III. The Teaching
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Aside from direct communication with his disciples, the Patriarch's religious thoughts can be gathered from two books, T'ai-hsüan's Discourse on the Truth, T'ai-hsüan's Discourse on Various Topics, and a few essays. These do not form a systematic theology but only provide basic discussions of certain specific concepts. Hence only an outline of his teaching can be given. I shall group his teachings under a few topics:
i. General purpose of the religion
Perhaps the single passage which reveals the aim of Patriarch Lo's religion most simply is when he answers the question why the Supreme Deity revealed Himself. He says, "(The Supreme Deity revealed Himself so that) 1. Man, knowing that the Supreme Deity exists in the Universe, dares not perform wrongful acts. 2. Human worries and sufferings may be abrogated. 3. By transmitting the method of cultivation, man may revert to Simplicity and return to the Truth. 4. Man may realize that he ought to accumulate good deeds and cultivate his person so that, while in this life, sufferings and worries may be reduced, and that, when he dies, he may return to the Supreme Being. 5. By revealing the method of curing and exorcism, man may be relieved from disease and attain longevity. 6. Man may have a clear idea of his destiny and not be confused."
This passage clearly states that human destiny is to return to the Supreme Being after death and that to achieve this two things are needed, to lead a moral life and to cultivate one's person according to the revealed method. In this life one may expect some assistance from the Supreme Being in the fight against disease and demons. Thus Patriarch Lo's thought contains the classic themes of religion. Each of the important concepts will be clarified below.
ii. Concept of the Supreme Deity
The Supreme Deity forms one of the most extensively discussed subjects in Lo's writing. First, the existence of the
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III. The Teaching
16
Aside from direct communication with his disciples, the Patriarch's religious thoughts can be gathered from two books, T'ai-hsüan's Discourse on the Truth, T'ai-hsüan's Discourse on Various Topics, and a few essays. These do not form a systematic theology but only provide basic discussions of certain specific concepts. Hence only an outline of his teaching can be given. I shall group his teachings under a few topics:
i. General purpose of the religion
Perhaps the single passage which reveals the aim of Patriarch Lo's religion most simply is when he answers the question why the Supreme Deity revealed Himself. He says, "(The Supreme Deity revealed Himself so that) 1. Man, knowing that the Supreme Deity exists in the Universe, dares not perform wrongful acts. 2. Human worries and sufferings may be abrogated. 3. By transmitting the method of cultivation, man may revert to Simplicity and return to the Truth. 4. Man may realize that he ought to accumulate good deeds and cultivate his person so that, while in this life, sufferings and worries may be reduced, and that, when he dies, he may return to the Supreme Being. 5. By revealing the method of curing and exorcism, man may be relieved from disease and attain longevity. 6. Man may have a clear idea of his destiny and not be confused."
This passage clearly states that human destiny is to return to the Supreme Being after death and that to achieve this two things are needed, to lead a moral life and to cultivate one's person according to the revealed method. In this life one may expect some assistance from the Supreme Being in the fight against disease and demons. Thus Patriarch Lo's thought contains the classic themes of religion. Each of the important concepts will be clarified below.
ii. Concept of the Supreme Deity
The Supreme Deity forms one of the most extensively discussed subjects in Lo's writing. First, the existence of the
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