Divine Rewards and Punishments (Internal Reference)¶
This version compiles Xuefeng's original teachings without alteration, for deep study by Chanyuan Celestials.
I. Standards for Reward and Punishment¶
Source: Chanyuan Corpus · God Chapter · Standards and Modes of Heavenly Reward and Punishment (2022-01-28)
Lives that create shall be rewarded; lives that destroy shall be punished.
Lives that protect other lives shall be rewarded; lives that harm other lives shall be punished.
Lives that bring joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss to others shall be rewarded; lives that bring worry, pain, sorrow, and fear to others shall be punished.
Lives that themselves dwell in joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss shall be rewarded; lives that themselves dwell in worry, pain, sorrow, and fear shall be punished.
Lives of gratitude and contentment shall be rewarded; lives of hatred and greed shall be punished.
Lives that give and contribute much yet receive and enjoy little shall be rewarded; lives that give and contribute little yet receive and enjoy much shall be punished.
Lives that cherish and protect nature shall be rewarded; lives that damage and destroy nature shall be punished.
Lives that guide others toward heaven shall be rewarded; lives that mislead others toward hell shall be punished.
II. Modes of Reward and Punishment¶
Source: Chanyuan Corpus · God Chapter · Standards and Modes of Heavenly Reward and Punishment (2022-01-28)
Reward: physical health. Punishment: constant illness.
Reward: a lifetime of safety. Punishment: repeated disasters and misfortunes.
Reward: dwelling in joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss. Punishment: dwelling in worry, pain, sorrow, and fear.
Reward: regularly encountering mentors who offer wise guidance. Punishment: regularly encountering harmful figures who lead one astray.
Reward: freedom from want, clothing and food secure. Punishment: poverty and illness together.
Reward: ascending to higher realms. Punishment: descending to lower realms.
Reward: living in a human environment of harmony and a natural environment of beauty. Punishment: living in a human environment of violence, deceit, and theft amid a harsh natural environment.
Reward: being deeply respected and honored. Punishment: being discriminated against and looked down upon.
III. Mechanism of Reward and Punishment¶
Source: Chanyuan Corpus · God Chapter · Mechanism and Timing of Heavenly Reward and Punishment (2022-01-29)
The Mechanism
Governed by the Tao; implemented through cosmic holography. The net of heaven is wide; not a thread escapes. Follows program only — neither sentiment nor circumstance. Upholds justice only — neither good intentions nor favorable reputation. No distinction between noble and humble — equal for all. To those who show respect, respect is returned; to those who mock, mockery is returned. The rich in spirit grow richer; the poor in spirit grow poorer. It strikes unexpectedly, when one is least prepared.
Note: "Rich" here refers primarily to richness of heart and spirit. Those who are content, debt-free, and able to give to others and society are "rich." Those who are discontent, indebted, and always taking from others and society are "poor."
IV. Timing of Reward and Punishment¶
Source: Chanyuan Corpus · God Chapter · Mechanism and Timing of Heavenly Reward and Punishment (2022-01-29)
For minor matters: immediate reward or punishment. For major matters: reward or punishment comes after crossing the critical threshold. For narrowly-scoped matters: punishment or reward at any time. For broadly-scoped matters: must wait until all conditions are met. For matters involving emotion: resolved through reincarnation. For matters involving love: resolved through ascent or descent of the soul. For matters involving debt: resolved through the dynamics of collecting and repaying. For matters involving life itself: resolved through the principle of equivalence.
Note: "Narrow scope" means a small-scale event, such as two individuals fighting. "Broad scope" means a large-scale event, such as the Second World War. For individuals, outcomes may unfold within years or decades. For entire societies, it may take decades or centuries. For all of humanity, the reckoning may span thousands or tens of thousands of years.
V. Channels of Reward and Punishment¶
Source: Chanyuan Corpus · God Chapter · Channels of Heavenly Reward and Punishment (2022-01-30)
Through those closest to you. If parents, children, spouse bring you joy, freedom, and happiness — this is the Greatest Creator's reward. If they bring you worry, pain, and sorrow — this is punishment.
Through those you regularly interact with. If friends, colleagues, neighbors, and superiors bring you joy and happiness — this is reward. The reverse is punishment.
Through food. Adequate, nourishing food and a healthy body is reward. Scarcity, poor nutrition, toxic food, and frequent illness is punishment.
Through environment. Living in a peaceful, warm, beautiful, abundant environment is reward. Living in an environment of violence, fraud, and theft is punishment.
Through social structures. Living under a democratic system with dignity and human rights is reward. Living under authoritarianism, oppression, and fear is punishment.
Through natural conditions. Favorable weather and abundant harvests is reward. Unceasing natural disasters is punishment.
Through special encounters. Meeting a mentor who guides you wisely, smooth travel, successful undertakings — reward. Encountering a harmful person who leads you astray, encountering danger — punishment.
Through the soul's ascent or descent. Going to heaven after death is the ultimate reward. Descending to the animal realm or hell is the ultimate punishment.
VI. No Life Is Unjustly Treated¶
Source: Xuefeng Corpus · Warning Chapter · There Is No Soul in Heaven That Has Been Wrongly Treated (2010-06-11)
Some lines of evidence to contemplate:
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The Greatest Creator is just; It has never wronged anyone.
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The Tao operates with perfect precision — "The net of heaven is vast; not a single thread escapes."
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Reward and punishment in the cause-and-effect system never miss by even a hair's breadth. "Misfortune and fortune have no gate; they are summoned by the person themselves."
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Reality is the projection of one's own consciousness.
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To know the causes of your past life, look at what you are receiving in this life. To know the fruit of your next life, look at what you are doing now.
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The law of attraction teaches: resonance at the same frequency, like attracting like.
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All realms arise from the heart; all phenomena arise from consciousness.
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The sum of positive and negative energy is always zero — what is gained and what is lost always balance.
The conclusion: there is not a single being in the cosmos who has been truly wronged. All who suffer today have sown its causes themselves — if not in this life, then in previous lives.
Chanyuan Celestials must not complain about heaven or earth, not blame society, government, religion, or any individual — not even those who have harmed them. Always look within. Every hardship and difficulty arises from one's own disordered consciousness and imperfect heart.
Every person is responsible for their own choices. Every person is responsible for their every word and action.
VII. The Executing Authority¶
Source: Xuefeng Corpus · Warning Chapter · Revisiting "Seeking Revenge" (2019-06-28)
Retribution should be executed by the cosmic mechanism of reward and punishment — that is, by the Tao. How does the Tao "exact justice"? If all of humanity commits too much evil, it is punished with destruction. If a large portion commits excessive evil, large-scale upheavals serve as punishment. If certain individuals act with great evil, gods and buddhas are sent to punish them. If individual persons commit smaller wrongs, the Tao has evildoers punish one another.
No human has the authority to take revenge and punish another. No Chanyuan Celestial has that authority.
Punishment and reward are a cosmic mechanism. That which must be punished must be punished — without this, where is justice? Plant bitter causes, and one must eat bitter fruit. Shed another's blood, and one's blood will be shed. Take another's life, and one's life will be taken. One is measured by the same measure one uses on others.
VIII. Concepts from the 800 Principles¶
Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition
- The Tao cannot be moved by emotion. Its reward or punishment depends solely on whether one follows or opposes the Tao. (Concept 460)
- Is there any injustice in human society? None whatsoever. All is the just verdict of the cause-and-effect mechanism. (Concept 396)
- Every person has their own life trajectory. All is determined. What appears unjust is entirely the result of one's own past thoughts and actions. (Concept 397)
- Trust that the Greatest Creator sees everything clearly and rewards and punishes with clarity. Dare to surrender your life to the Greatest Creator and your human journey to the Tao's management. (Concept 528)
- In the end, the Tao will give every person a just verdict and reward or punishment. (Concept 500)
- Plant melons, harvest melons; plant beans, harvest beans. Good brings good, evil brings evil. Misfortune and fortune come only from within. (Concept 192)