Debate: A Major Taboo for Those Journeying Toward the Heavenly Kingdom

Xuefeng

July 6, 2010

In the presence of Ancestral Buddha—the Greatest Creator, we can only believe with unwavering faith. To argue with HIM is to invite endless calamities.

In the presence of Christ Jesus, we can only follow. To argue with Christ Jesus is to expose our lack of virtue and capability.

In the presence of Shakyamuni, we can only obey. To argue with Shakyamuni is to reveal boundless ignorance.

In the presence of celestial Laozi, we can only listen. To argue with celestial Laozi is to show arrogance and a lack of character.

In the presence of the Prophet Muhammad, we can only submit. To argue with the Prophet Muhammad is to bring upon ourselves endless suffering.

Children must not argue with their parents. Citizens must not argue with their heads of state. Students must not argue with their teachers. Disciples must not argue with their masters. Subordinates must not argue with their superiors. Employees must not argue with their employers. Members of Lifechanyuan must not argue with their spiritual guide, Xuefeng.

Debate is the hallmark of the ignorant. When one truly understands, what need is there for debate?

Debate is the habit of the arrogant. With humility, what need is there for debate?

Debate is the nature of the combative. With non-action, what need is there for debate?

Debate is the pastime of those who stir up trouble. Those who diligently focus on their tasks have no time for debate.

Debate only occurs between equals—those of equivalent wisdom, equivalent ignorance, equivalent character, equivalent interests, or kindred spirits. When the debating parties are unequal or unmatched, debate is impossible. Dogs and donkeys cannot debate. Wolves and sheep cannot debate. Bees and flowers cannot debate. The wise cannot debate with the worldly, immortals cannot debate with mortals, and Buddhas cannot debate with Bodhisattvas.

Truth does not emerge from debate. Truth is revealed through meditation and the awakening of spiritual perception. The belief that "truth becomes clearer through debate" is a reflection of ignorance. Those who truly understand truth find it in nature, not in argument.

Debate drains energy, disrupts the mind, and prevents inner peace. Without peace, it is difficult to go far. Places where debates flourish are usually chaotic and filled with toxic energy. Such places are ideal for malevolent spirits and demons to sow disorder. They are not suitable for the cultivation of celestial beings.

"Separated by distance as if we were without colorful phoenix wings, our hearts understand each other intuitively." Without spiritual resonance, even ten million years of debate will not clarify basic truths or directions.

The three realms of Buddhist cultivation are the Arhat realm, the Bodhisattva realm, and the Buddha realm. Those who lack competitiveness and combative hearts attain the Arhat realm. Those who are free from attachments to self, others, beings, lifespan, dharma, or non-dharma, and who remain unattached to merits while possessing merits, attain the Bodhisattva realm. Those who unite with their innate nature attain the Buddha realm. From this perspective, Arhats, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas neither enjoy nor engage in debate.

“When the superior man hears of the Way, he diligently practices it. When the average man hears of the Way, he sometimes keeps it, sometimes loses it. When the inferior man hears of the Way, he laughs at it. If he did not laugh, it would not be the Way.” Laozi’s wisdom reveals that those who enjoy debating are never among the superior but belong to the average or the inferior.

No matter how much a herd of cattle debates, it will never understand the ways of humans. Similarly, no matter how much humans debate, they will never comprehend the ways of celestial beings. Members of Lifechanyuan who engage in debates will never grasp the path to the Thousand-Year World, the Ten-Thousand-Year World, or the Celestial Islands Continent of the Elysium World. A single guide to the Heavenly Kingdom surpasses millions of tourists.

As travelers, do not argue with your guide. What is there for tourists to debate with their guide? Each tourist need only follow the guide. What is there for tourists to argue about among themselves? Is anything worth debating? If tourists do not trust their guide, they should abandon the guide and proceed along the path they deem correct. Why waste time debating the guide’s roadmap?

Doubt, skepticism, debate, quarreling, and conflict will never lead one to life’s or LIFE’s highest realm, let alone the Heavenly Kingdom. Faith is truth. Love is LIFE. This was true in the past, is true now, and will remain true in the future.