Narrated By Fellow Initiate Hu, Nantou, Formosa
Recorded By A Resident Initiate, Hsihu, Formosa
Around the year 1955, the Taoist was once requested by some fellow brothers in the same practice to inspect the grave of his friend's father in Tainan. The reason was, soon after the cremated ashes of this friend's father had been buried, something started to happen in his family. He had consulted a very famous geomancer, however, even after re-burial, the mishaps in the family still continued. Therefore, he invited the Taoist to come.
That day, the geomancer was also invited to go along. Arriving at the burial place, the Taoist took a look and said, "There is a nest of ants in the cinerary urn." Hearing his words, the geomancer immediately scolded him rudely, "You, child! What do you know? It has only been buried a few months, how could there be ants inside? Don't talk rubbish if you really don't know." The fellow brother who was standing aside then said, "There is no need to argue now. We can find out by digging it up."
The next day, they brought the tools and dug up the grave. Unearthed, the urn looked as perfect as new, without any signs of cracks. It was very clean on the outside, no trace of ants could be found. Observing the situation, the geomancer immediately put on an accusing expression. The Taoist said, "Don't say anything yet. Anyway, you will understand everything by opening the urn and taking a look." Sure enough, upon opening the urn, it was full of ants.
That evening, at the home of that friend, the Taoist explained the cause to him, "After your father was married, he had an affair with a woman. She had two children. Your father was hoping to take her for his concubine, but your mother opposed strongly. Subsequently, the woman committed suicide by jumping into the sea with her two children. The animosity of their ghosts had not dissolved, so they returned to take revenge. This is why your two brothers have become crazy. You had better invite your mother to come here and ask her whether this incident is true." The mother denied it at first, but the Taoist spoke to her seriously, "If you are unwilling to admit it, then I can't help you with this matter; and your two ill children cannot be cured. You must bear all the consequences." Finally, his mother admitted it. The Taoist continued, "Where did the present wealth of your family come from? Didn't your husband get it from that woman? At first, she was assured that she could enter the family; so the money was taken. But later she was abandoned. You were also aware of this incident. Losing both her money and her lover, in anger she jumped into the sea and committed suicide. Therefore, her ghost always troubles you." Later, the Taoist taught them how to handle the matter. She was instructed to correct the mistakes by doing good deeds and compassionately taking a vegetarian diet in order to dissolve the resentment. Her children recovered soon after.
It is necessary to keep the five precepts in following Master. Some people complain that there are too many rules, no freedom. They do not realize that keeping the precepts strictly is the true freedom. We should be an honest person in normal times, instead of appealing to heaven and earth when the retribution comes. Especially do not think that it is all right to do bad deeds without anyone being aware. Do not forget 'God is always there'.
It was the Taoist's life long goal to set up a Taoist temple to serve people, and to do what is fair, complying with heaven's will. Even though his superior magical ability had resolved many disastrous situations for people, many others resented him. Some even came to his temple to challenge his ability.
Many years ago, an old couple came to the Taoist temple. As the old man stepped onto the stairs of the Taoist temple, he started murmuring something. He then performed hand mudras and recited mantras at the entrance incense burner. Observing no response from the Taoist, the old man intensified his actions. Entering the temple, he began to pound on the altar of the temple deity. The Taoist could tolerate no more; so he also performed hand mudras under the table and silently recited some mantras. Watching the old man walking up to the highest alter of the deity, the Taoist secretly flicked his finger. Suddenly, the old man felt dizzy; he went out of the Taoist temple and vomited under a tree. When he later reentered the temple, the Taoist started to talk to him, "Old uncle, what is wrong with you? Do you have car sickness? Why are you vomiting so severely? Please do not do this any more. I hardly know you at all. Why do you come to my place to expel the deities here?" The old lady then started to reprimand her husband, "You old fool! Having nothing to do, you love creating trouble in other people's temples. Today, you have finally kicked an 'iron board'! See if you dare to do it anymore?" The Taoist then removed the spell that he had just cast.
Soon after this incident, several people from another temple came to his place. One of them was very old with a very long beard. Judging from their attire, it was obvious that these visitors were also Taoists. They came in anger. As they entered the temple, the Taoist offered them tea and asked them of their intention. The elder with the long beard asked directly, "Did a very old man come to your place several days ago?" He then described the man. The Taoist replied, "Yes!" The elder added, "Then, why did you deceive him and injure him for no reason? The Taoist said, "How could it be without reason? As soon as he entered the temple, he started using magical power to expel the door deities and the incense burner deity in my temple. He then intensified his aggression and expelled the deity on my front altar. I took action against him only when I saw that he had no intention to stop, and even tried to expel the host deity of my temple. Even then, I only used the lightest spell. Do you think that what I did was too much?" Having listened to his words, the elder said, "Is this true?" Then, he noticed an incantation on the altar. Feeling it very familiar, he picked it up to take a look and asked the Taoist about its origin. The Taoist answered him in detail.
The elder smiled and asked, "Do you remember, when you were eight years old, that I once brought you to the grocery store and bought something for you to eat? Your father and I were brothers of the same teaching. Together, we followed your grandfather and learned from him. Can you still remember?" The Taoist said, "It was so long ago. I cannot remember anymore." Meeting the son of an old friend and observing that he had achieved some fruit in the practice, the elder was delighted and said, "Your father didn't make the wrong decision in transmitting the method to you. If it was an ordinary priest, dealing with someone who came to make trouble and expel the deity in the temple, he would not have tolerated so much, nor inflicted so light a punishment." After exchanging some greetings and regards, he left in good spirits.
Learning magical power is similar to learning a martial art, the worst thing is loving to compete and show off. A minor consequence may only bring about physical injuries, while a severe one could cost the life of the practitioner, or even victimize his family. This is especially true in the case of magical power. Using this power to harm people may give a moment's pleasure, but the law of heaven cannot be escaped. Harming others is the same as harming oneself. This is the eternal law of the universe.
Master once said that it is not difficult for a spiritual practitioner to acquire supraworldly power or the so-called magical power. The difficult thing is, having attained this power, you have to be able to control it and refrain from abusing it. This is real competence. Otherwise, it could be very troublesome. By frequently intervening with other people's karma, one incurs heavy karma. As other people continue to admire us, our arrogance and ego continue to grow. Our mind is also immersed in the level of the magical power and forgets to seek the superior spheres. Anyway, magical power only goes as far as the level of the mind. Should we cling to it and not let go, we are adding insurmountable obstacles to our spiritual cultivation. Therefore, since ancient times, all enlightened Masters have not encouraged people to learn magical power.
Ever since initiated, adhering to Master's instruction, the Taoist has been striving hard to rectify his easily roused temper. He has also stopped hurting people with magical power.