to put it into practice and resolve their grievances, how could the Dao of Heaven silently respond for nothing? And if foolish people refuse to study, how can they find peace?

能賢乎夫貧而不耕安能收耶學輒日賢耕 輒有收行吾書其口口如是矣吾保之不學 無求賢不耕無求收子知之乎唯唯眞道以 正也大德興盛仁各得其所矣治平而言莫 不失一眞人解未幸欲報天地之功而得壽 者努力信道勿懈唯唯今愚生欲復有所問 不敢卒言平行今天師以何知人大無道德 仁也善哉子之言觀其人行言云何願聞之 然覩道人而忿然反非之以知其洞無道之 人覩德而非惡之以知爲大無德之人覩仁 而非之以知爲大惡不仁之人覩善謹而非 之以知爲不謹不善之人天性凡同志者相 愛異志者相憎善人亦疾苦惡人惡人亦疾 苦善人真人寧解不唯唯夫古者聖賢見人 不即與其語但精觀占視其所好惡以知之 矣正以此鏡其行萬不失一善哉故夫道者 乃與皇天同骨法血脉故天道疾惡好殺故 與天爲重怨地者與德同骨法血脉故惡人 傷害與地爲大咎夫仁與聖賢同骨法血脉 故聖賢好施仁而惡奪故與聖人仁爲大仇 是故昔者聖賢深知此爲三統所案行故其 制法不敢違離眞道與德仁也故天行者與 四時並力天行氣四時亦行氣相與同心故 逆四時者與天爲怨地者與五行同心並力 共養凡物未當終死而見傷害與地爲大咎 聖賢與仁同心並力故游居常尊道而貴德
Interpretation

Plain Language Interpretation of the Taiping Jing

Question: Can someone truly be called worthy? If you are poor and do not sow, how can you expect a harvest? To learn the Dao, you must cultivate worthiness day after day; only by sowing can you reap. In the same way, you must follow this scripture of mine, receive its teachings orally and in your heart, and put them into practice. This is how I preserve you: do not expect to become worthy if you do not study, and do not expect a harvest if you do not sow. Do you understand?

Answer: I understand. The true Dao is what sets the world right.

Question: When great De flourishes and benevolence reaches everywhere, the world is at peace, and every word and deed remains true to the One—the true Dao. Those who interpret the scriptures as realized beings, yet have not attained complete good fortune, and who wish to repay Heaven and Earth for their gifts and gain long life, must strive to believe in the Dao and never grow lax.

Answer: I understand.

Question: This foolish student still has a question, though I dare not speak at length. How does the Celestial Master know who is utterly without the Dao and De, and without benevolence? I hope you will explain.

Answer: Good. You can tell by observing a person’s actions and words. If someone sees a Dao practitioner and angrily opposes them, you know that person is entirely without the Dao. If someone sees De and disparages it, you know that person is wholly without De. If someone sees benevolence and criticizes it, you know that person is deeply wicked and unkind. If someone opposes goodness and care, you know that person lacks both. This is human nature: people with like aspirations love one another, while those with different aspirations detest one another. Good people suffer at the hands of wicked people, and wicked people likewise suffer at the hands of good people. Can you, realized being, understand this?

Answer: I understand.

Answer: In ancient times, the sages and worthies did not immediately engage people in deep conversation when they met them. Instead, they carefully observed what they liked and disliked, and thereby came to know them. They used this understanding to assess their conduct, and were never wrong. Well said. Those who follow the Dao share their bones, form, blood, and lineage with August Heaven. Heaven’s Dao abhors evil and killing, so those who violate it incur a grave enmity with Heaven. Earth shares its bones, form, blood, and lineage with De. Wicked people harm the myriad things and thereby incur a great offense against Earth. Benevolent people share their bones, form, blood, and lineage with the sages and worthies. The sages and worthies favor giving and benevolence, and detest plunder; whoever robs others of benevolence becomes their great enemy. Thus the sages and worthies of old understood this principle deeply. They acted in accordance with the Three Systems, and when establishing laws, dared not violate the true Dao, De, or benevolence. Heaven’s workings join forces with the four seasons: Heaven moves Qi, and the seasons move Qi too; they are of one mind and sustain each other. Those who go against the seasons make an enemy of Heaven. Earth shares one purpose and works in concert with the Five Phases to nurture the myriad things. To harm a being that should not yet die is a great offense against Earth. The sages and worthies work in concert with benevolence, and so wherever they travel or dwell, they always honor the Dao and esteem De.

倚附仁而處如人好奪而不仁與聖賢爲怨 仇故火爲心心爲聖故火常倚木而居木者 仁而有心火者有光能察是非心者聖而明 故古者大聖賢常倚仁明而處歸有道德仁 之君故吾重戒眞人以吾書付歸有道德仁 明之君必且樂好吾道深知其意案而效之 與神無異吾不自譽於眞人也行之得應必 如重規合矩乃後下古之人且念吾言唯唯 行去力之勉之力學道德與仁餘者無可爲 者出此書無令藏唯唯  右重明賢人心以解愚闇書疑者宜取訣  於此 太平經卷
Interpretation

To rely on benevolence and dwell in it: if one is like a grasping, unbenevolent person, one becomes an enemy of the sages and worthies. Therefore, one should base one’s conduct and way of life on benevolence. If, like someone greedy to seize what belongs to others, one lacks benevolence, one will make enemies of the sages and worthies.

Fire represents the heart, and the heart represents the sage; therefore, fire always depends on wood to burn. Wood symbolizes benevolence and contains the heart within it. Fire gives light and can discern right from wrong; the heart is sagely, clear, and perceptive.

Thus, the great sages and worthies of antiquity always grounded themselves in benevolence and clarity, and attached themselves to rulers who possessed the Dao, De, and benevolence.

Therefore, I earnestly admonish the Perfected: entrust my book to a ruler who possesses the Dao, De, benevolence, and clarity. He will surely delight in the Dao, deeply understand its meaning, and put it into practice according to the book; his effects will be no different from those of the spirits.

I do not praise myself before the Perfected. When one puts this into practice and receives a response, the result will fit as precisely as a compass and square. In the generations to come, if people remember my words, let them heed them and diligently cultivate the Dao, De, and benevolence. There is nothing else they need to seek. Bring this book out into the world; do not keep it hidden. Remember this well.

The passage above clarifies the hearts of the worthy to dispel confusion and ignorance. If you have doubts about the scripture, seek the guiding method here.

之四十九

Source text: Kanripo 漢籍リポジトリ(KR5e0002); Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Report an error / feedback

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