That deification was a very fair selection. Heaven and Earth, based on the karma of each living being, punished the wicked and evil, and rewarded those who were filial, loyal, and righteous. “The wicked will be burned by fire, those who practice virtue will live in the ancient times.” (People’s Verse, Vol. 2).
Deification is the ceremony of bestowing divine status upon the deceased. According to Chinese and Vietnamese customs, those who knew how to be loyal to the king and love the country are deified after death, such as during the time of the Two Trung Sisters, there were Lady Le Chan and Bat Nan. In the South, there was the time of Thuc An Duong Vuong, there were Lords Lu Trung and Lu Quoc. In modern times, Lord Nguyen Huu Canh was bestowed the title of High-Ranking Meritorious Official. Lord Nguyen Trung Truc was posthumously bestowed the title of High-Ranking Great Minister by Emperor Tu Duc. The Master has now affirmed:
“Born a general, died a god,
This proverb has been passed down to the present day.” And:
“Even if one does not transcend, one will become a god.
Thanks to the two words: loyalty to the king and love of the country.”
(Awakening from Delusion)
The term “Fengshen” (Investiture of the Gods) used by the Master in this lecture refers to the Investiture of the Gods by Jiang Ziya and Zhou Wuwang (China). During the late Shang Dynasty, the gods and immortals often descended from the mountains to cause trouble for the people, so the Three Religions held a council to select those with less virtue to become gods and saints. Those with sufficient virtue were to become immortals and Buddhas.
Jiang Ziya was ordered to post the Investiture of the Gods list; those with insufficient merit and virtue would have their souls placed there. On the final day, those with sufficient merit and virtue would be guided to the Buddha’s realm; those with less virtue would be placed on the Investiture of the Gods list. Ziya assigned guardians to each place. Those who survived, had military achievements, and were loyal and patriotic, were given land and titles by Zhou Wuwang, resulting in 800 vassals.
The Master often mentioned this Investiture of the Gods:
“Therefore, in ancient times, Heaven arranged the Investiture of the Gods,
To eliminate those who mistreated and deceived the good people.”
(Not Sleepy)
Notes on the Oracles (1975)
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