Chapter Thirteen: On the Order 35

Hwang Chŏngsinhaeng asked the Founding Master, “The Buddha of the past taught that one should make offerings in no-thought, while Jesus said that one should not let the left hand know what the right hand gives. But you, Great Master, have laid down a law to rank all members’ public service and have us record their grades. Might this not prompt those involved in enterprises to have a calculating mind?” The Founding Master said, “Those doing the work must act in no-thought if they are to accumulate merit that is free from the outflows. But shouldn’t those of us whose role it is to honor and commend these merits maintain clear standards?”