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X The Destiny of the Way 1. The Master said, “The order of a correct dharma looks insignifi‑ cant in its formative stage; however, it will emanate a great power all at once at the right time because it is the right power to be in charge of the world. If one acts with truthful and public spirit under the sign of Won Buddhism, one can bring about success in what is initially a wearisome and difficult task, and one will be protected and welcomed wherever one goes. For the auspicious power this order received is transmitted to the person and his work. If, however, one manages one’s private interest under the pretense of public interest, not only will one’s business fail, but also one’s future will be blocked, though one may be unaware of it. Such a person will be disliked and hated by the public, and slide gradually into the pit of calamity. Therefore, exert yourselves with utmost devotion and earnest public spirit to receive the order’s auspicious fortune so that you may be the minister that can ably receive and move the awesome power of heaven and earth.” (CP 13:3) 2. The Master said, “Although a great new fortune is arriving, it depends on the frame of one’s mind whether or not one will receive it. This is analogous to the fact that one cannot hear the news on the radio if one does not turn on the receiver, even though the news is on the air, or the fact that a farmer will have nothing to harvest if he does not sow the seed and cultivate at the right time, even though there is a good omen for great harvest at the beginning of the farming season.” (CP 13:4) 209 210 / The Dharma Master Chŏngsan of Won Buddhism 3. The Master said, “The new fortune of the way is that which only a truthful dharma can claim. One who is honest, candid, and calm, with true ability inside, will be recommended in accord with the time and situation. However, a person will not stand in the world if his conduct is not as good as his words, his reality is less than his name, his hidden character is not as good as his appearance, and his vanity and falsehood are revealed. The new fortune of the way is that which the dharma of harmony can lay claim to. An individual, an organization, or a nation will be successful if they harmonize with others by being simple‑hearted, as if they were unskilled, but generous and virtuous. If, however, a person is sharp, judgmental, and heartless, and thus often conflicts with others, he will face difficulty in accomplishing anything. The new fortune of the Way is that which the dharma of justice can lay claim to. To the person who, being earnest, public‑spirited, and diligent, renders benefit to the masses in many ways, all positions and power will return, even if he does not try to lay claim to them. However, the person who, being selfish and greedy causes harm to the masses, will never stand in the world, no matter how hard he tries.” (CP 13:5) 4. The Master said, “In the past, practitioners of the Way, wearing rags, submitted themselves to poverty and a lowly station in life, living in rural retirement. In the future, however, the higher dharma stage you are in, the more riches and honors will follow you. What a foolish practitioner of the Way one would be if one worried about food, clothing, or a lowly station in the world. True practitioners of the Way, meanwhile, regard ascetic practice as nobler than wealth and fame, so that they, praising honest poverty over luxury, will unreservedly decline even a position that they deserve in favor of another person, and will use the material things given to them for the public well‑being. In other words, the new fortune is that of great morality, which is perfect and unselfish. Since the founda‑ tion for receiving the fortune of the Way is the morally sound mind that is perfect and unselfish, I ask all of you to become the masters of this rare, great fortune by exerting yourselves to reform your mind.” (CP 13:6) 5. A student asked, “What kind of dharma will be most advocated in the world to come?” The Master answered, “The most perfect, right, and realistic doctrine will be...

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