Guanyin Fortune Stick 96 (Upper Lot)

"The towering jeweled pagoda is no common sight to see..." So opens lot 96 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 towering jeweled pagoda is no common sight to see;
on all eight sides it shines out bright and radiantly.
I urge you with a steadfast heart to bow and pray each day:
the heavenly dragons guard you, and a thousand blessings come your way.

The story: Dou Yujun of Yanshan turned his life around and devoted himself to good works; all five of his sons passed the imperial exams, as the "Three Character Classic" recalls.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「巍峨寶塔不尋常，八面玲瓏盡放光，勸君立志勤頂禮，作善蒼天降福祥」. 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

A towering pagoda shining on all sides. Pray sincerely, and the heavenly dragons protect you and blessings come down.

A tip: Keep a respectful heart and your feet on the ground, and good fortune will come on its own.

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 95. Next lot: Lot 97.