TAO vs. Religion

09. Three magic weapons for identifying the essence of folk religions.

Real theories, real methods, and real goals.

Real theories: Theories decide direction. Theories correct, direction is correct. Theories wrong, direction will definitely wrong. Travelers even have noble goals and intentions, if without correct theories as direction, would be hard to reach destination. Theory-carriers are leader. They must possess real enlightenment, real theories, in order to lead others to real destination.

Real methods: Methods correct, one can easily and quickly succeed. Methods inappropriate, even wrong, will lead scholars to detour and astray, wasting whole life.

Real goals: Correct direction does not equal to real goal. Practitioners read same scripture, receiving same education, why someone ended up with enlightenment, while others with depravation, or giving up halfway? There is only one real goal. If a practitioner cannot obtain real fruit, then he must have fallen into illusion. It is real that one enlightens his mind, that realizes his essence of mind. It is illusory that one cultivates himself for blessedness and long life. It is real to realize Buddhahood and the Tao. It is illusory to get fames and benefits. It is real to return to the origin. It is illusory to hear, see, feel and recognize. Some religion preachers and practitioners start with good will, great aim. But later, they not only lose their beliefs, but start to do injustice making use of Sage’s truth. There have been many charlatans that among the orthodox religions, folk religions or organization of Qigong, making use of truth of nature, bluff their way to get fortune and beauty, have there not?

By Orient Dawn
Date: Year 2001