Time flies....
I mentioned in one of my postings that I will be shifting of house in the mid of 2010. Currently, (in addition to my profession) I am busying in packing my existing house and renovating my new house.
Hence, I have to temporarily stop writing & sharing thru' the Bazi Daily.
You may want to re-visit what had been written in the past as a form of revision. See you!
Note :
Never expect that I have quite a comprehensive collections of more than 2000 copies of books related to Chinese Metaphysics, such as bazi, fengshui, divination, face reading, I Ching, Name Analysis....
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Bazi Daily - 29/05/2010
Star of Prospect
(十干禄)
Whether the Star of Prospects is favourable or not will depend on the strength or weakness of the day master.
When the DM is weak :-
- The Star of Prospects can provide assistance to a weak day master, thus it is then a reinforcing or positive element.
- When the reinforcing or positive Star of Prospects is not conflicted or clashed with in any way, the day master shall still receive aid from relatives and friends in times of need, even though he may have been leading a stable life all the while.
- However, when the reinforcing or positive Star of Prospects does suffer a conflict or clash, then the day master may have difficulties getting aid in times of need and be forced eventually to leave his home.
Strong day master
- If the day master is already strong, the presence of the Star of Prospects can heavily overload the strength of the five elements within the four-pillar chart
- The Star of Prospects is the amiable deity (Bi Jian) of the Ten Deities. In fact, it conquers the deities of Wealth, which represent the individual’s father and for a male day master, his wife. As a consequence, a dominant Star of Prospects shall prove disadvantageous to his father and wife if the deities of Wealth are frail.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is better to have enough ideas with some of them to be wrong
than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
- Edward De Bono
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Bazi Daily - 28/05/2010
Star of Prospects
(十干禄 ~ Shi Gan Lu)
Identifying Star of Prospects
Determination: With Day Stem as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following earthly branches signify the Star of Prospects
Day Stem Star of Prosects
Jia Yin
Yi Mao
Bing Si
Ding Wu
Wu Si
Ji Wu
Geng Shen
Xin You
Ren Hai
Gui Zi
The Star of Prospects is the Entry phase in the 12 Natural Stages of Life and doubles up as the Amiable Deity of the Ten Deities too.
Lu, means salary (Feng Lu 俸禄) and basic needs. People can only sustain their lives when they have revenue incomes. Although Lu may imply the aforesaid concept, it does not necessarily denote that the Star of Prospects is definitely a reinforcing or positive element.
Whether the Star of Prospects is favourable or not will depend on the strength or weakness of the day master.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of them.
- Linus Pauling
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Bazi Daily - 27/05/2010
Star of Aggression
(羊刃 ~ Yang Ren)
The Star of Aggression is actually the Peak phase in the 12 Natural Stages of Life (refer to Chapter 6). Akin to the forceful aura of an emperor, this compound star is just as fierce and powerful.
Connoting intensity and aggression, Yang comes from the yin and yang elements.
Ren on the other hand refers to a sharp blade that can inflict harm and damage.
Together, the Star of Aggression (Yang Ren) is a compelling compound star, which encompasses very resolute and destructive potential. Whether it is good or bad will have to bank on how other latent conflicts or unfavourable factors within the four-pillar chart shall affect it.
Star of Aggression favourable to weak day master:
Star of Aggression is symbol of power, initiative and vigour. A weak day master benefits from the compound star because the latter will lift his confidence to a large extent. As a result, he can charge full steam ahead and achieve his goal once he makes up his mind.
Star of Aggression unfavourable to strong day master:
The core nature of the Star of Aggression is already toughness and impatience. Therefore, a strong day master who holds the Star of Aggression can become even more edgy, impulsive, overbearing, self-centred, self-opinionated, disregardful of others and extreme. He is prone to pick quarrels and get into trouble.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds.
- Albert Einstein
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Bazi Daily - 26/05/2010
Star of Aggression
(羊刃 ~ Yang Ren)
This is an interesting and exciting topics :) But, first of all, let's learn how to identify the Star of Aggression correctly.
Determination: With Day Stem as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following earthly branches signify the Star of Aggression
Day Stem Star of Aggression
Jia Mao
Yi Yin
Bing Wu
Ding Si
Wu Wu
Ji Si
Geng You
Xin Shen
Ren Zi
Gui Hai
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine per cent perspiration.
- Thomas Alva Edison
Monday, May 24, 2010
Bazi Daily - 25/05/2010
Commanding Star
(将星 ~ Jiang Xing)
Identifying Commanding Star
Determination: With Year Branch or Day Branch as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following earthly branches signify the Commanding Star
Yr or Day Branch Commanding Star
Yin/ Wu/ Xu Wu
Shen/ Zi/ Chen Zi
Hai/ Mao/ Wei Mao
Si/ You/ Chou You
A representation of clout and power, the Commanding Star suggests an authoritative presence and encompasses leadership qualities. Hence, people who have the Commanding Star in their eight characters are generally very imposing and stand out from the crowd.
When the arrangement of the eight characters is agreeable plus the day master is strong without any conflicts or clashes, this individual is said to be an able leader who will shine in the government sector and hold considerable power.
Since the Commanding Star is independent and self-determining, it may be deduced that the day master has thoughts of entrepreneurship should his yearly luck cycle encounter this formidable star.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.
- Jane Austen
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Bazi Daily - 24/05/2010
Voyager Star
(驿马 ~ Yi Ma)
Determination: With Year Branch or Day Branch as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following earthly branches signify the Voyager Star
Yr or Day Branch Yi Ma
Yin/ Wu/ Xu Shen
Shen/ Zi/ Chen Yin
Hai/ Mao/ Wei Si
Si/ You/ Chou Hai
In the olden times, the principal mode of transportation to facilitate communication is the horse, hence the reasoning behind the Voyager Star.
Therefore, the Voyager Star conveys the ideas of travelling, working trips, overseas assignments, movement and shifting. As it connotes movement in general, the presence of the Voyager Star in the eight characters will portray an active and carefree individual who is well suited for mobile jobs.
By the same token, a person who has many Voyager Stars in his four pillars tends to be very unsettled and travels frequently.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances,
but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
- Hugh Downs
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Bazi Daily - 23/05/2010
Star of Arts
(华盖 ~ Hua Gai)
Identifying Star of Arts
Determination: With Year Branch or Day Branch as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following earthly branches signify the Star of Arts
Yr or Day Branch Hua Gai
Yin/ Wu/ Xu Xu
Shen/ Zi/ Chen Chen
Hai/ Mao/ Wei Wei
Si/ You/ Chou Chou
The Star of Arts is a combination of talent, which suggests solitude too.
A person whose eight characters reveal the Star of Arts is an avid student who is highly intelligent, diligent and mild-tempered. He is inclined to philosophical and religious studies, such as literature, music and metaphysics. Monetary gains and material possessions mean little to him.
The Star of Arts brings forth an elegant and refined individual who may inevitably demonstrate an air of arrogance and anti-social attitude. He is prone to loneliness and a sense of superiority over others. Despite having a thirst for knowledge, he prefers to pursue it alone.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A happy life consists in tranquility of mind.
- Cicero
Friday, May 21, 2010
Bazi Daily - 22/05/2010
Star of Romance
(桃花 ~ Tao Hua)
Below are some of the well-known characteristics of Star of Romance in Four Pillars
In term of Positive Aspects, individuals with the Stars of Romance are :
- good looking, passionate and expressive.
- The women are charming and alluring while the men are generous and sociable.
- they attract the opposite sex easily and vice versa. In addition,
- it also rules intelligence, wisdom and talent.
Such individuals shall be munificent and gracious.
Negative Aspect:
Regardless of gender, individuals whose arrangements of the four pillars is less than satisfactory, these individuals will possess exceedingly high sexual drives. They are likely flirts or womanisers.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A great obstacle to happiness is to anticipate too great a happiness.
- Euripides
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Bazi Daily - 21/05/2010
Star of Romance
(桃花 ~ Tao Hua)
Identifying Star of Romance Determination: With Year Branch or Day Branch as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following earthly branches signify the Star of Romance
Yr or Day Branch Tao Hua
Yin/ Wu/ Xu Mao
Shen/ Zi/ Chen You
Hai/ Mao/ Wei Zi
Si/ You/ Chou Wu
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
...in order that a man may be happy, it is necessary that he should not only be capable of his work,
but a good judge of his work.
- John Ruskin
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Bazi Daily - 20/05/2010
Star of Romance
(桃花 ~ Tao Hua)
Is Star of Romance GOOD or BAD ?
In the analysis of bazi, there is no such thing as Good or Bad.
Star of Romance influences the emotions, desires, charisma, courtship and marriage of an individual.
From the olden times, people had always associated the Star of Romance with the sexual desires of men and women. In fact, it really refers to the good and bad social relations between people. Individuals whose eight characters include Tao Hua or the Star of Romance are inclined to have much better social interactions as compared to others.
Many high-ranking officials actually bear the Star of Romance in their four-pillar charts. For instance although the Qing emperor, Qian Long, held the four major Stars of Romance, he was disciplined and cultured too which made him an extremely revered figure.
Therefore, the competent use of the Star of Romance shall generate beneficial social relations, which can reap exceptional rewards.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Heaven never helps the man who will not act.
Sophocles
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Bazi Daily - 19/05/2010
Academic Star
(文昌贵人 ~ Wen Chang Gui Ren)
Identifying Academic Star
Determination: With Day Stem as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following earthly branches signify the Academic Star
Day Stem Academic Star
Jia Si
Yi Wu
Bing Shen
Ding You
Wu Shen
Ji You
Geng Hai
Xin Zi
Ren Yin
Gui Mao
People who possess the academic star are : -
- smart, hardworking and have a thirst for knowledge.
- They are apt at using their talents and wit to convert a problematic situation into an advantageous one.
- With gentle and gracious mannerisms, they have depth and dislike socialising with crude and boorish individuals.
However, an overpowering presence of the academic star may not be a good thing too, as he can be misguided by his own personal conceit, which will bring about his downfall.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A man only learns in two ways, one by reading,
and the other by association with smarter people
41 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: From the examples given above, we know that spirits and gods are always watching our behaviors from above. Therefore, we must immediately do whatever is beneficial to others and avoid doing whatever is violent, dangerous, and harmful to others. These are all things I can decide for myself As long as I harbor good intentions; refrain from evil doings; don't offend the heaven, earth, spirits, and gods, humble myself, be tolerant and not arrogant; then the heaven, earth, spirits and gods will constantly have pity on me; only then will I have a foundation for my future prosperity. Those who are full of conceit are definitely not destined to be great men. Even if they do prosper, they will not be able to enjoy their fortune for long. Intelligent people would definitely not make themselves small and narrow-minded and refuse the fortune they are entitled to. Besides, those who are humble always increase their opportunities to learn. If a person is not humble, who would want to teach him? Also, humble people are always willing to learn the strengths of others. When others perform good deeds, the humble person will learn and follow their examples. In this way, the kind deeds humble people accomplish are boundless! For those who wish to cultivate and improve upon their virtues, they especially, cannot do without the virtue of humility.
Liao-Fan: The ancients had an old saying,
Narrator: Those who have their hearts set on attaining success and fame, will surely attain success and fame. Those who have their hearts set on attaining wealth and position, will surely attain wealth and position.
Liao-Fan: A person who has great and far reaching goals is like a tree having roots. A tree with roots will eventually sprout into branches, flowers and, leaves. A person who has set down great and far reaching goals must humble himself in every thought and try to relieve another's burden even if the occurrence is as insignificant as a speck of dust. If you can reach this level of humility, you will naturally touch the hearts of heaven and earth. Furthermore, I am the creator of my own prosperity; if I truly want to create it, I will certainly succeed. Look at the applicants who sought for fame and wealth, in the beginning, they did not harbor a sincere heart; it was only a passing notion. When they fancied it, they sought it. When their interest dropped, they stopped. Mencius once told Emperor Shuan Chi,
Mencius: Your Highness has a love for music. But your love for music is only a personal plealeasure. If you can expand from the heart which seeks after personal happiness to that of sharing happiness with all your subjects, and make them just as happy as you are, then, surely the nation is bound to prosper!
Liao-Fan: I think it is the same for those who are seeking to pass the imperial exams. If a person can expand upon the heart which seeks to pass the exams to that of diligently doing kind deeds and accumulating merits, putting forth his best efforts to improve his character, then both destiny and prosperity are his to create.
I hope you have benefited from Liao-Fan's Four Lessons and will acquire the same spirit in creating your own destiny. I sincerely encourage everyone to do their best in refraining from evil and practicing kindness. The teachings in LiaoFan's Four Lessons can lift the morale of the public and transform our society into one of peace and harmony.
Let us all be a part in the rebuilding of our children's morals and virtues.
Liao-Fan: The ancients had an old saying,
Narrator: Those who have their hearts set on attaining success and fame, will surely attain success and fame. Those who have their hearts set on attaining wealth and position, will surely attain wealth and position.
Liao-Fan: A person who has great and far reaching goals is like a tree having roots. A tree with roots will eventually sprout into branches, flowers and, leaves. A person who has set down great and far reaching goals must humble himself in every thought and try to relieve another's burden even if the occurrence is as insignificant as a speck of dust. If you can reach this level of humility, you will naturally touch the hearts of heaven and earth. Furthermore, I am the creator of my own prosperity; if I truly want to create it, I will certainly succeed. Look at the applicants who sought for fame and wealth, in the beginning, they did not harbor a sincere heart; it was only a passing notion. When they fancied it, they sought it. When their interest dropped, they stopped. Mencius once told Emperor Shuan Chi,
Mencius: Your Highness has a love for music. But your love for music is only a personal plealeasure. If you can expand from the heart which seeks after personal happiness to that of sharing happiness with all your subjects, and make them just as happy as you are, then, surely the nation is bound to prosper!
Liao-Fan: I think it is the same for those who are seeking to pass the imperial exams. If a person can expand upon the heart which seeks to pass the exams to that of diligently doing kind deeds and accumulating merits, putting forth his best efforts to improve his character, then both destiny and prosperity are his to create.
Dear Readers and Friends,
I hope you have benefited from Liao-Fan's Four Lessons and will acquire the same spirit in creating your own destiny. I sincerely encourage everyone to do their best in refraining from evil and practicing kindness. The teachings in LiaoFan's Four Lessons can lift the morale of the public and transform our society into one of peace and harmony.
Let us all be a part in the rebuilding of our children's morals and virtues.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Bazi Daily - 18/05/2010
Star of Kindness
(月德贵人 ~ Yue De Gui Ren)
Identifying Star of Kindness :-
Determination: With Month Branch as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following heavenly stems signify the Star of Kindness
Month Branch Heavenly Stems
Yin/ Wu/ Xu Bing
Shen/ Zi/ Chen Ren
Hai/ Mao/ Wei Jia
Si/ You/ Chou Geng
People who carry the Star of Kindness often can escape unscathed in the event of disasters. Lucky individuals become luckier while unlucky ones shall have their ill luck improved. Women whose eight characters reveal the Star of Kindness will marry good husbands.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
All wish to possess knowledge, but few, comparatively speaking, are willing to pay the price.
40 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: There was a scholar named Wei-Yan Chang from Jiang-ying who was very learned and wrote good essays. He was also very well-known among many scholars. One year he took his exam at Nanking and stayed at a Taoist temple. When the test results were posted, he found that he had not passed the exam. He became furious and loudly accused the examiner of being blind for not recognizing his obvious talents. At that time, a Taoist monk stood by smiling, and Wei-Yan immediately directed his anger towards the monk. The monk said to him,
Monk: Your essay must not be good!
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan got even angrier and said,
Wei-Yan: How do you know it's not good when you haven't even read it?
Liao-Fan: The monk said,
Monk: I often hear people say that the most important element in writing good essays is a peaceful heart and harmonious temperament. Your loud and angry accusations just of now clearly shows that your mind is certainly not at peace and your temperament is violent. How could you possibly write good essays?
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan obliviously submitted to the Taoist's words and in turn asked him for his advice. The Taoist said,
Monk: Whether you pass or not depends on your fate. If you are destined not to pass, then no matter how good your paper is, you will still fail the exam. You yourself will have to make a few changes!
Wei-Yan: How can I change it if it is predestined?
Monk: Though the power to form your destiny lies in the Heavens, the right to recreate it is in yourself As long as you nothing you ask that you will not receive.
Wei-Yan: I am only a poor scholar. What good deeds can I possibly do?
Monk: Practicing kind deeds and accumulating hidden virtues all stem from the heart. As long as you constantly harbor the intent to practice kindness and accumulate virtues, your merits are infinite and boundless! Take the virtue of humility for example, it does not cost anything, why can't you be humble and reflect on your own essay instead of blaming the examiner for being unfair?
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan Chang listened to the Taoist monk, and from then on, suppressed his arrogant ways. He became very mindful of his own actions and tried not to make mistakes. Everyday he put forth additional effort to do more good deeds and accumulate more merits. Three years later, he dreamed one night that he entered a very tall house, and saw a booklet that contained all the names of the applicants who passed the exam that year. He saw many blank lines. Unable to understand what it meant, he asked the person next to him,
Wei-Yan: What is this?
Liao-Fan: The person replied,
Person: This is the booklet that contains all the names of the applicants who passed the exam this year.
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan asked,
Wei-Yan: Why does it have so many blank lines?
Liao-Fan: The person answered,
Person: The spirits of the underworld check on the applicants every three years. Only the names of those who practice kind deeds and do not make mistakes are allowed to appear in this booklet. The blank lines used to bear the names of those who were supposed to pass the exam, but due to their recent offenses, their names have been erased.
Liao-Fan: Then, pointing to a line, the person said:
Person: Ah-ha, for the past three years you have been very careful and have exerted such self-control that you haven't made any mistakes. Perhaps you should fill this blank. I hope you will cherish this opportunity and take care not to make any mistakes!
Liao-Fan: Sure enough, Wei-Yan passed the exam that year and placed 105th.
Monk: Your essay must not be good!
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan got even angrier and said,
Wei-Yan: How do you know it's not good when you haven't even read it?
Liao-Fan: The monk said,
Monk: I often hear people say that the most important element in writing good essays is a peaceful heart and harmonious temperament. Your loud and angry accusations just of now clearly shows that your mind is certainly not at peace and your temperament is violent. How could you possibly write good essays?
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan obliviously submitted to the Taoist's words and in turn asked him for his advice. The Taoist said,
Monk: Whether you pass or not depends on your fate. If you are destined not to pass, then no matter how good your paper is, you will still fail the exam. You yourself will have to make a few changes!
Wei-Yan: How can I change it if it is predestined?
Monk: Though the power to form your destiny lies in the Heavens, the right to recreate it is in yourself As long as you nothing you ask that you will not receive.
Wei-Yan: I am only a poor scholar. What good deeds can I possibly do?
Monk: Practicing kind deeds and accumulating hidden virtues all stem from the heart. As long as you constantly harbor the intent to practice kindness and accumulate virtues, your merits are infinite and boundless! Take the virtue of humility for example, it does not cost anything, why can't you be humble and reflect on your own essay instead of blaming the examiner for being unfair?
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan Chang listened to the Taoist monk, and from then on, suppressed his arrogant ways. He became very mindful of his own actions and tried not to make mistakes. Everyday he put forth additional effort to do more good deeds and accumulate more merits. Three years later, he dreamed one night that he entered a very tall house, and saw a booklet that contained all the names of the applicants who passed the exam that year. He saw many blank lines. Unable to understand what it meant, he asked the person next to him,
Wei-Yan: What is this?
Liao-Fan: The person replied,
Person: This is the booklet that contains all the names of the applicants who passed the exam this year.
Liao-Fan: Wei-Yan asked,
Wei-Yan: Why does it have so many blank lines?
Liao-Fan: The person answered,
Person: The spirits of the underworld check on the applicants every three years. Only the names of those who practice kind deeds and do not make mistakes are allowed to appear in this booklet. The blank lines used to bear the names of those who were supposed to pass the exam, but due to their recent offenses, their names have been erased.
Liao-Fan: Then, pointing to a line, the person said:
Person: Ah-ha, for the past three years you have been very careful and have exerted such self-control that you haven't made any mistakes. Perhaps you should fill this blank. I hope you will cherish this opportunity and take care not to make any mistakes!
Liao-Fan: Sure enough, Wei-Yan passed the exam that year and placed 105th.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Bazi Daily - 17/05/2010
Star of Benevolence
(天德贵人 ~ Tian De Gui Ren)
People who carry the Star of Benevolence are :-
- kind-hearted and down-to-earth.
- They lead a life of stability, which is seldom met with obstacles.
- When the individual is female, she tends to be quiet, proper, virtuous, and capable.
- She can boost the fortune of her spouse and is likely to marry prosperously.
In the event that the Star of Benevolence encounters a conflict or suppression, the benefits it renders will be greatly lessened.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Learn to laugh at your troubles and you'll never run out of things to laugh at
39 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: I often went to take the exams accompanied by others, and every time I would meet scholars who were very poor. I noticed that before they succeeded in passing the exams and became prosperous, their faces showed such humility, peace, and harmony that I felt I could almost hold that quality in my hands.
Liao-Fan: Several years ago, I took my imperial exam in Beijing. Among the ten applicants from my village, Ching-Yu Ding was the youngest and extremely humble. I told one of the applicants, Jin-Po Fay; that this young man would definitely pass the exam this year. Jin-Po Fay asked,
Jin-Pol: How can you tell?
Liao-Fan: I said, 'Only those who are humble are qualified to receive fortune. My friend, look at the ten of us-, is there anyone as honest, generous, and never tries to come in first, as Ching-Yu? Do you see anyone who is always respectful, tolerant, careful and humble like Ching-Yu? Do you see anyone like Ching-Yu, who, when he is insulted, does not talk back, or who, when he is slandered, does not argue? Any person who can achieve such a level of humility will receive protection from the heaven, earth, and spirits. There is no reason he will not become prosperous.' Sure enough, when the test results came out, Ching-Yu Ding passed.
Liao-Fan: One year in Beijing, I was staying with my childhood friend, Kai-Zhi Fung. I noticed that he always carried himself in a humble way, and had a kind and accommodating appearance. He was not a bit arrogant, which was an immense change from his childhood ways. Kai-Zhi had a friend named Ji-Yen Li who was straightforward and honest. Ji-Yen often scolded him on his mistakes, but Kai-Zhi always accepted the accusations calmly without talking back. I told him, 'Just as there are signs which wam of coming misfortune, we can see that prosperity comes to those who have cultivated the cause for it. Heaven will help those whose hearts are humble. You, my friend, will definitely pass the imperial examination this year!". Later on, he indeed passed the exam.
Liao-Fan: There was a young man from San-tong Province named Yu-Fong Zhou who passed the first level of imperial examinations before he was even twenty. Unfortunately, try as he might, he could not pass the succeeding exams. When his father was moved to another post in the government, Yu-Fong went with him, and came to greatly admire a well-known scholar in that village named Min-Wu Chian. Yu-Fong brought his own essays to see this man. He had no idea that Mr. Chian would pick up his calligraphy brush and blot out his entire essay. Not only was YuFong not angry, he sincerely accepted all of Mr. Chian's corrections and immediately changed his paper accordingly. A young man who could be that humble and showed such willingness to improve himself was very rare indeed. The following year, YuFong passed the imperial examination.
Liao-Fan: One year, I went to the Capital to pay my respects to the Emperor. I met a scholar named Jian-Suo Hsia who had all the qualities of a great man without a trace of arrogance. I felt the intense aura of his virtue and humility all about him. When I returned home, I told my friend, "When heaven wants a person to prosper, it will first bestow him with wisdom. Wisdom can make a person honest and well-disciplined. Heaven has already bestowed Jian-Suo with wisdom, or he couldn't be that gentle, kind and good. Surely, heaven will now make him prosperous." Sure enough, when the test results came out, Jian-Suo passed the exam.
Liao-Fan: Several years ago, I took my imperial exam in Beijing. Among the ten applicants from my village, Ching-Yu Ding was the youngest and extremely humble. I told one of the applicants, Jin-Po Fay; that this young man would definitely pass the exam this year. Jin-Po Fay asked,
Jin-Pol: How can you tell?
Liao-Fan: I said, 'Only those who are humble are qualified to receive fortune. My friend, look at the ten of us-, is there anyone as honest, generous, and never tries to come in first, as Ching-Yu? Do you see anyone who is always respectful, tolerant, careful and humble like Ching-Yu? Do you see anyone like Ching-Yu, who, when he is insulted, does not talk back, or who, when he is slandered, does not argue? Any person who can achieve such a level of humility will receive protection from the heaven, earth, and spirits. There is no reason he will not become prosperous.' Sure enough, when the test results came out, Ching-Yu Ding passed.
Liao-Fan: One year in Beijing, I was staying with my childhood friend, Kai-Zhi Fung. I noticed that he always carried himself in a humble way, and had a kind and accommodating appearance. He was not a bit arrogant, which was an immense change from his childhood ways. Kai-Zhi had a friend named Ji-Yen Li who was straightforward and honest. Ji-Yen often scolded him on his mistakes, but Kai-Zhi always accepted the accusations calmly without talking back. I told him, 'Just as there are signs which wam of coming misfortune, we can see that prosperity comes to those who have cultivated the cause for it. Heaven will help those whose hearts are humble. You, my friend, will definitely pass the imperial examination this year!". Later on, he indeed passed the exam.
Liao-Fan: There was a young man from San-tong Province named Yu-Fong Zhou who passed the first level of imperial examinations before he was even twenty. Unfortunately, try as he might, he could not pass the succeeding exams. When his father was moved to another post in the government, Yu-Fong went with him, and came to greatly admire a well-known scholar in that village named Min-Wu Chian. Yu-Fong brought his own essays to see this man. He had no idea that Mr. Chian would pick up his calligraphy brush and blot out his entire essay. Not only was YuFong not angry, he sincerely accepted all of Mr. Chian's corrections and immediately changed his paper accordingly. A young man who could be that humble and showed such willingness to improve himself was very rare indeed. The following year, YuFong passed the imperial examination.
Liao-Fan: One year, I went to the Capital to pay my respects to the Emperor. I met a scholar named Jian-Suo Hsia who had all the qualities of a great man without a trace of arrogance. I felt the intense aura of his virtue and humility all about him. When I returned home, I told my friend, "When heaven wants a person to prosper, it will first bestow him with wisdom. Wisdom can make a person honest and well-disciplined. Heaven has already bestowed Jian-Suo with wisdom, or he couldn't be that gentle, kind and good. Surely, heaven will now make him prosperous." Sure enough, when the test results came out, Jian-Suo passed the exam.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Bazi Daily - 16/05/2010
Star of Benevolence
(天德贵人 ~ Tian De Gui Ren)
The skill of analysing Compound Stars is relatively easy as compared to the elemental analysis.
First of all, you need to identify the stars correctly. Next, you need to know whether the star is favorable or unfavorable to the DM. If it is favorable, all the postive traits of the star would surface, the converse is also true if the star is unfavorable.
Today, let's take a look of the Star of Benevolence.
Identifying Star of Benevolence :-
Determination: With Month Branch as focus, the respective appearances of any of the following heavenly stems or earthly branches signify the Star of Benevolence
Month Branch Stem / Branch
Yin （寅） Ding
Mao （卯） Shen
Chen （辰） Ren
Si （巳） Xin
Wu （午） Hai
Wei （未） Jia
Shen （申） Gui
You （酉） Yin
Xu （戌） Bing
Hai （亥） Yi
Zi （子） Si
Chou （丑） Geng
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back
学习如逆水行舟，不进则退。
38 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
The Fourth Lesson: The Benefit of the Virtue of Humility
Narrators: The third lesson taught us the ways to accumulate kind deeds. Naturally, it would be best ifpeople wouldpractice kindness, but as humans, we are social beings. It is impossible to not come in contact with others in society; therefore, it is important to know the ways to improve our persons in dealing with others. The best way to do this is tofollow the virtue of humility. A humble person in society receives support and trustftom the general public. If a person understands the virtue of humility, he is the person who also understands the importance of constant self improvement. This constant self improvement not only includes the searchfor higher knowledge, but also encompasses the need to be more humane, better performance in daily duties, and improved communication with ftiends. Many benefits and rewards resultftom behaving with an understanding of humility. Thislessonfocusesonthebenefit sofvirtueandhumilityprovenbyLiaoFan's own experiences. You will be greatly benefited ifyou can thoroughly contemplate and understand these teachings.
Liao-Fan: In the I-Ching Book of Change, the hexagram of Humility stated,
Narrator: The law of heaven takes from those who are arrogant and benefits those who are humble. The law of earth will not allow those who are conceited or selfcontent to always remain that way, but will bring change upon them. The humble will not wither, but shall be replenished, just as flowing water fills up lower places on the ground as it passes by, making up the differences. The law of spirits and gods bring harm to those who are arrogant and fortune to those who are humble. Even the laws of men despise the arrogant and like the humble.
Liao-Fan: Therefore, heaven, earth, spirits, gods, and people all prefer humility over arrogance. In the I-Ching Book of Change, the sixty four hexagrams talk about the constant changes and interactions of heaven and earth, ying and yang. The book teaches a person how to become more humane. Every hexagram contains both good and bad outcomes. The bad outcomes of a hexagram wam people to stop doing evil and to practice kind deeds. The good outcomes of a hexagram encourages people to diligently improve themselves and strive to be better. Only the Humility hexagram contains all good outcomes and no bad outcomes. The Chinese Book of History has also said,
Narrator: A person's arrogance will bring him harm; and his humbleness will bring him benefit.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Bazi Daily - 15/05/2010
Star of Aid
(天乙贵人 ~ Tian Yi Gui Ren)
Have you tried on your bazi to identify the Star of Aid. Don't worry if there is no Star of Aid in the natal chart, it will knock your door during the 10-yeasr Luck Pillar of Annual Luck Pillar.
When appears in the natal chart, below are some of the implications that you may want to take note :-
- Obtains assistance and promotion regularly throughout life.
- Others readily appear to lend a helping hand in times of difficulties and help resolve predicaments.
- A popular individual, he is clever and easy-going.
- He also receives appreciation and support easily.
- The individual will rarely fall sick too.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something”
37 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "loving and cherishing all living things"? We should know that a heart of compassion is what makes a man. Mencius once said:
Mencius: A man is not human if he does not feel compassion.
Liao-Fan: A person in search of the virtue of mercy and kindness looks out for his heart of compassion. A person who wants to accumulate merits also cultivates a compassionate heart. A person with compassion is a kind, virtuous, and merciful person, while one without compassion for others is unkind and without morals. It stated in The Ethical Code of the Chu Dynasty .
Narrator: In January, when most animals are bearing young, female species are not to be used for sacrificial purposes.
Liao-Fan: Mencius once said:
Narrator: A gentleman will not live near the kitchen.
Liao-Fan: This is to protect a compassionate heart, since a lot of slaughtering is done in the kitchen. Therefore, our forefathers did not eat meat under four circumstances: First is if they heard the killing, second is if they saw the killing, third is if the animal was raised by them, and fourth is if the animal was killed for their sake. If you are not vegetarian but wish to cultivate compassion, then you can learn from our ancestors by eating less meat.
Narrator: According to the Buddha's teachings, living beings are bom as animals as a result of having accumulated bad karma in their previous lives. After they pay their dues in retribution, they can be bom as humans again. If they are willing to cultivate as a man, they can even become Buddhas. The meat I eat today may be the flesh of a future Buddha. The animal we see today may have been a man in previous lives. It is then possible that this animal was my parent, wife, son, relatives or friends. Presently, I am human and they are animals. To kill and eat them would be making enemies of those I used to love.
If I eat them today, perhaps in the future they will become human again while I become an animal due to my sins of killing. In their revenge, I will have to undergo the same suffering of being killed and eaten. When we think thus, how dare we kill? How can we swallow a morsel of that flesh? Besides, even if the meat does taste good, the taste only lasts from the mouth to the throat. After we swallow, there is nothing left to taste. There is no difference between eating meat and vegetables, why would you want to kill when there's no good behind it?
Liao-Fan: Even if you cannot quit eating meat'altogether, you should still try to gradually reduce your meat intake until vegetarianism is accomplished. In this way, you can reach a higher state of compassion within your heart. We should refrain from killing any living creature, even insects. Man makes silk from the cocoons of silkworms. The cocoons have to be boiled in water first, with the silkworms inside. Think about it, how many silkworms lose their lives in the process?
When we cultivate the land for farming, how many insects have to be killed? Are you aware of the cost of lives involved in our everyday food and clothing? We kill to support ourselves. Therefore, we should be conservative and cherish the food and clothing we have. To waste them would create the same sin as killing. How often have we unknowingly harmed or stepped on a living creature? With a little awareness, we can prevent this from happening. Tung-pwo Su, a great poet from the Sung Dynasty once wrote.
Narrator: 'In love of the mice, we often leave him some rice; In pitying the moth, we won't light the lamp.'
Liao-Fan: What a kind and compassionate statement!
Liao-Fan: There are infinite types of goodness, I cannot mention them all. As long as you can expand on the ten previous categories, you can make them into a multitude of good deeds and virtues.
Mencius: A man is not human if he does not feel compassion.
Liao-Fan: A person in search of the virtue of mercy and kindness looks out for his heart of compassion. A person who wants to accumulate merits also cultivates a compassionate heart. A person with compassion is a kind, virtuous, and merciful person, while one without compassion for others is unkind and without morals. It stated in The Ethical Code of the Chu Dynasty .
Narrator: In January, when most animals are bearing young, female species are not to be used for sacrificial purposes.
Liao-Fan: Mencius once said:
Narrator: A gentleman will not live near the kitchen.
Liao-Fan: This is to protect a compassionate heart, since a lot of slaughtering is done in the kitchen. Therefore, our forefathers did not eat meat under four circumstances: First is if they heard the killing, second is if they saw the killing, third is if the animal was raised by them, and fourth is if the animal was killed for their sake. If you are not vegetarian but wish to cultivate compassion, then you can learn from our ancestors by eating less meat.
Narrator: According to the Buddha's teachings, living beings are bom as animals as a result of having accumulated bad karma in their previous lives. After they pay their dues in retribution, they can be bom as humans again. If they are willing to cultivate as a man, they can even become Buddhas. The meat I eat today may be the flesh of a future Buddha. The animal we see today may have been a man in previous lives. It is then possible that this animal was my parent, wife, son, relatives or friends. Presently, I am human and they are animals. To kill and eat them would be making enemies of those I used to love.
If I eat them today, perhaps in the future they will become human again while I become an animal due to my sins of killing. In their revenge, I will have to undergo the same suffering of being killed and eaten. When we think thus, how dare we kill? How can we swallow a morsel of that flesh? Besides, even if the meat does taste good, the taste only lasts from the mouth to the throat. After we swallow, there is nothing left to taste. There is no difference between eating meat and vegetables, why would you want to kill when there's no good behind it?
Liao-Fan: Even if you cannot quit eating meat'altogether, you should still try to gradually reduce your meat intake until vegetarianism is accomplished. In this way, you can reach a higher state of compassion within your heart. We should refrain from killing any living creature, even insects. Man makes silk from the cocoons of silkworms. The cocoons have to be boiled in water first, with the silkworms inside. Think about it, how many silkworms lose their lives in the process?
When we cultivate the land for farming, how many insects have to be killed? Are you aware of the cost of lives involved in our everyday food and clothing? We kill to support ourselves. Therefore, we should be conservative and cherish the food and clothing we have. To waste them would create the same sin as killing. How often have we unknowingly harmed or stepped on a living creature? With a little awareness, we can prevent this from happening. Tung-pwo Su, a great poet from the Sung Dynasty once wrote.
Narrator: 'In love of the mice, we often leave him some rice; In pitying the moth, we won't light the lamp.'
Liao-Fan: What a kind and compassionate statement!
Liao-Fan: There are infinite types of goodness, I cannot mention them all. As long as you can expand on the ten previous categories, you can make them into a multitude of good deeds and virtues.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Bazi Daily - 14/05/2010
Star of Aid
(天乙贵人 Tian Yi Gui Ren)
According to legends, Tian Yi is a deity held in high esteem, which all demons and ghouls fear. Thence since the beginning of time, all destiny-related scrolls and publications have regarded her to be the luckiest of all stars that resolves most predicaments. Therefore, it is believed that individuals who carry the Star of Aid in their eight characters will always receive assistance and promotion wherever they go.
First of all, let's examine how do we identify the Star of Aid :-
Determination: With Year Stem (年干) or Day Stem (日干) as focus, the respective appearances of the following earthly branches signify the Star of Aid
Yr Stem / DM Star of Aid
Jia, Wu, Geng 丑，未
Yi, Ji 子，申
Bing, Ding 亥，酉
Ren, Gui 卯，巳
Xin 寅，午
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We could learn a lot from crayons;
some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright,
some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box.
36 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "giving through donation"? In Buddhism, giving is considered foremost in all practices of kindness. When one truly understands the meaning of giving and is willing to give away all his worldly belongings, even to the point of donating parts from his own body, then he is walking the way of the Buddha. A person who understands this principle would be willing to give away anything, even to the point of donating his eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. For instance, in a past life, Shakyamuni Buddha offered his own body as food for a hungry tiger. One can also give away the sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dhanna. There is nothing a person cannot give away if he or she's willing. If a person can do this, then he is on his way to gaining purity of mind and body. He will have no worries or afflictions, just like the Buddha. When we find ourselves unable to give away everything, we can start by donating money. Worldly people treat their clothing and food as dearly as their lives. Therefore, monetary donation is most important for them. When we practice giving without hesitation, we can cure miserliness and at the same time help others in need. However, it is not an easy thing to do. It's a difficult.task at first, but will become natural the more we give. From cultivating giving, peace of mind can be attained, and then there is nothing you cannot give away. This is the best way to cure a bad case of selfishness and an opportunity to change our attitudes toward money and worldly possessions.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "protecting the proper teachings"? For millions of years, the proper teachings of religion has been a standard of truth and a spiritual guide for all living beings. If we don't have good doctrines, how can we join in and support the interplay of heaven and earth? How can people of all walks of life succeed in their endeavors without a standard to live by? How would we be able to escape from delusion and life's bondages? How would we create and arrange worldly affairs and transcend the cycle of birth and death? These all depend on good and proper teachings as the lighted path. Therefore, whenever you see temples, memorials of past saints or sages, pictures of sages, or Buddhist texts, you should be respectftil. If they are in need of repair, you should repair and put them back in order. We should especially tell people about the teachings of Buddha and widely spread the proper teachings. We should let others know of its value, in this way we are also showing our gratitude towards the Buddhas and sages. We need to do all we can to make this goal come true.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "respecting our elders"? We should make an extra effort in showing our attention and respect towards parents, elder siblings, the governor, our superiors, or any elders of high virtue, prestige, and leaming. When taking care of parents at home, we should do it with love in our hearts and a gentle, accommodating appearance. We should not raise our voice but maintain a peaceful bearing. As we cultivate these virtues, they will become a part of us, and we will change into a mild-mannered person. This is the way we can touch the hearts of heaven and evoke a response. When carrying out deeds for our superiors or the government, we should follow the rules even when we aren't obliged to. We shouldn't try to slack offjust because our superiors don't know what we are doing. Before we convict someone of a crime, regardless of whether the crime is serious or not, we should investigate carefully and handle the case with justice. We should not abuse the power and rights given to us by our superiors.
Narrator: When you face the emperor, you should respect him with the same respect as if you were facing the heavens. This is the correct behavior handed down from our ancestors. It has a direct and important effect on your hidden goodness.
Liao-Fan: Look at all the families who practiced loyalty and filial piety. Their descendants prosper for a long time and have bright futures. Therefore, we should follow their example and practice with caution.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "protecting the proper teachings"? For millions of years, the proper teachings of religion has been a standard of truth and a spiritual guide for all living beings. If we don't have good doctrines, how can we join in and support the interplay of heaven and earth? How can people of all walks of life succeed in their endeavors without a standard to live by? How would we be able to escape from delusion and life's bondages? How would we create and arrange worldly affairs and transcend the cycle of birth and death? These all depend on good and proper teachings as the lighted path. Therefore, whenever you see temples, memorials of past saints or sages, pictures of sages, or Buddhist texts, you should be respectftil. If they are in need of repair, you should repair and put them back in order. We should especially tell people about the teachings of Buddha and widely spread the proper teachings. We should let others know of its value, in this way we are also showing our gratitude towards the Buddhas and sages. We need to do all we can to make this goal come true.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "respecting our elders"? We should make an extra effort in showing our attention and respect towards parents, elder siblings, the governor, our superiors, or any elders of high virtue, prestige, and leaming. When taking care of parents at home, we should do it with love in our hearts and a gentle, accommodating appearance. We should not raise our voice but maintain a peaceful bearing. As we cultivate these virtues, they will become a part of us, and we will change into a mild-mannered person. This is the way we can touch the hearts of heaven and evoke a response. When carrying out deeds for our superiors or the government, we should follow the rules even when we aren't obliged to. We shouldn't try to slack offjust because our superiors don't know what we are doing. Before we convict someone of a crime, regardless of whether the crime is serious or not, we should investigate carefully and handle the case with justice. We should not abuse the power and rights given to us by our superiors.
Narrator: When you face the emperor, you should respect him with the same respect as if you were facing the heavens. This is the correct behavior handed down from our ancestors. It has a direct and important effect on your hidden goodness.
Liao-Fan: Look at all the families who practiced loyalty and filial piety. Their descendants prosper for a long time and have bright futures. Therefore, we should follow their example and practice with caution.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Bazi Daily - 13/05/2010
So far, I have completed sharing the information on DISC Personality Types & its association with the Theory of 10 Deities. I would like to confess the fact that it would be quite boring if one doesn't persevere and could not see the relevant between both the theory.
Anyway, from today onwards, I shall be sharing with you on the Theory of Compound Stars (神杀).
What is Compound Stars?
Compound stars are not spirits or gods. In fact, they are the fruits of years of our ancestors’ research and labour that can specifically determine if something is promising or ominous.
Compound stars or otherwise known as symbolic stars (Shen Sha) describe fixed configurations of heavenly stems and earthly branches, which are either auspicious or inauspicious.
In Chinese culture, Shen are deemed lucky stars while Sha are unlucky ones.
There are many types of compound stars. Among which, I shall introduce the more commonly used ones which include :-
1. Star of Aid (Tian Yi Gui Ren ~ 天乙贵人)
2. Star of Benevolence (Tian De 天德贵人)
3. Star of Kindness (Yue De Gui Ren 月德贵人)
4. Academic Star (Wen Chang Gui Ren ~ 文昌贵人)
5. Star of Romance (Tao Hua ~ 桃花)
6. Star of Arts (Hua Gai ~ 华盖)
7. Voyager Star (Yi Ma ~ 驿马)
8. Commanding Star (Jiang Xing ~ 将星)
9. Star of Aggression (Yang Ren ~ 羊刃)
10. Star of Prospects (Shi Gan Lu ~ 十干禄)
Anyway, from today onwards, I shall be sharing with you on the Theory of Compound Stars (神杀).
What is Compound Stars?
Compound stars are not spirits or gods. In fact, they are the fruits of years of our ancestors’ research and labour that can specifically determine if something is promising or ominous.
Compound stars or otherwise known as symbolic stars (Shen Sha) describe fixed configurations of heavenly stems and earthly branches, which are either auspicious or inauspicious.
In Chinese culture, Shen are deemed lucky stars while Sha are unlucky ones.
There are many types of compound stars. Among which, I shall introduce the more commonly used ones which include :-
1. Star of Aid (Tian Yi Gui Ren ~ 天乙贵人)
2. Star of Benevolence (Tian De 天德贵人)
3. Star of Kindness (Yue De Gui Ren 月德贵人)
4. Academic Star (Wen Chang Gui Ren ~ 文昌贵人)
5. Star of Romance (Tao Hua ~ 桃花)
6. Star of Arts (Hua Gai ~ 华盖)
7. Voyager Star (Yi Ma ~ 驿马)
8. Commanding Star (Jiang Xing ~ 将星)
9. Star of Aggression (Yang Ren ~ 羊刃)
10. Star of Prospects (Shi Gan Lu ~ 十干禄)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain”
35 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "persuading others to practice kindness"? As humans, we all have a conscience, but chasing after wealth and fame has kept us constantly busy and forgetful of our good conscience. We have become willing to stoop very low as long there is something to be gained from it. When a friend is about to ignore his good conscience to do something unworthy, we must remind and wam him, hoping to wake him from his muddled state of mind. It is like waking up someone when they're having a nightmare, it is up to us shake them into reality. When a person is undergoing a long spell of depression, we have to pull him out of it and help him clear his mind. You are most virtuous if you can treat your friends with such kindness. A scholar named Han once said:
Scholar Han: By word of mouth, one can only persuade and influence another momentarily. It is easily forgotten with the passing of time and events. No one else would have heard what you have said. If you can persuade and influence others through written works, your words can be passed on for hundreds of generations around the world. Therefore, writing to promote virtue is an act of great speech, and is a most virtuous deed.
Liao-Fan: Here we talked about how we can persuade others by word of mouth and by writing books to promote virtue. Compared with the previous category of helping others to succeed, this is much more direct and obvious. However, the treatment of an illness with the right medicine sometimes proves to have special effects- therefore, we should not give up. It is also important how we do it. For instance, if a person is too stubborn, you should not persuade him with words. If you do, then you are wasting both your words and energy. If a person is gentle and willing to listen, but you fail to persuade him, then you have just missed a golden opportunity to do good. Either way is because you are not wise enough to tell the difference. You should then reflect to see what you did wrong so next time you will do it right and won't waste any more words or lose another opportunity.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "helping those in desperate need"? During one's lifetime, a person often will suffer from serious problems, financial troubles, or separation from loved ones. If we meet someone like that, we should help that person as if we are the one who is experiencing the suffering. We should immediately come to his aid. If a person has been wrongly accused or convicted, we should plead for this person's innocence as well as aid him in any way we can. Scholar Suai once said,
Scholar Suai: It does not matter whether a favor is big or small-, what counts is that it's done at a time when others need it most.
Liao-Fan: What humane words!
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "developing public projects for the greater benefit of the people"? Small construction works are needed for villages and big construction jobs are needed for cities. Public projects are anything that needs to be constructed for the public welfare, such as: irrigation systems for farm lands, dams, bridges, or giving food and water to those who are hungry or.thirsty. Whenever you have the opportunity, you need to persuade others to put out their share of effort as well. Even when others slander or talk behind your back, you should not be deterred. Don't be afraid of what others might say about you, and don't get scared when the job gets tough. You should not let people's jealousy and hatred shake your resolve to do kind deeds.
Scholar Han: By word of mouth, one can only persuade and influence another momentarily. It is easily forgotten with the passing of time and events. No one else would have heard what you have said. If you can persuade and influence others through written works, your words can be passed on for hundreds of generations around the world. Therefore, writing to promote virtue is an act of great speech, and is a most virtuous deed.
Liao-Fan: Here we talked about how we can persuade others by word of mouth and by writing books to promote virtue. Compared with the previous category of helping others to succeed, this is much more direct and obvious. However, the treatment of an illness with the right medicine sometimes proves to have special effects- therefore, we should not give up. It is also important how we do it. For instance, if a person is too stubborn, you should not persuade him with words. If you do, then you are wasting both your words and energy. If a person is gentle and willing to listen, but you fail to persuade him, then you have just missed a golden opportunity to do good. Either way is because you are not wise enough to tell the difference. You should then reflect to see what you did wrong so next time you will do it right and won't waste any more words or lose another opportunity.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "helping those in desperate need"? During one's lifetime, a person often will suffer from serious problems, financial troubles, or separation from loved ones. If we meet someone like that, we should help that person as if we are the one who is experiencing the suffering. We should immediately come to his aid. If a person has been wrongly accused or convicted, we should plead for this person's innocence as well as aid him in any way we can. Scholar Suai once said,
Scholar Suai: It does not matter whether a favor is big or small-, what counts is that it's done at a time when others need it most.
Liao-Fan: What humane words!
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "developing public projects for the greater benefit of the people"? Small construction works are needed for villages and big construction jobs are needed for cities. Public projects are anything that needs to be constructed for the public welfare, such as: irrigation systems for farm lands, dams, bridges, or giving food and water to those who are hungry or.thirsty. Whenever you have the opportunity, you need to persuade others to put out their share of effort as well. Even when others slander or talk behind your back, you should not be deterred. Don't be afraid of what others might say about you, and don't get scared when the job gets tough. You should not let people's jealousy and hatred shake your resolve to do kind deeds.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bazi Daily - 12/05/2010
八字缺少印星的人，其住宅后面有沟，
或地势地平、无山、无房子、高楼、高建筑物。。。
Literal Translation & Interpretation
In the previous posting, I mentioned that Resource Deity can be used to represent the support to DM. If we were to stretch & expand our imaginery mind further, it can also be used to represent the 'backing', either to our career or our house unit.
Accordingly, in term of career,
With Reource Deity (favorable) = with good support
With Resource Deity (but not favorable) = with bad support :(
Without Resource Deity = without support or the support is at it minimal.
And in term of physical surrounding,without Resource Deity, it may mean that there is no 'backing' behind the house. That is there is no high rise building behind the unit, or it can also be a piece of flat land behind the unit.
Personally, I live in Singapore with a lot of high rise buildings. It may be difficult to apply it in our context. For those that stay in landed property, you may want to examine it and share with us :)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.
Mark Twain
34 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "harboring love and respect for others"? Sometimes it is hard to tell from appearance whether a person is a gentleman or a scoundrel, since scoundrels can pretend to be gentlemen. The difference lies in their intentions-. A gentleman's intentions are good, and a scoundrel's intentions are wicked. There is a great distance between the two, and they are as different as black and white. Mencius has said,
Mencius: The difference between gentlemen and common people lies in their intentions.
Liao-Fan: A gentleman's heart is only filled with love and respect for others. There are thousands of different types of people in this world, some close to us, some strangers, some in high class and some in low, some sman while others are not, and some virtuous and some sinful, but nevertheless, they are our fellow mankind. They are like us, alive in flesh and blood, and they have feelings. There isn't a single person whom I should hate and disrespect. When your hearts are full of love and respect for others, it is the same as if your heart is full of love and respect for the saints and sages. When you understand others, it is the same as if you understand the saints and sages. Why?
Narrator: Because all the saints and sages want the people on this earth to lead happy, productive lives.
Liao-Fan: Therefore, if we can love and respect people and make them peaceful and happy, we are doing the job of a saint or sage.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "helping others to succeed"? If we cast away raw jade, then this stone would be like any other worthless stone. But if we were to carve and polish it, it could be transformed into a priceless jewel. It is the same with people. A person needs to be taught and guided, just as a jade needs to be carved and polished. When we see someone whom we feel has good potentials doing a good deed or working towards a proper goal, we should guide, support, praise, and encourage him, helping him succeed in his endeavors. If he is ever wrongly accused by another, you should try to clear his name and share his burden of slander. Only when you have helped him stand on his feet and be a part of good society would you have fulfilled your share of responsibility in helping others to succeed.
Liao-Fan: Most people dislike those who are different from them, such as a scoundrel versus a gentleman, and a bad person versus a good person. In villages, there are usually more bad people than virtuous ones. Since there are always more bad people around, a good person is often being taken advantage of, therefore a good person often has a hard time standing on his own. Frankness and modesty are the usual characteristics of good people, they do not care much for their appearance. On the other hand, an average uneducated person often only pays attention to another's outer appearance. They like to gossip and make accusations" so, striving to do good turns out to be quite a challenge. A good person can easily be wrongly accused. When this happens, it is entirely up to the goodness and virtue of an elder to correct the actions of those who are bad and guide them back to the right track. It is also up to these elders to protect and help those who are good and need to stand on their own. The highest merit is achieved by those who can preserve good and rid evil.
Mencius: The difference between gentlemen and common people lies in their intentions.
Liao-Fan: A gentleman's heart is only filled with love and respect for others. There are thousands of different types of people in this world, some close to us, some strangers, some in high class and some in low, some sman while others are not, and some virtuous and some sinful, but nevertheless, they are our fellow mankind. They are like us, alive in flesh and blood, and they have feelings. There isn't a single person whom I should hate and disrespect. When your hearts are full of love and respect for others, it is the same as if your heart is full of love and respect for the saints and sages. When you understand others, it is the same as if you understand the saints and sages. Why?
Narrator: Because all the saints and sages want the people on this earth to lead happy, productive lives.
Liao-Fan: Therefore, if we can love and respect people and make them peaceful and happy, we are doing the job of a saint or sage.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "helping others to succeed"? If we cast away raw jade, then this stone would be like any other worthless stone. But if we were to carve and polish it, it could be transformed into a priceless jewel. It is the same with people. A person needs to be taught and guided, just as a jade needs to be carved and polished. When we see someone whom we feel has good potentials doing a good deed or working towards a proper goal, we should guide, support, praise, and encourage him, helping him succeed in his endeavors. If he is ever wrongly accused by another, you should try to clear his name and share his burden of slander. Only when you have helped him stand on his feet and be a part of good society would you have fulfilled your share of responsibility in helping others to succeed.
Liao-Fan: Most people dislike those who are different from them, such as a scoundrel versus a gentleman, and a bad person versus a good person. In villages, there are usually more bad people than virtuous ones. Since there are always more bad people around, a good person is often being taken advantage of, therefore a good person often has a hard time standing on his own. Frankness and modesty are the usual characteristics of good people, they do not care much for their appearance. On the other hand, an average uneducated person often only pays attention to another's outer appearance. They like to gossip and make accusations" so, striving to do good turns out to be quite a challenge. A good person can easily be wrongly accused. When this happens, it is entirely up to the goodness and virtue of an elder to correct the actions of those who are bad and guide them back to the right track. It is also up to these elders to protect and help those who are good and need to stand on their own. The highest merit is achieved by those who can preserve good and rid evil.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Bazi Daily - 11/05/2010
八字印星弱或不见的人，与母亲缘薄、无靠山，与长辈、上司的缘分薄，难获得提拔。
Literal Translation & Interpretation
In the event where the DM is weak, Resource Deity is needed to support (i.e. enhance the energy of) DM.
Who will give us the necessary 'support' that we need? Essentially, this include : mother, teacher, superior, noble man,.... the list can goes on.
In this respect, if the Resource Deity is favorable, we can expect to recieve help and assistance from those group of people.
The reverse is also true if there is no sign (or weak) of Resource Deity in the chart. If that is the case, never offend them.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
But now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma,
a harmless enigma that is made terrible by
our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.
Umberto Eco
33 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: I have only explained the above ten categories in summary, now I will explain each in detail and example:
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "supporting the practice of kindness"? In the Yu Dynasty, there once was an emperor by the name of Shwun. One day, before he became emperor, Shwun was watching some fishermen on Lake Lei-ze. He noticed that all the younger and stronger fishermen took the spots where the water was deep and the fish were abundant, while the older and weaker fishermen were left with the rapids and shallow water, where there were very few fish. When Shwun saw this situation, he felt sympathy for the older and weaker fishermen, and thought of a way turn the situation around. He decided to join in the fishing party to set an example for the others. Whenever he saw fishermen plunder good fishing spots, he would conceal their faults and never even spoke of that their selfishness. When he saw those who were humble and yielding, he praised them everywhere he went and even followed their humble and polite ways. Shwun stayed and fished like this for a whole year until the other fishermen got into the habit of yielding good fishing spots to others.
Narrator: This story of Shwun is only an example to show how a person influences others through his actions, and not through his speech. It is not meant to encourage people to fish, because fishing is an act of killing. Please refrain from sports which take the lives of others.
Liao-Fan: A wise and intelligent man such as Shwun could have easily influenced others with a few words of advice. Why didn't he just say something instead of personally joining the gathering? You should understand that Shwun didn't want to use words, but preferred to set an example for others through his own actions. Shwun wanted those fishermen to feel ashamed of their own selfish behavior and change on their own accord. This really shows how deep and sincere Shwun's wish was for others to practice kindness.
Liao-Fan: In today's era of low morality, social breakdown, and loss of proper thinking, it is most difficult to find a good standard of behavior. Therefore, when those around us have shortcomings, we should not use our good points to highlight their deficiencies. When the other person is unkind, we should not use our kindness to measure or compare ourselves to them. When others are not as capable as we are, we should not purposely surpass them with our abilities. Even when we are intelligent and competent, these skills should be kept hidden and not boasted of Instead, we should behave even more humbly than ever. We should look upon our skills and abilities as unimportant, false, and unreal. When someone makes a mistake, we should tolerate it and conceal it, giving them a chance to reform without losing their self-respect. When we let the person keep his dignity, he will be even more careful of his actions in the future.
When we see strengths and kindness in others, we should learn from them, praise them, and make their goodness known to others. In daily life, we should refrain from speaking and acting with selfish intentions, but instead seek to benefit society and the public. We can make beneficial laws and regulations for the public to follow. These are the qualities of a great man, since he thinks of the public welfare as more important than his own.
Liao-Fan: What is meant by "supporting the practice of kindness"? In the Yu Dynasty, there once was an emperor by the name of Shwun. One day, before he became emperor, Shwun was watching some fishermen on Lake Lei-ze. He noticed that all the younger and stronger fishermen took the spots where the water was deep and the fish were abundant, while the older and weaker fishermen were left with the rapids and shallow water, where there were very few fish. When Shwun saw this situation, he felt sympathy for the older and weaker fishermen, and thought of a way turn the situation around. He decided to join in the fishing party to set an example for the others. Whenever he saw fishermen plunder good fishing spots, he would conceal their faults and never even spoke of that their selfishness. When he saw those who were humble and yielding, he praised them everywhere he went and even followed their humble and polite ways. Shwun stayed and fished like this for a whole year until the other fishermen got into the habit of yielding good fishing spots to others.
Narrator: This story of Shwun is only an example to show how a person influences others through his actions, and not through his speech. It is not meant to encourage people to fish, because fishing is an act of killing. Please refrain from sports which take the lives of others.
Liao-Fan: A wise and intelligent man such as Shwun could have easily influenced others with a few words of advice. Why didn't he just say something instead of personally joining the gathering? You should understand that Shwun didn't want to use words, but preferred to set an example for others through his own actions. Shwun wanted those fishermen to feel ashamed of their own selfish behavior and change on their own accord. This really shows how deep and sincere Shwun's wish was for others to practice kindness.
Liao-Fan: In today's era of low morality, social breakdown, and loss of proper thinking, it is most difficult to find a good standard of behavior. Therefore, when those around us have shortcomings, we should not use our good points to highlight their deficiencies. When the other person is unkind, we should not use our kindness to measure or compare ourselves to them. When others are not as capable as we are, we should not purposely surpass them with our abilities. Even when we are intelligent and competent, these skills should be kept hidden and not boasted of Instead, we should behave even more humbly than ever. We should look upon our skills and abilities as unimportant, false, and unreal. When someone makes a mistake, we should tolerate it and conceal it, giving them a chance to reform without losing their self-respect. When we let the person keep his dignity, he will be even more careful of his actions in the future.
When we see strengths and kindness in others, we should learn from them, praise them, and make their goodness known to others. In daily life, we should refrain from speaking and acting with selfish intentions, but instead seek to benefit society and the public. We can make beneficial laws and regulations for the public to follow. These are the qualities of a great man, since he thinks of the public welfare as more important than his own.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Bazi Daily - 10/05/2010
八字缺少印星的人，生病时，不愿吃药或看医生。
Literal Translation & Interpretation
The above is an interesting one. It states that :
In the absence of Resource Deity (especially Primary Resource Deity), the person doesn't wish to seek medical consultation or refuse to take medicine (until & unless it is severe).
Of course, for the learning purpose, you may want to know why it is so :)
Resource Deity represents mother, taking good care of child (i.e. DM). Hence, DM with reasonably strong Resource Deity can be very mother & patient (apply to male DM as well) and is able to take good care of health.
Conversely, in the absence of Resource Deity (taking good care), it is also true!
Go & try it out....
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
William James
32 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: The sixth category is 'developing public projects for the greater benefit of the people':
Narrator: Projects which will bring great benefit to the public usually have to be performed by those with great influence and power. If a person has this capacity, such as rebuilding the water system or assisting a disaster area, then he ought to do it for the benefit of the general public. Those without such influence and power can do great deeds, too. For example, when one sees a small leak in the dam, one can use pebbles and dirt to stop the water and prevent disastrous flooding. Though this act may be small, the effect will not go unnoticed.
Liao-Fan: The seventh category is 'giving through donation'.
Narrator: People of this world love, seek, and even die for money. Who is actually willing to help others by giving their own money away? When we recognize the difficulty involved in donation, we can come to appreciate the rarity of the man who is willing to give for the purpose of helping others in need. He is an even greater man in the eyes of the poor. According to the law of cause and effect, 'those who give will in turn receive', and 'those who refuse to give will not receive'. When we cultivate one share of kindness, we will receive one share of fortune, there is no need to worry about having nothing left when we give to help others.
Liao-Fan: The eighth category is 'protecting the proper teachings':
Narrator: This is referring to the teachings of different religions. We must be able to differentiate between proper religions and deviant religions, and between proper teachings and deviant teachings. The teachings of deviant religions do great harm to people's minds and hearts, and naturally should be abolished. On the other hand, teachings with proper wisdom and views, such as that of Buddhism, which promotes kindness and goodness in society, should be supported. If one happens to see others in the act of destroying such proper teachings, one must put forth a complete effort to protect and uphold these teachings.
Liao-Fan: The ninth category is 'respecting our elders':
Narrator: Anyone who is deeply learned, knowledgeable, has high prestige, or is older than us is considered to be an elder, and should be highly regarded and respected.
Liao-Fan: The tenth category is 'loving and cherishing all living things':
Narrator: We should feel sympathy for all living creatures, even the tiny ants, who know of suffering and are afraid to die. How can we kill and eat living beings and not feel the least sorry? Some people even say that these things were meant for human consumption, but there is no logic in this argument, and it is only an excuse for those who desire meat.
Narrator: Projects which will bring great benefit to the public usually have to be performed by those with great influence and power. If a person has this capacity, such as rebuilding the water system or assisting a disaster area, then he ought to do it for the benefit of the general public. Those without such influence and power can do great deeds, too. For example, when one sees a small leak in the dam, one can use pebbles and dirt to stop the water and prevent disastrous flooding. Though this act may be small, the effect will not go unnoticed.
Liao-Fan: The seventh category is 'giving through donation'.
Narrator: People of this world love, seek, and even die for money. Who is actually willing to help others by giving their own money away? When we recognize the difficulty involved in donation, we can come to appreciate the rarity of the man who is willing to give for the purpose of helping others in need. He is an even greater man in the eyes of the poor. According to the law of cause and effect, 'those who give will in turn receive', and 'those who refuse to give will not receive'. When we cultivate one share of kindness, we will receive one share of fortune, there is no need to worry about having nothing left when we give to help others.
Liao-Fan: The eighth category is 'protecting the proper teachings':
Narrator: This is referring to the teachings of different religions. We must be able to differentiate between proper religions and deviant religions, and between proper teachings and deviant teachings. The teachings of deviant religions do great harm to people's minds and hearts, and naturally should be abolished. On the other hand, teachings with proper wisdom and views, such as that of Buddhism, which promotes kindness and goodness in society, should be supported. If one happens to see others in the act of destroying such proper teachings, one must put forth a complete effort to protect and uphold these teachings.
Liao-Fan: The ninth category is 'respecting our elders':
Narrator: Anyone who is deeply learned, knowledgeable, has high prestige, or is older than us is considered to be an elder, and should be highly regarded and respected.
Liao-Fan: The tenth category is 'loving and cherishing all living things':
Narrator: We should feel sympathy for all living creatures, even the tiny ants, who know of suffering and are afraid to die. How can we kill and eat living beings and not feel the least sorry? Some people even say that these things were meant for human consumption, but there is no logic in this argument, and it is only an excuse for those who desire meat.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Bazi Daily - 09/05/2010
Below are the shortcomings of Primary Resources :-
- Avid reader, but inflexible
- Although imbued with awareness, but easily disassociates from reality, immersing in unrealistic fantasies
- Introverted and stubborn, obdurate, has difficulty accepting new things & concepts
- Unable to be realistic and adjust self to face reality
- Conceited, disdains money, poor financial management
- Sensitive about own reputation, often makes empty boasts or claims
- Benign, not keen observer of others, hence is easily snubbed
- Avid reader, but inflexible
- Although imbued with awareness, but easily disassociates from reality, immersing in unrealistic fantasies
- Introverted and stubborn, obdurate, has difficulty accepting new things & concepts
- Unable to be realistic and adjust self to face reality
- Conceited, disdains money, poor financial management
- Sensitive about own reputation, often makes empty boasts or claims
- Benign, not keen observer of others, hence is easily snubbed
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
31 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: In being a moral person and dealing with affairs, we should help others whenever the opportunity presents itself You should know that helping others is not such an easy task, and that there are many ways to do it. In short, the ways of helping others can be simplified into ten important categories. The first is 'supporting the practice of kindness':
Narrator: When we see people trying to do a little kindness, we should assist them in their deeds and help their kindness grow. When we see others who wish to do good but cannot accomplish it on their own, we should lend a hand and help them succeed. This is the way we can cultivate 'supporting the practice of kindness'.
Liao-Fan: The second category is 'harboring love and respect':
Narrator: We should harbor respect towards those who are more knowledgeable, older, or of higher status than we are. For those who are younger, less fortunate, or lower status, we should harbor a mind of loving care.
Liao-Fan: The third category is 'helping others succeed':
Narrator: When we see a person who is considering whether or not to do a good deed, we should persuade him to put all his effort into doing it. When others meet with difficulties in practicing kindness, we should help think of ways to overcome the difficulty and guide them to success. We must not be jealous at the accomplishments of others, nor try to sabotage their good acts.
Liao-Fan: The fourth category is 'persuading others to practice kindness':
Narrator: When we meet a person who is doing evil, we should tell him that doing evil will only result in great suffering and painful retribution, and that he should avoid doing so at all costs. We should tell people who refuse to practice kindness or are only willing to practice a little kindness, that doing kind deeds will definitely have its rewards, and that kindness not only has to be cultivated, but must be cultivated constantly and on a large scale.
Liao-Fan: The fifth category is 'helping those in desperate need'.
Narrator: Most people tend to give when there is no need to give and refuse to give when there really is a need. When we meet people who are in great difficulties, emergencies, or dangers, we should lend them a hand and help in whatever way we can to bring them out of their difficult times. The merits accrued from helping others in times of desperate need are boundless indeed. However, one should not become proud and concited for doing such deeds.
Narrator: When we see people trying to do a little kindness, we should assist them in their deeds and help their kindness grow. When we see others who wish to do good but cannot accomplish it on their own, we should lend a hand and help them succeed. This is the way we can cultivate 'supporting the practice of kindness'.
Liao-Fan: The second category is 'harboring love and respect':
Narrator: We should harbor respect towards those who are more knowledgeable, older, or of higher status than we are. For those who are younger, less fortunate, or lower status, we should harbor a mind of loving care.
Liao-Fan: The third category is 'helping others succeed':
Narrator: When we see a person who is considering whether or not to do a good deed, we should persuade him to put all his effort into doing it. When others meet with difficulties in practicing kindness, we should help think of ways to overcome the difficulty and guide them to success. We must not be jealous at the accomplishments of others, nor try to sabotage their good acts.
Liao-Fan: The fourth category is 'persuading others to practice kindness':
Narrator: When we meet a person who is doing evil, we should tell him that doing evil will only result in great suffering and painful retribution, and that he should avoid doing so at all costs. We should tell people who refuse to practice kindness or are only willing to practice a little kindness, that doing kind deeds will definitely have its rewards, and that kindness not only has to be cultivated, but must be cultivated constantly and on a large scale.
Liao-Fan: The fifth category is 'helping those in desperate need'.
Narrator: Most people tend to give when there is no need to give and refuse to give when there really is a need. When we meet people who are in great difficulties, emergencies, or dangers, we should lend them a hand and help in whatever way we can to bring them out of their difficult times. The merits accrued from helping others in times of desperate need are boundless indeed. However, one should not become proud and concited for doing such deeds.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Bazi Daily - 08/05/2010
Below are the Merits of Primary Resource Deity when it is favorable to DM. You may want to compare it with S Personality Type.
- Maturity, dignity, understanding and self-control
- Intelligent, high-morale, with ideals, with awareness
- Benevolent, of elegant disposition, values moral cultivation
- Above worldly concerns & thus conceited, disdains socializing with villains
- Values human relations, magnanimous, has the capacity to return evil with kindness
- Placid & refined, values integrity, of noble sentiment
- Passionate about culture, pursues knowledge, has rich analytical powers
- Works steadily, with proper judgement, patient, trusted by many.
- Maturity, dignity, understanding and self-control
- Intelligent, high-morale, with ideals, with awareness
- Benevolent, of elegant disposition, values moral cultivation
- Above worldly concerns & thus conceited, disdains socializing with villains
- Values human relations, magnanimous, has the capacity to return evil with kindness
- Placid & refined, values integrity, of noble sentiment
- Passionate about culture, pursues knowledge, has rich analytical powers
- Works steadily, with proper judgement, patient, trusted by many.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.
Charles Darwin
30 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: What is difficult goodness and easy goodness? The knowledgeable scholars of the past used to say:
Scholar: When one wishes to conquer one's greed and desires, one should start with the most difficult to overcome.
Liao-Fan: Fan-chr, a student of Confucius, once asked his teacher how to cultivate one's humanity to its fullest. Confucius replied, "Start with what's most difficult to practice". What Confucius meant by the most difficult, was to sever the selfish mind, and one should practice that by conquering what is most difficult for oneself to conquer. We should practice like the old teacher, Mr. Su of Chiangshi, who gave two years worth of salary to a poor family who owed money to the government. Thus he saved them from being tom apart should the husband be taken to prison.
Liao-Fan: Another example is Mr. Jang from Her-bei:
Narrator: Mr. Jang saw an extremely poor man who had to mortgage his wife and child, and had no money for their redemption. If he was unable to pay for their return, the mother and child could both lose their lives.
Liao-Fan: Therefore, Mr. Jang gave his ten years of savings to the poor man so the family could be reunited.
Narrator: Such examples as Mr. Su and Mr. Jang are rare, for they have given what is most difficult to give, and what others could not sacrifice, they did so willingly.
Liao-Fan: Another example is Mr. Jin from Chiangsu Province. He was old and without any sons, so his neighbor offered their young daughter in marriage to him, to give him descendants to carry on his lineage. But Mr. Jin could not bear to ruin the otherwise bright and long future of this young girl, and so refused the offer and sent her back home.
Narrator: This is another example of being able to overcome what is most difficult to conquer in oneself. Therefore, the heavens showered down fortune which was especially good for these three old men. [Liao-Fan]: It is easier to accumulate merit and virtue for those who have money and power than for those who are poor. But if one refuses to cultivate kindness even when it's easy and when one has the chance to do so, then it would truly be a shame. For those who are poor and without prestige, doing kind things for others is a great difficulty-, but if in this difficulty one can still manage to help others, then it is a great virtue, and the merits gained would be boundless.
Scholar: When one wishes to conquer one's greed and desires, one should start with the most difficult to overcome.
Liao-Fan: Fan-chr, a student of Confucius, once asked his teacher how to cultivate one's humanity to its fullest. Confucius replied, "Start with what's most difficult to practice". What Confucius meant by the most difficult, was to sever the selfish mind, and one should practice that by conquering what is most difficult for oneself to conquer. We should practice like the old teacher, Mr. Su of Chiangshi, who gave two years worth of salary to a poor family who owed money to the government. Thus he saved them from being tom apart should the husband be taken to prison.
Liao-Fan: Another example is Mr. Jang from Her-bei:
Narrator: Mr. Jang saw an extremely poor man who had to mortgage his wife and child, and had no money for their redemption. If he was unable to pay for their return, the mother and child could both lose their lives.
Liao-Fan: Therefore, Mr. Jang gave his ten years of savings to the poor man so the family could be reunited.
Narrator: Such examples as Mr. Su and Mr. Jang are rare, for they have given what is most difficult to give, and what others could not sacrifice, they did so willingly.
Liao-Fan: Another example is Mr. Jin from Chiangsu Province. He was old and without any sons, so his neighbor offered their young daughter in marriage to him, to give him descendants to carry on his lineage. But Mr. Jin could not bear to ruin the otherwise bright and long future of this young girl, and so refused the offer and sent her back home.
Narrator: This is another example of being able to overcome what is most difficult to conquer in oneself. Therefore, the heavens showered down fortune which was especially good for these three old men. [Liao-Fan]: It is easier to accumulate merit and virtue for those who have money and power than for those who are poor. But if one refuses to cultivate kindness even when it's easy and when one has the chance to do so, then it would truly be a shame. For those who are poor and without prestige, doing kind things for others is a great difficulty-, but if in this difficulty one can still manage to help others, then it is a great virtue, and the merits gained would be boundless.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Bazi Daily – 07/05/2010 – The ‘S’ Personality Type (Part 07)
Bazi & The Theory of Personality
The 'S' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 07)
As I have mentioned in a numbers of occasions, Bazi is an art & science of studying & understanding complex human behaviors. The purpose is to know, then to accept & to work or live harmoniously together.
Below are some of the tips of How to WORK with an S personality type...
· Be friendly. Start your conversation in a personable way before getting down to business.
· Tell them about future changes to give them time to adjust.
· Chat with them frequently. Ask them about themselves.
· Assign them fewer, larger projects.
· Encourage them to speak up at meetings.
What NOT to do around an S personality type...
· Pop changes on them.
· Confront them directly or make them feel personally attacked.
· Question their loyalty.
· Expect them to cope well with hostility or disapproval.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Insist on yourself. Never imitate.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
29 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons
Liao-Fan: When we perform a kind deed, it is best if we can do it out of our inner most sincerity, not seeking rewards or noting in our minds how much we have done. If we practice thus, then all our good deeds will reach fulfillment and success. If, instead, we always think of the deeds we have performed, looking for a reward of some kind, then no matter how diligently we practice in an entire lifetime, the deeds will still be considered as half goodness.
Narrator: For example, when we donate money to the poor, we can practice what is called 'pure donation'. In this type of giving, we do not linger on the thought of 'I', who is giving; or dwell on the importance of the object I am giving away; or think of who the receiver is. We are simply giving, and it is out of true sincerity and respect. When we give with 'pure donation', then one dou of rice can bring boundless fortune, and the merit from giving one cent can wipe away the sins from a thousand kalpas.
Liao-Fan: If we always keep in mind the good we have done, and expect rewards for our actions, then even a donation of two hundred thousand gold pieces would still not bear us the reward of a fully good fortune. This is another way of explaining half goodness and full goodness.
Liao-Fan: What is big goodness and small goodness? Once there was a high ranking official named Jung-da Wei, who was led into the spirit world to be judged for his good and bad deeds. The judge there ordered for his records of good and evil to be brought out. When the records arrived, Jung-da was astounded at the courtyard full of his bad records, and at the single scroll which contained his good deeds. The official then ordered for the two to be weighed on the scale. Surprisingly, the bad records which had filled the courtyard were lighter than the single scroll of good deeds, which was only as thin as a chopstick. Jung-da asked the judge:
Jung-da: I'm barely forty years old, how could I have committed so many wrongdoings?
Liao-Fan: The judge answered him, saying:
Judge: When you give rise to a single thought that is improper, it is considered a bad offense there and then, it does not have to be carried out through action to be counted as a wrong. For example, when you see a pretty lady and give rise to improper thoughts, that is considered an offense.
Liao-Fan: Jung-da then asked him what was recorded in the single scroll of good deeds which outweighed the evil deeds. The judge replied:
Judge: Once the Emperor planned to build a great stone bridge, and you proposed against the project due to the hardship and toil it would cause the tens and thousands of people needed for the work. This is a copy of your proposal to the Emperor.
Liao-Fan: Jung-da said:
Jung-da: I did make the proposal, but the Emperor dismissed it and began the project anyway. My proposal had no effect on the matter at all, how can it bear so much weight against my numerous offenses?
Liao-Fan: The judge replied:
Judge: Although the Emperor did not take your suggestion, that one thought of kindness you bore for the tens and thousands of people was very great. If the Emperor had listened to you, then the good performed would be even greater.
Liao-Fan: Therefore, when one is determined to do good for the benefit of all people, then a small deed can reap great merits. If one thinks only about benefiting oneself, then even if many deeds of kindness are performed, the merit would still be small.
Narrator: For example, when we donate money to the poor, we can practice what is called 'pure donation'. In this type of giving, we do not linger on the thought of 'I', who is giving; or dwell on the importance of the object I am giving away; or think of who the receiver is. We are simply giving, and it is out of true sincerity and respect. When we give with 'pure donation', then one dou of rice can bring boundless fortune, and the merit from giving one cent can wipe away the sins from a thousand kalpas.
Liao-Fan: If we always keep in mind the good we have done, and expect rewards for our actions, then even a donation of two hundred thousand gold pieces would still not bear us the reward of a fully good fortune. This is another way of explaining half goodness and full goodness.
Liao-Fan: What is big goodness and small goodness? Once there was a high ranking official named Jung-da Wei, who was led into the spirit world to be judged for his good and bad deeds. The judge there ordered for his records of good and evil to be brought out. When the records arrived, Jung-da was astounded at the courtyard full of his bad records, and at the single scroll which contained his good deeds. The official then ordered for the two to be weighed on the scale. Surprisingly, the bad records which had filled the courtyard were lighter than the single scroll of good deeds, which was only as thin as a chopstick. Jung-da asked the judge:
Jung-da: I'm barely forty years old, how could I have committed so many wrongdoings?
Liao-Fan: The judge answered him, saying:
Judge: When you give rise to a single thought that is improper, it is considered a bad offense there and then, it does not have to be carried out through action to be counted as a wrong. For example, when you see a pretty lady and give rise to improper thoughts, that is considered an offense.
Liao-Fan: Jung-da then asked him what was recorded in the single scroll of good deeds which outweighed the evil deeds. The judge replied:
Judge: Once the Emperor planned to build a great stone bridge, and you proposed against the project due to the hardship and toil it would cause the tens and thousands of people needed for the work. This is a copy of your proposal to the Emperor.
Liao-Fan: Jung-da said:
Jung-da: I did make the proposal, but the Emperor dismissed it and began the project anyway. My proposal had no effect on the matter at all, how can it bear so much weight against my numerous offenses?
Liao-Fan: The judge replied:
Judge: Although the Emperor did not take your suggestion, that one thought of kindness you bore for the tens and thousands of people was very great. If the Emperor had listened to you, then the good performed would be even greater.
Liao-Fan: Therefore, when one is determined to do good for the benefit of all people, then a small deed can reap great merits. If one thinks only about benefiting oneself, then even if many deeds of kindness are performed, the merit would still be small.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)