Genuine Practitioners Sacrifice Everything to Attain the Dao
Original Chinese
Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian
Chan-Wyles PhD)
Life is full of illusions driven by hopes and desires. The common people are busy in the present
time, running here and there chasing fame and fortune, but in the end they
leave the world and cannot take their wealth or possessions with them. People who chase and acquire wealth do not
necessarily live a long time simply because the effort of acquiring pointless wealth
exhausts the essence (jing) and vital force (qi). This is very sad because this unwise
expenditure shortens the lifespan considerably.
In China, all the people understand that Daoism is a ‘Chinese’ philosophy
practiced even at the most local level, and that many know the names of at
least one or two famous enlightened Daoist masters. These people who became sages are special
because through correct Daoist training they purified and strengthened their
spirit (shen), their life-essence (jing), and their vital force (qi). They became Immortal and were renowned for
their miraculous feats, and because of this, many different Daoist schools were
developed. This fact explains the
diverse nature of Daoist teaching.
Different Daoist practitioners came from different backgrounds, and
experienced successful self-cultivation in different ways.
However, for thousands of years there has been a central teaching associated with Daoism entitled ‘Prolonging Life and Enduring Health’ that has been preserved and passed from one generation to the next. This practice is very precious and is viewed as a ‘cultural treasure’ in China. In fact so effective is this method known to have been, that it has even attracted extensive scholarly attention from our neighbours in Japan, and from many interested Westerners. This has led to a superficial understanding of the history of Daoism – with its facts and figures – but has not extended to a deep and profound penetration and essential understanding of the Daoist method and means of practice itself.
In the past, the transmission of genuine Daoist knowledge and wisdom was not a haphazard affair, and neither was it open to superficial understanding or inadequate practice – as these are sicknesses associated with the modern age. Genuine Daoist practice was often taught in secret – away from the public gaze. Masters chose their disciples very carefully and did not accept everyone who enquired. The successful candidates had to possess the highest virtue and had to ‘respect’ the Daoist tradition, the Daoist teachers, and the genuine Daoist practice. They had to be willing to make sacrifices and go through any ordeal and suffering to be successful in their self-cultivation. Superficiality earned them nothing and gained them no entry into any school. Needless to say, with these high standards firmly in place, genuine students of the Dao number very few indeed. Many who consider themselves ‘Daoists’ today are only scratching the surface and do not understand what Daoism actually is.
If you want to study genuine Daoism, then you have to understand what sacrifices are required. In the old days the virtuous masters of old suffered terribly in pursuance of the genuine Dao – such was the strength of their conviction. When this is known, the efforts of the founder of the Qianfeng Prenatal School - Zhao Bichen (and his brother Zhao Kuiyi) – should be greatly respected. This is because they developed a modern form of neidan – or inner cultivation. They practiced traditional Daoism and through their arduous experience, were able to explain it so that the common people could understand and put it into practice. Modern China has experienced a very rapid development and this has meant that many people have become subsumed into very hectic and busy lifestyles that do not allow much time for personal development. Qianfeng Daoism is a school that has adjusted its approach to meet these modern circumstances. Practice still requires diligence (and sacrifice), but it can be as simple as finding a quiet corner, reading a Qianfeng Daoist book, and quietly working on the strengthening of shen, jing and qi.
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/8830018220155257270450/
苦修道士的一生
人生是充满幻境的一生,希望、理想和眼前名利让世人忙于奔波,而最终撒手之时两手空空而去。金钱物质多的人不见得生命就长久。他们为了事业操劳而过早的消耗自己精气,使得自己过早的在身体上衰退,可惜唉、
凡是中国人都知道,中国本土的宗教道教,提到道士人人都知晓一二。而道家有一种增补精、气、神的功夫就很少有人知道了,大部分朋友都知道道士会算命、看像、法事、高境界的有神仙变化等等。其实道教门派很多,各自修的也不同在这里就不介绍那些了。我们前面提到了生命,我们就以生命的话题来了解道家的功夫。
道家有一种功夫叫《性命双修》这部功夫已经传承几千年,是中华文化养生功法之瑰宝。此功夫深受世界爱好中华道学者所关注,我们的领国日本为了研究她花费了不少精力。了解了很多有关性命双修的细节问题,但是到如今也没有真正了解此法玄妙真谛。
这种道家功夫再过去是一种秘传方式,只有入门弟子,有品德、有教养、真修实练、尊师重道者经过数年或者几十年考验才传授此法。而如今能有此秘法之人已经很少了,大部分了解一点皮毛而已。
而真修行此法者是一种漫长艰苦的人生,近代内丹泰斗,道家千峰先天派创始人:赵避尘以及其胞兄赵魁一在内丹研究修炼方面都很有进数,应为他们得到了名师真传,所以才修炼有成。
如今的社会发展很快,完全是快节奏的时代,而道家的养生功夫也以经打破陈规,弘扬道家养生文化,希望您在百忙中了解一下,找个清静之地,增补一下您的精、气、神。
千峰草堂:赵明旺
However, for thousands of years there has been a central teaching associated with Daoism entitled ‘Prolonging Life and Enduring Health’ that has been preserved and passed from one generation to the next. This practice is very precious and is viewed as a ‘cultural treasure’ in China. In fact so effective is this method known to have been, that it has even attracted extensive scholarly attention from our neighbours in Japan, and from many interested Westerners. This has led to a superficial understanding of the history of Daoism – with its facts and figures – but has not extended to a deep and profound penetration and essential understanding of the Daoist method and means of practice itself.
In the past, the transmission of genuine Daoist knowledge and wisdom was not a haphazard affair, and neither was it open to superficial understanding or inadequate practice – as these are sicknesses associated with the modern age. Genuine Daoist practice was often taught in secret – away from the public gaze. Masters chose their disciples very carefully and did not accept everyone who enquired. The successful candidates had to possess the highest virtue and had to ‘respect’ the Daoist tradition, the Daoist teachers, and the genuine Daoist practice. They had to be willing to make sacrifices and go through any ordeal and suffering to be successful in their self-cultivation. Superficiality earned them nothing and gained them no entry into any school. Needless to say, with these high standards firmly in place, genuine students of the Dao number very few indeed. Many who consider themselves ‘Daoists’ today are only scratching the surface and do not understand what Daoism actually is.
If you want to study genuine Daoism, then you have to understand what sacrifices are required. In the old days the virtuous masters of old suffered terribly in pursuance of the genuine Dao – such was the strength of their conviction. When this is known, the efforts of the founder of the Qianfeng Prenatal School - Zhao Bichen (and his brother Zhao Kuiyi) – should be greatly respected. This is because they developed a modern form of neidan – or inner cultivation. They practiced traditional Daoism and through their arduous experience, were able to explain it so that the common people could understand and put it into practice. Modern China has experienced a very rapid development and this has meant that many people have become subsumed into very hectic and busy lifestyles that do not allow much time for personal development. Qianfeng Daoism is a school that has adjusted its approach to meet these modern circumstances. Practice still requires diligence (and sacrifice), but it can be as simple as finding a quiet corner, reading a Qianfeng Daoist book, and quietly working on the strengthening of shen, jing and qi.
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/8830018220155257270450/
苦修道士的一生
人生是充满幻境的一生,希望、理想和眼前名利让世人忙于奔波,而最终撒手之时两手空空而去。金钱物质多的人不见得生命就长久。他们为了事业操劳而过早的消耗自己精气,使得自己过早的在身体上衰退,可惜唉、
凡是中国人都知道,中国本土的宗教道教,提到道士人人都知晓一二。而道家有一种增补精、气、神的功夫就很少有人知道了,大部分朋友都知道道士会算命、看像、法事、高境界的有神仙变化等等。其实道教门派很多,各自修的也不同在这里就不介绍那些了。我们前面提到了生命,我们就以生命的话题来了解道家的功夫。
道家有一种功夫叫《性命双修》这部功夫已经传承几千年,是中华文化养生功法之瑰宝。此功夫深受世界爱好中华道学者所关注,我们的领国日本为了研究她花费了不少精力。了解了很多有关性命双修的细节问题,但是到如今也没有真正了解此法玄妙真谛。
这种道家功夫再过去是一种秘传方式,只有入门弟子,有品德、有教养、真修实练、尊师重道者经过数年或者几十年考验才传授此法。而如今能有此秘法之人已经很少了,大部分了解一点皮毛而已。
而真修行此法者是一种漫长艰苦的人生,近代内丹泰斗,道家千峰先天派创始人:赵避尘以及其胞兄赵魁一在内丹研究修炼方面都很有进数,应为他们得到了名师真传,所以才修炼有成。
如今的社会发展很快,完全是快节奏的时代,而道家的养生功夫也以经打破陈规,弘扬道家养生文化,希望您在百忙中了解一下,找个清静之地,增补一下您的精、气、神。
千峰草堂:赵明旺