Chapter 13 The Prophecy of Dharma-ending Age 1 About Prophecy
The superior man, when hearing Tao, earnestly applies it.
The mediocre man, when hearing Tao, seems aware and yet unaware.
The inferior man, when hearing Tao, laughs aloud.
For those who don't even laugh, not to discuss Tao with them.
— Tao Te Ching
1. About Prophecy
Throughout history, there have always been individuals capable of foreseeing many things in advance. To them, observing the world is like an eagle watching rabbits on the ground—every strategy the rabbits devise is nothing more than an easily anticipated move for the eagle. Prophecy is a cultural phenomenon that has evolved alongside human civilization since the dawn of recorded history. Over 400 years ago, the Western prophet Nostradamus authored "Les Prophéties"（诸世纪）, which has had a profound impact on the Western world. The history of prophecy in China dates back even further and is known as Chen Wei (谶纬) studies.
Chen Wei was prevalent throughout ancient Chinese society. Its origins can be traced back to the divination practices of the pre-Qin period. During the Western Han dynasty, the concepts of cosmic resonance, yin-yang and Five Elements theories provided fertile ground for the growth of Chen Wei. Later, it was officially recognized, and prophetic texts such as the He Tu（河图）, Luo Shu（洛书）, Ma Qian Ke（马前课）, and Tui Bei Tu （推背图）continued to emerge across various eras.
As previously mentioned, all prophetic individuals, including the Buddha, deliver statements about the scenes they witness in deep states of meditation from high-dimension, and do not speak rashly. However, prophecy is like a "Future Tree" or a "Tree of Prophecy" (Figure 13.1). As time progresses, the tree branches out due to different choices made in the present, revealing many uncertainties. Each present choice can lead to significantly different outcomes, which is why prophets sometimes see multiple future scenarios. Mathematically, the sum of all possible future probabilities adds up to 1 (100%), and prophets typically choose to articulate the future scenario with the highest probability (the one most likely to occur).
Figure 13.1: "Future Tree": Different outcomes from current choices
This also explains why the closer a prophecy is in time, the more accurate it tends to be, while those predicting events further into the future are less precise. The stronger a trend is, the harder it is to change. For example, when the Tui Bei Tu was written during the reign of Emperor Tang Taizong（唐太宗）, it jointly predicted strong trends, such as the rise of Empress Wu Zetian（武则天）. The prophecy explicitly stated: "If she is killed now, Heaven will surely bring disaster upon our nation. A young successor will rise, and the descendants of the Tang dynasty will be in even greater peril." Emperor Taizong thus understood "the will of Heaven", preparing for Wu Zetian's presence and later banishing her to a monastery instead. Had Emperor Taizong actually killed Wu Zetian (a less likely possibility but still within the realm of probability), the "Future Tree" would have branched in another direction, leading to a completely different outcome for future generations.
Many Buddhist scriptures are ancient, and when the Buddha described the Dharma-ending Age 2,500 years ago in the "Sūtra of the Ultimate Extinction of the Dharma" and the "Maitreya's Descent Sutra", he only outlined the general scenario and timeline. Due to the decline of Buddhism in ancient India, Maitreya Bodhisattva did not descend in India as the scriptures foretold but instead in China. This does not mean that the Buddha spoke falsely or that the scriptures are incorrect; rather, it simply reflects that one of the possible futures that the Buddha could "foresee" at that time did not manifest, given the significant changes that unfolded over the subsequent 2000 years. This is akin to "Uncertainty Principle" that persists from the perspective of an "observer". Nevertheless, the main trunk (trend) of "Future Tree", involving the chaos of the Dharma-ending Age, Maitreya's descent to reattain Buddhahood, and the return of balance between yin and yang, have not changed.
Let's take the example of the emergence of the "Eastern Sage", a future "strong trend", and examine how prophecies from ancient to modern times and from East to West have described it:
(Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms) in the "Ma Qian Ke" said: "Rescuing from distress, saving from difficulty, only a sage can accomplish; when the sun returns and order is restored, darkness turns to brightness. The world becomes one family, and he will illuminate China."
(Yuan Tiangang of the Tang Dynasty) in the 44th Image of the "Tui Bei Tu": "A person with a bow on his back welcomes the Sage" (See Figure 13.2), prophesied: "The sun and moon shine brightly, and all darkness is subdued. China now has a sage, who though not a hero, will achieve greatness. When misfortune reaches its extreme, good fortune will come, and all the countries will experience spring."
Figure 13.2: (Tang Dynasty) Tui Bei Tu, No. 42-44
(Li Chunfeng of the Tang Dynasty) in the "Hidden Head Poem" said: "After this comes a world of culture and civilization, where a great Sage is born in that year. The world will have three suns, and there will be no stone left on the ground. Those born at this time will enjoy immense blessings."
(Tang Dynasty) The "Scripture of the Five Lords"（《五公经》）says: "In the year and month of the Dragon, the Sage will emerge, supported by five dragons ascending to the heavenly platform...There will be no worries or troubles, whether rich or poor, and those who show respect will naturally be healthy and safe."
(Liu Bo-wen of the Ming Dynasty) in the "Shao Bing Ge"（《烧饼歌》） said: "A Sage will emerge, traveling the world with virtuous aides, and he will have the power to transform the sources of chaos. In the final phase of the Dharma-ending, when Maitreya descends to the world, a thousand Buddhas will descend in human form to gain the Dharma and undergo trials. After these trials, the gods will be reestablished. The leader of the future will be born in a humble family—not as a prince, not engaged in politics, not involved in commerce, and not residing in a temple."
(Ming Dynasty) "Longhua Sutra"（《龙华经》）: "The ancient and pure sage descends into the mortal realm, living among the people while concealing his name and identity among the people; in the north of Zhao and south of Yan, the holy teachings are spread, a golden light shines upon the spiritual light with a resounding brilliance."
(Qing Dynasty) "Prophecy Poem of Master Buxu"（《步虚大师预言诗》）: "The world is divided into three parts, and a Sage emerges, wearing a dark crown and adorned with a dragon-patterned robe. The heavens and earth are illuminated once more, governing all things, and the people of the four seas sing his praises, blessed by his protection.
(Nostradamus (1503-1566), France) in "Les Prophéties": "No.2/29, The Easterner will leave his seat, To pass the Apennine mountains to see Gaul: He will transpire the sky, the waters and the snow, And everyone will be struck with his rod. No.10/75, Long awaited he will never return in Europe, he will appear in Asia: One of the league issued from the great Hermes, And he will grow over all the Kings of the East."
(Nam Sago (1509-1571), Korea) in the "Geumgang-yeoksa": "Undoubtedly, a holy one will emerge from the East. If the East does not recognize this holy one, the wise ones of the West, the English and Americans, will understand him better. If neither the East nor the West recognizes this holy one, then what will become of humanity? "
(Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), USA): One day China would become "the cradle of Christianity, as applied in the lives of men". "Yea, it is far off as man counts time, but only a day in the heart of God — for tomorrow China will awake." Another explanation is that there will be a belief in the Great Tao in China, and China will become the cradle of the common belief of all mankind.
(Jeane Dixon (1904-1997), USA): The descendants of angelic humans were born in the East, and that the hope of saving mankind lies in the East. The West only represents termination. Maybe in the early 21st century, he would bring together all mankind in one all-embracing faith. "This will be the foundation of a new Christianity, with every sect and creed united through this man who will walk among the people to spread the wisdom of the Almighty Power." At the beginning of the 21st century, mankind would begin to feel the great power of this man. In the next decade, the world would transform into a new form and a new look, entering a new era without wars or disasters.
(Mars Boy Boriska (1996-), Russian): China is a country chosen by God, and a guardian god will be born in China in the future. "I can't tell who he is. He is doing something very meaningful. Follow him, I am not alone in reincarnation, but there are many gods in reincarnation."
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From the prophecies spanning the past 2,500 years, it's not difficult to discern the following: First, the overarching trend of the emergence of a Sage has remained unchanged; second, this Sage will not only influence China but will also impact the entire world; third, after the Sage's arrival, disasters will be mitigated, and peace will return to the world; fourth, the predicted time of this Sage's appearance has been continually advanced in the prophecies, culminating in the early 21st century, which corresponds to our current era.
Lastly, it is important to remind readers that prophecies typically pertain to significant figures and major events. When applied to ordinary people, they manifest as practices like face reading, fortune-telling, and so on. It might be beneficial to adopt the higher-dimensional perspective of "observers," engaging in casual discussions without needing to truly believe or accept them as predestined "fate". In front the "Future Tree" we plant ourselves, each decision and action in the present brings about a different future. From this standpoint, everyone's fate rests in their own hands, making the practice of fortune-telling meaningless!
Buddhism offers the viewpoint: Before enlightenment, I eat, sleep, and work; after enlightenment, I see myself eating, sleeping, and working. This represents a higher vantage point, where one constantly understands their relationship with the world, unbound by the limited perceptions of the ego. This broader view of causality fosters greater tolerance and wisdom, allowing one to remain calm and patient, more willing to be friend with time, and even to ascend to higher dimensions of prescience, capable of foreseeing the foresight of all others.
