In contemporary Chinese religion and folk beliefs, "Guan Gong", which is generally admired and worshiped by the people, has the holy title of "Guan Sheng Emperor" and the honorific title of "Wu Sheng"; in the name of "Sheng", it is a model of personality that can transcend the saints in Chinese folk beliefs and Chinese culture. The most important essence of enlightenment in the Guandi faith is "Mingsheng", that is, understanding the way to sanctification. In Emperor Guan's classic masterpiece", "The Classics of Emperor Guanshengjun Taoyuan Ming", special attention is paid to the interpretation of sages and five virtues, as well as the moral practice of behavior for people in the world. The "Guan Sheng Emperor Jun Taoyuan Ming Bible", which is widely recited by believers today, the composition structure of the whole sutra can be divided into seven parts, of which the "Guan Sheng Emperor Jun's Descending Pen True Scripture" is to describe the causes of Guan Di's incarnation and the exhortations of the world, such as the scriptures: "I am the Han Guan Saint Emperor, the edicts are heard by the public, the world is uneven, etc., all by a little sincerity, integrity, brightness and indomitability, death and life are obedient and disobedient." The opening of the scripture is to guide the people of the world to deal with the people who are disturbed by the red dust of the world, and it is also clearly pointed out that the people in the world must inevitably face "uneven things in the world", and the specific way of behavior in the face of uneven things in the world is "all by a little sincerity".
In the scriptures, Emperor Guan cites specific historical facts of the Three Kingdoms as an illustration. Cao Cao's intentions were sinister, Wu Hou was loyal and sincere, and the results of the two were very different in the end; One suffers in hell and the other is worshipped as a god. Explaining the "true heart" is the key to the transcendent sanctification of ordinary people. Thus scripture says, "Faith is equal inside and outside, so why bother with disasters?" Cao Cao was bottomless and dangerous, and now he is suffering from sin and underworld; Wu Hou is only loyal and righteous, and the nether group is worshipped as a god. The article points out that "equality between inside and outside confidence" is the best way to face the difficulties of life. There is no need to be afraid of "stumbling, difficulty, disaster, and misfortune", that is, to face the difficult tests of difficulties, disasters, and obstacles with sincerity and loyalty, and finally to turn danger into safety and disaster into blessing. On the other hand, if you face it with treachery and malice, you will sink down and eventually escape the ultimate judgment of the gods of heaven and earth.
In the Guan Sheng Emperor Jun's Descending Pen True Scripture, the opposite of "true heart" is "treachery" and "ingenuity". Emperor Guan pointed out: "All greed and treachery are also repaid with rewards. The importance of integrity is repeatedly mentioned in Scripture, pointing out the relationship between "heart" and good fortune; "Straight heart to receive the true blessing, clever trick to come to the cause", "quickly close the heart and reflect on it, the more the hugh falls deeper and deeper". Straight heart is the heart of integrity and light, there is no false and deceitful true heart, straight heart can receive true blessings, true blessings are also long-term blessings, blessings for descendants; If you can get a temporary profit with "clever tricks", but the cleverness is mistaken by the clever, it may sow the future disaster. As "Dream of the Red Chamber" said: "The organs calculated too cleverly, but they mistakenly took Qingqing's life." The so-called calculation of man is not as good as the calculation of heaven, and it is also said in the "Taishang Induction Chapter": "The retribution of good and evil is like a shadow." It is a god of heaven and earth who has passed away, and according to the severity of the crimes committed by men, it is calculated by robbing people. In Taoist thought, it is also believed that there are gods in heaven and earth, so people have their own results when they start to think and act good and evil. The "Guan Sheng Emperor Descending Pen True Scripture" also said: "There have been as bright as the sun and the moon, and the selfless heaven and earth are in the same group." Sure enough, the children did not complain, and everywhere the ghosts were afraid of god. "As long as you are sincere and upright and don't deceive the dark room, even the ghosts and gods can feel this magnificent righteousness and come to support."
The "Guan Sheng Emperor Jun's Descending Pen True Scripture" specifically mentions that among the four types of people in the world, "reading scribes", "officials and eunuchs", "military", and "civilian", Guan Di especially emphasizes "the character of reading scribes and politicians", such as the scriptures: "The most abstaining from reading scribes, and officials, eunuchs, soldiers and civilians." Emperor Guan clearly pointed out that the importance of the character and goals of the reader was not to pursue personal fame and fortune, but to do so as the Taoyuan Ming Bible says: "The honest are not eaten by the poor, and the wise do not drink the fountain of theft." Resign yuan Xianjie, fear jin Yang Zhenlian. Sitting in the arms is not chaotic, and there is no room for Lu Zhonglian to close the house. Feng Lu is only able to provide etiquette, and the family's food expenses are only calculated. Confucius also said, "Politician, Zhengye." If the rate is positive, who dares to be right?" Those who read books or are officials should set an example for others and perform the work of "benefiting goods and saving the people". In the social strata of scholars, farmers, workers and merchants, intellectuals who are readers and eunuchs have a high socio-economic status and resources, should bear social responsibilities, and have the courage to bear the responsibility of changing customs and customs; Instead of climbing the ladder of power and attaching to the nobility, deceiving oneself, using knowledge and official positions to obtain personal fame and fortune, and even paying tribute to me slowly, fishing and meat townspeople, sowing evil consequences. Mr. Gu Yanwu Zeng Yun: "The shamelessness of the scholar is a national shame." As the mainstay of society, if the morality of the scholar is corrupt, the upward and downward effects will affect the whole people, and eventually form a national shame. Therefore, Emperor Guan placed special emphasis on sincerity and integrity in his scriptures, and attached great importance to the moral character of readers and officials. Although the social identities of scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants are different, the practice of moral life begins with the five luns, that is, "fathers and sons have relatives, kings and subjects have righteousness, husbands and wives are different, the elders and children are orderly, and friends have faith." "Specific practice.
The spirit of "sincerity", "five luns" and "loyalty" emphasized by the Guandi faith has a powerful role in stabilizing people's minds and harmonious society for maintaining social order and building an ethical system, and in the scriptures, codes of conduct and norms are put forward for all levels of society, with special attention to the moral character and precepts of "reading scribes" and "eunuchs". The Analects: "Zeng Zi said: A scholar cannot fail to carry out his duties, and his task is heavy and his way is long. "Readers and officials should seek the well-being of the people with benevolence and a spirit of heavy work and long-term responsibility." The way of personality and moral indoctrination emphasized by Emperor Guan is not only an important foundation for the harmony and common goodness of contemporary society, but also the strength and hope to transcend in the turbidity and world!
Professor Gao Lifen of Zhongyi Talent Cultivation College
Source: Hong Kong Business Daily