Feng shui is an increasingly popular term these days. Good feng shui is believed to bring luck and harmony to individuals on their journey to success, providing them with many favorable circumstances. Feng represents the air and magnetic fields, the constant movement from one place to another. Shui represents water, the flowing and ever-changing element. Feng shui, in a broad sense, includes the external environment, such as houses and land, but it goes deeper and further than that. The feng shui of an individual is their inner state.
Our ancestors said that the mind gives birth to countless phenomena. Therefore, at the core of feng shui is the individual. The first element of feng shui is the Mind (Intention). The second element of feng shui is the Mouth (Speech). The third element of feng shui is behavior (Action).
Therefore, our ancestors taught that if someone wants good feng shui, they must cultivate their Mind, Speech, and Action. Because even if the land is beautiful and the direction of the house is good, if the Mind, Speech, and Action are not good, it can still bring misfortune. On the other hand, even if the land is not beautiful, but the Mind, Speech, and Action are good, the quality of the land can gradually improve.
Feng shui also pays attention to gathering positive energy and avoiding negative energy. If a person is grateful, nurturing a good heart, and thinking positively, they will gather positive energy. A radiant face, a glowing aura, a mouth like a blooming lotus, will create the image of a sacred mountain (gold peak), which leads to the accumulation of wealth. Conversely, if a person harbors resentment, envy, and jealousy, they gather negative energy, which is reflected in a gloomy and sad countenance, projecting a suffocating image. This will attract unfortunate circumstances.
Filial piety is the first of one hundred virtues
It is because of the belief in feng shui originating from the Mind, the mind gives birth to countless phenomena, so to have good feng shui, one must cultivate their Mind, avoiding harm, not competing, not speaking ill of others… And the greatest virtuous Mind a person can have is filial piety towards their parents. Our ancestors said that filial piety stands at the top among one hundred virtues.
Filial piety means respecting and caring for parents, paying dutiful attention to their parents’ needs, obediently listening to their parents’ words, not causing them heartache.
Over time, the concept of filial piety has changed, but the core has not. It is still about love, care, and support for parents, repaying their nurturing and caring, being obedient and not arguing with them, helping them when they are sick and old, and respectfully remembering and honoring them when they pass away. Filial piety means speaking politely to parents, being obedient, not using disrespectful language. When parents are confused or calm, loving and tolerant. When working, always thinking of parents, spending time visiting and taking care of parents to make them happy. When parents are sick, nursing them with care, and when parents are healthy, having joyful conversations. Filial piety means always doing good deeds and cultivating virtues for parents, improving their quality of life. Filial piety means not complaining when taking care of weak and sick parents but taking care of them wholeheartedly, not competing or separating with siblings.
Of course, the most important aspect of filial piety is taking care of parents while they are still alive, not building tall and beautiful tombs, spending a lot of money on gold and silver. When parents pass away, filial piety is not about building large tombs or elaborate rituals and ceremonies. It is about carefully and respectfully caring for the ancestral altar.
Information for reference and contemplation
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