Guanyin Oracle · Lot 79

Balanced

What it means

A lot of keeping faith and fulfilling vows. A promise or wish you once made has been granted; now honour it, rather than forgetting once the need has passed. Wei Ke kept his father's true wish, treated another kindly, and was repaid with knotted grass. Trustworthiness is the heart of this lot: do what you said, and blessing follows.

By matter

Line by line

1. 虛空結愿結人緣
   A vow made into the void builds a bond.
2. 保得人安愿未還
   The person was kept safe, but the vow is unpaid.
3. 得兔忘蹄真絕跡
   Forgetting the snare once the hare is caught is heartless.
4. 敢將初誓謾輕瞞
   How dare you lightly break your first oath?

Classic commentary

此卦信實莫信虛之象。凡事守舊之兆也。

人有我見。心不用忙。觀音指示。切莫輕慢。

The image: trust what is real, not what is hollow; keep to the old. The verdict: everyone has their own view; no need to rush; Guanyin has shown the way; do not take it lightly.

The story · Wei Ke and the Grass-Knotting Old Man

Wei Wuzi of Jin told his son Wei Ke to remarry his favourite concubine after his death, but on his deathbed, delirious, demanded she be buried with him. Wei Ke followed the earlier, clear-minded wish and found her a husband. Later, fighting the Qin general Du Hui, he saw an old man knotting grass to trip Du Hui, and captured him. That night the old man appeared in a dream: he was the woman's father, repaying the kindness.

Reference: Lot 79 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.