The lecture above by the Master indicates that in the past, Marquis Xi Bai (King Wen) was revered by people as a sage, yet he was still imprisoned by King Zhou at Yuli for seven years. How much more so, then, can the effort to save the world in the present time avoid the suppression of lawless powers and the slander of the world.
Looking back at sentient beings who are rolling in the sea of worldly suffering, from one disaster to another without end, it is no different than the time of Jie and Zhou, when the people had to grieve and lament under the cruel rule of those two kings. Because Jie and Zhou were excessively weak, some were burned to death, others lost their lives; the foundations and achievements of ancestors fell into the hands of others, and they left a disgraceful reputation for all generations.
Thinking with compassion for the Bright King, a figure of intelligence and virtue, following the example of Yao and Shun in cultivating oneself and establishing good conduct, in order to: “Establish a universal harmony across the world” so that humanity may benefit.
Extracted from the Oracle Commentary (1975)
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