The Great
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The great way of developing one’s personality is this: to understand that one’s virtue comes nature; to renew one’s virtuous being from time to time; and to settle one’s mind on perfectly attainable virtue.
where and how to settle the mind. one will calm
Having attained calmness, one will be undisturbed.
Having attained an undisturbed mind, one will have peace.
Having attained peace,
one’s mind will respond correctly to all situations.
One who responds correctly to all situations the wag.
Everything has roots as its main part and branches as its parts. All matters have a beginning and an end. One who knows what is fundamental not stray far from the Way.
From ancient times to the present,
one who wishes to extend virtue to people under Heaven
a well-governed nation. One who wishes to have a well-governed nation,
should have a well-organized family. One who wishes to have a well-organizedfamily
cultivate his personality.
One who wishes to cultivate his personality regulate his mind.
One who wishes to regulate his mind
should be honest with his consciousness.
One who wishes to be honest with his consciousness attain true knowledge.
Basic Guidelines
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Daily 171 To true knowledge, one should look deeply into all matters. Thus, the essence and balance of life will be reached.2
The ancient sage teaches: “Reveal your original. pure and virtuous nature.”
The ancient book teaches: the pristine, virtuous nature which Heaven has bestowed upon you.”
The ancient classic teaches: “Clearly perceive the great, virtuous nature of your life.”
All the above sayings teach people to truly know and restore their original, untainted. virtuous nature that is covered by many layers of contamination that have been accumulated from many lifetimes of experiences. Thus, the clarity of one’s nature becomes lost. In the beginning, there was no separation between individual and universal nature. Once this separation occurred, people began to experience the thousands of pains that result from being attached to the problems of life and death.
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The motto engraved on an ancient fountains reads: “If today we wash ourselves and clean the from our bodies, then we should continue to wash the away daily. We should constantly refresh our bodies and our minds.”
The ancient sage teaches: “Be new people.”
The ancient ballad says: “Although the state of Chou is old, it accepts the will of Heaven. By always renewing itself, it is always new.”
People of self-cultivation continually renew themselves. Thus, they help themselves and others.
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The ancient ballad says: ‘Though the central territory of is only a thousand miles wide, it is a good place for people to gather and live. Little yellow birds sing tender songs
as they perch on the luxuriant bushes of a warm hillside.” The ancient sage says: “Little yellow birds know where they should perch. Are human beings less wise than birds?”
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The ancient ballad says: ‘The king wishes to extend his and continue his work justly and openly. With
he holds to the grand task.”
Thus, to be a king, one should be kind. To be a minister, should work dutifully. To be a son or daughter, one
be faithful to his or her duty. To be a parent, one should love his or her children. To be a one should be Another ballad says: “Look at the other shore of the River The green bamboo flourishes where the virtuous King lives. He is as deliberate in his studies as if he were and polishing a piece of jade. He is careful and accurate in his actions and in principle. He is a person
self-cultivation and a truly unforgettable model.”
Another ancient ballad says: “Alas, the virtuous models of kings are unforgettable!”
From such examples, one of self-cultivation recognizes the and wise and respects them. One who cultivates knows who to be near. He is content with what is simple and useful in life. Even after the virtuous pass away, heir merit continues to flourish.
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To know what is fundamental is to possess the greatest mowledge.
To work with what is fundamental is to be one of 6
The ancient sage says: ‘When I listen to people’s nents I consider both sides. If they look deeply within their
they forget the straight and the twisted, and the can be naturally resolved.”
One who is not fundamentally truthful does not listen to heart but rushes into arguments. Surely, the argument be settled through of mind. yet one is usually to acknowledge and recognize this clarity.
the answers lie within.
Learning to follow the fundamental truth is the key to problems.
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To be honest with one’s deep consciousness means to not cheat oneself. Be truthful to of disgust at decaying odors or of pleasure in beautiful colors. Keep away from things of decay. Be attracted to things of beauty. Thus will true happiness be found. One cannot cheat one’s own feel- ings. Bad odors and sweet smells are real. One must keep away from things that are corrupt and accept what is beneficial.
One of self-cultivation is aware of himself when alone. Those who are shallow indulge in all kinds of corruption when alone. When they face a virtuous one, they try to cover their lack of virtue, but nothing can be hidden from those who are truly virtuous. One who cultivates truthfulness inside naturally expresses it outside.
Do not be indulgent when you are alone. The ancient sage said: “Even when you are alone, act as though ten people were watching you and their fingers at you. How significant it is to be sincere!”
Riches beautify one’s house. Virtue enriches one’s life. When the mind is at peace, the body is at rest. Therefore, the most fundamental thing in life for one of self-cultivation is to be honest with his deep consciousness.
To cultivate virtue means to regulate the mind. When one Is angry, in conflict or worried, the mind loses its original
balance. When one’s mind is distracted, things are watched but not seen, listened to but not heard, eaten but not tasted. Therefore, the mind is the basis of self-cultivation.
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Why does harmonizing one’s family depend on cultivation? Because without it one would defer to those one loves and feels close to, yet discriminate against those one and looks down on. One would also be deferential to those he respects. fears, pities or admires.
when one loves another, flaws are overlboked. When one dislikes another, seldom can the goodness be seen. The ancient proverb says: “People seldom perceive the evil of their attachment to a favorite possession. Nor from envy do
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they know how crops grow as compared to
their neighbor’s”
This is why cultivating a centered, balanced mind is the strong foundation of an orderly family.
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Why is a well-governed nation based on well-ordered families? One who has a disorganized family cannot really help his nation. Thus, one who cultivates himself can help his nation without leaving home.
He treats his parents and with this same virtue, serves his nation.
He treats his elders with respect by listening to their experiences, and with this same virtue he also treats his superiors with respect.
He treats those who are close with kindness, and with this same virtue commands the majority of the people.
The ancient teaching says: “Embracing a nation is like caring for a new-born baby. Experience is not necessary in order for a caring mother to protect her baby.”
Thus, serving one’s nation with an honest mind is not a task.
If the family practices impartial love and is combative, the whole nation will be benefited. If one person is selfish and cruel, the whole nation will be in turmoil. The real key to an orderly society is simple.
One wrong word can destroy a good relationship; however, one good person can lay down a good foundation for the safety and order of a society.
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Why does the foundation of a harmonious world depend on the orderliness of nations?
If the leaders of a country respect the old, then the people will do the same.
If the leaders of a country pity the lonely and helpless, then the people will do the same.
Therefore, one of self-cultivation follows this principle of conduct:
What you do not the one above you, do not do to the one below
you do not the do not do to the one
What you do not
do one behind.
do not the one behind., riot do to the one
you do not the one on your do not do to the one on your right.
What you do not the one on your right, do not do to the one on
This is the fundamental principle of conduct.
The ancient ballad says: “Happy is the virtuous one. He becomes the parent of all people.”
He likes what all pure people like and rejects what they dislike. This is called being the parent of all people.
Another ancient ballad says: “Look to the South Mountain. Its rocks are tall and well-founded. It resembles the great minister of a nation. All people look up to it.”
A leader has to be careful and upright. If one is prejudiced. the world will be damaged.
The ancient ballad says: ‘The rulers of Er had virtue which matched of Heaven, but their descendants lost their virtue and thus lost their people. This example can be used as a reminder to maintain constant virtue.”
The way that allows one to gather people also enables one to lead a nation.
The way that does not enable one to hold people also causes one to lose a nation.
Therefore, one of cultivation must be careful and nurture his virtue.
With virtue, people
With one can have land. With territory. one can have wealth.
With wealth, one can provide things have use. Virtue is fundamental; wealth is last in importance.
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One who considers wealth the most important of things and virtue the least important, robs others of their wealth.
When wealth is hoarded, people scatter. When wealth is distributed, people come together and grow.
The ancient virtuous kings applied kindness in leading their nations, and people followed them willingly. The ancient tyrants applied force in leading their nations, and people also followed them, but when leaders command others in ways that go against their own nature. people should not follow them.
Virtuous beings cultivate their own virtue before asking others to follow. If one does something that is not harmon- ious within. he should not ask others to agree and follow.
One never gains respect and understanding from others by being unjust and unkind. In order to govern a nation, one should first put one’s family in order.
The ancient ballad says: ‘The beautiful peach tree is Its leaves and branches are thriving. A very beautiful girl marry the right man. A good family has begun.”
The faithful love of young people is a good thing for an entire society.
Another ballad says: “One’s example is flawless. With this example, the neighbors are influenced.”
That which can be applied between fathers and sons, and among brothers and sisters, can be useful guidance for all people. With these examples, bringing order to the nation by first bringing order to one’s family is illustrated.
Similarly, when absurd words are spoken, the response is absurd as well. Goods and wealth in an absurd way will depart in the same way.
The ancient teaching says: “Blessings do not belong to everyone. Only the virtuous one receives them; the tuous one loses them.
The book of Chu says: “In exile, we have nothing to treasure but kindness.”
The vow of the country of reads: “If we have only one minister for our nation, and if that person has many talents but is lacking virtue, then he is not dependable. One’s heart must be grand and one’s receptivity ever open. If the people have talents, then a minister of virtue would treasure