It is the power of Buddha whereby he converts Angulimala , the dreaded robber who cut off his victims' fingers and wore them as a necklace round his neck. The Buddha walks into the robber's lair and says "Come along, monk!" and helps transform the marauder into a monk instantly. The latter follows him like a tiger that has been tamed. That is true power.
The power of yoga is that of ahimsa whereby one abandons in all possible manner, at all times, towards all beings, any inclination to hurt or harm. With that power one may approach two combating armies, stand between them and through sheer power of presence, make them lay down their arms. Alexander had massacred many in battle during his conquests. Yet, he gave up violence after meeting with monks who advocated ahimsa.
Chengiz Khan established a large empire by sheer force of violence. When he reached what is now called Afghanistan, he began to have doubts; he questioned the meaning of his life. He invited a Taoist master to talk to him.
The Taoist master's spiritual guidance convinced Chengiz Khan to stop his conquests and instead, set about consolidating what he had, peacefully. There is a painting depicting this in a Taoist temple in Beijing. ... "
Qiu Chuji stayed in Yanjing, Dexing Prefecture, Xuande Prefecture and other places for one year before he went out of the Pass and headed west in 1221. On his departure, people stopped his horse and asked about his date of return. He replied with emotion, "Within three years".
Qiu Chuji and his companions went west out of the Juyong Pass, passed through today's Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Central Asia, traveled across desolate prairies and deserts, precipitous mountains and ridges, and came to the city of Samarkand for the winter.
I In 1222, Qiu Chuji finally arrived at Genghis Khan's temporary abode. Genghis Khan rose to greet Qiu Chuji, while the latter folded his hands and made deep bows in return. Genghis Khan called Qiu Chuji an "immortal", and asked whether there existed means of extending life. Qiu answered, "There are only ways of nourishing life, but no elixir of obtaining immortality." Genghis Khan expressed appreciation for his frankness.
I In the following better part of a year, Genghis Khan often consulted Qiu Chuji on Daoism. Qiu Chuji pointed out that Heaven treasures life and disapproves of killing, and explained the principles that honoring Heaven and loving people were the foundation of governing people, and that having a pure heart and few worldly desires was the essential of nourishing life. Genghis Khan showed great consent. He ordered Yelu Chucai to compile their talks into the Record of the Auspicious Gathering with Daoists and educated his descendants with it.
Qiu Chuji took leave in 1223. Before long Genghis Khan ceased his western expedition. Afterwards, the strong Mongolian cavalry went down south massively and defeated the troops of the Jin dynasty with crushing force. The Mongolian soldiers had always been plunderous and bloodthirsty. However, thanks to Qiu Chuji's sermon of "no killing" and the protection from the Complete Perfection tradition, the people in dozens of prefectures and commanderies in the area of the Central Plain escaped severe suffering.
[ ... ]
In his seventies, braving sand storm and severe cold, hardships and dangers, Qiu Chuji had traveled long distances to meet Genghis Khan. He "stopped the killing just with a few words", thus saving the common people from the ravages of war. Qiu Chuji's achievements will be remembered forever. Moved by his deeds, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty wrote an antithetical couplet: "Living forever, but without eating clouds or pursuing secret instructions; one word to stop killing, which proves his outstanding merits in benefiting mankind ... "
From Tale of Quchuji
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1 comment:
Genghis Khan's last order was for the total genocide of a people called the Tangut, living close to there. Also, in his lifetime, the slaughter never really stopped. I believe he met this monk and had these conversations. I don't, as a Mongol scholar, believe it in any way lessened the genocide. That's not born out by history at all. In fact, he managed to totally wipe out a race in his act.
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