The Warnings of Our Ancestors

How vast is God, The ruler of men below! How arrayed in terrors is God, With many things irregular in his ordinations. Heaven gave birth to the multitudes of the people, But the nature it confers is not to be depended on. All are (good) at first, But few prove themselves to be so at the last 1.

King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you sovereign of Shang, That you should have such violently oppressive ministers, That you should have such extortionate exactors, That you should have them in offices, That you should have them in the conduct of affairs! "Heaven made them with their insolent dispositions;" But it is you who employ them, and give them strength.'

King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you (sovereign of) Yin-shang, You ought to employ such as are good, But (you employ instead) violent oppressors, who cause many dissatisfactions. They respond to you with baseless…

5· Alas for people in this age of residues! The mind's wholesome core of truth has withered, and people live deceitfully, So their thoughts are warped, their speech is twisted, They cunningly mislead others-who can trust them?

6. Alas! How depressing to see the beings of this degenerate age! Alas! Can anyone trust what anyone says? It's like living in a land of vicious man-eating demons - Think about it, and do yourself a big favour.

7· Not long ago, your consciousness was wandering alone. Swept along by karma, it took this present birth. Soon, like a hair pulled out of butter, Leaving everything behind, you'll go on again alone.

8. Of course what we want is our own good, So we have to be honest with our own selves: If we don't accomplish the essence of the Dharma for our own sake, Won't we be ruining our own life?

Born c. 1714 - Executed on the 24 August 1779 without any formal charges or trial. (I think a lot has been lost in the translation of these ancient writings)

1. One day this will become Romaiko (Revolution) and fortunate is he who will live in that kingdom.

2. Oh! Blessed mountain, how many souls, women, and children will you save during those difficult years.

3. Those who will seek refuge up here in these high mountains will be fortunate; they will protect you from many dreadful sufferings. You will hear of but not see the dangers. You will suffer for three hours, or three days.

4. That which is longed for will take place in the third generation. It will be seen by your grandchildren. 

5. There will come a time when your enemies will even take away from you the ashes from your fire, but do not deny your faith, as others may…