Saving the World from Misfortunes

by Venerable Master Chin Kung


Nostradamus, a famous French prophet, made many predictions during the Middle Ages. His ability was like that of Mr. Kong in a classic Chinese book from the sixteenth century, Liao-Fan's Four Lessons. Mr. Kong was very precise in foretelling Liao-Fan's destiny. He asserted that all sentient beings are subject to a particular destiny that cannot be changed. Similarly, Nostradamus predicted future events, such as the conditions of our current society.
Where did this ability come from? A combination of mathematical calculations and meditative insights enabled Nostradamas to make his predictions. Many of which appear to be accurate, although there have also been deviations. From the Buddhist perspective, these deviations were due to knowing the "how," but not the "why." In this respect, Nostradamas was not as wise as the Zen Master Yun-Gu in Liao-Fan's Four Lessons. After Liao-Fan met the Master, he followed the Master's instructions to stop inappropriate behaviors and to cultivate kind deeds. As a result, Liao-Fan significantly improved his own destiny.
Each one of us has our own preconditioned destiny. Unless we understand the principles and methods for changing this destiny, our whole life will inevitably be led by it. Indeed, it would be like the Chinese saying: "Even the smallest sip or bite, everything is predestined." It is generally accepted among prophets that families have their own destiny, as do countries and the world. In China, ancient prophecies were documented in The Highest Imperial Guide for Governing the World. This book was included in the imperial collection, The Comprehensive Library in Four Divisions, during the eighteenth century. It not only includes predictions for our present time, but also for thousands of generations into the future. The time span covered by its predictions is much longer than that by Nostradamas. All observations in this remarkable book were completely based on mathematical calculations in the ancient Chinese treatise I Ching (The Book of Change).
Only Buddha Sakyamuni explained everything in and out of this world with clarity and thoroughness. If we could peruse the classical literature of this world and analyze it carefully, we would see why Buddha became manifest on Earth. Our world has had no shortage of brilliant and clever people. Nonetheless, no matter how intelligent or capable these people are, they too only know "how" things happen, but not "why".
In ancient India, the Brahmans and other religious practitioners of the day were known to be extraordinarily advanced in their meditative practices. In their deep state of meditation, they were able to break through the dimensions of time and space. They could also observe individuals' reincarnations back and forth among the six realms. Despite this accomplishment, they had no clues to the cause and effect of such reincarnations. Although they looked forward toward further enlightenment, they were limited in the wisdom they gained through meditation. Thus, the Buddha and many Bodhisattvas became manifest in this world in response to their sincere pleas for wisdom. As a result, the "why" was explained to their complete satisfaction.
By cultivating according to Buddhist principles and methods, every individual's destiny can be improved. This is also true for the destinies of families, countries, and the world. Buddhist scriptures acknowledge the existence of preconditioned destiny, but not with a fatalist view. Our destiny is not absolutely determined forever. Rather, any destiny remains flexible. How? Buddhism teaches us that our hearts and deeds have the power to mold our destiny. Kind hearts and deeds will shape a more favorable destiny for us. On the other hand, unkind ones will lead to an even bleaker future.
Once we understand this principle through careful reading of Liao-Fan's Four Lessons, we will not fear the ancient prophecies of the West. We will understand the truth -- that there is individualized karma within our shared karma. We can eradicate our karmic obstacles and thus minimize our personal catastrophes. If a family cultivates kind deeds together, that family can lessen future misfortunes. If citizens of a country cultivate together, that country will prosper with fewer natural and human-made disasters. The key to all solutions is in one word -- "education." In the early 1900's, Mr. Oyang Jing-Wu stated, "Buddhism is neither a religion, nor a philosophy, but an essential necessity for the modern world." Buddhism is an education to proper enlightenment, true wisdom, and the ultimate benefit for all sentient beings. Therefore, Buddhist education is as important for us today as ever.
Popular prophets predicted earthshaking disasters at the end of this century, but they did not indicate how to prevent them. Some thought that such unfortunate events were the bidding of God -- that since people had sinned, God was angry and wanted to punish these people -- and that such fate was unavoidable. This kind of fatalism is, indeed, quite wrong.
In contrast, the Buddhist belief system trusts the deities in the heavens to be fair and just. God, as commonly referred to, is thought to be the head of one heaven. Although these deities have not reached Buddhahood, they have fewer worries and therefore much more wisdom than we mortals. If I were God, I would be quite pleased if all sentient beings ended their evil ways and cultivated kindness. Similarly, Buddha also wishes the best for us. We must have faith in Buddha's teaching and apply them in creating a better future for at least ourselves and our families. This is how Buddhist Dharma will directly benefit our lives.
I can use myself as an example. In the past, quite a few people predicted my fortune. They all said that I would live only a short time -- that I would not survive past the age of forty-five. When I started learning Buddhism, I changed my fate. You can all witness that I have now reached my seventies. Therefore, we must realize that our destiny is quite flexible. When I began practicing Buddhism, Liao-Fan's Four Lessons was my first reading. Mr. Ju Jing-Jou, an elderly devotee to Buddhism, recommended the book to me. I was deeply inspired by it because I had almost all of Liao-Fan's character defects in my younger days.
As the Chinese proverb says, "There is nothing more virtuous than an awareness of one's own faults and the ability to correct them." We cannot simply rely on luck or denial to evade catastrophes. Wishful thinking does not correspond with the grand aspiration of Mahayana Buddhism to bring all sentient beings to enlightenment. At the moment, the most crucial act for us is to absolutely follow the teachings of the sages. We can stop evil deeds and cultivate kind ones diligently. Furthermore, we need to break away from our delusions and awaken to the truths of life. Finally, we are empowered to carry the message to all sentient beings that are still suffering. We can educate them to modify their character defects, carry out wholesome deeds, and accumulate their virtuous merits. We can learn to treat each other with sincere respect and loving-kindness, as well as to cherish all sentient beings. By helping each other, we will have the best chance of helping ourselves to thrive and prosper. Only through concerted efforts toward the same goal will we be in the best position to prevent all natural and human-made misfortunes. After all, cooperative efforts and mutual support is where the ultimate hope lies for all sentient beings.