Xi'an Mosque in China (Photo: John Emigh)
Since I start off my mornings in Beirut in Chinese class, I like to read a few passages from Displaying the Concealment of the Real Realm before my work day begins…
A guest (Taoist) asked, “For what reason did the Real Lord create heaven, earth, and the ten thousand things?”
Answer: “For human beings.”
Question: “Why were human beings created?”
Answer: “When the Lord wanted to manifest His own utmost honor, He created human beings specifically. This is the general meaning.”
Question: “The Lord is the most honored and the utmost great. Why should it be necessary for Him to manifest Himself?”
Answer: “If there were no heaven and earth, humans, and spirits, how could the Lord be the Lord of the ten thousand things? According to your statement, it is not necessary for the greatly honored to manifest himself. This would mean that it is possible for him to be a king without ministers and multitudes. Were there none of these people, who would make him a king?”
