A Taoist Talks About Destiny
 
In the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912 AD), Ji Xiaolan (1724 – 1805 AD), a renowned scholar, wrote Yuweicaotang Notes, in which he talked about a mysterious Taoist's talk on destiny. It was very profound and practical. It is beneficial to read even today. Below is the translation of the main part of the story.
 
Ming Sheng was the county magistrate of Xian County. One day he was working on a lawsuit. He wanted to redress the injustice and rectify an incorrect judgment, but was afraid his superiors would disapprove; therefore, he was very hesitant. One of his subordinates, Men Dou, had a friend with supernormal abilities, so Ming Sheng asked him to check with the friend.
 
The friend said very seriously, "As the head of a county, one should only be concerned with the people’s injustices rather than considering higher officials' potential decisions. Did the magistrate forget the story told Li Wei?" Li Wei (1687 – 1738 AD) was a prominent official during Emperor Yongzheng’s reign.
 
When Men Dou returned with the message, Ming Sheng was very surprised since Li Wei did tell him a story a long time ago. But how could his subordinate's friend know about this? It was really mystical. Nonetheless, Ming Sheng now knew how to handle the lawsuit.
 
Before Li Wei became a high-ranking officer, he once took a boat to cross a river. On the boat, there was a Taoist. In order to save some money, a passenger argued with the boat owner. The Taoist sighed, "For a person who will be drowned soon, he still argues with others over such insignificant things. It is really not worth it!"
 
Li Wei heard this, but did not understand what the Taoist meant. After a while, a strong wind started to blow on the river. That passenger could not stand still on the boat, fell into the water and drowned. Li Wei now felt that the Taoist had miraculous powers. At that moment, the wind became stronger and stronger, and the boat almost turned over. The Taoist started to walk in the boat in the arrangement of Polaris and other stars, and recited verses. The wind soon stopped, and the people on the boat survived. Li Wei thanked the Taoist repeatedly for saving the people's lives. The Taoist said, "That person was doomed to drown, and there was nothing I could do. But you have a great future, and despite today's tribulation, it was your destiny to be saved. It is something I had to do, so you do not need to thank me."
 
Li Wei was very grateful and enlightened upon hearing this. He thanked the Taoist again and said, "It is very beneficial to hear your teachings. From now on, I will remain humble to fulfill my destiny."
 
The Taoist said, "Not necessarily. For one's personal interest such as fame and fortune, we should remain humble and abide by our destiny. Otherwise, people will fight with each other, which will cause karma. One example is Qin Hui, who had the most notorious reputation for framing and killing the innocent general Yue Fei.). Another example is Li Linfu who was known for his treachery in removing potential political challengers. Had they remained humble, they would have still become prime ministers, because that was their destiny. However, in order to achieve personal gain, they tried all means to frame and kill other innocent people. Doing that did not lead to a higher rank, but instead brought karma to them."
 
"On the other hand, as to the lives of citizens, we cannot just remain ignorant and let it be. As a person in charge, one has to fulfill our responsibilities to reduce peoples' pain and suffering. Zhu Geliang once said, 'I will exhaust myself [for the nation], till I die.' It also refers to this. Whether the actions taken are successful or not is beyond the control of the instigator. The reason a nation has various levels of officials is to improve people's lives, and make the nation stronger. Were the officials to not take initiatives to care about the people, but instead passively waited for orders from higher officials, what would be the use of these officials? These are truths which I hope you can fully understand."
 
With these words, the Taoist went down to the boat and soon disappeared.
 
神奇道人论命理
 
清代人纪晓岚，在《阅微草堂笔记》中，写了一位神奇道人谈论命理的事，内容深刻，切合实际。至今读来，仍觉富有教育意义。现摘其主要内容，意译如下：
 
献县有个县令，名字叫明晟。他接到一桩冤案，想为平民申冤，把错判纠正过来。但他又怕上司不允许。左思右想，迟疑未决。他的下属有个人名字叫门斗，门斗认识一个有特异功能的友人。明晟就派门斗，请那位友人预测指教，告知怎么办才好。
 
那位友人很认真庄重的回答：「明晟县令，身为一县百姓的父母官，只应考虑百姓的冤不冤，不应该考虑上司的准不准。他难道忘记了李卫先生讲过的故事吗？」
 
门斗回来，向县令明晟，如实汇报了友人所讲的话。明晟一听，大为吃惊，这让他想起了李卫很早以前，向他讲的一段往事。但这位友人怎么知道这件事呢？实在神奇。
 
原来李卫制府大人，还没做官时，一次上船渡江，遇见一位道人。当时，有一渡客，为了少给一点摆渡钱，跟船公吵起来。道士叹息说：「一个人马上就要淹死了，现在还为少付几个钱，跟人家争吵，真不值得！」
 
李卫听了，当时不明白道士讲这话的意思。过了一会儿，忽然刮起江风，那个渡客，脚下被船板绊倒，一下子就掉入江中，淹死了。李卫这才觉的：道士实在神奇。此时，江风狂吹，船都快翻了。道士脚踏罡步，不断念诵咒语，狂风很快停息，船上的人都得救了。李卫向道士再三拜谢救命之恩。道士说：「刚才淹死的那个人，是他命中注定了的，我不能救。你是贵人，今天遇难而得救，也是命中注定了的，我不可不救。所以你不必感谢我。」
 
李卫听了，大受教益，又拜谢说：「听了您的教诲，我终身受益。我今后要终身安份守命了。」
 
道士讲：「你这话不完全正确。一个人对自己的荣辱、升沉、富贫，等等，是应该安守本份，即安命，也就是顺其自然。不安命，则尔虞我诈，互相倾轧，甚么坏事都干的出来。这就会造业。比如李林甫、秦桧，他们若能守命，顺其自然，也会当宰相的，因为他们命中有。但他们当年为了向上爬，使尽心计，排除异己，陷害忠良，也没能当上比宰相更大的官；只是给自己增加罪恶而已。至于国计民生之利害，则不可言命；面对百姓疾苦、民困民冤之事，不可听之任之，顺其自然。一切负责人，都应该负起责任。诸葛孔明有言：臣鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已；至于成败利钝，非臣之明，所能逆睹也！就是这个道理。天地养育人才，国家设置各级官员，目的是为了兴国济民。身为官吏，手握事权，束手而委命，天下何必生此才，国家何必设此官？以上是圣贤立命学说的完整之真谛，希望你能全面的领会。」
 
道士讲完话，就下船，很快便不见了。