Chapter Twelve: Exemplary Acts 10

Claiming that a disciple’s political ideas were subversive, a Japanese policeman interrogated the Founding Master for an entire day and finally ordered him to swear that, in the future, he would make sure never again to have his disciples cause trouble. The Founding Master responded, “Parents always try to guide their children well, but because each child’s nature and behavior are different, they don’t always do what their parents want. The government may try to get all its subjects to act correctly, but because each subject mind varies, it may not turn out as the government wishes. It is much the same with my work: I do my very best to make people better, but how will all those people be made better in one morning or one evening? Thus, I will continue to make every effort in the future, but it is difficult for me to swear that I will never again have such a disciple.” Having said this, the Founding Master returned and addressed the congregation, “For a long time, the strong and the weak have opposed one other, and the discrimination against some has become so severe that there are deeply buried resentments that will lead to a great war in the future. Subsequently, the people’s intelligence will steadily become brighter, and individuals and nations will aid and amicably communicate with each other, so that never again will anyone unjustly infringe on another’s liberty.”