China Lao Shan Taoist Temple
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Taoist Clarity and Quiescence Sutra
Tai Shang Lao Jun Shuo Chang Ching Jing Jing
Heaven is clear, Earth is turbid.
Heaven is motion, Earth is stillness.
Male is clear, female is turbid.
Male is motion, female is stillness.
Descending from the source of Heaven, flowing to the extreme ends, tens thousand things are created.
Clarity is the source of turbidity.
Motion is the foundation of quiescence (vice-versa).
When people can remain in the state of clarity and quiescence,
Heaven and Earth energies will cycle freely.
Naturally, the human mind, Shen, spirit, inclines toward clarity,
but the heart disturbs it;
The human heart inclines toward quiescence,
but desires distractions.
When people are able to expel their desires, hearts become quiescent of their own accord.
When people are able to cleanse their hearts, tranquility of mind will follow.
Therefore, the six desires will no longer emerge, and the three poisons are already destroyed.
If one is unable to do this, it is due to one’s heart not being cleansed, and one’s desire not being expelled.
People who can expel their desire can observe their hearts internally.
When observing the heart within, see the heart, then see no heart.
When observing a shape outside, see the shape, then see it become shapeless.
When observing an object from a distance, see the object,
then see it becoming nothing (objectless).
When people obtain understandings on these three levels, what appears to them is only empty space.
Observing a space as empty space, within this empty space there is no emptiness;
Observing this non emptiness as empty, within this emptiness, it has no things.
When observing this non thing as having nothing
Suddenly, a state of stillness appears and remains.
When stillness becomes no stillness, (by watching all of these changes inside) how can a thought (desire) emerge (in one’s heart)?
When thoughts do not emerge, that is the state of true quiescence.
In this state of true quiescence, one can reflect on many things.
In this state of true quiescence, one can obtain one’s true nature.
Truthfully reflecting on things, truthfully obtaining true nature;
The more reflection one does, the more quiescence one obtains.
One thus possesses the true state of clarity and quiescence.
Once maintaining true clarity and quiescence, people can gradually reach the true Tao.
After entering the true Tao, it is called “Obtaining the Tao”.
Although, it is called “Obtaining the Tao,” people actually do not gain anything.
Only by helping others (human or any beings) to transform and evolve, can one be truly said to have “Obtained the Tao”.
Anyone who can fully understand this teaching, and is enlightened by this teaching, can pass on the precious sacred Tao.
Lao Tzu states:
The Superior person does not compete; the inferior person is driven to compete.
The superior virtuous person does not talk about virtue, the inferior person uses their virtue to judge others.
People who have deep attachments, do not know how the Tao and virtue work.
People who cannot obtain the true Tao, is due to have illusory desires in their hearts.
Once having illusory desires in the heart, the mind begins to be stung;
Once the mind is stung, people begin to seek attachment to the myriad of things.
Once having attached to the myriad of things, greed and desire begin to emerge.
Once greed and illusory desire emerge, people begin to experience trouble and feel stressed.
Troublesome and illusory desires, the source of suffering, bring the body and heart worries and bitterness.
This is the reason the body and heart are contaminated and degraded.
So people become wondering (repeatedly passing through) the gates of life and death,
forever sinking in the bitter sea, forever losing the chance of seeking the true Tao.
The Tao is truthful and eternal,
enlightened beings can obtain it on their own.
People who obtain and understand the Tao, forever remain clear (peaceful) and quiescent.
Xien Ren Ge Old Man (仙人葛翁) states: I obtained the true Tao because I ever chanted this Sutra ten thousand times. This sutra used to be offered to people in the heaven realm to study. It is never passed on to the inferior person. I received it from Dong Hua Emperor, who received it from Jin Que Emperor, who received it from Xi-Wang Mu, Queen of West Kingdom. Xi-Wang Mu passed it on verbally and never documented it in writing. I am going to release it to the world by documenting it using the form of written language. If superior human beings understand and become enlightened by it, they will ascend to the heaven realm where they will become officials. If middle level people practice it, they will become immortal beings (Xien Ren) in the South Palace. If lower level people obtain it, they can obtain longevity on earth, able to travel freely between the Three Realms, ascending and entering the Golden gate after death.
Zuo Xian Zhen Ren (左玄真人, an enlightened immortal being) states: Taoist disciples who chant this sutra will obtain the protection from the heavenly Divines of the ten directions. Then their spirits will be protected by the Jade amulet; their body and forms will be shaped by the golden liquid. Body and spirit will completely enjoy well-being and unite with Tao as the Truth Tao.
Zheng Yi Zhen Ren (正一真人), an enlightened immortal being) states: for a family having this sutra, whoever has understood or experienced enlightenment will be protected. When disasters or bad fortune come, they will not disturb or affect them as all the sages come to their doors to protect them. Their spirits can rise to the supreme realm. They will fully worship God. If they are blessed with a great amount of work and virtue, they can become even kings and emperors. If they continue chanting without cessation, they can ride on the top of the purple clouds.