道者,萬物之奧。善人之寶,不善人之所保。
美言可以市尊,美行可以加人。
人之不善,何棄之有?
故立天子,置三公,雖有拱璧以先駟馬,不如坐進此道。
古之所以貴此道者何?不曰:以求得,有罪以免邪?故為天下貴。

Translation

The Dao is the secret sanctuary (Ao) of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the protection of the "not good" man.

Beautiful words can win respect; beautiful deeds can improve people.
But even if a man is not good, why should he be rejected?

Therefore, when an Emperor is crowned and his three ministers appointed,
Though they have jade discs and a team of four horses,
It is better to remain seated and enter into this Dao.

Why did the ancients value this Dao so much?
Did they not say: "Seek and you will find; commit an offense and you will be forgiven"?
Therefore, it is the most valuable thing in the world.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

In Liuren Fajiao, the "Secret Sanctuary" (奧) is the space of the Altar. It is a place where even the "not good" (those with suffering or bad karma) can find refuge and help. A true master "rejects no one" (不棄), using the power of the lineage to transform and heal those who seek the Dao.

The teaching that "Sitting and entering the Dao" is better than "jade and horses" (wealth and status) is the standard for a practitioner. External ritual objects are only tools; the true connection happens in the internal "Sanctuary" of the heart.

"Offenses will be forgiven" (有罪以免) refers to the Dissolution of Karma rituals in our tradition. By aligning with the Dao, the heavy "debts" of the past can be dissolved through the grace of the Immortal Master. This is why the Dao is considered the ultimate "Treasure."

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