Guanyin Fortune Stick 36 (Middle Lot)

"The illness and the lawsuit now are nothing you should fear..." So opens lot 36 in our translation. Below are the Chinese original, the full English, the story behind the poem, the traditional counsel and what it means in plain English.

The poem

In English (our translation):

The illness and the lawsuit now are nothing you should fear;
go and seek the solid wealth that is waiting for you here.
Just like the tethered ape who slips its lock today,
you'll return to your immortal cave and freely come and play.

The story: Han Xiangzi, one of the Eight Immortals, was guided onto the path of immortality by Lü Dongbin.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「眼前病訟不須憂，寶地資財盡可求，恰似猿猴今鎖脫，自歸山洞去來悠」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.

Shiyi and jieyue

The shiyi (詩意, "meaning of the poem") names the image in one line; the jieyue (解曰, "the reading") is a short four-character commentary.

Sacred counsel, item by item

The sacred counsel (聖意) gives a short verdict for each kind of question. Find the row that matches what you asked.

The traditional counsel also has an "Illness" item, which we do not list. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

What it means in plain English

The worries in front of you need not trouble you. Like an ape freed from its chain, you can come and go as you please.

A tip: Hard first, easy later. Relax and wait for the moment.

This is our reading of the words on the page. For how it applies to your own question, go by the temple where you drew the lot.

How to draw a Guanyin lot

1. Light incense and tell Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, your name, birth date and address, then state one question clearly.
2. Ask permission by casting the two crescent-shaped moon blocks (筊, jiao). One flat side up and one round side up is a "yes." Then shake the bamboo cylinder until a single numbered stick falls out.
3. Confirm the stick with the blocks. A common custom is to ask for three "yes" throws in a row; if you do not get them, draw again.
4. Collect the poem slip with the same number. Read the whole poem first, then look up the counsel item that matches your question. If it is unclear, the temple staff can interpret it for you.

Ask about one thing at a time. The more specific the question, the easier the poem is to apply.

Common misunderstandings

Previous lot: Lot 35. Next lot: Lot 37.