Elementary Cultivation (Internal Version)¶
Overview¶
Elementary Cultivation is the first tier of the Lifechanyuan cultivation system. Centered on 51 rules of daily conduct and beginning with prayer to the Greatest Creator, its goal is to clear negative thought patterns, regulate daily behavior, and help practitioners attain a life of health, abundance, and freedom — while laying a solid foundation for Intermediate Cultivation. The Guide likens it to a silkworm spinning its cocoon: the structured cocoon protects the life within, making it the indispensable first step toward higher cultivation and becoming a celestial being.
I. Definition and Nature¶
(1) What "Cultivation" Means¶
"Xiu" (修) means to recognize, discern, judge, and find the best path. "Xing" (行) means to abide, to carry out in daily life.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Chapter on Cultivation: Elementary Cultivation)
Cultivation is divided into three tiers: Elementary Cultivation, Intermediate Cultivation, and Advanced Cultivation.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Chapter on Cultivation: Elementary Cultivation)
(2) What Elementary Cultivation Is¶
Elementary Cultivation mainly consists of rules for daily conduct. These rules not only help us succeed in ordinary society and move toward a life of health, abundance, and freedom — they also lay a solid foundation for Intermediate Cultivation. If one can achieve this, it is most virtuous.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Chapter on Cultivation: Elementary Cultivation)
(3) Why Begin with Daily Behavioral Rules¶
Our thoughts, consciousness, and intentions connect to the negative universe, which contains positive spirits, negative spirits, benevolent spirits, and malevolent spirits. Whatever kind of thoughts we have, corresponding spirits cooperate with us accordingly... Therefore, Elementary Cultivation must first clear our thought patterns — especially removing negative thoughts — and establish normal, positive, joyful, and beautiful mental orientations.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Chapter on Cultivation: Elementary Cultivation)
II. The Elementary Prayer¶
Prayer is the primary method for clearing one's thought patterns. The complete Elementary Prayer:
O Sovereign of the Universe, the Greatest Creator: You are the cradle of life and the birthplace of wisdom. I sincerely thank you for granting me life. I am a blade of grass among the mountains and a grain of sand on the riverbank. You have endowed me with spirit, allowing me to enjoy the wonders of nature. In the past, I was lost in the world of dust, bewildered and unawakened... I deeply repent and sincerely pray that you forgive my transgressions. I am willing to be your servant, to walk the path you point out, and to accept the punishment I deserve for my faults.
Dear Greatest Creator: I deeply thank you... I am willing to repent and start anew. I will be filial to my parents, care for my wife, love my children, and build a harmonious and happy family. I will live a plain and simple life, no longer pursuing illusory things... In the illumination of your wisdom, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to cultivation, with no regret and no complaint.
Almighty Greatest Creator: I will no longer presume to understand you with my shallow knowledge... Before I reach the realm of wisdom, I pray for health, abundance, and freedom for myself; I pray for the safety and well-being of my family; I pray that you guide me to break free from my mortal shell and transcend into the sacred.
Omnipresent Greatest Creator: I am willing to accept your supervision and testing in all things at all times... May your servant meet each day with full spirit and each night with calm reflection.
Supreme Greatest Creator: In the name of Jesus Christ, the Buddha Shakyamuni, and Muhammad, I pray to you — please accept your servant and fulfill my wishes! Amen!
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Chapter on Cultivation: Elementary Cultivation)
III. Key Rules from the 51 Conditions¶
(1) Spiritual Foundation — Rule 1: Prayer¶
Rise with the sunrise, open the windows, clean the room, then sit quietly for three minutes. Once refreshed, first pray to the Greatest Creator... This marks your transmission of heartfelt wishes to the vast negative universe, which will mobilize all energies to serve you comprehensively, helping your day proceed smoothly.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · 51 Rules of Elementary Cultivation)
(2) Family Ethics — Rules 2, 3, 10¶
Rule 2: Greet your parents every morning. Ask how they slept... If parents have passed away, do not forget memorial observances.
Rule 3: Care for and educate children every day... At dinner, listen to what they saw and thought during the day, and guide them through conversation.
Rule 10: Filial piety is the foremost virtue; licentiousness is the gravest vice. Men must not touch any woman other than their own spouse... If this has already occurred, stop immediately and offer deep repentance to the Greatest Creator.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · 51 Rules of Elementary Cultivation)
(3) Social Principles — Rules 11, 12, 13, 32, 42¶
Rule 11: Treat others with sincerity and without defensiveness. Think of all people in the world as good people... Even if you are deceived a thousand times, continue to treat others with sincerity and goodwill.
Rule 12: Do not contend with the world. In public conflicts or misunderstandings, regardless of who is at fault, be the first to bow and apologize — yield the right to others.
Rule 13: Do not reveal others' private affairs, highlight their shortcomings, or discuss their faults.
Rule 32: Repay kindness, forget grievances, do not seek revenge; when you do good, do not keep it in your heart.
Rule 42: Do not blame heaven or others; do not reproach parents, children, siblings, friends, or those who have hurt you.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · 51 Rules of Elementary Cultivation)
(4) Daily Life — Rules 9, 15, 48, 49¶
Rule 9: Watch less television, gossip less, read fewer newspapers, and read more books... Most information not only fails to benefit you but actually adds worry, fear, and anger.
Rule 15: Seek only good natural light, ventilation, cleanliness, and tidiness in your living space. Do not pursue luxury or display wealth... so others do not envy or covet.
Rule 48: Work eight hours every day — whether physical, mental, or combined... Work is not only a means of livelihood but also an effective way to maintain health and vitality.
Rule 49: Always rest on Sunday... Sunday is every person's day of freedom; no one has the right to deprive another of this freedom.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · 51 Rules of Elementary Cultivation)
(5) The Final Rule — Rule 51: Heartfelt Gratitude¶
Rule 51: Be grateful at heart. We live in a wondrous universe and are bathed in the care of the Greatest Creator every moment... For three meals a day — whether a feast or simple fare — as long as the stomach is full, be grateful... For blue skies, white clouds, morning glow, beautiful mountains, flowing rivers, birdsong, and autumn cicadas — be grateful. We have nothing to be dissatisfied about. How can we not be grateful? All of this is bestowed by the Greatest Creator; we offer all gratitude and glory to the Almighty.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · 51 Rules of Elementary Cultivation)
IV. The Three-Stage Metaphor: Cocoon → Nurture → Emergence¶
Elementary Cultivation is spinning the cocoon; Intermediate Cultivation is nurturing new life within the cocoon; Advanced Cultivation is breaking through the cocoon and becoming a celestial being.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Breaking Through Form — Advanced Cultivation 2)
Every form is a cocoon. In the beginning of learning, the cocoon protects; once mastery is achieved, one must break through all forms.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Breaking Through Form — Advanced Cultivation 2)
V. The Complete Cultivation System¶
Lifechanyuan has put forward 51 rules of Elementary Cultivation, 11 rules of Intermediate Cultivation, 23 methods of Elementary Practice, and the 8-heart methods of Intermediate Practice: calming the heart, stopping the heart, healing the heart, correcting the heart, emptying the heart, stabilizing the heart, purifying the heart, and concluding the heart. In addition, there are morning, noon, evening, and night sutras; elementary and intermediate wellness practices; and the transcendence meditation method.
(Source: Xuefeng Collection · Awakening Chapter · Summoning Living Souls by Divine Command)
VI. The Outcome of Sustained Practice¶
Sustained Elementary Cultivation will certainly help us attain a light, satisfying, peaceful, happy, and grounded ordinary life.
(Source: Chanyuan Collection · Cultivation Chapter · Chapter on Cultivation: Elementary Cultivation)
Welcome to explore the other versions of 【Elementary Cultivation】: http://wiki.lifecosmos.org/en/elementary-cultivation/