To be born as human beings is the result of good deeds done in the previous lives. We must have somehow done and accumulated good merits in our previous lives and every one wishes to live a good, happy and peaceful life in the human world. Only if we have the right living will we be reborn in good planes after that and will also reach noblest eternity. About wealth, we have four different kinds of right living. They are: 1] Right living by acquiring wealth without being lazy, 2] Right living by dividing and distributing the wealth acquired, 3] Modest and not boastful when a lot of wealth has been acquired and 4] When property is lost or degenerated, to live calmly and not be discouraged and depressed. In general we can classify and group these four different categories: 1] One who is lazy and does not try to acquire wealth will live unhappily for need of food, clothing and shelter. Parents, children, relatives and those staying together are also unhappy for the need of food, clothing and shelter. Therefore one who doesnt acquire wealth due to laziness has a wrong way of living in this human life. On the other hand, one who tries to acquire wealth without being lazy and is hard working will be happy because he has enough to put food on the table, buy clothing that he needs and has good shelter that he likes. Those living together with him will find the same happiness because of sufficient food, clothing and shelter. Therefore to acquire wealth without being lazy is a right way of living. 2] One who does not divide and distribute his wealth that one has acquired among those who should get and does not donate to the needy or those who have come for donations in all sincerity, is attached to his wealth. He may be rich but there is no benefit in this nor future lives. Therefore it is bad life internally without any brightness. If one divides his wealth to those rightfully deserved to have, contributes to the needy and is charitable and set aside a certain portion for emergency, he will make use of his property lives a good life. 3] For those who become rich and wealthy and because of wealth tend to ignore old friends and become boastful, proud and conceited, this kind of people will degenerate in this life and in future lives will become poor, miserable and unhappy. Those who become rich and wealthy, and do not become boastful and conceited, associate lovingly and respectfully with old friends, are having a right way of living and will be the cause of happiness in future lives. 4] When property is lost due to floods, fire, robbers or due to ones cause or another and becomes grief stricken, cannot sleep or eat, one will lose benefit in the present life. This is bad way of living. When property is lost and can still stay calmly without being emotionally disturbed and keeps on doing things as before, one will benefit in this life meaning a good way of living despite all the losses. These four kinds of good living is the right way of living in this life. One will be reborn in the good noble realms but it is not the ultimate goal in life. Right and good but how good is good. This is an advice from my Heavenly Teacher, JiGong: You are a group of people with a profound and abundant culture that derives from deep and distant origin. Thus, more so you should take on this mission of promoting Truth and advocating Morality. The culture of the Truth and Virtue that you have been bathing in is the most profound and abundant. If you wish to walk a ten-thousand-mile-road, you must first possess the mind and vision of the Saints and Worthies. Dont just covet immediate pleasures and attend to personal gain. You should realize that the changes of the world are hard to predict! Author: T.A Chew |