The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

After a year of solitude, I comprehended the profound truths, and through the integration of Confucianism and Taoism, I cleansed my worldly body.

The Yin and Yang divide into pools, containing profound truths; by maintaining a righteous and impartial mind, one naturally attains divine understanding.

It is said that Master Xuanqing led Su Qingxuan through the gates of Qingxu Temple. Ancient cypress trees reached for the sky, spiritual herbs grew everywhere, alchemy furnaces were hidden in the shade of pines, and scriptures were stored in cloud pavilions, creating an atmosphere of serene and otherworldly immortality. The young man then settled in the temple, sweeping the courtyard and brewing tea with the master in the morning, discussing Taoism and mysteries during the day, and meditating to cultivate his inner energy at night. He verified the Confucian mental cultivation methods he had learned in Qingxi Town, Jiangnan, and the various human experiences he had encountered in the mortal world with the profound principles of Taoism. Time flew by, and more than a year had passed.

At that time, Su Qingxuan was already eleven years old. He had grown taller than when he first entered the mountain, and his blue robe made him appear even more upright. The immaturity of his childhood had faded from his brows, replaced by the refined elegance of a Taoist and the dignified bearing of a Confucian scholar. The boy who had only grasped the principles of Confucianism and had a smattering of Taoism had, under the guidance of Master Xuanqing day and night, gradually begun to grasp the path of the integration of Confucianism and Taoism—Taoism's cultivation of the mind is its essence, while Confucianism's preservation of the mind is its application; Confucianism's adherence to the mean and righteousness, while Taoism's balance of Yin and Yang; Confucianism's engagement with the world and helping the people, while Taoism's following the will of Heaven and non-action. The two may seem to be different paths, but in reality, they converge in the same place in the heart, and there should be no barriers between them.

Master Xuanqing's cultivation had reached the half-step Immortal realm. After a century of solitary cultivation, he had thoroughly studied the Daoist canon and received guidance from a reclusive master. He vaguely heard ancient tales: In the beginning of time, a great being, possessing all laws and unifying the righteous energy of all religions, used supreme Daoist power to suppress the impending collapse of the Three Realms. Unfortunately, as time passed, the Great Dao became obscured, the methods scattered, and the magical artifacts lost. Later generations of cultivators each clung to their own path, dividing into Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, deepening sectarian divisions, and no one could ever recreate the former glory. Master Xuanqing himself, limited by his own aptitude and confined by his desire for seclusion, could never reach the state of unity among the three religions. Yet, from the first moment he saw Su Qingxuan, he felt a profound connection—this young man possessed innate Confucian qualities, deep-rooted Daoist roots, and a hidden Buddhist nature; he was the destined successor of the Dao, perhaps connected to that ancient great being, and his own chance for ascension after a century was also tied to this young man.

Therefore, the Taoist master imparted all his knowledge to the master without holding anything back.

From the cosmic origin of the Tao Te Ching, "The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things," to the method of cultivating the mind, "Attain utmost emptiness and maintain steadfast stillness"; from the transcendent state of "sitting in oblivion" and "equalizing all things" in Zhuangzi, to the laws of heaven and earth, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and conforming to the four seasons; from the Taoist practice of breathing exercises, guiding and maintaining simplicity, to the enlightenment method of observing the Qi of heaven and earth and discerning the birth and death of all things, Master Xuanqing explained everything to Su Qingxuan in detail, leading him to break free from the confines of Confucian self-cultivation and see a broader path of heaven and earth.

Su Qingxuan, with a foundation in Confucian classics and tempered by worldly experience, possessed a clear mind and exceptional wisdom. He could understand ten things from one, and draw inferences from one instance to another. When the Daoist master spoke of "the mutual generation of Yin and Yang," he corroborated it with the Confucian concept of "the interplay of Yin and Yang." When the Daoist master spoke of "governing through non-action," he integrated it with "the Doctrine of the Mean, impartiality and non-bias." When the Daoist master spoke of "the unity of all things," he interpreted it with "the benevolent love all people, treating all beings as brothers and all things as companions." In the past, he only understood the meaning of Confucian classics; now, by integrating Daoist principles, he understands their true meaning. In the past, he only cultivated righteousness through mental cultivation; now, by combining Yin and Yang, he understands their completeness.

The righteous spirit of a Confucian scholar is not a fierce and invincible force that eradicates all evil, but rather a profound and tolerant spirit that is moderate, peaceful, and all-encompassing.

The Yin and Yang of the Dao are not a black-and-white dichotomy or a right-or-wrong opposition, but a balance of mutual generation and restraint, and an endless cycle.

When the two are integrated, they reach a state of balance, neither too much nor too little, which is also the original foundation for the unity of the three religions.

Over the course of the year, the righteous energy within Su Qingxuan's dantian grew increasingly mellow and harmonious, intertwining and flowing with the pure and spiritual energy of the Daoist school. His aura became increasingly restrained, seemingly ordinary yet possessing both the fortitude of a Confucian scholar and the transcendence of a Daoist. The three ancestral artifacts in his bosom also resonated more deeply with him: the Confucian mental cultivation manual occasionally emitted a faint light, revealing more fragmented ancient cultivation principles; the bronze seal nourished his mind and spirit day and night, harmonizing the yin and yang energies within his body; and the ancient withered tree remained serene, only occasionally emitting a faint aura when he was meditating, subtly merging with the mountain spirit energy of Qingxu Temple, the secrets hidden within unknown to anyone.

Master Xuanqing observed this with delight, knowing that the young man's foundation in Tao had been laid and his resolve firm. The small world of Qingxu Temple could no longer contain his path of seeking the Tao. His true cultivation lay in the trials of the mortal world, visiting the three schools of thought, and exploring the origins of Tao. Their teacher-student relationship was nearing its end; it was time for him to descend the mountain and continue his pursuit of the Great Tao.

As the mountain mist dissipated at dawn, the rising sun cast golden rays upon the green tiles of Qingxu Temple. Master Xuanqing summoned Su Qingxuan. He was unusually dressed in a clean and tidy Taoist robe, his hair neatly combed, yet his expression was solemn: "Qingxuan, you have been in the temple for a year, your Confucianism and Taoism have merged, and your Taoist heart is formed. Qingxu Temple has nothing more to impart to you. The world is vast, and the Great Tao is boundless. You shall descend the mountain and enter the mortal realm, continue to experience life, seek more opportunities, and thoroughly understand the principle that the three religions share the same origin."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxuan felt reluctant to part with his disciple and immediately bowed deeply, saying, "Master has taught me for a year, enlightening me and helping me to understand Confucianism and Taoism. Your kindness is as heavy as a mountain, and I cannot bear to say goodbye."

"When fate brings us together, we gather; when fate separates us, we part. This is the natural order of heaven and earth, so why be attached?" Master Xuanqing stroked his beard and smiled, then turned and walked towards the back mountain. "Before you leave, I will take you to a place, a secret realm behind my Qingxu Temple, called Yin Yang Pool. You will sit here for seven days to comprehend the way of Yin and Yang, their mutual generation and coexistence of opposites. This enlightenment will be the foundation for your future travels in the world and your integration of the three religions."

Su Qingxuan felt a chill in his heart, knowing that this was his master's final instruction. He immediately followed closely behind and headed towards the back mountain of Qingxu Temple.

The back mountain grows ever deeper and more secluded, with ancient trees reaching for the sky and vines entwining it. The spiritual energy here is even more abundant than that of the front mountain. Birds and beasts are undisturbed, and insects chirp undisturbed, creating a scene of pristine tranquility. As you walk deeper into the dense forest, a breathtaking view suddenly opens up before you: two pools side by side, nestled in the valley, these are the Yin-Yang Pools.

The two pools are adjacent to each other, separated only by a narrow bluestone shoreline about a foot wide. They are clearly distinct, yet their atmospheres are connected.

On the left is a pool called Yangtan (Sun Pool). The water is crystal clear, cool and bright. When the sunlight shines down, you can clearly see the stones and small fish and shrimp on the bottom of the pool. The surface of the water is sparkling and warm, exuding a clear and upright atmosphere, like the righteous energy of heaven and earth, clear and bright.

To the right is a pool called Yin Pool. The water is as black as ink, bottomless and without a trace of light. The surface is calm and still, yet it exudes a cold and gloomy atmosphere, as if it hides endless darkness, like evil spirits lurking and hiding.

One clear, one turbid; one bright, one dark; one warm, one cold; one yang, one yin. They are opposite to each other, yet they depend on each other. The qi of the pool water subtly blends together, forming a natural Daoist picture of yin and yang generating each other and coexisting in opposition.

Standing by the pool, Su Qingxuan felt two completely different auras rushing towards him. The clear and bright aura of the Yang pool cleansed his mind, while the cold and gloomy aura of the Yin pool penetrated his body. He felt both a sense of peace and tranquility and a strange restlessness. The two emotions intertwined, making it difficult for him to calm down for a while.

Master Xuanqing pointed to the twin pools and spoke slowly and solemnly: "These Yin-Yang Pools are spiritual realms naturally formed by heaven and earth. Yang represents purity, righteousness, and brightness, while Yin represents turbidity, evil, and darkness. They seem to be opposites, but in reality, they are mutually generative. Without Yin, Yang cannot be born; without Yang, Yin cannot grow; without righteousness, evil cannot manifest; without evil, righteousness cannot stand. All things in the world cannot escape the two energies of Yin and Yang. The path of cultivation is not about eliminating Yin and preserving Yang, or cutting off evil and keeping righteousness, but about harmonizing Yin and Yang, balancing righteousness and evil, maintaining a righteous heart, and controlling the changes of the two energies."

He paused, his gaze falling on Su Qingxuan with a profound meaning: "You cultivate the righteous spirit of Confucianism, emphasizing righteousness and suppressing evil, using righteousness to overcome evil—this is the foundation of Confucianism. Today, while meditating here, you should use the Confucian mind as a basis to comprehend the Daoist principle of Yin-Yang balance. Do not be fixated on eliminating evil, but learn to harmonize and transform it. This is the state of moderation, and also the key to the unity of the three teachings. You will meditate here for seven days, and this old Daoist will not disturb you. After seven days, the truth will be revealed."

After saying this, Master Xuanqing turned and left, leaving Su Qingxuan alone standing by the Yin-Yang Pool. The pine breeze rustled, the pool was silent, and only he and this Yin-Yang Secret Realm remained in the world.

Following the Taoist priest's instructions, Su Qingxuan sat cross-legged on the bluestone shore between the two pools, his back straight, his eyes slightly closed. He practiced breathing exercises according to the Confucian method to calm his mind and eliminate distracting thoughts.

For the first two days, he felt at peace. The clear energy of Yangtan flowed into his dantian with his breath, merging with his righteous energy. He felt comfortable all over, his mind clear, and he felt the endless circulation of yin and yang energies in the world, the order of all things, and the natural rhythm of the Dao. He observed the pool water with the Confucian principle of "investigating things." The clarity of Yangtan was like the virtue of a gentleman, while the turbidity of Yintan was like the evils of the world. Yin and yang depended on each other, just as good and evil coexisted, and light and darkness accompanied each other. He had already gained some understanding of this.

On the third day, as his breathing deepened, he focused his mind on his dantian, quietly resonating with the three ancestral artifacts in his arms. The Confucian mental cultivation scroll exuded an aura of righteousness, the bronze seal glowed slightly, remaining warm and smooth as ever, while the ancient withered tree that had been silent all along began to tremble slightly at this moment.

The chilling aura of the dark pool seemed to be drawn by some invisible force, slowly approaching the withered tree and seeping into it along the texture of the boy's clothes. The withered tree, which was originally dry and unremarkable, now exuded a faint and pure spiritual energy from its cracks. The spiritual energy was almost imperceptible, seemingly present yet absent, but it carried a complex aura of compassion, forgiveness, and solemnity, echoing the chilling aura of the dark pool, and subtly appearing to be "purifying" it.

The bronze seal in Su Qingxuan's arms began to alternate between hot and cold, like the rotation of yin and yang, repeatedly surging in his chest. The chilling energy of the Yin pool wanted to invade his meridians and mind, but it was blocked by the warm and pure energy of the seal. The two were quietly vying for power within his body.

On the fourth day, the unusual activity intensified.

The spiritual energy within the cracks of the withered tree grew denser, and the chilling aura of the dark pool surged ever stronger. The two opposing forces, one righteous and one malevolent, intertwined, beginning to disturb his peace of mind. Su Qingxuan felt the energy within his dantian churning, his mind restless and uneasy. All sorts of negative thoughts from his past life in the mortal world surfaced in his consciousness like a tidal wave—

Shen Wanshan's snobbishness in breaking off the engagement and throwing silver at the family filled him with resentment.

The devastation caused by the floods at Anfeng Dike and the suffering of the displaced people filled him with sorrow.

The eerie atmosphere of Anling Town, rife with evil spirits and spreading plague, sent a chill down his spine.

The tragic scene of feuds and the cries of orphans in Hanshi Town aroused his anxiety.

The sight of veterans buried in the northern frontier, their loyalty and righteousness obscured, filled him with resentment.

All these negative emotions were the obsessions he had suppressed in his heart all along, usually hidden by his righteous spirit. But now, stirred by the evil energy of the Yin Pool, they surged forth, transforming into inner demons that disturbed his mind. He felt restless, his blood churning, unable to sit or stand still, his eyes bloodshot, and he almost lost his composure and fell into the darkness.

Unbeknownst to him, the dark pool concealed a wisp of obscure, ancient malevolent energy, a remnant of the great calamity that struck the heavens and earth, a demonic and evil force capable of stirring up negative obsessions within people. Though lacking sentience, it possessed an instinctive "attraction" to Su Qingxuan, or rather, the three treasures of the Su family. Usually dormant, it was only now, stirred by the aura emanating from Su Qingxuan, that it quietly revealed itself.

Su Qingxuan gritted his teeth and forcibly circulated the Confucian inner cultivation method, attempting to dispel his inner demons and eradicate the dark energy with his righteous spirit. However, the more he tried to suppress it, the stronger the inner demons became, the denser the dark energy grew, and the more turbulent the chilling aura of the Yin Pool became, almost threatening to completely engulf him. He was bewildered: Confucianism teaches "to eradicate evil completely" and "to uphold righteousness and ward off evil," so why was his attempt to suppress it with righteous energy backfiring?

On the fifth day, he was nearing his limit. His clothes were soaked with cold sweat, his face was pale, his breathing was erratic, and the negative thoughts in his mind were becoming increasingly clear, almost causing him to lose his true self. At this critical moment, a surviving scroll of Confucian mental cultivation techniques flashed with light, leaving a maxim in his mind: "Cultivate a righteous spirit to rectify your mind, maintain a righteous heart to control all energies, neither rigid nor fierce, neither stagnant nor flowing, harmonious yet diverse, achieving the mean through moderation."

He was suddenly jolted, as if struck by a sudden enlightenment.

My insistence on "using righteousness to eliminate evil" and "preserving yang and eliminating yin" is biased to one extreme, deviating from the middle way and violating the principle of yin-yang balance. The true essence of righteousness is not to eradicate all evil and eliminate all darkness, but to harmonize yin and yang with a righteous heart, transform turbidity, let evil return to righteousness, let yin unite with yang, let opposition become coexistence, and let conflict return to peace.

Between heaven and earth, where there is light, there is darkness; where there is righteousness, there is turbidity; where there are virtuous people, there are petty people. Like the two pools of Yin and Yang, neither can be missing. If one forcibly eliminates darkness, one disrupts the balance and goes against the nature of heaven and earth. Only by upholding a righteous heart, using righteous energy as a guide, harmonizing turbidity, transforming inner demons, and allowing Yin and Yang to complement each other, and righteousness and evil to merge, can one find the right solution.

As soon as this thought arose, he immediately stopped trying to suppress his inner demons and expel the yin energy. Instead, he relaxed his mind, silently recited the Confucian mental cultivation method, circulated his righteous energy, and embraced the negative thoughts in his mind with a moderate and peaceful heart, thus harmonizing the yin and yang energies in his body.

In an instant, the small bronze seal in his arms trembled slightly, releasing a warm and peaceful yin-yang energy. It no longer fiercely clashed with the energy of the Yin pool, but instead slowly rotated, enveloped, permeated, and transformed the wisp of evil energy. Under the harmonization and transformation of the yin-yang energy, the evil energy gradually subsided, no longer violent, no longer disturbing the mind, and retreated back into the Yin pool, returning to calm.

At the same time, the eerie and malevolent energy of the Yin Pool was neutralized by the clear and bright energy of the Yang Pool. The two energies circulated around him, balancing Yin and Yang, and harmonizing good and evil, leaving him without any restlessness or confusion. The negative thoughts in his mind also gradually dissipated under the embrace of the righteous energy, transforming into trials to temper his Dao heart, and no longer becoming obsessions.

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes and sat in meditation, his mind clear and focused, finally comprehending the true essence of harmony:

The Confucian doctrine of the mean is impartial and balanced, neither excessive nor deficient.

The Yin and Yang of the Tao are a balance of mutual generation and restraint, in an endless cycle;

When the two are integrated, righteousness does not insist on eliminating evil, and darkness does not degenerate into ferocity. It means controlling one's energy with the mind, taking harmony as the foundation, and allowing yin and yang to complement each other, so that righteousness and evil can coexist. This is the ultimate principle of heaven and earth, and also the foundation for the unity of the three religions.

For the remaining two days, he remained in this tranquil state, thoroughly solidifying his understanding. The righteous energy within his dantian perfectly merged with the Yin-Yang energy of the Daoist school, his entire body's aura becoming harmonious and transparent, without the slightest stagnation. The bronze seal returned to its cool and gentle state, the ancient withered tree returned to stillness, and the auras of the two pools of Yin and Yang also returned to peace along with his state of mind, the pure and the turbid interdependent, the light and the dark coexisting, fully displaying the beauty of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

Seven days later, the sun rose in the east, its golden light piercing through the mountains and forests, illuminating the banks of the Yin-Yang Pool. Su Qingxuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze containing a restrained brilliance, clear as the water of the Yang Pool and deep as the waves of the Yin Pool. He possessed both the magnanimity and uprightness of a Confucian scholar and the refined and detached nature of a Daoist, his harmonious aura perfectly natural, and his Daoist heart had advanced to a new level.

Master Xuanqing walked slowly over. Seeing his demeanor, he knew that he had thoroughly grasped the principles of Yin-Yang balance and moderation. He stroked his beard and laughed heartily, full of satisfaction: "Good! What a state of moderation! You have grasped the core of the integration of Confucianism and Taoism. If you want to integrate the three teachings into one, you still need to experience the mortal world again and visit the Buddhist sect."

Su Qingxuan stood up, bowed deeply to Master Xuanqing, and performed the disciple's salute: "I have been fortunate to receive Master's teachings and comprehend the Way of Yin and Yang. Your kindness is like a second birth to me, and I will never forget it."

"It is fate, there is no need to worry about it." Master Xuanqing helped him up and turned to walk down the mountain. "Today is the day you descend the mountain. I will escort you to the mountain gate. From here on, we will part ways. The journey of the martial world is long, take care of yourself."

The two walked in silence down Langya Mountain. At the fork in the road at the foot of the mountain, Master Xuanqing stopped, gazing at the vast landscape in the distance. His expression was serene, and he said softly, seemingly unintentionally, "I once heard from a reclusive master that in ancient times, there was an unparalleled master who, with his cultivation, integrated the righteous energies of the three religions, unified all laws, suppressed the great calamity that threatened to overturn heaven and earth, and protected all living beings in the three realms. However... as time has passed and the Great Dao has been obscured, his cultivation methods have been lost, and his personal magical artifacts may still be in the mortal world, waiting for the chosen one."

After saying this, the Taoist priest's gaze gently swept over the location where the three ancestral artifacts were hidden in Su Qingxuan's arms, his eyes deep and meaningful.

Su Qingxuan's heart stirred, knowing that what his master said was no ordinary mountain rumor, but must be about ancient secrets, the origin of the ancestral artifact in his possession, and the powerful being with whom he had a deep connection. He immediately bowed and asked, "Master, what is the meaning of this rumor? Who is that ancient powerful being? Where is his magical artifact? This disciple begs Master to enlighten me."

Master Xuanqing shook his head, stroked his beard and smiled, unrestrained and carefree: "It's just a rumor that an old Taoist priest in the mountains heard. Don't take it seriously. The Great Dao must be realized by oneself, and opportunities must be sought by oneself. There's no point in saying more."

Having said that, the Taoist priest said no more. He waved his hand at Su Qingxuan, and with a flicker of his body, he vanished into the clouds and mist of Langya Mountain like a wisp of smoke, leaving only a clear and melodious voice drifting away on the wind: "Disciple, mortals and saints walk the same path, the three religions..."

Returning to oneness is a long and arduous journey; the road ahead is long, but keep your heart at peace!

Su Qingxuan stood at the foot of the mountain, gazing at the mist-shrouded Langya Mountain, bowed deeply again, and remained there for a long time. He knew that after this farewell, he didn't know when he would see his master again. He also knew that the ancient great beings and legendary artifacts his master spoke of were all closely related to him and the three ancestral objects in his arms, but the time was not yet ripe to speak of them. Everything required him to comprehend the Dao step by step and explore it step by step.

He packed his bags, carefully concealed the three ancestral artifacts on his person, turned and strode off on a new journey. The eleven-year-old boy, possessing the ability to cultivate both Confucianism and Taoism, understanding the principles of moderation and balance, and harboring the ambition to unify the three religions, continued his journey towards the distant mortal world and ancient Buddhist temples. The legend of the common path of the mortal and the saintly turned a new page.

It is:

The pool divides into Yin and Yang, revealing the true nature of enlightenment; the harmonious unity of Qi permeates the entire Confucian body.

Ancient treasures hold profound mysteries, awaiting proof of the Dharma in the mortal world.