During the Qing Dynasty, Luo Yangshan served in the Ministry of Rites as an official responsible for internal and external documents and petitions from the people. He faced exclusion from his colleagues, making it extremely difficult for him to work. Luo was inherently cautious and meticulous, and over time, his pent-up frustrations turned into illness, leading him to become melancholic, listless, and disinterested in life.
One day, while sitting in despair, he had a dream. He found himself in a mountain setting, where flowers bloomed, and streams flowed under a sunny sky. This scene appeased him, instantly sweeping away his worries. He strolled along the creek until he reached a thatched cottage, where an older man emerged and invited him inside. They had a pleasant conversation, and noticing the sorrow on Luo’s face, the older man inquired about his troubles. Luo shared the pain he had endured over the years.
After listening, the old man sighed in sympathy and comforted him, saying: “This has its roots in past lives, but you cannot know it. Seven hundred years ago, you were the painter Huang Quan of the Song Dynasty, and the one who excluded you was Xu Xi. His paintings should have surpassed yours, but, fearing he would take your favor at court, you used distorted words to push him aside. This cost him the opportunity to enter the Academy of Painting and led him to a life of hardship and regret.
“During several lifetimes of reincarnation, you two never met again. In this life, due to circumstances, he finally has the chance to repay the old grudge from 700 years ago. What you are experiencing today is just like what you imposed on him back then; what is there to complain about? Look, everything in the world operates in a cycle of cause and effect; this is the way of Heaven.
“There must be a reward for every act; this is why emotions exist. The seeds you have sown will ultimately bear fruit. Cause and effect move like the sun and moon; there will surely be a time of intersection. Harming others will ultimately harm oneself. In my past life, I also had a connection with you. Because you have yet to awaken, I share this past cause-and-effect that troubles you daily, so you may understand the origins of your current difficulties. The grievances between you and him have been resolved. From now on, I hope you will be cautious and avoid creating pain for others and producing more karma.”
After hearing the older man’s words, Luo suddenly felt enlightened, and his competitive spirit dissipated. A few days later, his old ailment mysteriously healed. Luo did not know who the man in his dream was or what connection they had had; however, his teachings on the heavenly principles of cause and effect and the inevitability of retribution unraveled the complexities of fortune and misfortune in life.
The heavy burden of frustration that lingered in his heart disappeared. Luo had previously accumulated good karma, which led to the older man’s insight and allowed him to understand the grievances of 700 years. This dispelled the poison of accumulated resentment, restoring his path towards unimpeded virtue.
The blessings and fortunes in life do not lie in winning or losing, but in the rewards of cause and effect. The way of Heaven is just. Small schemes driven by self-interest can lead to serious mistakes, creating debts that harm others and must be repaid even after many lifetimes.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Laura Cozzolino
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