101 Holy Teacher Tian Ran's Revelation (Verse 001-019)

Having recently read the “Introduction to Tao,” a book that was given after receiving the Tao, and finding it left a lot to be desired, one of the English speakers at the seminar made the vow to translate some of the Tao texts from Chinese to English. 

We approached every word with the intention to dig down to the root of the word, to get to the essence of what Holy Teacher was communicating. We invested hours attempting to capture the best English version of a Chinese character, finally coming to a consensus. The next day we would pick it up and would again discuss it for hours. To some, this would have been tedious and dreary. To us, however, it was exhilarating and uplifting, fulfilling and transforming.  We felt like “word archeologists”, sifting through layers of spiritual dust to finally enter the realms of Tao, coming into contact with the Divine moment by moment. 

We present this version as a stepping stone on the path, praying that others will come along after us to further clarify Holy Teacher’s guidance. 

Preface

When we attended our first English Tao Seminar, Tao Transmitting Master told us the significance of making a Sacred Vow. While we all had experience with vows through our various spiritual upbringings in the United States, we gained a deeper respect for the richness and sincerity of the Vow in Tao practice. Having recently read the “Introduction to Tao,” and finding it left a lot to be desired, one of the English speakers at the seminar made the vow to translate some of the Tao texts from Chinese to English. 

As so often happens in Tao, two weeks after the Vow was made, the individual was contacted by a Tao Transmitting Master to do a translation of a sacred text. How unexpected! That text was “Holy Teacher Tian Ren 101 Sayings”. There had been three teams that had begun the work of translating this important text, and had chosen to stop due to many difficulties. This Tao Transmitting Master felt that this time, the translation project would be completed. A new team was selected and we were ready to go.

We had a marvelous team! Two members were born in the United States, and the remainder had been born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. All had been disciplined from youth to single minded devotion and concentration to a task, which made the team function in harmony. We were aware of the honor and the sacredness of the work with which we were entrusted. Yet we also shared a sense of wonder and a certain quality of playfulness. This allowed us to balance the seriousness of the work with the joy of the work. We all laughed over the same things, even through the language differences. We laughed at word mispronunciations and funny phrases in each other’s languages. Yet underneath the laughter was deep joy and reverence. 

We approached every word with the intention to dig down to the root of the word, to get to the essence of what Holy Teacher was communicating. We invested hours attempting to capture the best English version of a Chinese character, finally coming to a consensus. The next day we would pick it up and would again discuss it for hours. To some, this would have been tedious and dreary. To us, however, it was exhilarating and uplifting, fulfilling and transforming.  We felt like “word archeologists”, sifting through layers of spiritual dust to finally enter the realms of Tao, coming into contact with the Divine moment by moment. 

None of us had ever experienced anything like this project. We opened our hearts into this translation, and into Tao cultivation. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity we have been granted. We present this version as a stepping stone on the path, praying that others will come along after us to further clarify Holy Teacher’s guidance. 

Acknowledgments

This translation was made possible through the dedication and loving work of many Tao cultivators. We thank the Tao Transmitting Master who headed this project, knowing that the guidance from Holy Teacher Tian Ren will change and transform many lives, and had the vision to bring it from Chinese to English.

There were many, many dedicated Tao cultivators that lovingly devoted their time and talent to translating Chinese into English, and then making the English more understandable to native English speakers. 

Thank you to everyone that shared their love of Tao to bring this to life.  

*Sprit, essence and virtue

Introduction

The following selected 101 quotations were channeled by different people through the guiding voice of Holy Teacher Tian Ran.  From 1989 to the end of 1994, his spirit, his energy, appeared on six different occasions in different countries (without drawing any special attention to himself).  Every time he came, he was in tears, because he was worried that his disciples could not find their way back to Heaven for being sidetracked by deviated thoughts.  Holy Teacher wanted to voice his True Heart to each of his beloved disciple.  He made it clear that this book of quotations is the guide for cultivating and propagating Tao during this period of the Last Chance, and should be spread to the entire world in the future.

Verse 003

What we can achieve in the future is not measured by the size of the Tao community, or based on the quantity of temples, nor is it judged by the size of the crowds of people.  It actually depends on whether Tao cultivators are sincerely fulfilling personal vows, following the Five Precepts, having a generous spirit, speaking truthfully, living harmoniously with others, and handling ourselves in an agreeable and flexible manner in order to carry out our mission.

Verse 004

Help others and ourselves to embody Tao.   If it is impossible for some people to accomplish this task, we shall wish and pray for their success in other lifetimes.  We should recognize our arising condition* to cultivate Tao.  The cycle of giving and receiving will form a stream of virtues across Heaven and Earth.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: Anything that happens in our journey is the condition for us to cultivate.  

Verse 005

The disciples in the White Stage shall develop an open mind to rejoice in others' success,  acknowledge others’ achievements, and honor others’ hard work.  We cultivate ourselves and influence others to be joyful and harmonious with sentient beings, the whole world and the entire universe.

Verse 006

The Sixth Patriarch once said:  "It is a merit to remain modest; it is a virtue to treat all sentient beings equally."  We can naturally avoid many afflictions by constantly practicing gratefulness and penitence amidst both fortune and adversity, and to view the world around us with a cheerful state of mind.

Verse 007

During this period of the Last Chance, each of us needs to transcend ourselves.  Only by detaching ourselves from all favors, complaints, emotions, hatred, injustice and relations, can we really free ourselves, and move with the flow of nature.  Enlightened beings and saints manifest Tao directly from the Source.   While ordinary people may not have achieved enlightenment, through practice they can still carry out thoughts detached from intellect, catch deviated thoughts and connect to the True Self*. 

*EDITOR’S NOTE: The True Self is the original self-nature as created by God.

Verse 008

I cannot even imagine the kind of trials that will come to test your wisdom.  As your teacher, I cannot take on the burden of your body and mind for you.  I can only hope - with the understanding of the Heavenly heart, the Buddha heart and Teacher’s heart - that you will cultivate step by step and adhere to your vows and precepts.  Lau Tzu once said, “Be aware and be careful!  The world is a divine vessel, and one cannot control it.  The one who controls it will fail.  The one who grasps it will lose it*.”

*EDITOR’S NOTE: From Tao Te Ching, Chapter 29. 

Verse 009

If every disciple in the Tao community, at this time of the White Stage will kneel in prayer for blessings to eliminate calamities and ordeals for all sentient beings, the combined effort of this goodwill shall minimize the calamities and ordeals in the world.  By doing so, you will extend your opportunities to propagate Tao as designated by God.

Verse 010

During this Last Chance, Tao cultivators shall make the Eternal Vow* to raise our consciousness to the level of all buddhas’ and bodhisattvas'.  If we cultivate only to free ourselves for personal enlightenment in one lifetime, how can we enter the eternal sea of truth and dharma?

*EDITOR’S NOTE: The Eternal Vow provides Tao cultivators the life direction and strengths to overcome obstacles and challenges in life, in order to attain complete enlightenment.

Verse 011

The propagation of Tao includes sharing, expounding, pioneering and setting up the temple.   However, we shall not forget to take action showing the utmost loving care for those suffering and those in need.  This includes assisting the poor, orphans and the mentally impaired, showing kindness for the elderly, and supporting and spreading environmental protection.  We shall also support animal rights.  All these are to create good karma with sentient beings.  Do not disregard those as mundane matters.  If we do not fulfill our responsibility, how can we fulfill our Heavenly Mission?

Verse 012

I am fair to each disciple and never favor one more than another.  As long as you are willing to propagate Tao, I will be there to support you.   Due to different affinity*, there may be situations where many people will gather to accept Tao, and other situations where few will accept Tao.  Do not envy others’ success and I hope you never change your mind and vows.  You have my blessing.  Remaining steadfast in your vows, you will not become embittered.  Instead, when you encounter distressing obstacles, the clouds will open and you will see clearly.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: For every action or cause, there is a reaction or an effect. This is karma, a universal law.  Affinity results from karma, in that both positive and negative results are created due to our actions through many lifetimes.  This is also translated as “arising conditions.”  

Verse 013

To those suffering and deceased from calamities, we need to transfer the merit of our practice of compassion, sorrow and sympathy, through the incense offering ceremonies in the morning and evening.  We do not pray for mere superficial gain in Tao propagation.  If we lack heartfelt empathy to see ourselves in others’ shoes and express caring good will towards everyone - including people we do not know - then our practice is superficial, lacking the inherent essence of true cultivators.  If we nurture heartfelt compassion, then we can inspire people to come together in Tao because they resonate with the sincerity of our cultivation.

Verse 016

Rather than focusing on frivolous worldly aspirations, Tao cultivators work on uplifting themselves in spiritual and sacred matters.  Be at ease and serene in every circumstance.  Tao cultivators shall not pursue an elite lifestyle.  I am accustomed to a meager lifestyle, carrying one bowl and eating whatever is provided to me.  I have traveled far and wide by myself, freely and easily, yet I cannot enlighten or influence those who are born with “a silver spoon” that care only about worldly gain.

Verse 017

Tao cultivators shall differentiate between the sacred and the mundane, and be scrupulous to separate public and private interests.  It is easy to lose the essence of Tao if you taint the sacred with the worldly.  Ever since ancient times, it has not been condoned to use the temple for profitable personal business.  If you are greedy and stubborn, God will allow unfavorable circumstances to manifest in your life.  For your spiritual growth, that would be most unfortunate.

Verse 018

Never spread gossip, but nurture your intention to be compassionate and considerate of others.  If you behave towards others with this compassion, Heaven will treat you the same.

Verse 019

Always provide opportunities for all sentient beings to cultivate and share their inherent talents and gifts.  This will allow them to reap their own blessings.  In the Tao community, no one is entitled to dominate temple affairs, damage the reputation of Tao or hurt innocent beings.  Although I do not have perfect virtues*, I do provide opportunities for my disciples to share and spread Tao.  I dare not expect too much from you, but hope each of you uphold the Tao heart, and do not fail the opportunities of Heaven’s Grace.

Golden Gate Heights Park, San Francisco, CA