101 Holy Teacher Tian Ran's Revelation

The following selected 101 quotations were channeled by different people through the guiding voice of Holy Teacher Tian Ran. 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 080

Actively understand the internal and external struggles of others. Help them find their own realizations and free themselves from suffering. Humans are not divine; they cannot be entirely free from errors! Use forgiveness to help them release the torture of regret and sufferings. Wait for their awakening, renewal and rebirth.

Verse 081

Every Buddha, bodhisattva and sentient being of the Three Worlds (Heavenly, Spiritual and Physical) and everywhere in the universe rejoices that Buddha Maitreya is in charge at this period of the White Stage. They all work together to bring salvation to the deities and souls of the Three Realms (Heaven, Earth and Hell), striving to fulfill the salvation of all. My disciples, the cultivators of the White Stage, should grasp this opportunity, unselfishly cultivate step by step, so that we do not squander the assistance from buddhas, bodhisattvas and sentient beings.

Verse 082

During this period of the White Stage, every cause that is genuine, insincere, virtuous, evil, good and bad is gradually being revealed. Trials from negative causes do not come from Heaven. They are due to the cultivators' deviation and fall, which are the result of the illusions of fame, authority, power and conflict between people. These are good examples of “the devil arises from inside" and "every trial originates from ourselves." Thus, we need to be mindful with every subtle thought in our cultivation.

Image: Golden Gate Heights Park

Verse 084

You, the cultivators on Earth, are too concerned about and attached to merit and fame, and thus cling to them. Once a temple community is established, endless disturbances occur and bad karma is created. In contrast those wandering demons, ghosts, and our creditors* are more willing to learn. They have been experiencing the consequences of their past greed, and dread to ask for anything more. As long as they can attend a Tao seminar, pay obeisance to any of Buddha's teachings, and receive the Dharma light, they will release their inner greed, anger, ignorance and arrogance**. Furthermore, they do not hold any misconceptions about merit and fame, but gracefully make themselves available to fulfill the assignments from saints and buddhas. With humility and repentance, they will assist in every Tao community so that they can transcend their suffering. This is the significance of bringing salvation to the souls in the underworld.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: Demons, ghosts and creditors can be related to us through ancestry and through past lives, and are attached to us in this lifetime. Our creditors are ones with whom we have created bad karma in past lives.

**These refer to the Five Poisons of Buddhism, which are: greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance and doubt.

Verse 087

Although a magnificent temple building and dignified Buddha hall could seem indispensable for the Tao community, Tao cultivators and temple staff should not focus only on this kind of illusory image. Otherwise, they will lose and deviate from the Tao principle and goals. In the past, I did not even have one temple and could travel the world penniless and freely. During this limited period of time, the cultivators of the White Stage could make good use of the donations from sincere sentient beings to help people in need, sponsor environmental protection, and provide medical aid.

Image: Golden Gate Heights Park, San Francisco

Verse 088

So far, the Earth itself has been damaged badly. If you do not try your best to fix and restore it, this beautiful planet will decay and be destroyed in your hands. All saints and buddhas are worried about you! Not only should you work on human morality, spiritual purification, and transformation, but also engage yourselves in environmental protection campaigns.