Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

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The middle-aged Taoist priest asked, "What do you wish to inquire about, friend? Is it your future, marriage, fortune or misfortune, gain or loss, or something else?"

When spiritual practitioners consult divination, what they seek is nothing more than wealth, companionship, Dharma, land, or good or bad fortune.

After a moment's thought, Chen Jiao said, "Ask about the 'Dao'."

"The Dao?" The Daoist's eyebrows twitched slightly as he looked at Chen Jiao carefully before nodding slightly.

"Those who cultivate themselves often ask about the path to enlightenment when they inquire about their future, and they often ask about calamities when they inquire about good or bad fortune."

Fellow Daoist, your question about the single word "Dao" is a return to simplicity and a direct pointing to your true nature.

Then this humble Taoist will offer a brief deduction for you, fellow Taoist, regarding these "two" and "Tao."

He gently placed the jade tablet between the yin and yang fish eyes of the Tai Chi diagram on the table and slowly spoke:

"Second, the beginning of change in numbers, the initial separation of Yin and Yang."

Tao produces one, one produces two, two produces three, and three produces all things.

These two are the origin of Yin and Yang, which can form heaven and earth, transform purity and turbidity, and give form to existence and non-existence.

The upper part is Qian, which represents Heaven, where pure energy rises brightly. The lower part is Kun, which represents Earth, where turbid energy sinks, bearing all things and supporting Heaven.

Fellow Daoist, you are currently in the Netherworld. The Netherworld is low, turbid, and represents the earth.

The Dao that fellow Daoists aspire to hangs high above, clear and bright, a sign of Heaven.

This number "two" corresponds precisely to the fact that you, my friend, are physically on earth but aspire to heaven; yin and yang interact, and you seek truth from above and below.

He paused, then made two more cryptic gestures on the table, and said in a mysterious tone:

"These two characters are also the first two strokes of the character '无' (nothingness)."

"Nothingness" does not mean emptiness; rather, it refers to the mutual generation of existence and non-existence, and the interplay of the real and the unreal.

It is the foundation that encompasses all things, the beginning of emptiness and chaos, the time before all things took shape, and the time after all phenomena were gathered together.

From nothing comes something; from stillness comes movement—this is the profound truth of the Great Way…

At this point, the middle-aged Taoist priest's brows furrowed slightly, and he stroked a few strands of his beard, as if lost in some deep confusion, muttering to himself:

"...From nothing comes something, and something returns to nothing, in an endless cycle, which is the way of Heaven."

But this divination has drawn upon you, my fellow Daoist. How could this opportunity, which arises from nothing, be so...?

How strange, how strange…

Although his voice was low, Chen Jiao heard it clearly.

The phrase "creating something from nothing" particularly startled Chen Jiao.

His Vermilion Bird incarnation was born from the Dao Scroll held by his original self, which is truly a creation from nothing.

Is this person's divination ability really that advanced?

Chen Jiao's face remained expressionless, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes before disappearing.

He remained calm and composed, simply asking, "Is that all?"

The Taoist priest then snapped out of his deep thoughts, looked up at Chen Jiao again, his expression returning to calm, and continued:

"Not only that."

Fellow Daoist, your destiny is immeasurably noble. These two principles, when applied to Heaven, mean that there are only two suns in the sky; when applied to Earth, they mean that there are only two kings on the land.

"Can there be only one sun in the sky, or two kings on earth?"

Chen Jiao's eyebrows twitched slightly; becoming a king or ruler of the mortal realm was not what he desired.

"Exactly."

The Taoist priest nodded, pointed to the Bagua diagram on the table, and continued to explain:

"The movement of Heaven is vigorous. One sun shines brightly and illuminates all things. If two suns appear at the same time, then Heaven and Earth will lose their order, and Yin and Yang will be in disarray. This is the way of Heaven."

There cannot be two suns in the sky, which is an omen of absolute power and dominance.

This image corresponds to the path of fellow practitioners, referring to the unity of the Daoist heart, the purity of cultivation, the pursuit of the Great Dao's clarity, the inability to have two minds, and the absence of other thoughts.

If one acts in this way, there will surely come a time of unparalleled dominance, and one will achieve unparalleled success.

However, it easily attracts jealousy and resentment. One must maintain a moderate and upright stance in order to be radiant without being fierce and authoritative without being violent.

The earth's terrain is receptive, supporting one ruler and bringing peace to the four directions. However, if two kings contend for power, the mountains and rivers will be in turmoil, and the people will suffer. This is the natural order of the land.

The land cannot have two kings, symbolizing the virtue of bearing all things.

This image corresponds to the practice of fellow practitioners, referring to one's foundation in life, the steadfastness of one's path in the Way, and the way one treads in the mortal world, allowing no deviations or ambiguities.

If this continues, a solid foundation will be established, enabling the virtue of supporting all things to be accomplished.

However, it is easy to start a conflict. One must act with benevolence and righteousness in order to be able to endure without being rushed and to be safe without being endangered.

only……"

He paused slightly, shook his head, and then said:

"This image is grand and lofty, containing specific key points, the time of fulfillment, and the supreme achievement."

The mysteries are too numerous to be fully explained at this moment, nor can they be fully fathomed by this humble Taoist.

The secrets of heaven are vast and mysterious; only you, fellow Daoist, can comprehend them for yourself.

The Taoist's words were cryptic and enigmatic.

Many people around were confused, thinking it was just the usual witty remarks of a fortune teller.

After the Taoist finished speaking, he let out a soft breath, as if this interpretation had also taken a toll on his spirit.

He hesitated for a moment, then took out three polished copper coins from his sleeve, placed them in his palm, and said to Chen Jiao:

"The jade plaque represents the image, and the copper coin represents the question. Since the question is about the 'Tao,' relying solely on a single word is insufficient to fully understand its meaning."

Allow me to cast another divination for you, fellow Daoist, to observe the specific circumstances.

"Fellow Daoist, please take this copper coin, think of the Dao you wish to inquire about, and toss it onto the table at will."

After saying this, he handed the copper coins to Chen Jiao.

Chen Jiao followed his instructions, focusing only on a wisp of his spiritual awareness, then gently shook his hands together and scattered money onto the table.

Once, twice... the six lines appeared one by one.

The Taoist priest focused intently, his gaze shifting slightly with each falling coin, his fingers calculating within his sleeve.

After the sixth coin was placed, the complete divination result was revealed. The Taoist priest stared at the pattern formed by the coins, remaining silent for a long time.

The people watching around the table couldn't help but hold their breath.

Song Yan and Song An stared intently at the hexagram, trying to discern some clues, but they only felt that there seemed to be endless variations in the simple arrangement of positive and negative numbers, making it difficult to grasp.

Once the six lines were completed, the Taoist stared at the hexagram on the table, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before he quickly concealed it.

He looked up at Chen Jiao and said slowly:

"Fellow Daoist, this hexagram is composed of Li (fire) above and Xun (wind) below. Together they form the hexagram 'Fire and Wind Ding'."

"The tripod brings good fortune and prosperity."

The ding (鼎) is a symbol. It is made of wood and fire, used for cooking. Sages cook it to offer to the Supreme God, while great dings are used to nourish sages and worthies.

"The Xun (巽) trigram signifies keen senses and sharp hearing; the yielding advances upwards, attaining the center and responding to the firm; thus, great success is achieved."

"This hexagram signifies renewal, like cooking in a cauldron, discarding the old and embracing the new."

It possesses the virtue of nurturing talent, like a cauldron nourishing people and gathering elites; it possesses the merit of forging, like metal and stone in a cauldron, refined into steel through countless trials.

Xun represents wind, entry, and wood; Li represents fire, brightness, and beauty.

The wind fanned the flames, and the fire, aided by the wind, shone brightly; this symbolized a transformation from the old to the new, and the success of any endeavor.

The Taoist looked at Chen Jiao and said meaningfully:

The Ding hexagram also signifies "correcting one's position and solidifying one's destiny."

A wise person who observes this hexagram should rectify their position, strictly adhere to their mission, and await the mandate of Heaven.

Fellow Daoists who follow the path of purity and virtue may find a place to settle down and take on a new destiny.

However, even though the pot is sturdy, it still needs to be held steady; even though cooking can bring forth something new, the heat must be just right.

The appropriate degree of discretion is something you, fellow Daoist, must determine for yourself.

As Chen Jiao listened to the explanation, he was indeed vaguely moved, as if he had touched upon some kind of vague key.

Without saying anything more, he nodded slightly to the Taoist priest, thanked him, and then got up from the stool, signaling to Master Shouyue and the others to prepare to leave.

The Taoist priest raised his voice, his gaze sweeping over the dwindling crowd, and proclaimed:

"This is the last divination of the day, a rare and precious opportunity. Does any fellow practitioner still have unresolved questions?"