The Four Lessons of Liao Fan#
Introduction:#
"The Four Lessons of Liao Fan" is an educational book on cultivating virtues, self-improvement, and governing society. The author is Yuan Huang, also known as Liao Fan, from the Ming Dynasty. He wrote this book at the age of sixty-nine, divided into four parts. Based on his own personal experiences, the author narrates the process of changing one's destiny. Originally intended as a lesson for his own son, the book was later renamed to enlighten others.
Although the articles are short in length, they contain profound moral implications and integrate the thoughts of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, showcasing the true essence of Chinese culture. Through the four chapters of "Establishing One's Destiny," "Methods of Self-Improvement," "The Path of Accumulating Virtue," and "The Effect of Humility and Virtue," the book demonstrates the principles of "reaping what one sows," "good deeds bring good rewards," "active progress," and "all wishes can be fulfilled." It is down-to-earth without any false pretenses, profound without being superstitious. Therefore, for hundreds of years, it has remained popular among people from all walks of life and continues to be a masterpiece that nurtures the mind and body.
Rich in Content#
Everyone is familiar with the phrase "destined fate." Some may ask: Does "destiny" really exist? If it does, can we change our predetermined fate? The answer is yes - it does exist, and we can change it through our efforts!
"The Four Lessons of Liao Fan" is a book of family teachings written by Mr. Liao Fan from the Ming Dynasty to educate his son, Liao Tianqi, about understanding the truth of destiny, distinguishing between good and evil, and changing and improving oneself. He also shares his own experiences of transforming his destiny, providing practical examples. From initially accepting and resigning to fate before meeting Master Yungu, Mr. Liao Fan's attitude was passive and negative. However, later on, he actively transformed his destiny based on the principles of accepting one's fate, which was positive and beneficial. He taught future generations the correct way to live and behave, which is not only beneficial to oneself but also to others.
After reading "The Four Lessons of Liao Fan," one's mind will become clear, and their confidence and courage will multiply. They will eagerly seek to emulate Mr. Liao Fan and transform their own destiny. Therefore, "The Four Lessons of Liao Fan" is truly a valuable work that benefits society and changes the social atmosphere. After reading this book, it is hoped that you can emerge from the haze of being controlled by fate and become a true sage who masters their own destiny.
In today's highly developed human civilization, we have access to abundant historical information and knowledge about the universe. People are constantly seeking the truth of the universe and human life to solve the problems of life and even life and death. Buddhism, with its vast and profound teachings, can provide and satisfy these needs. "The Four Lessons of Liao Fan" elucidates many fundamental principles of Buddhism, making it the foundation of Buddhism and the practice of Buddhist cultivation.
Buddhism distinguishes between worldly and transcendental teachings, with transcendental teachings being the ultimate goal. In the worldly teachings, it explains the worldview of the countless worlds in the ten directions, their creation, existence, destruction, and emptiness. It also discusses the concept of the transmigration of past, present, and future lives, the flow of life without a beginning or end. Within the myriad of different circumstances, there is a law of cause and effect: the continuity of cause and effect, self-created and self-experienced. This forms the cycle of cause and effect in the three realms.
Although Buddhism values worldly teachings, it places even greater emphasis on transcendental teachings. This is because worldly teachings are impermanent and illusory. The universe is constantly evolving, and human beings go through the process of birth, aging, illness, and death. There is no unchanging entity within this. Therefore, those with great wisdom must further explore the transcendental teachings that lead to ultimate liberation. Of course, life in the world cannot be separated from worldly teachings, and Buddhism cannot be separated from worldly teachings. Therefore, we must have a transcendent mindset while engaging in worldly endeavors.
I warn you to eliminate behaviors that deplete blessings and fortunes, and I will tell you how to quickly accumulate blessings and transform misfortune (this is an essential article for those who want to change their destiny).
Blessings and fortunes are depleted by oneself - daily behaviors that deplete blessings:
1) Killing#
Killing is the most severe offense against blessings among all behaviors. It is acceptable to buy and eat meat, but it is not acceptable to buy live animals and kill them for cooking. Boiling a living creature alive is equivalent to taking away one life and depleting twenty merits. Even insects and ants should not be harmed. When educating children, they should not play with killing insects, ants, birds, or sparrows. By doing so, their blessings will not be depleted, and their lifespan will not be shortened. The extreme of killing is taking a human life. No one admits to having killed someone, but is abortion considered killing?
The harm of killing includes a short life, poor work performance, frequent illnesses, heavy resentment, poverty, and ugliness. People who have a history of abortion, regardless of gender, will experience continuous misfortune.
2) Losing Temper#
The sound of scolding and losing temper is like a wolf's howl.
Master Yinguang warned that if a girl does not lose her temper, her children will not die prematurely. Women with bad tempers will have more children die or become sickly. When one loses their temper, their breast milk turns into poisonous fluid. If one loses their temper, their child will die immediately. If the temper is slightly milder, the child will die within half a day or a day. Even if the temper is mild, the child will still become sick. This is an unchanging principle.
Losing temper is something that even all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and heavenly beings cannot save. The Buddhist scriptures say, "Among the worldly afflictions, none is as fierce as the strong wind, and the sign of resentment is faster than that. All Buddhas, Vajras, and even the Five Transcendentals cannot protect against it."
Losing temper is like burning down the forest of merits. One outburst of anger burns away all accumulated merits. If one gets angry at their parents or elders, it destroys one thousand kalpas of accumulated merits.
Resisting and contradicting parents, harboring anger and losing temper, are the most obvious signs of having little blessings and a shallow life. The people with the least blessings in the world are those who exhibit these two behaviors.
3) Resisting and Contradicting Parents, Superiors, and Elders, Speaking Ill of Ancestors and Virtuous People#
Resisting and contradicting parents is the most severe offense against blessings. No matter what one seeks, they will never obtain it. Even if they seek everything, it will be in vain because accumulating blessings is slower than depleting them. If one's work is not going well, their relationships are painful, and their tasks are hindered, they should immediately reflect on whether they have resisted and contradicted their parents, superiors, or elders. This is the fundamental reason. If one's work is not going well, they are experiencing emotional pain, and their tasks are hindered, they should immediately speak kindly, offer good things, and show filial piety to their parents. If their parents are pleased, all heavenly beings, ghosts, and gods will come to support them.
Those who do not resist their parents will have smooth work and good relationships. Those who have never resisted their parents, teachers, or elders since childhood, even if they come from the poorest and most obscure families, will become outstanding individuals.
Those who financially support their parents will undoubtedly become wealthy, while those who show filial piety but do not provide financial support will lack wealth, even if they hold high positions.
Collecting and spreading gossip about virtuous ancestors, sages, and even saints will deplete ten merits for each word and destroy the blessings of an entire family lineage.
4) Complaining about Heaven and Blaming Others, Creating Discord, Spreading Others' Misdeeds, Envy, Sarcasm, and Schadenfreude#
These behaviors harm the virtue and harmony of heaven and earth and destroy the blessings of wealth. If one does not have the blessings and protection of their ancestors, poverty is inevitable, and tasks will not go smoothly.
Complaining about heaven and blaming others once depletes three merits. If one encounters adversity without complaining about heaven and blaming others, they will have future blessings and prosperity for their descendants.
Speaking ill of others and creating discord is to destroy the virtue and harmony of heaven and earth, causing resentment from ghosts and gods and hindering all matters.
Envy, sarcasm, and mocking others, as well as using foul language and cursing, are forms of harmful intent. These behaviors destroy the virtue and fortune of heaven and earth. If one does not have the protection of their ancestors' wealth, poverty and obstacles in tasks are certain.
Those who harbor resentment against heaven and others, create discord, spread others' misdeeds, envy and ridicule others, and engage in vulgar language and schadenfreude are the most obvious signs of having little blessings and a shallow life. The world's most unfortunate people are those who exhibit these two behaviors.
5) Showing Off#
Showing off and being complacent in any situation will invite jealousy and destruction from people, heavenly beings, and ghosts. Therefore, whatever one shows off, they will lose it in the corresponding area.
6) Speaking Ill of Others, Creating Discord#
Speaking ill of others has already harmed the harmony between heaven and earth and invites calamity from ghosts and gods. Moreover, exaggerating and adding vinegar to baseless rumors, making them sound as if they witnessed them firsthand, causes the person being spoken ill of to become angry and unable to endure, leading to depression. The resentment and malice from this will not dissipate for many kalpas, and there will surely be a day of retribution. One should be cautious of the mountains and rivers of the future, as they will have their share.
Just as the earth produces nourishing herbs and poisonous weeds, it also nurtures virtuous people and villains. The sun and moon do not only shine on the good but also on the wicked. The sea does not only accept clear streams but also rejects polluted ones.
No matter how many faults and shortcomings I have, heaven and earth have never demanded anything from me. Therefore, I cannot demand anything from others, nor can I exclude and harm those whom I consider to be villains and evil people. The saying goes, "With great virtue, one can carry the world." If one cannot tolerate evil, they cannot carry the world. Carrying the world means having a good life, good work, good learning, good relationships, good health, and everything good.
The Analects of Confucius says, "Mount Tai does not reject soil, and rivers and seas do not choose the smallest streams."
The Secretary-General of the United Nations explained this passage, saying that one should be good at accepting all people and be inclusive of different thoughts, ideas, and behaviors in order to achieve personal success.
To be more specific, I believe that someone is a villain or evil person, but that is just my opinion. In the eyes of heaven, it may not be the case. Perhaps I am the true evil person.
The deeper one's karmic obstacles, the more they see bad things and bad people in the external world. When we reach a certain level of enlightenment, we will see everything as pure and undefiled.
7) Sexual Misconduct, with Lust as the Foremost Evil#
The harm caused by sexual misconduct to blessings and merits is indescribable. Do not think that everyone is like this, watching adult films, having mistresses, and dressing more provocatively. Nowadays, many people advocate sexual freedom and liberation. Even cows in the fields are more free. Learn from them, right? It is not just young people who are busy with these things; even middle-aged and elderly people are busy. They even engage in activities such as swapping partners. Don't be fooled; it will be too late to regret it. Everyone is rushing to hell, and I am following closely behind? What a fool I am!
Why would one choose to be an animal when they could be a good person? How foolish!
Behaviors that Deplete Blessings:#
[Great Caution] Being scolded or getting angry at parents, and children feeling resentment is one offense. Resisting and contradicting parents is ten offenses.
Not putting in effort and being loyal in work is one offense.
[Great Caution] Not respecting ancestors and elders is one offense per day.
[Great Caution] Abortion is a significant offense that cannot be measured.
[Great Caution] Planning to harm others in one's mind is one offense. If one actually implements it and harms others, it is ten offenses.
[Great Caution] Killing is one offense per life. Killing a human is ten offenses per life.
[Great Caution] Using cruel methods, such as boiling living creatures alive for cooking, is twenty offenses per life.
Keeping small animals in cages is one offense per day.
[Great Caution] Seeing someone in distress without offering an explanation is one offense. Making them feel even more distressed through words is five offenses.
Do not curse Christ, the Jade Emperor, the Matchmaker, the God of Wealth, or the Primordial Celestial Venerable. These are all divine beings, and cursing them is one offense.
Do not claim that a certain sutra is false without being 100% certain. This is ten offenses.
Getting angry while reciting sutras is ten offenses. Insulting others is twenty offenses. Hitting others is thirty offenses.
Knowing someone's good deeds and not speaking about them is one offense. Knowing someone's misdeeds and spreading them is one offense.
Collecting and spreading gossip about virtuous ancestors, sages, and even saints, exaggerating and adding vinegar to baseless rumors, making them sound as if they witnessed them firsthand, is ten offenses per word.
[Caution] Speaking words that harm virtue is ten offenses. For example, saying "I would rather harm others than be harmed by others."
[Great Caution] Not learning from virtuous and wise people when encountering them is five offenses. Not associating with virtuous and wise friends is two offenses. Speaking ill of them and bullying them is ten offenses.
[Great Caution] Insulting peers or strangers on the internet or in public is four offenses. Insulting sages is one hundred offenses. Insulting gentlemen is ten offenses.
Giving others nicknames is five offenses.
Reciting sutras after eating onions or garlic is one offense.
[Great Caution] Blaming heaven and others when encountering unfavorable situations is three offenses. Do not blame heaven or others; do not blame yourself.
Behaviors that Increase Blessings:
[Great Praise] Concealing the misdeeds of others is one merit. Advising against the spread of evil when witnessing it is five merits.
[Great Praise] Respecting and not contradicting parents is one merit per day.
Respecting superiors and elders is one merit per day.
[Praise] Working diligently is one merit per day.
[Great Praise] Releasing living creatures is one merit per life. Releasing small creatures is ten merits per life, and releasing large creatures is ten merits.
Burying dead small animals is five merits per life.
[Praise] Comforting someone in distress is one merit.
Feeding rice or food to birds, ants, fish, and small insects is two merits.
Note: Do not feed ants sugar; the concentration is too high and can cause dehydration and death.
Advising against learning false sutras is one merit.
Reciting one volume of sutras for emperors, parents, relatives, knowledge, and all sentient beings is two merits. Reciting one thousand Buddha names is two merits. Performing one hundred prostrations is two merits. Doing it for oneself is one merit.
[Great Praise] Posting articles about Mahayana Buddhist sutras, with five people viewing it, is one merit. If everyone frequently posts such articles, they will accumulate merits every day.
Borrowing someone's belongings and returning them on time is one merit. Not exceeding the deadline is one merit.
[Great Praise] Sharing the words of virtuous ancestors, sages, and great virtuous people, such as the Buddha, Confucius, and Laozi, to enlighten others is ten merits each time.
[Praise] Acting upon seeing good deeds is one merit per matter. Correcting mistakes upon realizing them is one merit per matter.
[Praise] Speaking highly of others to superiors, recommending capable individuals to others, recommending one talented person is ten merits.
[Great Praise] Advising against insulting virtuous and wise people when witnessing it is five merits.
[Great Praise] If someone insults you, not insulting them back is one merit. If someone harms you, not harming them back is one merit.
[Praise] Taking responsibility for one's mistakes or attributing credit to others is two merits.
Spreading the good deeds of others is one merit each time.
Giving money or food to beggars on the roadside is one merit each time.
Giving up one's seat on public transportation is one merit each time.
Not bargaining when buying things is one merit each time.
Leaving the correct change for the taxi driver when taking a taxi is one merit each time.
Holding the door for the person behind you when entering or exiting is one merit.
Giving way to others while driving is one merit each time. Do not worry; if you do this every day, you will find that your future driving will be smooth.
Picking up trash from the ground is one merit each time.
Smiling at and initiating a conversation with an elderly person sunbathing on the roadside, chatting with them and asking about their well-being is one merit.