The Book of Old Man Yellow Stone | an introduction to special uses of the I Ching | Chang Liang, Chuan Chu, Emperor Chin | Chou Dynasty (1766-1121 B.C.) | "THE MIDDLE LAND" | "CHIN"

Master Chang is known by a variety of names: Chang San-Feng, Cheng San Feng, Chang Chun Pao, Chang Sam Bong, Zhang Sanfeng, Chang Tung, Chang Chun-pao, Grandmaster Chang, Chang the Immortal, Immortal Chang, Zhangsanfeng, Zhan Sa-Feng, Zhan Jun-Bao, Yu-Xu Zi, Chuan Yee and Chun Shee.  There may have been a number of male Taoist priests and hermits who chose to use the name Chang San-Feng.  >>http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/chang1.htm<<

During the Chou Dynasty, the country now called China was a culturally, socially and politically unified nation.  At this time, there were many small country states, each with its own king.  Heading all these sates was a central figure, the Emperor.  This arrangement was similar to the political structure of the United States today.

Near the end of the Chou Dynasty, the power of the central government became weak, and individual states began fighting in order to gain control over each other and the central government.  But in the year 248 B.C., after a long period of confusion, the State of Chin finally succeeded in reuniting the country.

When Chin was a small, rustic state, it was more suitable for raising cattle than promoting agriculture.    Thus, aggressive and forceful qualities developed among its people and produced good generals, warriors and fighters so that it eventually succeeded in conquering the surrounding countries.

Present day China was named after Chin by foreigners.  People living in China called their nation the "Middle Land".

The First Emperor of Chin, a cruel conqueror, was the first to ascend the throne by the strength and vigor of his personality instead of being appointed or recognized by a previous emperor.  Indeed, in the virtuous culture of ancient China there were none like the first Emperor of Chin.

The power of China as a unified nation was soon enhanced and expanded.  After achieving his goal, the Emperor eventually began contemplating his own life and death.  Being an ambitious man, he sought physical immortality, which is a shallow, incomplete understanding of true immortality.

Being a man of power, he was able to locate a spiritual book that contained the secret of everlasting life.  Unfortunately, the book was written in ancient mystical words and he was only able to understand one sentence:  "The one who shall come to destroy Chin is Fu".  He interpreted the word "Fu" to mean a tribe from the northern part of China, and wishing to have perpetual protection for his empire, he mobilized the whole country to build a great wall that would stretch for more than 2300 kilometers and thereby thwart any possibility of attack.  Ironically, it was not the northern tribe of Fu which destroyed him, but his second son, whose name was Fu.  He never realized that the enemy was right in his house!

In northern China, in a small country called Han, there lived a young man named Chang Liang who decided to take revenge on the first Emperor of Chin.  Since there was no way to organize an army to remove the Emperor by force, Chang Liang sought an assassin for his secret plan.  He was eventually led to a man named Chuan Chu, who had a reputation for bravery.  Chang Liang discovered that Chuan Chu's mother was very weak and suffered greatly, so he decided to help make her life comfortable, and thus treated her like his own mother.

One day Chuan Chu said to Chang Liang, "You are so kind to me.  I could not find a better friend in the world.  Please, if you have any request, just ask.  I would do anything you wish.  I would go into water or fire for you."

Chang Liang said, "I know of your fame as a brave man, and I admire your courage.  I have a secret plan to assassinate the brutal Emperor Chin".

The brave young man, after making his sincere offer and hearing the details of the plan, agreed to do it.  His only request was that someone take care of his mother, which Chang Liang promised to do.  Chuan Chu then prepared his weapon, a spearhead that could be concealed near his breast, and left to carry out his vow.

Some time later, Chuan Chu heard that the Emperor of Chin was traveling from the West to Tai San, a sacred mountain in the East, looking for secret spiritual books to make himself immortal.  Since the Emperor's caravan was very long, Chuan Chu decided to fulfill his mission while the caravan was passing.  Hiding until the Emperor's chariot was within reach, Chuan Chu threw the spearhead with all his strength at the target.  The Emperor's first minister fell dead.  The Emperor immediately ordered the whole country to look for the attacker.

Chang Liang, who was full of vengeance and convinced that it was necessary to repay teeth with teeth and blood with blood, was easily discovered as the instigator of this assassination attempt.  All his strength and energy had been spent on this misadventure and now public awards were offered everywhere for his capture or knowledge of his whereabouts.  Wishing only to save his life and escape arrest, he retreated to a rural place called Shah-Pi, feeling hopeless and confused.

One day while taking a walk, he came to a bridge that crossed a dry stream bed.  As he approached, an old man called out to him.  "Hey fellow, go to the stream and fetch my shoes!"  At first, Chang Liang was appalled by the old man's insolence and continued walking, but he thought again and decided, "I am no longer an heir or a noble of the royal court, I am now a refugee.  Maybe I should help this old man."

So Chang Liang went down to the dry stream, picked up the shoes and brought them to the old man.  The old man said, "Put them on my feet".  Such a gesture was very humilating for Chang Liang.  However, he swallowed his pride and anger and submitted to the old man.

The old man then said, "seven days from now, very early in the morning, come back to this spot, and be prompt.  I shall reward you with something you may need for your future career".  Then he quickly left.

Since going into hiding, Chang Liang had continuously tried to devise a way to save himself and overthrow the Emperor, but as he was having no success, he thought, "What can I lose by meeting the old man?"  So he went to the designated spot at the appointed hour.  When he arrived, the old man was already there and said, "How can a young person like you be so negligent as to break a promise to be prompt?  I was here long before you.  Try again in seven days.  At that time, if you do not miss me by being late, you will find something that may interest you".

Chang Liang had no hope that the old man could really offer him anything of value.  However, he felt that to decline such a strong request from an old man of dignity was ignoble, so once again he went to the arranged spot.  This time, he arrived much earlier than the appointed hour, but was surprised to find the old man already there.  "You are late," the old man said.  "Try again in seven days".

Chang Liang could feel the strength of the old man's words piercing his heart with their simplicity.  After the victory of overcoming his own pride and self-importance, he decided to make whatever efforts were necessary to comply with the old man's request, even if they were greater than anything he had ever done before.   He knew that it was not the old man who was making him so determined, but something deep within himself that had to be reformed and that would prepare him for a new phase of life.

The next time, instead of arriving earlier, he decided to wait at the spot the whole night.  When the old man found him, he handed him a package and said, "If you wish to triumph over the strong, evil one, you have a chance.  By studying the book contained in this package you shall become the teacher of kings and emperors in all future times".

Chang Liang politely asked, "May I know your name, sir"?  The old man replied, "When you succeed in overcoming the tyrant, meet me at the foot of Mount Ku Chen in the north of Chi".

From that day on, Chang Liang intently studied the book.  These are the great truths he discovered and applied to his life

["GALAXY/IES", Painter Rufino Tamayo] The universal moral order cannot be violated, Although strong and ambitious people attempt to compete with the silent sovereignty of the Tao ... no one has yet succeeded ... Nor will there be anyone in the future who will succeed ... It is foolish to fight strength with strength or attempt to replace evil with evil ... Are the teeth not stronger than the lips?  But which lasts longer?   To be headstrong is to be the disciple of Death ... To be gentle is to be the pupil of Life ... The biggest enemy of human life does not exist outside oneself ... No, the biggest enemy of human life exists within oneself ... He who wishes to conquer the world is ignorant and does not know himself well ... To compete with the ignorant is ignorant ... To teach the ignorant requires a kind hand and enduring strength ... The stubborn and the ignorant will bury themselves in the ashes of their own ambitions if they do not develop receptivity ... A truly great conqueror learns from the non-competitive Tao ... that cares for all with uniform gentleness and immutable silence ...

CULTIVATING PEARL IMMORTALITY

These treasures helped Chang Liang unlock his puzzled mind and once again left him with the great task of overthrowing the cruel and ruthless Emperor of Chin.  He was able to bring about this feat and establish the new Han Dynasty (206-219 A.D.).

Chang Liang was grateful to the teacher who changed his life from one of abject failure to one of great success.  At times, he went to the foot of Mount Ku Chen in the north of Chi in search of his teacher, but as the highest teacher is not identifiable, he could only discover a huge piece of yellow stone which resembled the old man's natural dignity and nobility.  In his honor, Chang Liang entitled the book he had received, "The Book of Old Man Yellow Stone".  In practical terms, it is an introduction to special uses of the I Ching.

V.  Chu Ku Liang, The Mountain Hermit ... In Chinese history there was a period known as the time of the Three Kingdoms (200-265 A.D.) that was an era of great turbulence and confusion, much like today.  During that time there was a wise hermit named Chu Ku Liang who lived on a mountain ridge called Wu Lu Kang, which means "Mountain Ridge of the Resting Dragon".  As you may know, a dragon signifies good energy or high talent.

... to be continued ....  THE BOOK OF CHANGES and THE UNCHANGING TRUTH, By HUA-CHING NI

YIN & YANG & YANG & YIN:  DRAGON-PHOENIX-DRAGON-PHOENIX

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c rkelly 5/30/14