Observations placeholder
Ta Ssu Ming - Open wide the door of heaven
Identifier
013849
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Ta Ssu Ming - [The Greater Master of Fate]
The following poem is from the Chiu Ko, the "Nine Sings" by Ch'u Yuan, c. 200 BCE.
The word translated here as "Heaven" is tian in Mandarin Chinese. The written symbol for tian literally means "the highest," and can refer to both "the sky" and "the gods." The written ideograph shows an inverted V shape with two horizontal lines crossing the top, the highest of which hold blank space, indicating that there is nothing above this highest point. Again, the idea of celestial power is linked to both the skies and to righteous destruction.
A description of the experience
Open wide the door of heaven!
On a black cloud I ride in splendour,
Bidding the whirlwind drive before me,
Causing the rainstorm to lay the dust.