Encourage People to be Kindhearted And to Reject Immoral Customs (1 of 2)
 
Ji Yun (1724 – 1805 AD), courtesy name Xiaolan, was a scholar from the Qing Dynasty. He was from Xian County, the present day Hebei Province. He was a "jinshi" (a successful candidate of the national civil service examination held at the imperial capital in ancient times) during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735 – 1796 AD). He was Secretary of the Ministry of Rites and Education and was one of the chief editors in charge of compiling the library of the "Emperor's Four Treasuries" (the largest collection of books in Chinese history, and presumably the most ambitious editorial enterprise in the history of the world).
 
Ji Xiaolan compiled the "Comprehensive Table of Content Summary of the Emperor's Four Treasuries" which searched and explored abstract information, gathered the essence, expounded the hidden meanings, and uncovered the details of more than 10,000 manuscripts from the imperial collection and other libraries. This demonstrated that he read extensively and had a broad knowledge, was hard working and diligent, and was truly a master in the editorial field. With his profound knowledge and remarkable views, he chose to believe in gods and Buddhas. He firmly believed and carried this belief throughout his life and work. His book Caotang Review Notes (literal translation “Notes on a Minutely Observed Thatched Hut”), is a sharp weapon to invalidate the atheist view. In the book, he cited numerous facts and proved the existence of the divine. He believed that proclaiming their existence was beneficial to people's moral values.
 
In the seventh chapter, article 61 of Caotang Review Notes, Ji Xiaolan cited the following incidents:
 
Story #1
 
Han Shouli's wife, Ms. Yu, was very pious, respectful, and had been taking care of her great-aunt. During the Geng-Chen Year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1760 AD), the great-aunt lost her eyesight. Ms. Yu sought everywhere for medical treatment but could not find a cure. She also sincerely prayed to the gods but to no avail. Upon learning about this situation, a sly fellow lied to Ms. Yu and said, "If you cut off a piece of your flesh, and light a candle for the gods and pray to them, your great-aunt's blindness will be cured." Ms. Yu was an honest and kind person, and did not know that the fellow was lying to her intentionally and making fun of her. She actually cut off a piece of her flesh, lit a candle, and prayed to the gods. The sly fellow laughed at what she did. Surprisingly, ten days later, the great-aunt was able to see again!
 
Ji Xiaolan analyzed and critiqued this incident, "Ms. Yu was deceived, thus, she cut off a piece of her flesh and prayed to the gods. This is ignorant behavior." (Author's note: Since Ji Xiaolan pointed out the above ignorant behavior, therefore, no one should emulate this kind of act.) "However, in her ignorance, there was devotion for the divinity, and filial piety for the elderly. Her devotion and filial piety moved the gods; therefore, the gods helped her and made her wish come true. The story seems unreasonable and unscientific, but it manifests an important principle. According to the atheist theory, such things don't exist and should not happen. But the fact is that it actually occurred. Think about it carefully. There is a reason why things like these occur. It is because the gods have supernormal abilities. It's just that some people stubbornly hold on to their views."
 
激发善心，砥砺薄俗 (上)
 
清代学者、文学家纪昀，字晓岚，直隶献县（今属河北）人。乾隆进士，官至礼部尚书、协办大学士。曾任四库全书馆总纂官，由他纂定的《四库全书总目提要》，真是钩玄撮粹，阐幽发微。足证其阅读极广，用功极勤，在编辑工作领域中，堪称金声玉振集大成的人物。他用自己渊博的知识，明晰的卓见，选择了敬信神佛，作为自己颠扑不破的信仰，贯彻于做人和著述之中。他的《阅微草堂笔记》，就是一部破除无神论的犀利武器。他在书中，用大量事实，论证了神佛的存在；宣传神佛有益于世道人心。
 
《阅微草堂笔记》卷七中之第61篇里（该书各篇未立标题。为便读者查核，笔者只好如此标识），写了两件实事。
 
第一件事是：
 
韩守立的妻子俞氏，平时侍奉她的姑奶奶，特别孝敬。乾隆庚辰年，姑奶奶双目失明了，她千方百计的求医，都治不好。便又虔诚的祈祷神佛，还是无效。这时，有个生性狡猾之徒，欺骗她说：「你割你身上的肉，去点神灯，这样祈祷神佛，就可以治愈你姑奶奶的眼病。」俞氏为人忠厚，不知道那人是故意欺骗、捉弄她，竟然真的割肉、燃灯、祈神。那个骗子在外面大为取笑。没想到十多天后，姑奶奶的双目居然复明了！
 
纪晓岚就这件事，分析评论说：「俞氏上当受骗而割肉祈神，是愚昧的行为。（笔者注﹕纪晓岚已特意指出割肉祈神是愚昧行为，所以任何人都不可效法此举）但是，她的愚昧中，包含着对神佛的虔诚和对长辈的纯孝。她的虔诚和纯孝，终于感动了神佛。神佛帮助了她一下，她的心愿就实现了。这件事看起来无理，无知（即不科学），但里面却包含着至理呀！」「按那些不信神佛的人的理论讲，有些事是不会有的，是不会出现的；但事实确在，它就是出现了。仔细想想：这种事实的出现，它仍然有道理。因为神佛是有超自然能力的。只是某些人太固执己见罢了。」