Revealing the secret: How "fake Taoist priests" make money during rural funerals

In my hometown in the countryside, no matter the big or small things, weddings and funerals, there is a profession called "household Taoist priest", which is a well-known and prestigious person from all over the country. They usually work in the fields, and if someone has something to do at home, they put on colorful Taoist robes and bring magical instruments: suona, cymbals, gongs, etc., and sit and chant, sing and beat, which is both lively and inexplicably awe-inspiring.

? As old as they count the time for the deceased, visit the cemetery, read the road, cross the Naihe Bridge, and move the grave for burial; as small as if someone's child is frightened, or someone is suddenly possessed by evil spirits, they take Taomu with them. The sword is used to ward off evil spirits, cast down spirits, draw charms and spells; or if a family buys a new house, they are invited to settle down in the house. They are indispensable in everything. These large and small rituals also bring them considerable income, and wherever they go, people look up to them and are highly respected!

But this group is actually "fake Taoist priests" who wear Taoist robes and follow folk customs to make money. The omnipotent "Master He" was once regarded as a god by the whole town. He was suddenly hospitalized with cancer. When I saw him again, he was completely gone. He was once tall, good at singing, and had a loud voice, but now he is skinny and skinny, and his legs are as thin as a compass and are teetering on the verge of collapse! I helped him lean against the bed: "How long did it take? It cost a lot of money, didn't it?" "It cost more than half a million, and my family's fortune was depleted. It's been almost two years. This is really not a life for human beings."

“Then why did you think of becoming a Taoist priest in the first place?” “It’s a family-traditional way to make money, and it doesn’t require a lot of effort. The host’s family entertains you with good food and drinks, and the rewards are also large. I am a son. If you inherit your father's inheritance, your life will be better!" I laughed out loud and teased him: "What a son inheriting his father's inheritance, does this also refer to karma?" The Taoist priest was speechless at this time, and I asked again: " "Can your way of crossing the dead be carried away?" "I don't know. I just follow the instructions and do it if the master asks us to do it. Anyway, this is how the older generation came, so I guess we can carry them away. Otherwise, how can we do it?" Why are so many people asking for me? "It's true that Zhou Yu beats Huang Gai, one is willing to be beaten, and the other is willing to suffer. The one who is willing to suffer is the stupidity and ignorance of others. Taoist He’s “practice” is folk custom, and custom is not the truth! It has nothing to do with liberation from reincarnation! He said that this was a means of making a living, and that he could just follow the process and be done with it. He didn't care and couldn't control the effect. People who spent money bought peace of mind and did it for the living to see. They were irresponsible to the dead. It is true that when we have relatives who pass away, we all hope that we can use some method to help them go to a better place and stop suffering. So where there is demand, there is supply. Therefore, various methods and various characters appear, especially at the end of the Dharma. In this era, demons and swindlers are rampant, and all kinds of heresies are mixed with Buddhist teachings to show off their talents.

? Article 25 of the Evil Views of the Dharma "A Brief Explanation of Evil Views and Wrong Knowledge" by Namo's founder Sambhogakaya Buddha "Recognize Buddhism and practice mixed practice with heretics." He made severe criticism on this issue because There are quite a few cases where formal Buddhist teachings are mixed with heretic practices. Because heretics have all kinds of methods, such as yin and yang, feng shui, fortune-telling, good times and auspicious days, witches playing tricks, spells to pray to gods, raising little ghosts, etc. They are all heretics, especially under the slogan of Buddhism, and some even take refuge in the Three Jewels. Buddhists still do this kind of thing, and even claim to be masters of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. It is evil to mix these with Buddhism. It is conceivable that this can transcend the dead? In fact, after death, whatever retribution a person receives depends on his or her own karma. Nothing can be taken away. Only karma remains with him. The living can release lives, offer lamps, recite correct sutras, and dedicate to the deceased. Increase good deeds and merits, but to transcend them, it requires a true saint to do it. The "Taoist priests" who rely on these rattles and drums are just blind men lighting lamps in vain! But in terms of our customs, these people are never absent, and even occupy an important position to fool those ignorant people... Fortunately, the ancient Buddha came to the world and brought the Dharma meaning that is one with the origin of Lord Sakyamuni. This is the Dharma that has not been tampered with by demons and demons. It points out the direction for us. We must go deep into the Buddha's scriptures and listen respectfully to the Buddha's Dharma. This is the right path and we will not be deceived.

Please cherish the opportunity to live with the Buddha for a lifetime, practice according to the Buddha's teachings, and transform cause and effect through practice. Practice is the foundation of learning the Dharma, the cause of liberation, and the source of enlightenment. May everyone stay away from feudal superstition, establish correct knowledge and views, and follow the path to Bodhi.

——END——

Writer: Ci Qing

Editor: Dongshan