By definition, Thiên Cơ is literally translated as a heavenly machine. In fact, it is to a layperson a mystery known only to Heaven (archaic) / inscrutable twist of fate/ top secret. It is hardly communicable to the average person, with the exception of supernatural beings.
In religious teachings, the concept of Heaven’s Secret or Machine is similar to what has been prearranged or predetermined by the Almighty God, the beginning and the end of the Cosmic Cycle, and the evolution of the participants, sentient, and non-sentient beings, during the movement of the Universe, in an orderly manner, or a universal Law.
Lord Master Huynh the Founder of Hoa Hao Buddhism, through his Oracles and Poems, often mentioned ‘Heavenly Machine’, and ‘Predestiny’. His concept has special characteristics as follows:
Heavenly secrets change every minute and have a significant impact on human society:
The Heavenly Machine turns every minute.
Vicissitudes change as though flying arrows.
(Madman’s Ode, Vol. II lines 13-14)
Because the cosmic order is changing so rapidly, the Master urges all people to quickly cultivate and progress on the path of Dharma that He has already laid out, and to diligently practice the Dharma of Buddha Recitation so that at the time of death they may be reborn in the Pure Land.
“Nhìn cuộc thế đổi thay quá gắt,
Máy Thiên-cơ mỗi phút mỗi thay.
Nẻo thạnh suy như thể tên bay,
Đường vinh-nhục rủi may một lát.”
(Giác Mê Tâm Kệ, Q.4, t. 14)
“Seeing the world changing so drastically,
The workings of Heaven change every minute.
The path of prosperity and decline is like an arrow in flight,
The road to glory and disgrace, fortune and misfortune, is but a fleeting moment.”
(Awakening from Delusion, Vol. 4, p. 14)
This sentence expresses that time does not wait for mortals anymore, as the divine plan has revealed signs to the Master, reminding each person to eliminate arrogant and wicked actions, to maintain pure thoughts and speech, and to always remember and contemplate the Buddha. Although the Master is currently far away, He always uses His manifestations to travel throughout the world to widely save sentient beings:
Seeing that the number of people listening to His teachings was too small, and that most were blind and deaf, His heart was filled with sorrow and tears flowed freely.
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