| All sentient beings reside in these three realms of the | | | | religion and why I use the word 'continue' is that we |
| universe. We exist in the realm of human beings. The | | | | are not here to start our cultivation from this life, we |
| deities exist in the realm of spiritual world and the | | | | have already cultivated ourselves for many past lives. |
| suffering souls in the realm of the underworld which is | | | | It is a continuation of whatever stage that we have |
| Hell. The realms of spiritual world and underworld are | | | | left behind and to see through it in this lifetime. |
| intangible and invisible to us. | | | | On the other hand, Tao is descended to this world |
| Human beings were born in the realm of spiritual world | | | | particularly at this moment when turmoil and disasters |
| as deities because of their benevolent or righteous | | | | are prevailing almost everywhere. Nuclear threat to |
| deeds while as humans on earth. They will exist for a | | | | end the world is no longer a mere talk but a reality |
| certain period of time because they are not immortal | | | | because the amount of nuclear bombs in hand can |
| yet. They are not fully enlightened beings and still have | | | | turn the world upside down and kill every living being on |
| to travel in the cycle of birth and death just like us | | | | earth. Other serious threats are man-made for |
| when their 'life' comes to an end. There is no suffering | | | | example global warming and the ozone hole - the side |
| there and deities just enjoy their lives for a few | | | | effect of modern science and technology and all kinds |
| hundred years until it is time for their rebirth as humans | | | | of sins done by human beings. |
| again. | | | | In Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu described bluntly how |
| The most unfortunate realm is the realm of the | | | | different people with different foundations could |
| underworld for deceased people who during their | | | | respond to Tao in chapter 41: |
| lifetime have committed various sins. They are either | | | | "The superior cultivator hears of Tao and practises it |
| waiting for the next incarnation or suffering various | | | | diligently. The average cultivator hears of Tao and |
| punishments for the wrongs they had done in the | | | | gives it thought now and again. The foolish cultivator |
| previous lives. All religions believe in this realm and | | | | hears of Tao and laughs aloud. If there were no |
| there is no mercy for the sinful souls there. The | | | | laughter, Tao would not be what it is." |
| punishments are real and once the punishments are | | | | Many modern people cannot help but think, "BBQ is |
| over, the suffering souls will be reborn as animals, | | | | good, the excitement and fun on the beach is good, |
| human beings or even deities. This depends on the | | | | parties are good, big houses are good, fancy cars are |
| good deeds or merits that they have done on earth | | | | good, wine and dine are good, womanizing is fun," and |
| during their previous lives beside the bad deeds which | | | | so on. This prevents the mind from being tranquil or |
| they have settled through punishments. | | | | peaceful and always looking for ways to earn money |
| The main problems found in the current education | | | | to have them. I can see the reason why certain people |
| system are emphasis on materialism, individualism and | | | | immediately burst into laughter when the subject of |
| consumerism. Little effort is made to teach the | | | | Tao was brought up to them. They will say, man has |
| students the values of life. If you were to listen to the | | | | gone up to the moon, and you are still talking about this! |
| conversations between students, what you can hear | | | | In the Bible, Jesus gave some similar advice, "Do not |
| most of the time includes moneymaking, fun on the | | | | throw pearls in front of pigs. They will only trample |
| beaches, sailing, fishing, partying, internet surfing and | | | | them underfoot." (Matthew 7:6). |
| games, and so on. Parents expect their children to | | | | This is the saying of my Heavenly Teacher JiGong: |
| score top marks and tuition classes to achieve that | | | | "I, your teacher, have taken on the heavy responsibility |
| expectation. The future goals are to make a lot of | | | | of the Universal Transformation of The Three Groups |
| money in order to enjoy their life to the fullest. They | | | | of Beings directed by Lao Mu (God). The teacher has |
| have lost the most important part of education - The | | | | thousands and ten thousands of disciples. Yet, among |
| values and real purpose and meaning of life. Can we | | | | these thousands and ten thousands of disciples, each |
| see a whole family living together nowadays after the | | | | has his own different karma (fate), and each is under |
| kids have grown up? Very rare! How many grown up | | | | the control of his own karmic powers. |
| kids want to live with their aged parents? | | | | Disciples, you should know that the very day you wish |
| When individualism is prevailing, family members tend | | | | to step into the Door of Enlightenment, the teacher |
| to look upon each other as merely some other | | | | must first make clear with your karmic-powers |
| individuals and they don't fit into each other's life or | | | | (creditors from past lives). I must take on the |
| they have enough of each other's company. Many just | | | | responsibility of making sure that you pay your debts |
| simply break up and dump each other relentlessly. No | | | | (by transferring your merits to them). Hence, I hope |
| wonder in this modern society, the distance between | | | | that after you have realized the Truth thoroughly, you |
| people is getting further and are becoming more and | | | | really must make contributions and build your virtues." |
| more indifferent to each other. For a brother to care | | | | Three Groups of Beings (San Cao) - Refer to three |
| for another brother is rare. If you have a good family | | | | groups of sentient living beings inhabiting the Three |
| relationship like the olden days, it must be the guidance | | | | Zones of the Universe: [1] Spiritual beings of various |
| from your parents and not the education system. | | | | paradises [2] Human beings and other living creatures |
| It is right at this particular moment that Tao is | | | | of the under-heaven or human world and [3] Souls and |
| descended to the world to save all those with the right | | | | ghosts of the underworld (including hell). |
| affinity and foundation to continue their Tao cultivation | | | | Author: T. |
| regardless of race or religion. Tao of Heaven is not a | | | | |