[ENG SUB] 【神传文化】 古典名著流传于世的深意

The Profound Meaning Behind the Enduring Popularity of Chinese Classical Masterpieces Originally published on “Minghui.org” by Ming Jian In China’s Divinely inspired culture, the Four Great Classical Novels have been widely read and are well-known to all. The fact that the Divine has preserved this culture in the world must have a profound meaning. Below, I will share some of my own humble insights: I. The Mystery Behind the Enduring Popularity of *Dream of the Red Chamber* *Dream of the Red Chamber* has been widely circulated throughout the world, drawing admiration from countless people. Numerous scholars and literary figures have also become engrossed in studying and exploring it. I believe that *Dream of the Red Chamber*’s social, humanistic, historical, and literary-artistic values, and so on, are not the true reasons for its enduring popularity and widespread circulation. What, then, is the true reason for its widespread circulation? Ancient Chinese culture is a Divinely transmitted culture—that is, a culture of cultivation. To study the work without considering this theme is, in itself, to stray from the point. And the first thing one must let go of in spiritual cultivation is attachment to emotional ties. *Dream of the Red Chamber* devotes a vast portion of the text to describing emotional entanglements. Yet this very “affection” is the sea of suffering from which people cannot escape. Everyone is caught up in its turmoil. However, depicting these emotional entanglements was not the author’s original intent. One need only look at the opening dialogue between the monk and the Taoist priest, “The Song of Contentment.” it becomes easy to understand Baoyu’s origins and his fate at the end of the story. At the conclusion, the author writes: “Pages filled with absurd words, a flood of bitter tears; All call the author a fool—who understands the true meaning within?” The author’s intent is for people, after experiencing the entanglements and suffering of desire, to see through the illusions of the mundane world, escape the sea of human suffering, return to their innate nature, and go back to their original home. The character “Hong” (Red) embodies the ever-changing, colorful nature of human relationships —the ever-changing, colorful, and entangled yet foolish and deluded feelings. The character “lou” (楼) symbolizes this tiny, mundane world, yet it also plays out endless, entangled emotions. The character “meng” (梦) is even more direct, telling people that all of this is nothing more than a dream— one must not become attached or cling to it. Everything in this world is under the control of the Divine. *Dream of the Red Chamber* is also something the Divine has intentionally left for humanity, so that people may understand the origins of life, grace, karmic ties, and ultimate destiny, among other cultural concepts. Worldly affairs are like smoke; life is like a play. Through them, people can gain insight into the Dao, or the True Great Way. To realize one’s error and return to the right path—this is the fundamental meaning of human life. Falun Dafa is widely spread throughout the world, opening its doors wide without detaching from the secular world. With cultivating the heart as its foundation, it is practiced right here in this wonderful realm—the very place best suited to temper the human heart— which is precisely the fastest and best shortcut and method for cultivation. II. The Value of *Journey to the West* In my view, the most valuable aspects of *Journey to the West* are as follows: First, Tang Sanzang, in his mortal form, endured the 81 trials to obtain the sacred scriptures and save all sentient beings— a great act of virtue that has earned him the praise of the world; Second, Sun Wukong wholeheartedly protected Tang Sanzang in his quest for the sacred scriptures, subduing demons and eliminating evil spirits without complaint or regret; his spirit of courage, diligence, and unwavering determination has long been admired by the world; Third, as a quintessential example of China’s Divinely inspired culture and an introductory text to mythological literature, *Journey to the West* has deeply taken root in people’s hearts. *Journey to the West* is a mythological tale, yet its greater real-world significance lies in: clarifying the order and norms of coexistence among heaven, earth, humans, and demons; it also serves as an introductory text that plants the roots of China’s Divine culture in everyone’s heart from childhood onward. No matter how rampant atheism or Party culture may become, No matter how many tactics the evil Party employs in an attempt to sever people’s righteous faith in and reverence for the Divine, it cannot erase the Divine from people’s hearts. This is the profound meaning behind the mythological culture the Divine has bequeathed to humanity. Third, when I read *Water Margin*, Grand Councillor Hong’s inadvertent release of demons reveals the origins of the 108 heroes of Liangshan: These demonic beings, after being reincarnated as humans, each placed “righteousness” above all else in their actions. Whether it was the Hall of Righteousness or the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, both demonstrate that the heroes’ deeds were grounded in “righteousness.” Yet in the eyes of ordinary people, they were outlaws and bandits, while “righteous humen” were heroes—a title of honor. This illustrates a point: In the human world, if one’s actions conform to the moral standards of humanity and one accomplishes remarkable deeds, one will be called a hero. This is the “bandit culture” embodied by the saying, “Even bandits have their code of conduct.” It reflects that although life is not always within one’s control and is not determined by one’s own will, no matter what circumstances one faces, one must still adhere to the moral standards of humanity. The heroes of Liangshan achieved this, and that is why the story of the 108 Heroes of Liangshan has been widely passed down through the ages.