Chapter 23 - The Lowest Level Of Application Of Spiritual Awakening - 'Chi Tung'

I do not deny that I have trained quite a few chi tongs (a kind of medium in Taiwan) who are now working at various temples. For example, I have trained the chi tungs of Lord Su in Chin Fu Temple, of Prince Nata in San Yuan Tang Temple, of Mystical Maiden of Nine Heaven in Pao T'ien Temple, of T'ai Yi Taoist in T'ai Yi Temple, of Matzu in Chen Hai Temple, of Three Mountains King in Three Mountains Temple, of Chi Kung Living Buddha in Pa Ching Temple, of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva in T'ien Te Temple, of Pa Kua Taoist in Tzu Shih Tang Temple, and of Master Lu Tung Pin in Chen Nan Temple. These chi tungs are accorded professional titles which correspond to the names of the deities they channel.

A chi tung is a person who lends his or her body to ghosts or spirits and serves as a conduit for the energy of the spirits. Although this is a lower form of obtaining psychic information, it is still considered a type of Spiritual Divination.

When a spirit attaches to the body of a chi tung, it is often for the purposes of divining, for an inquirer, regarding future, fate, family affairs, and health. If the chi tung is more advanced, one can ask him about one's karma and things related to the nether world. Some chi tungs can even travel or help others to travel and experience the nether world. Predictions made by chi tungs are often quite accurate. Therefore, many people (even doubters) have a great deal of interest in chi tungs and their many different styles of divination. Some chi tungs are immediately able to identify inquirer's names, know in advance what questions they have, and describe in familiar terms past events that have happened to them. This ability alone can keep inquirers fascinated. But there are also times when chi tungs fail. I know that gods, the beings in the higher spiritual realms, are not omnipotent although they have more knowledge than men. This is why one should not believe completely in communications from the higher beings.

There are many ranks of higher beings with different degrees of abilities. If the question asked by the inquirer is beyond the boundary of that particular high being's power, then even a high being cannot do anything about it. From my estimations, most of the beings channelled by the chi tungs are accurate about eighty percent of the time. In this Universe, with its myriad changes, men can often transform their fates through their own efforts. Since the powers of the high beings are limited, it is fine for one to pray to them for blessing and protection, but total dependency on them would lead to a state of confusion. Here I would like to emphasize the importance of self effort in the path of spiritual cultivation towards "Oneness." Although the Divine wants to aid one's efforts, one must also strive positively and energetically to make progress.

For example, if one desires to go to college but, instead of studying hard, one just prays to the gods and Buddhas, it will be impossible for the gods to help, even if they wanted to. Gods and Buddhas can help bring peace of mind, good health, and quick understanding of the subjects one is studying, but if one only prays instead of working hard, then one is operating from wrong motives.

The chi tungs in Taiwan are actually very similar to the mediums who can do psychic healings. Although employing different methods, they basically utilize the realm of the spirits to help them in the business of effecting healings for them. Although, at the start of their careers, the moral character of most chi tungs is good, many of them slowly become degenerate when bedazzled by material temptations. Some chi tongs who are in light trances take advantage of such occasions to ask inquirers for more money. At temples, people have to pay for all "business transactions," including counselling, worshiping, and the purchase of "spirit money." This "money business" causes true spirits to turn away. When evil spirits seize the opportunity to enter, it gives rise to charlatans. Chi tongs do not ordinarily engage in any spiritual practice; therefore, they are unable to judge if a spirit is good or evil. In the end, they become confused and do not know if they are channelling gods or demons. This is the sorrow of the chi tungs.

There was a case of a chi tung from the Chiayi County in Taiwan who, using the will of the gods as a pretense, cheated many people. He persuaded a follower to give him free room and board so he could pursue spiritual training, but instead, he seduced the host's daughter. This kind of fraudulent and licentious behavior is committed by the rotten elements within the ranks of the chi tongs. This particular chi tung had previously sought help from me.

At that time, he displayed a sincerity to do true spiritual cultivation, and I was momentarily taken in by him. Subsequently he used channelling as a pretense and caused much harms and many scandals, bringing disgrace to the world of spirits. He was, indeed, most detestable to use channelling as a tool to cheat others.

After this incident, a middle-aged man who looked like a blue collar worker came to see me. He was very forthright.

"Mr. Lu, I heard that you have the power to make me into a chi tung."

"What is it that you want?" I asked impatiently.

"I am very interested in becoming a chi tung. Lately the job market has been very tight. Even if I could find a job, the monthly salary would only be a few thousand dollars. If I became a chi tung, I could make more money. Also, people would look up to me and treat me like a god, so I could do whatever I like. That would be so interesting! I believe I can be trained very quickly. I am confident of that."

"I am sorry, but I don't train chi tongs any more," I spoke glumly

"Why not? I won't treat you shabbily. I will send you a red envelope [with money] every month," he bragged unblushingly.

"Please leave! Another chi tung with evil intentions? I have had enough!"

That middle-aged man did not seem to comprehend and insisted,

"I can pay tuition right now and send more later every month."

"I am sorry, I have decided not to train any more chi tungs. Please take your leave!"

My face had contorted into a painful twist, and I waved him away. That man left resentfully. I am disheartened by many of today's mediums and chi tungs. They themselves have contributed to this negative view held by ordinary people.

Many are uneducated, ignorant, superstitious swindlers who take money from and sexual advantage of others - all under the pretense of connection with the gods. My heart cries out in pain for people who have degenerated to such a level in their spiritual studies.

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