Why Should the Qiang Flute Complain About the Willows? The Spring Wind Does Not Reach the Yumen Pass

Xuefeng

The Central Plains region of China experiences four distinct seasons, giving rise to the saying, "In the fifth and sixth nine-day periods after the winter solstice, one can see the willows along the river." However, in places like Tianshui, Linxia, Wuwei, and Zhangye in Gansu Province, by the time the "ninth nine-day period arrives, signaling the start of planting," spring is still reluctant to fully arrive at Yumen Pass, hesitant to climb up to the willow treetops.

Even when areas near Yumen Pass, such as Jiuquan and Jiayuguan, are bustling with “red apricot branches hinting at spring” and spring rivers warm as ducks flutter about, Yumen Pass remains cold. It may not be “completely frozen for a thousand miles, with ten thousand miles of drifting snow,” but it endures biting winds, and its willows droop as if in tears.

No wonder the Qiang flute’s melodies are filled with sorrowful tones. Oh, willows of Yumen Pass, why can’t you compete with the verdant willows of neighboring regions, showing off your lushness and green to rival theirs?

Can we blame the willows of Yumen Pass? Certainly not, because “the spring wind does not reach the Yumen Pass.”

Why doesn’t “the spring wind reach the Yumen Pass”?

Because Yumen Pass is plagued by fierce winds, relentless sandstorms, and unimpeded cold currents.

When the Greatest Creator’s spring wind has already graced the farthest corners of the earth and clothed willows worldwide in green, the land of China remains blanketed in ice and snow, its chill biting deep. Can we blame the “willows” of China for failing to thrive? It seems not. In this Eastern land, the Greatest Creator and the Tripitaka are ignored—there is no god, no Buddha, no law, no order, much greed, much killing, much deceit, much falsehood, no loyalty, no filial piety, no kindness, and no righteousness. The Greatest Creator’s spring wind cannot penetrate.

When will the spring wind of the Greatest Creator finally reach this “Eastern Land,” blessing China with majestic landscapes, abundant resources, honest and simple folk, ample food and clothing, and everywhere filled with warblers' songs, swallows' dances, joy, and laughter?

During the Cultural Revolution, a commemorative medallion of Chairman Mao bore the inscription on its reverse: “The spring wind has crossed the Yumen Pass.” This suggested that “the mighty eastward wind of the Cultural Revolution” had swept through Yumen Pass, where the spring wind had always struggled to arrive.

But this wind was not the gentle breeze that melts ice and snow or causes willows to sprout and turn green. Rather, it was an unprecedented gale, a violent storm that snapped branches and uprooted trees. Such a wind should never blow again!

On this land, fierce gales, storms, sinister winds, evil winds, wicked winds, and sandstorms often arise without warning. After each storm, the willows are often left uprooted, and the land’s vitality is severely damaged.

The truly alarming part is that these repeated storms have left deep imprints in people’s subconscious. Habit has become second nature. Whenever the land grows desolate, people yearn for a storm, believing, “To become rich, one must take risks.” To change the status quo, they think a destructive storm is needed. Few wise and calm thinkers have devised solutions to address such challenges.

Frozen, numb hands and feet should never be warmed directly with fire or boiling water. They must first be rubbed with ice or snow, then soaked in cold water to reduce numbness, and finally warmed with lukewarm water.

Storms leave grass withered, chickens and dogs unsettled, wild beasts rampant, and bones piled in the wilderness. Should we still long for violent storms to sweep across the land of China?

Gentle breezes and fine rains nurture without a sound, and the prosperity of all industries depends on the soul's nourishment. Every sage who enters Lifechanyuan, take a moment to reflect quietly: What kind of wind is blowing in Lifechanyuan?