The Chinese believe that sentient beings originate from heaven, as do the rules of ordinary society. That is why adhering to heavenly principles has been important to Chinese people. When the heavenly principles are followed, the country will be at peace and the people will live in harmony. When the heavenly principles are disregarded, there will be drought, floods, and other natural disasters, and it will be difficult for people to make a living. There are many documented examples from the past which include discussion of this principle. The following are two stories from Historic Records of Cause and Effect.
 
In the Song dynasty (960 – 1279 AD), before Liu Chang was appointed governor of the Danzhou Region, that area had experienced severe drought and locust plagues. After Liu Chang took office, he acted with probity, abided by the laws and treated the people like his children. He immediately looked into all disputed trials and reversed all unfair sentences. Respect for the law was quickly restored. Then he governed by virtue instead of punishment and taught the people by example. Gradually, honesty became the standard by which people lived. One day a traveler passed through Shouzhang County and lost his bag of money. Instead of pocketing the money, local people picked up the bag and took it to the local coordinator. When the traveler returned, it was returned to him. Another time, a person forgot some items at night on the city streets. He returned the next day to find the items exactly where he had left it. The central government honored Liu Chang’s governance and the local people praised him. Soon, the rains came again and the locusts disappeared. Although the locusts continued to fly around the neighboring regions, they did not enter the Danzhou region and the people were spared from drought and locusts. (Biography of Liu Chang, Song Dynasty History)
 
Wang Zhang lived during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD). His father passed away when he was very young. Under his mother's guidance, he studied diligently. After he was appointed magistrate of Zhuji County, his mother was still very exacting. Once he returned home late after a farewell party for one of his friends. His mother told him to kneel and then she beat him with a stick. She said, "Weren't you appointed county magistrate to manage this county instead of partying with alcohol and food?" Wang Zhang was very ashamed and he did not dare lift his head. During the six months he governed, all of his actions were very transparent. The local citizens lived in harmony and peace. When the central government appointed him to a post in Yin County, the people of Zhuji County didn't want him to leave. However the people of Yin County were desperately waiting for him to take office. This caused a commotion between people of the two counties. Later, he was promoted to be an ombudsman. One time he went to Gansu Province for an inspection. Gansu was experiencing a serious drought. He wrote a note and prayed to the Heavens, "If I, the ombudsman, am corrupt or if I have done anything that harmed the people, please punish me. But please bless the people and protect them from this disaster!" Then he burned the paper. Soon after, there was a rainstorm. (Biography of Wang Zhang, Ming Dynasty History).
 
Throughout history, all wise people lived by the heavenly principles. They cultivated virtue, lived devout lives, and held the thought of heaven deep in their hearts. Respecting the heavens, protecting the people, transforming and assisting the people with virtue and kindness are all compassionate acts in accordance with the heavenly principles.
 
顺天意国泰民安
 
尘世的生命来自于天，尘世的规则源于天道，因此遵循天道是我国传统的做人理念。顺天意则国泰民安，风调雨顺；逆天行事则旱涝失调，民不聊生。这些事例史书上多有记载，以下为《历史感应统纪》中的两个故事。
 
宋代时刘敞在担任郸州知州之前，郸州及附近几个州郡久旱不雨，蝗虫肆虐。刘敞上任后，廉洁奉公，爱民如子。他首先平反冤假错案，判决狱政诉讼公正无私，很快辖境之内法治整肃，纪律严明。他以德施政，对民众实施教化，使民风敦厚淳善。某日，有位旅客途经寿张时，不慎将一袋钱遗失在路上，当地居民没有人敢任意拾取，便由里长代为看守保管，旅客返回后寻获了失物。又有一人，傍晚在市街遗失物品，隔天才去寻找，失物仍在原地。刘敞良好的政风得到了朝廷的表彰和百姓的赞扬。随即天降甘霖，蝗虫出境，蝗虫在境外飞来飞去就是不入郸州郡。解除了百姓的蝗虫之害，干旱之苦。（《宋史•刘敞传》）
 
明代的王章自幼丧父，他的母亲督导他刻苦读书。王章担任诸暨知县后，他母亲对他依然家教严峻，有一次因为帮朋友饯行而较晚回家，母亲叫他跪地，并杖责他说：“朝廷任命你当知县，是叫你去喝酒吃肉的吗？”王章惭愧的伏在地上，不敢抬头。王章在任期间，做到了政通人和，百姓安居乐业。半年后，他奉命调到鄞县。结果诸暨的百姓舍不得他走，而鄞县的百姓却又急著要他来，两地的人民为此而相争不下。后来他升任御史，到甘肃视察，当时两河地方正闹旱灾，他上檄文祷告上苍：“若是我这个当御史的有贪污或危害人民之实，请神责御史，求上天保祐人民解决困境！”檄文焚烧后不久，大雨果然倾盆降下。（《明史•王章传》）
 
上天慈悲于众生，有好生之德，唯行善深合天心。所以自古以来真正的明智之士都是顺天意而行，总是积累最诚挚的心意，用最大的功德来感动上天的心。敬天保民、善化众生、济世助人都是符合天道的大善之举。