Guanyin Oracle · Lot 46

Balanced

What it means

A lot of holding your ground until help arrives. No need to start over; keep steady and ignore distractions, and when the time comes someone will give a gentle push and everything will bloom. Zhao Pu kept his village school until he met Zhao Kuangyin and rose high. Stillness beats rash action; wait for that helping hand.

By matter

Line by line

1. 勸君耐守舊生涯
   Be patient and keep to your present life.
2. 把定身心莫聽邪
   Hold firm in body and mind; ignore bad counsel.
3. 直待有人輕著力
   When someone lends you a light hand,
4. 滿園枯木再開花
   the whole withered garden will bloom again.

Classic commentary

此卦枯木生花之象。凡事自有成就也。

守舊守舊。事自成就。動則多殃。靜則無咎。

The image: a withered tree blooming; things succeed on their own. The verdict: keep to the old, keep to the old, and it will happen; act rashly and trouble comes; stay still and no harm.

The story · Zhao Pu, the Village Schoolmaster

Zhao Pu, chancellor at the founding of the Song, began as a village teacher in Chuzhou. When the general Zhao Kuangyin attacked the town, Zhao Pu advised him on the route and timing, and the victory made him a trusted aide. After the Song was founded he served three times as chancellor and was made Prince of Han.

Reference: Lot 46 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.