HARMONY BUDDHISM

Plow Hill of King Yao : Non Cày Vua Nghiêu

The Plow Hill (Non Cày Vua Nghiêu (Yao:尧)): indicates Lich hill. Formerly, before becoming a heir to King Yao, Thuấn (舜, pinyin: Shun) came to this hill to cultivate crops, which was infamous for its fierce animals. Thuan was an orphan of his mother when he was young, and his father married another wife who did not love him, but wanted him to disappear out of her sight. His father listened to her, that’s why he was sent for difficult tasks, sometimes so dangerous to his life that going to this area equals death. Due to his filial piety, he was deemed touching the animals which, instead of harming him, helped him harvest great crops. The elephants came out to plow his land, whereas birds landed to help weed wild grass. His name was gradually known to many for his willingness to help and reached the ears of King Yao, who summoned him to be one of the officials under him. Due to his talents, he won the trust of the King, who before passing away, chose him as his heir, instead of his children whom he thought were not so well-equipped and virtuous as Thuan to handle his throne.

The Master has this to say:

“The cloudy Lich Hill shines on a brave man”

(“Non Lịch đài mây rạng tu mi”.)

From his poem ‘Vén Màn Bí Mật’ (Lifting the Secret Curtain)

In Oracle Vol 1, line 841-844, Master compares Mad to Yao, and Crazy to Shun, for succession between the Master and Disciple in carrying on the Mission as if Emperor Yao bequeathed his kingdom to Shun given the latter has proven sufficient virtues and talents to take over.

Mad is native at Mt Sam as a hermit.

While Crazy have neither pagoda nor hut here.

King Yao used to open lands with a ploughshare,

Which he, today to Crazy, has bequeathed,

(Khùng thời quê ngụ núi Sam,

Còn Điên chẳng có chùa am dưới nầy.

Vua Nghiêu xưa mở đất cày,

Ngày nay nhường lại cảnh nầy cho Điên.)