The Principles and Values Behind the Disappearance of Homes

Xue Feng

November 28, 2023

"One minute on stage, ten years of hard work off-stage."

The annual moment of fame for Nobel Prize winners takes only a few minutes, yet it conceals years, even decades, of quiet research, contemplation, and exploration. It is said that Edison experimented with 1600 materials before successfully inventing the light bulb. Throughout human history, those who achieved great accomplishments have almost always been repeatedly battered by failures.

When we examine the histories of Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism, we find that in their developmental histories, they suffered numerous destructive setbacks. For instance, Buddhism in Chinese history experienced five periods of extinction. Considering recent suppression, it faced at least six destructive oppressions. Every spectacular transformation in an individual or a cause is forged through blood, tears, and is brewed from pain.

We witness the beautiful butterfly dancing in the flowers, yet it emerged from the metamorphosis of a crawling caterpillar. The transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly is an extremely arduous and painful process. I have long observed the growth process of silkworms and the transformation of silkworm pupae into moths. Each molt and metamorphosis is a test of LIFE and death and a heart-wrenching split.

From the perspective of Tai Chi principles, darkness and light coexist; shame and honor are shared; failure and success are twins; pain and joy are intertwined. To enter the light, one must go through darkness; to gain honor, one must face shame. Without experiencing failure, success is nearly impossible; to enjoy joy, one must endure pain.

Eleven seasons have come and gone, "Green hills remain, how many sunsets have glowed red." The 15 picturesque paradises we painstakingly built with our sweat and toil have suffered destructive blows. Through ten-plus springs and autumns, ten-plus instances of wind, frost, and snow, we have committed no wrongdoing. Why then must we endure such devastation? What is the reason behind it?

The answer is: this is a consequence of the objective laws of development, a process and price that must be paid. Without experiencing darkness, where would the light come from? Without setbacks, where would tranquility arise? Without paying the price, where would blessings come from?

The book "Cai Gen Tan" says: "When heaven is about to inflict misfortune upon people, it first treats them with small blessings. Therefore, one should not rejoice excessively when blessed, but rather consider if they can endure it. When heaven is about to confer blessings upon people, it first admonishes them with slight misfortunes. Hence, don’t overly worry when misfortune arrives, but consider if they can be rescued." The Taoism master Laozi teaches us, "Good fortune lies within misfortune, and misfortune may conceal within good fortune." The proverb "The Old Man at the Frontier Lost His Horse" illustrates the uncertainty of fate.

After facing numerous setbacks over more than ten cycles of seasons, who can assert that it is not a blessing in disguise for the Home? Slower growth fosters deeper roots, a richer appearance, and longer longevity. "Born suddenly, gone suddenly," similarly, slow to grow, long to last. The longer the lifespan of something, the more setbacks and hardships it endures, and its growth proceeds more gradually.

The lifespan of the Lifechanyuan era is a thousand years. This is a lengthy process, making it longer than the existence of any other thing in human history. Thus, according to the principles of the objective laws of development, the setbacks and blows experienced by Lifechanyuan have yet to be enough. We must be psychologically prepared to accept more challenges.

However, we explicitly understand that it's due to enduring over a decade of hardships that we've realized the value of Lifechanyuan, acknowledging the remarkable power and vitality of the Second Home's innovative modes of living and production. If we hadn't faced these trials, it would signify that what we're engaged in and the path we're following align with outdated, lifeless cultures and systems, destined to disappear swiftly, much like horse-drawn carriages when automobiles arrived.

So, fellow Chanyuan celestials, although we are facing difficulties now, the future of Lifechanyuan is undoubtedly bright and glorious. Our wishes will undoubtedly be fulfilled, our aspirations will certainly come true.