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iv. Cultivation
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BARTHOLOMEW P.M. TSUI
The return to the Supreme Deity demands moral development and cultivation. Moral development is required because only a good person may become united to the Supreme Deity and because it is the pre-requisite for cultivation. "The way to cultivate the person is to first practice the superior morality and the abolition of evil inclinations."29 More about morality will be discussed in the next section. Cultivation is necessary because only a recollected person is in tune with the cosmos and is receptive of the truth. On the subject of quiet-sitting, Lo says, "When the mind is nurtured and the spirit recollected, one may form a ternion with heaven and earth and be in communication with the Supreme Deity."30 On the one hand, Patriarch Lo is convinced that man's destiny lies in his own hands. "Whether one becomes a god or a demon depends entirely on one's own making. Heaven has nothing to do with it."31 In another place, Lo affirms his belief in the moral law of cause and effect (karma, 報應 ).32 On the other hand, Lo appears to think that knowledge about the Supreme Deity can only be obtained by revelation. "My opinion is that only by obtaining the Tao or by witnessing God's revelation can a person know a few things about God."33 This dual approach to cultivation is seen in another passage. "The most important thing in mental cultivation is devotion to the Supreme Deity. May He always be present in your heart. Adore Him in the morning and in the evening. Always be ready to accept his spiritual light. In the practice of cultivation, the communication between heaven and men, and their mutual relationship are the supreme methods. Next in importance is quiet-sitting. In the way of quiet-sitting, ... this practice will always bring results. These two should be employed together. They assist each other and bring one to the Tao." Patriarch Lo's programme of cultivation contains a paradox: on the one hand, knowledge about the Supreme Deity depends on gratuitous revelation; on the other, man's destiny lies entirely in his own hands. This is the timeless theological problem of grace and free will. The maintenance within this theological system of a paradox at this point rather than attempt a more intellectual solution may indicate that Patriarch Lo's
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iv. Cultivation
32
BARTHOLOMEW P.M. TSUI
The return to the Supreme Deity demands moral develop- ment and cultivation. Moral development is required because only a good person may become united to the Supreme Deity and because it is the pre-requisite for cultivation. "The way to cultivate the person is to first practice the superior morality and the abolition of evil inclinations."29 More about morality will be discussed in the next section. Cultivation is necessary because only a recollected person is in tune with the cosmos and is receptive of the truth. On the subject of quiet-sitting, Lo says, "When the mind is nurtured and the spirit recollected, one may form a ternion with heaven and earth and be in communication with the Supreme deity."30 On the one hand, Patriarch Lo is convinced that man's destiny lies in his own hands. “Whether one becomes a god or a demon depends entirely on one's own making. Heaven has nothing to do with it."" In another place, Lo affirms his belief in the moral law of cause and effect (WWA ),” On the other hand, Lo appears to think that knowledge about the Supreme Deity can only be obtained by revelation. “My opinion is that only by obtaining the Tao or by witnessing God's revelation can a person know a few things about God."33 This dual approach to cultivation is seen in another passage. "The most important thing in mental cultiva- tion is devotion to the Supreme Deity. May He always be present in your heart. Adore Him in the morning and in the evening. Always be ready to accept his spiritual light. In the practice of cultivation, the communication between heaven and men, and their mutual relationship are the supreme methods. Next in importance is quiet-sitting. In the way of quiet-sitting, the most paradox: on the one hand, knowledge about the Supreme Deity this practice will always bring results. These two should be employed together. They assist each other and bring one to the Tao." Patriarch Lo's programme of cultivation contains a paradox: on the one hand, knowledge about the Supreme deity depends on gratuitous revelation; on the other, man's destiny lies entirely in his own hands. This is the timeless theological problem of grace and free will. The maintenance within this theological system of a paradox at this point rather than attempt a more intellectual solution may indicate that Patriarch Lo's
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