Reflections on "The Annoyance of the Venus Star"

This article was recorded on August 21, 2024, at 10:01 PM.

The tag I used for this article is Classics of National Studies, and I also want to start a deep study of the classics of national studies centered around the "I Ching."

Yesterday marked the release of "Black Myth: Wukong." Today, by coincidence, I picked up a book I bought a long time ago—"The Slightly Annoying Taibai Jinxing." From the moment I opened the first page on the subway at 8 AM, I was deeply captivated by the author's, Ma Boyong's, imaginative take on the story of "Journey to the West," using it as a backdrop to satirize contemporary issues.

This book solidly presents a "Record of the Current Situation in the Officialdom." It interprets the journey of Xuanzang to obtain scriptures from the perspective of a political event, metaphorically reflecting the ways of governance and human relations in modern society through the struggles of various parties.

The narrative is told from the perspective of Taibai Jinxing—Li Changgen, or from the perspective of a project manager, revealing a political propaganda show that promotes "saving the suffering." It revolves around expense reimbursements, work reports, personnel arrangements, social interactions, endless trivial matters, and the political struggles of senior leaders, which ultimately unveil the truth behind the chaos in Heaven. The causal entanglements lead to the eventual transcendence of karma and the achievement of the Golden Immortal. I finished reading the entire text just as it struck 10 PM. It is a fateful and interesting coincidence that the core of the story aligns closely with "Black Myth: Wukong." Interested friends can go purchase and read it.

The following content is limited by my own understanding; if there are any inaccuracies, I welcome criticism and correction from the experts.

About the Project#

Project#

The scripture acquisition project was personally initiated by the Buddha Tathagata, with the aim of helping his second disciple, Jin Chanzi, attain Buddhahood. The naive Weaving Girl asked, isn’t it better to become a Buddha directly? Why must one travel to the Tang Dynasty first?

Li Changgen deeply understands the ways of the officialdom—generals must rise from the ranks of soldiers, and prime ministers must emerge from local officials; without going through this process, it is hard to gain the people's trust.

Li Changgen keenly noticed that although the project was initiated by the Tathagata, the official document was issued not from Lingshan but from Jiu Feng—this project is unusual.

To determine who truly initiated a new project and how much importance is placed on it, one must consider not only the initiator but also the details.

Project Personnel Configuration#

The scripture acquisition project is a major undertaking, initiated by the Tathagata, who sent a formal letter to the Jade Emperor requesting assistance, thus becoming a collaborative project between the Western Paradise and the Heavenly Court.

Two protectors were appointed: Guanyin and Li Changgen. In simple terms, they are the project managers responsible for planning, execution, and resource coordination.

Whether the demons are sourced locally or borrowed, whether the venue is rented or constructed, whether to add special effects to the tribulation, and if special effects are added, reservations must be made—all these details need to be arranged by Guanyin and Li Changgen.

The four disciples of the scripture acquisition team plus the white horse are the project executors, more like actors.

Supervision of the project involves the four heavenly guardians, the five directions of revelation, the six Ding and six Jia, and eighteen protectors of the teachings, totaling thirty-nine deities.

Two people are working, four are performing, and a crowd is watching the excitement.

There are always more supervisors than workers, and senior leaders never communicate directly but rely on messengers—this is the norm in workplace projects.

Recruitment#

The project initiation document did not name anyone specifically; it merely called for the virtuous from the East to go to the West to acquire scriptures. However, with a distance of eighty thousand miles, how can an ordinary mortal make the journey? Just this one condition eliminates ninety-nine percent of the virtuous, leaving only Xuanzang as the most qualified candidate.

His journey to the West to acquire scriptures adds a line to his resume of merits in spreading the Dharma, making it justifiable for him to attain Buddhahood in the future.

Sometimes, recruitment conditions are tailored for a specific individual; don’t just look at how good the project is; even if it’s good, it may not be your turn.

Project Arrangement#

Project arrangements must fully consider the interests and situations of all parties. For example, since Xuanzang is not good at fighting and finds violence undignified, Guanyin must specifically remind him and find a Sun Wukong to fill the gap.

Moreover, project work does not need to involve any new tricks; stability is the priority. Don’t always think about innovation; the key is to complete the project steadily.

About Leadership#

The Mystique of Instructions#

The Jade Emperor's instructions regarding the scripture acquisition project were quite vague, giving Li Changgen a cyclical yin-yang symbol, making it difficult to determine whether the Jade Emperor agreed or disagreed.

Li Changgen pondered over this instruction several times and later realized that it was indeed ambiguous; if the project succeeds, it is the leader's credit, and if it fails, it has nothing to do with the leader.

If you want the senior leader to make a clear statement, that’s impossible; on one hand, it relies on insight, and on the other hand, it relies on capability. Being able to assist the leader in the project while also managing to execute it well is something Li Changgen achieved.

Gauging the Leader's Intent#

Gauging the leader's intent, Li Changgen is a master, especially in arranging for Zhu Bajie.

Marshal Tianpeng was demoted for sexually harassing Chang'e, but Li Changgen keenly discovered that although Tianpeng was demoted, the precious golden staff he possessed was not confiscated and was still with him. He judged that the Jade Emperor still wanted to have the opportunity to use Tianpeng, so he quickly devised a strategy to include Bajie in the scripture acquisition team, finding a way for Bajie to return to the Heavenly Court.

This is a typical example of thinking ahead of the leader and considering the leader's interests at every turn.

The Implicit Meaning of the Leader#

The Queen Mother invited Li Changgen for tea, wanting to include the Curtain-Lifting General in the scripture acquisition team, casually asking, "He has a magic staff given by the Jade Emperor, which is not much inferior to the golden staff."

Li Changgen immediately understood that the Queen Mother was comparing the two weapons on the surface but was actually asking, "Do my words carry the same weight as the Jade Emperor's?"

Every organization has such influential figures; they may not help you succeed, but at critical moments, a casual remark can easily sabotage your efforts. If you can’t even understand the implicit meanings of such figures, you might not even know how you met your end.

About Personnel#

Personnel Sequence#

Jin Chanzi is known as the second disciple of the Tathagata, but whether ranked by achievements among the top ten disciples or by the time of enlightenment, there is no place for the second disciple Jin Chanzi.

Thus, Li Changgen had to point out Xuanzang. The Tathagata would still protect him, but he was not formally included in the system, and his qualifications had to be earned by himself.

Also, because of Jin Chanzi's uniqueness, the project initiated by the Tathagata involved transferring Guanyin from Amitabha to be the project manager. Why? It was feared that disciples who attained enlightenment through cultivation might easily go against the teachings and cause trouble.

Xuanzang realized this and retained Guanyin as the left protector; otherwise, even Guanyin would have to be replaced.

Being sensitive to personnel sequences allows one to know what measures to take with whom; after all, the workplace is ultimately about people.

Personnel Arrangement#

The configuration of the four disciples in this project originally planned by Lingshan had to consider not only their lineage but also different experiences. According to Lingshan's plan, Sun Wukong had deep sins and could turn back; the Yellow Wind Monster was difficult to tame, having already sown the seeds of Buddha-nature; the ruler of the Black Chicken Kingdom was devout throughout his life and ultimately reaped good results. The three types of demons represented different types of seekers of the Dharma, thus fully demonstrating the boundless nature of Buddhist teachings.

This plan was good, but unfortunately, the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother each inserted Bajie and Sha Seng, and the ruler of the Black Chicken Kingdom preferred the present world over becoming a Buddha. Therefore, the personnel changed later, making personnel planning very important, but it could not be completely altered.

Personnel matters are the most complex, with the greatest variables. There are many instances of being undermined, which is why Li Changgen said that the two most important things in the workplace are connections and opportunities.

Second-Generation Officials as Colleagues#

Li Changgen's subordinate is the Weaving Girl, who is the daughter of the Queen Mother. She has a simple mindset, does not work, and goes to the Magpie Bridge to see her child after work.

Such second-generation official colleagues are the easiest to get along with; never compare their work ethic with yours. If everyone gets along well, there’s an upward channel, such as a crucial moment when someone says, "My mom is looking for you," which directly reaches senior leadership. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain a good relationship with second-generation official colleagues.

Xuanzang also has connections; when he sees Guanyin sitting without getting up to greet, he even considered replacing Guanyin.

However, Xuanzang is a second-generation official who wants to accomplish something. He truly accepted Guanyin and Li Changgen after the Kuixing incident. This is about going through experiences together, sharing common values and bottom lines, which will strengthen future relationships.

Never offend second-generation officials; their connections cannot be compared to ordinary workers.

Rivalries Among Colleagues#

The troublemakers mainly come from the orthodox disciples of Lingshan, employing various tactics, and even Guanyin does not dare to confront them directly.

Fortunately, these troublemakers do not dare to come out openly, so staying vigilant and letting them suffer hidden losses is a way to manage them.

Celebrities in the Celestial Realm#

Although Chang'e, a celebrity in the celestial realm, may not have deep connections, she has a wide social circle and can reach the heavens. Chang'e managed to get Sha Seng into the scripture acquisition team through the Queen Mother, and her influence should not be underestimated.

Celebrities must be treated with respect, as they know far more people than the average individual, and you never know when they might pass on a word that could help you accomplish something.

Connections (Protective Umbrella)#

In the Heavenly Court and the Western Paradise, connections are crucial; when doing things, one must first consider connections. Kuixing and Maoshu do not take the matter of stealing the Hundred Flowers Shy seriously because they have a protective umbrella. In the end, it still comes down to whose connections are stronger.

But is it impossible to do anything without connections? Not entirely, but the cost is too high. For example, the Six-Eared Macaque ultimately caused a major upheaval in the Heavenly Court but paid with his life. The Hundred Flowers Shy was able to escape the clutches of the demons only with the help of the scripture acquisition team, which can only be considered fortunate.

About the Supervisory Department#

Process Supervision#

The four heavenly guardians, the five directions of revelation, the six Ding and six Jia, and eighteen protectors of the teachings, totaling thirty-nine deities, are all involved in process supervision.

Those who supervise generally do not get involved; they only watch and do not act. However, if you can share some benefits, they might not be entirely unwilling to help.

For example, Li Changgen sought help from the protectors of the teachings at Huangfeng Ridge to cover up the project's flaws. However, when asking these people for help, one must be particularly cautious; the key core issues must not be revealed to them. For instance, although Li Changgen asked the protectors to save Wukong, the subsequent arrangements were never disclosed to the protectors, or it would lead to endless trouble.

Disciplinary Department#

Li Changgen visited the Three Officials Hall twice, both times filled with intrigue.

Once, someone from the West Heaven was sent to investigate Guanyin and sought Li Changgen's cooperation.

It was Manjushri and Samantabhadra borrowing the place of the Three Officials Hall, accompanied by the Mother of the Li Mountain. Although it seemed intimidating, first, Nezha helped convey a message to Guanyin, giving Li Changgen some assurance that it was not Guanyin who reported him. At the moment when Li Changgen felt the most pressure, the Mother of the Li Mountain offered him a cup of tea, further reassuring him and directly sending Manjushri and Samantabhadra away.

The hints from Nezha and the Mother of the Li Mountain were quite simple; Li Changgen had that insight, and not a single word was wasted. The main point is that no matter how powerful Manjushri and Samantabhadra are, they are still from the Western Paradise and not from the same system, so they do not pose a substantial threat to Li Changgen.

The second time, the Three Officials Hall formally sought Li Changgen due to the matter of the Six-Eared Macaque.

This matter was actually unrelated to Li Changgen, but the atmosphere was much more serious, and the consequences were far more severe. Although Nezha notified him again, there were no hints this time, and no one would offer him any tips in between.

For truly serious issues, no one will take risks to help you.

Li Changgen was dismissed, but there is wisdom in dismissal. That will be discussed later.

Additionally, officials in the Three Officials Hall are the most sensitive to personnel arrangements—why are they sensitive? They need to know which people to pressure and which ones to scrutinize, and to what extent; they must have some understanding of these matters.

Common Workplace Tactics#

Digging Pits#

Guanyin started by digging a pit for Li Changgen; he first asked Li Changgen to participate as a protector but did not tell him about the eighty-one tribulations. Li Changgen thought it was just one tribulation. After finishing the first tribulation, he realized there was a whole pile of work ahead, nearly driving him to frustration.

Then Guanyin said, "Let me count for you," and what was originally her responsibility immediately became Li Changgen's.

Digging pits often involves information gaps, so mastering comprehensive information is the first priority to avoid pitfalls.

Guanyin's pit digging did not stop at assigning tasks; for example, she initially sent the Tang Monk a cassock and a meditation staff without informing Li Changgen, then went herself. When it came time to design the tribulations, she let Li Changgen take the lead.

Good things were all Guanyin's, while the blame fell on Li Changgen.

However, Guanyin's approach was too childish, and she immediately offended Li Changgen, who later retaliated.

If we talk about a cunning fox who digs pits, it has to be Li Changgen. He dealt with Kuixing and Maoshu without revealing his hand; he knew they were afraid of being checked, so he sent an urgent document when they were off duty.

It’s like knowing you sneaked out and sending an email to your department head, demanding a reply within half an hour. The leader will definitely come looking for you, and the matter of being absent will be exposed.

Never offend anyone, especially not the office; the office is skilled at subtle manipulations.

Crafting Pretexts#

When it comes to crafting pretexts, both Guanyin and Lao Jun in the book are experts.

Guanyin's pretexts mainly revolve around achieving performance; one tribulation can be subdivided into three, making her a master of counting.

How well the work is done is not important; what matters is how the work summary is written.

Lao Jun's pretexts are much more advanced, mainly concerning finances; a half-finished project can lead him to craft numerous pretexts to collect various treasures. Later, he sent disciples down to participate as protectors, appearing generous while bringing a bunch of treasures, but when the treasures broke, it led to another pretext for repairing them.

Lao Jun's behavior of crafting pretexts to amass wealth is comparable to many IT departments in companies that handle system investments.

Li Changgen pays great attention to sharing benefits when doing things.

For example, he arranges some minor tasks for the supervisory team, and the supervisory team naturally benefits from Li Changgen's goodwill.

For instance, helping Guanyin with image building and external promotion solidifies Guanyin's position while also saving Li Changgen some effort on the project.

Knowing that Lao Jun loves wealth, he provides an opportunity for Lao Jun to participate as a protector while also making a profit.

Considering benefits from all aspects allows for genuine shared interests, which can truly form solid relationships.

The Value of False Moves#

Guanyin pretended to be an ordinary abbot when delivering the cassock to the Tang Monk, and as soon as she finished, she revealed her true identity; Li Changgen arranged for the protector to save Sun Wukong, and as soon as he was saved, he also revealed himself, even Zhu Bajie couldn't help but say it was too fake.

However, false moves are essential; for example, when you bring small seafood to the leader, the seafood may not be worth much, but you can't just show up empty-handed and pull out cash.

Many things in the workplace are similar; although they are fake, everyone knows they must be done. It serves as a cover, however thin, to conceal what needs to be concealed.

Public Relations Department#

Li Changgen always writes the announcements himself; it’s not that there isn’t a public relations department, like Kuixing, but they are lazy, asking various questions and requesting materials, making it easier to write it himself.

If the public relations department doesn’t want to write, the business department still has to write it themselves; after all, it’s their own project being promoted, and they can’t let their pride get in the way and miss their own promotional opportunities.

Writing Style for Documents#

The two project managers, Guanyin and Li Changgen, have the most important job besides arranging and coordinating: writing announcements, which serve as summaries and promotions for activities. Announcements are often far more important than the process of protecting the teachings.

What to write, what not to write, what to detail, and what to summarize are all skills. What to reflect and what to promote are of utmost importance, so having good writing skills is crucial in the workplace.

Internal Struggles#

The Heavenly Court has its internal struggles, the Western Paradise has its internal conflicts, the scripture acquisition team has its internal disputes, and the underworld has its own infighting.

Wherever there are people, there are rivalries; internal struggles are everywhere.

Never resign to escape internal struggles; if you can’t win here, you’ll still lose somewhere else.

When there are internal struggles, face them head-on; through fighting, you will gain experience.

Dismissal#

Li Changgen was dismissed, and immediately the Queen Mother sought him out for a conversation. If the leader still engages with you after dismissal, it indicates that it’s not a big deal and is likely temporary.

If, after dismissal, no one pays attention to you at all, it’s likely a sign of being finished.

Promotions and dismissals are both tactics; constant promotions may not be good, as it could lead to being over-praised, and being dismissed does not mean it’s the end; there may still be protection.

Maintain a proper mindset regarding your own dismissal, and keep your eyes open regarding others' dismissals.

Personal Growth#

Maturity#

Maturity is not easy; even a thousand-year-old fox cannot handle an old demon. There is always a higher mountain.

When Guanyin faced a workplace crisis, Li Changgen helped resolve it, earning his admiration. He commented that Li Changgen hides his sharpness within softness and repays grievances with virtue, stating, "In comparison, I am too immature and must learn from you."

Compared to Li Changgen, Guanyin is somewhat impatient; he tends to act too obviously and too hastily, which reflects his immaturity.

At the Three Officials Hall, the Mother of the Li Mountain stopped Manjushri from questioning Sha Wujing because Sha Wujing is associated with the Queen Mother, and at that moment, Li Changgen was unaware. During a break, the Mother of the Li Mountain handed Li Changgen a cup of tea and casually remarked, "The tea at the Three Officials Hall is not as good as the pre-tribulation dew tea from the Yaochi." It was then that Li Changgen realized that the Queen Mother was protecting him and that he was safe.

Li Changgen reflected on his own immaturity.

Many matters are subtle; they cannot be stated outright. When someone hints at you, you must ponder deeply.

Self-Preservation#

Li Changgen's primary motivation is self-preservation; in the scripture acquisition project, he aims to complete the project steadily, without worrying about innovation. It’s important not to offend anyone and to avoid pitfalls.

When the Six-Eared Macaque sought him out, he realized that a major event was unfolding, and he preferred to remain ignorant rather than wade into murky waters; this is also a form of self-preservation.

Often, self-preservation is not easy; one must tread carefully as if walking on thin ice.

The key to self-preservation is to know your own limits, which matters you can involve yourself in, and which ones you should avoid; having a clear understanding is essential.

Bottom Line#

Not everything can be resolved through self-preservation; when it comes to the bottom line, one must take action when necessary.

For example, the incident where Kuixing forcibly took the Hundred Flowers Shy crossed the bottom line for Guanyin and Xuanzang, becoming a turning point for the scripture acquisition team and directly influencing Xuanzang's final choice.

Bottom-line thinking is crucial; you cannot always be indecisive; you must have a stance when necessary.

A small matter can trigger a storm if it touches the bottom line of most people.

However, the "luck" of the Hundred Flowers Shy is indeed rare.

The Spirit of the Worker#

The worker Wugang chops trees every day, chopping and merging, merging and chopping. Initially, Li Changgen felt sorry for him.

However, Wugang's tree-chopping revealed a different understanding, akin to the Eastern Sisyphus.

In the end, Li Changgen realized that he and Wugang are not so different after all.

The spirit of the worker is something to be cultivated slowly.

Realm#

Li Changgen ultimately reached the realm of the Golden Immortal, at the cost of transcending karma and forgetting emotions.

What broke through Li Changgen's barriers was the incident with the Six-Eared Macaque.

Li Changgen began to vaguely understand the truth behind the Six-Eared Macaque, which was connected to the chaos in Heaven years ago—Sun Wukong was merely a scapegoat, while the true instigator was the Jade Emperor's brother-in-law, Erlang Shen. Erlang Shen was a royal relative, and after 500 years, no one wanted to stir up this matter, and naturally, Li Changgen did not want to get involved.

During this time, two inner voices battled within Li Changgen; one represented rationality and orthodoxy, advocating for the transcendence of karma, while the other represented the residual emotions within Li Changgen, being sentimental, impulsive, and human.

Rationality told Li Changgen not to get involved, as he could not afford to, but sentimentality made him feel that the Six-Eared Macaque was wronged.

The Queen Mother warned and promised him, "Transcend karma and forget emotions."—Do not get involved in this matter; the Golden Immortal is within reach.

As for how to sever ties, it depends on whether one can truly forget emotions. Li Changgen realized that his previous stagnation was due to being overly emotional, leading to entanglements with karma.

However, Sun Wukong told him, "If you cannot attain the Golden Immortal, knowing the truth will be of no benefit; once you attain the Golden Immortal, your words will carry weight, and the truth will not matter." This statement hit the mark, when you reach a high enough position, you become the truth.

In the end, Li Changgen secretly revealed the truth to Wukong and retained a portion of his "residual emotions" when he attained the Golden Immortal.

He understood the profound truth: "Transcending karma does not mean avoiding karma; it means focusing solely on oneself; forgetting emotions does not mean being emotionless; it means only cultivating oneself."—Everything revolves around one’s own cultivation, remaining steadfast amidst worldly affairs. In this way, one can be involved in karma without being stained by it, and one can have desires without being attached to them, achieving a completely different realm.

Is this an extreme form of refined egoism? Perhaps.

Whether one is a worker, an executive, or a boss, in the end, one lives for oneself.

Others#

Injustice#

The Six-Eared Macaque being impersonated by Sun Wukong is akin to someone taking a college entrance exam under a false identity, desperately seeking justice. Although Li Changgen sympathized with him, he did not provide any substantial help, even using him when needed and then wanting to kick him aside afterward.

The Six-Eared Macaque discovered the secret behind the chaos in Heaven; he was completely unaware of the situation in the celestial realm and foolishly went to report it, causing the Three Officials Hall to be on high alert, dragging Li Changgen into the mess.

In the end, the Six-Eared Macaque fought to the death and tragically perished before the Tathagata.

The Six-Eared Macaque had high potential; even if he abandoned his previous century of cultivation and started over, he still had the possibility of great achievements. Unfortunately, his obsession with seeking justice did not match his ability to obtain it.

Sometimes, in the workplace and in life, there are grievances that you cannot swallow, but you must endure. It’s better to wait until you have the power to make a difference before acting.

Entrepreneurial Friends#

Zhen Yuanzi and Li Changgen were classmates; Li Changgen became a civil servant while Zhen Yuanzi engaged in ginseng fruit cultivation, making a fortune.

Zhen Yuanzi's entrepreneurial venture was free from the burdens of attendance and colleague rivalries, living quite freely. He was skilled at packaging and promoting, quickly taking photos with Guanyin when he saw her, and upon hearing he could participate in an event, he immediately made the proposal extravagant, constantly tying it to the ginseng fruit product.

Zhen Yuanzi is truly a master of business, quick-witted and adept at marketing and creating momentum.

Service Companies#

The Bone Spirit is a service company with good service attitudes, excellent proposals, and consideration for every detail, making Li Changgen happy.

However, all three roles are played by one person, making it a tough job, and collecting final payments is difficult.

Small companies often have one person doing the work of three.

Service companies find it hard to secure projects and even harder to collect final payments.

Half-Finished Projects#

The Three-Pointed Peak of Lao Jun is a famous half-finished project. Initially, the planning was completed, but Lao Jun said the feng shui was wrong and changed to another mountain. After half the work was done, Erlang Shen stepped in and said he wanted to build a temple. Once the temple was completed, he was still dissatisfied, and the Three-Pointed Peak became thinner and thinner until it eventually collapsed, becoming a flat-topped mountain.

After 500 years of tossing and turning, countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures were wasted, and nothing was accomplished.

Who ultimately benefited the most from this? Of course, it was Lao Jun.

Typically, half-finished projects have hidden agendas, but Li Changgen did not dare to touch those agendas.

Outsourcing Companies#

The underworld's life and death book system crashed, preventing ghosts from reincarnating, forcing the ghost officials to operate manually. If it weren't for the fact that they could directly die from exhaustion in the underworld, it would still be chaotic.

The Nine Halls of Yama were entangled in disputes, and the truth was that the life and death book system upgrade was outsourced.

The outsourcing was passed around to multiple parties; it was originally contracted to the Taiyi Xuanmen, but the orthodox Taoists merely used their name to win the bid, then transferred it to the wild Taoists of Chezhi Kingdom, who then outsourced it to the Great Immortal of Tiger Power.

With limited capabilities, the system was ruined.

Outsourcing is a trap, and the workers in outsourcing companies have a hard life.

The novel also touches on issues like human trafficking, impersonation in college entrance exams, grassroots corruption, and opaque operations, etc. It’s too long; I’ll slowly supplement it when I have time.

In the end, the project leader Guanyin successfully completed the task, and the seasoned Li Changgen attained the Golden Immortal. The trainee Xuanzang found his original intention, returning to the Tang Dynasty to translate and spread the Dharma, Sun Wukong sought justice for the wronged Six-Eared Macaque, and Zhu Bajie underwent significant changes, while Sha Seng, who despises evil, gained recognition.

Ultimately, these individuals all have their own bottom lines and retain their sincerity.

Excerpts of Good Sentences from the Original Text#

Transcending karma does not mean avoiding karma; forgetting emotions does not mean being emotionless or desireless.
Behind every unreasonable matter, there is a reasonable reason; it’s just that you don’t know it.
Many human obsessions are beyond our understanding, but that does not mean that the pain does not exist.
Great virtue is eternal, and the pursuit of truth never ceases.
If a person does not bear any cost for their actions, how can they ensure that others will not imitate them?
Generals must rise from the ranks of soldiers, and prime ministers must emerge from local officials. Without experiencing the trials of the mundane world, even if you become a Buddha, you cannot win the people's trust.
While the ancient Buddha before the green lamp has a bright future, some people would rather tend to their own small plot of land.
In conflicts, do not go to extremes; extremes lead to stagnation. Always retain a bit of kindness to achieve longevity.
The key to coordination is not fearing that your requests are strange, but fearing that you do not know what you want. As long as you grasp the true demands of all parties, you can coordinate a solution that everyone can accept.

Final Complaints#

The life and death book system in the underworld is like a mountain of code; as long as it runs, don’t change it casually, or it may crash easily! (Really tearful!!!)

Lastly, I want to say that we don’t need to take many things so seriously. However, people do need to find something certain that makes you feel secure, that makes you feel everything is not so empty, just like Sun Wukong and Xuanzang, after experiencing so much, chose to be their true selves in the end. I think that’s great; doing what you truly want to do will not make you feel exhausted.

Forever young! Forever sincere! Forever youthful, forever eager to embark on new journeys!