Seven Taoist Masters: A Folk Novel of China (Shambhala Classics) by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Published: 2012-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

15

When it was known that Wang Ch’ung-yang had returned to the Ma mansion, the people who had left began to return. Within a few days, the Ma mansion was bustling with activity. Although everyone’s former enthusiasm appeared to be renewed, Wang Ch’ung-yang saw that almost all who were there were either insincere or not disciplined enough in their pursuit of the Tao. He thought to himself, “These people are here because their interest was roused at the moment, or because they are afraid of dying, or because they are following the crowd. None of them have the discipline and sincerity to cultivate the Tao. If they continue to stay, they will distract those who are sincere. I must find a way to make them leave.” After a few moments, he said, “That’s it. I have a plan.” Immediately he started to cough violently, emitting loud, gurgling sounds. When the disciples came running to his room, Wang Ch’ung-yang said, “I was not careful on the road, and I must have gotten a strange infection.” Opening his tunic, he revealed rashes and boils all over his body. Ma Tan-yang, Liu Ch’ang-sheng, and Ch’iu Ch’ang-ch’un immediately went to fetch a doctor. Wang Ch’ung-yang took the prescribed medicine, but the rashes and boils got worse: Pus flowed from the rashes, and few could stand the stench.

Many of the students began to whisper among themselves, “We came to learn from an immortal. Wang Ch’ung-yang is so ill that he cannot even save himself. How can he help us? Maybe we should go home or find another teacher. We are wasting our time here.” So one by one, the students began to leave. Within two days, all the students had left except for Ma Tan-yang, Ch’iu Ch’ang-ch’un, Liu Ch’ang-sheng, Hao T’ai-ku, T’an Ch’ang-chen, and Wang Yü-yang. Wang Ch’ung-yang summoned them to his room and said, “Tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. I shall die. Since my arrival at Ma Tan-yang’s home, I have spent his wealth helping the poor and building a retreat. Almost all of the money is gone now. An elaborate funeral costs money, and you should not sell property to cover the expenses. Therefore, after I die, do not arrange for funeral ceremonies or have monks chant for me. Do not even mourn for me. Get a coffin and put my body in it. Ch’iu Ch’ang-ch’un, T’an Ch’ang-chen, Hao T’ai-ku, and Wang Yü-yang will carry the coffin. Liu Ch’ang-sheng will lead the group to Mount Chung-nan in Shensi Province. The place where the carrying-ropes break will be where I should be buried. If you do not follow my request I shall not rest in peace.”

The next morning Wang Ch’ung-yang assembled his six disciples in the meditation hall and spoke to them: “The dual cultivation of life and of original nature (mind) is the essence of my teachings. If you cultivate life only, your virtues will be incomplete. If you cultivate the mind only, your body will be impure. Therefore, you should balance your external and internal training.

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