Regarding wealth

Taoism – A Popular Science About Wealth

I. The Essence of Wealth: Originating from the "Energy Flow" of the Heavenly Way

Taoism believes that wealth is not an isolated material existence, but rather an external manifestation and energy carrier of the "Tao," and its generation and operation follow three major laws:

1. The Way Generates Wealth: The Creative Logic of Creating Something from Nothing

The *Tao Te Ching* states, "The Tao gives birth to One, and One gives birth to all things." Wealth, as one of all things, also originates from the transformation from "nothingness" to "somethingness"—the clarity of the inner mind (nothingness) nurtures creativity, while the practice of external actions (somethingness) realizes the accumulation of wealth. Like Fan Li's business wisdom of "preparing boats in drought and carts in flood," this is precisely the "creation from nothingness" after understanding the laws of nature. Taoism emphasizes that forcibly seizing things against these laws is like "pulling up seedlings to help them grow," ultimately leading to retribution from the Tao.

2. Gathering Wealth Through Energy Resonance: The Law of Gathering and Dispersing Energy

Wealth is closely linked to "Qi" (the energy of heaven and earth). The concept in the *Zang Jing* (Book of Burial) that "Qi disperses when carried by the wind and stops when it encounters water" also applies to wealth—honest business practices and altruistic behavior can gather "auspicious Qi," while fraud and greed will lead to "Qi dissipation and wealth loss." The selection of a shop location to "hide from the wind and gather Qi" and keeping the wealth corner of a home bright are essentially about gathering wealth energy through spatial layout.

3. Virtue carries wealth: The principle that virtue is the vessel for wealth.

The core of Taoism's view on wealth is that "virtue is the source of wealth." Moral character is like a container, determining the capacity to hold wealth. The Taishang Ganying Pian warns: "To acquire wealth unjustly is like using rotten meat to satisfy hunger or poison to quench thirst." The stories of Shi Chong and He Shen, whose wealth was not commensurate with their virtue, which resulted in "a house full of gold and jade, yet none of them could keep it," confirm the natural law that "without virtue, wealth is difficult to preserve."

II. Wealth Acquisition: The Three Principles of "Earning Wealth in a Moral Way"

Taoism affirms the legitimate pursuit of wealth, but sets strict boundaries, with the core being the trinity of "righteousness, diligence, and wisdom."

1. Righteousness as the foundation: Refuse ill-gotten gains.

Many Taoist scriptures explicitly prohibit "unjustly taking people's property": the *Laojun's 180 Precepts* stipulates "one must not take more than a penny from others," and the *Yuqing Scripture* forbids "bullying the poor and orphans and seizing their property." Taoism believes that "ill-gotten gains" such as gambling, fraud, and monopolies will be tainted with "inauspicious energy," leading to disasters such as "water, fire, theft, and disease." Only honest business practices (like Guan Yu's "loyalty and righteousness in protecting wealth") can obtain divine protection.

2. Diligence is fundamental: the natural order that one reaps what one sows.

The *Taiping Jing* emphasizes that "Heaven gives birth to people, and fortunately, each person possesses the strength to provide for themselves and their needs for food and clothing." Laziness leading to poverty is considered "wasting the gifts of Heaven." Taoism reveres Fan Li, the "Sage of Commerce," and Wang Hai, the "Ancestor of Chinese Merchants," both based their success on diligence. Wang Hai invented the oxcart to facilitate trade and is revered as the God of Wealth, protecting those who achieve wealth through hard work.

3. Wisdom in Application: Practical Wisdom of Upholding Righteousness and Employing Unconventional Methods

Taoism advocates the transformative thinking of "governing the country with righteousness and using unorthodox tactics in warfare": "Upholding righteousness" means adhering to the bottom line of integrity and compliance, such as the Shanxi merchants worshipping Guan Yu to unite the merchant group with "loyalty and righteousness"; "Using unorthodox tactics" means innovation based on insightful timing, such as Zhang Lei's investment strategy of betting on the long-term value of JD.com, which is a precise action after "observing its subtlety".

III. Wealth Management: The Wisdom of "Taking from the Surplus to Give to the Shortage"

Taoism opposes the hoarding of wealth, advocating that "wealth flows on and endures," with its core principle being the cyclical way of "distribution, thrift, and aid."

1. Spreading Wealth: The Law of Continuous Vitality

The Tao Te Ching states, "The sage does not accumulate; the more he does for others, the more he has." The story of Fan Li, who "accumulated and distributed his wealth three times," yet became increasingly wealthy with each distribution, illustrates the principle that wealth "flows and thus sustains life." Taoist temples and monasteries often use the donations from believers for disaster relief and poverty alleviation, thus practicing the doctrine that "wealth entering the public domain endures."

2. Frugality: The Way to Preserve Wealth Through Contentment

"Contentment brings wealth" is a Taoist proverb on wealth. The "Ten Precepts of Initial Truth" advocates "practicing frugality and showing compassion to the poor," and opposes "insatiable greed and accumulating wealth without dispersing it." Taoism believes that excessive consumption depletes "good fortune," while moderate frugality can maintain a stable energy field, preserving the vitality of wealth like "flowing water that never stagnates."

3. Poverty Alleviation: An Inevitable Requirement of the Balance of Heaven

The *Tao Te Ching* states, "The way of Heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who have too little," implying that excessive concentration of wealth disrupts the balance of Heaven and Earth. The *Taiping Jing* vehemently criticizes those who "accumulate billions in wealth but refuse to help the poor and needy" as "the most unkind people in the world," advocating that "wealth belongs to the harmonious balance of Heaven and Earth, and is used to nourish humanity." The teaching of Emperor Wenchang, "Helping those in distress is like helping fish in a dried-up rut," further emphasizes that helping the needy is the ultimate purpose of wealth.

IV. Practical Application of Wealth Attraction: From Faith to Action

Taoist methods of attracting wealth are not superstitious practices like "praying to gods and Buddhas," but rather a systematic project involving "faith + feng shui arrangement + self-cultivation."

1. Offerings to the God of Wealth: Matching the area of ​​protection according to needs.

The Taoist system of gods of wealth has a clear division of labor, and one should choose according to their needs:
  • Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth: He commands the four gods of attracting treasures, receiving wealth, and bringing good fortune. He is in charge of legitimate wealth and career. When worshipping him, the statue should face the main door and be against a wall. It should not face the toilet. Offerings should consist of clean water and fruit.
  • Fan Li, the God of Wealth: Protects business wisdom and long-term business operations. Suitable for entrepreneurs to worship. His famous business saying, "Complete business without interest," can be used as a reminder to oneself.
  • Guan Yu, the God of War and Wealth: symbolizes integrity and protection of wealth. He is suitable for high-risk industries (such as finance and trade). His statue is upright with a sword in hand. It is forbidden to offer meat or fish to highlight his "loyalty and righteousness".
  • Five Gods of Wealth: On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, when welcoming the gods, five kinds of fruits and five cups of tea are set out, and the prayer "The Five Gods of Wealth enter the door, bringing wealth from the east, west, south and north" is recited to gather wealth from all directions.

2. Feng Shui Layout: Techniques for Accumulating Wealth through Spatial Energy Adjustment

By optimizing the environment to attract wealth, the core focus is on "wealth location, water flow, and light":
  • Wealth corner care: The bright wealth corner (diagonally opposite the entrance) should be bright (a light can be placed on it all the time), vibrant (a money tree can be placed there), and clean (avoid clutter). Do not place garbage, medicine pots or other "filthy items" there.
  • Water brings wealth: Fish tanks should be placed in the east or southeast (water nourishes wood, which brings wealth), and six goldfish can enhance vitality. Avoid placing the fish tank opposite the stove (water and fire clash).
  • Harmonizing the energy field: Avoid having the main entrance facing the elevator (as wealth energy rushes straight in), you can hang a Bagua wealth-attracting plaque to resolve this; the flow of movement in the shop should be "curved and auspicious" to avoid narrow corners that obstruct the smooth flow of energy.

3. Ritual and Ritual Implements: Auxiliary Means for Energy Activation

  • Replenishing the Treasury Ritual: For those with poor financial luck, a Taoist priest writes a petition, burns gold paper ingots to "repay karmic debts," and recites the "Three Officials Scripture" to replenish the treasury.
  • Opening the Gate of Wealth Ceremony: On an auspicious day for the opening of a new store, a red cloth is cut open with a peach wood sword, salt and rice are sprinkled to ward off evil spirits, a copper bell is rung to attract wealth, and the phrase "Heaven opens the yellow path, earth opens the gate of wealth" is recited to activate the energy field.
  • Commonly used ritual implements: A treasure basin containing five emperor coins and crystals to attract wealth; a Pixiu (with its head facing outwards) to attract wealth; and a wealth-attracting talisman that needs to be consecrated before being affixed to the wealth position, and which needs to be burned and sent away if it is damaged.

4. Cultivating the mind and changing one's destiny: Accumulating merit through three acts of generosity.

Taoism believes that "a change of heart leads to a change of fortune," and that accumulating merit through "giving material goods, giving Dharma teachings, and giving fearlessness" can fundamentally improve one's financial luck.
  • Financial donations: Donate according to your means, such as donating 1/10 of your monthly income to help the poor;
  • Dharma teaching: imparting skills or business experience to others;
  • Fearless action: mediating disputes, comforting the vulnerable, and resolving the difficulties of others.

V. Wealth Taboos: Five Major Pitfalls to Avoid Financial Losses

Taoism has summarized the core causes of wealth loss, which we must always be vigilant about:

1. Excessive greed: The trap of things reaching their extreme and then reversing.

"Reversal is the movement of the Tao," and excessive pursuit of wealth can lead to "misfortune arising from extreme good fortune." The "Ten Precepts of Chuzhen" warns that "insatiable greed" will lead to "accumulated wealth that cannot be dispersed and will bring disaster." Historically, many merchants who declined due to monopolizing the market and inflating prices did so because they violated this taboo.

2. Damaged objects: a signal of a dissipated energy field.

Worn wallets, stopped clocks, and broken furniture are considered "decaying items" that can weaken one's wealth. Taoism suggests using red or gold wallets, placing five-emperor coins inside, and promptly replacing damaged items to maintain the positive energy field of "objects possessing spirits."

3. Pollution from foul air: A hidden danger of the wealth position being impacted.

If the wealth corner faces the toilet or kitchen, or is piled with garbage or medicine, the foul air will pollute the wealth energy. Shops located near garbage dumps, hospitals, or other places with "filthy air evil" will cause "energy to dissipate and wealth to vanish," and must be avoided at all costs.

4. Using evil magic to make money: a shortcut that backfires.

Evil practices such as the "Five Ghosts Transporting Wealth Technique" may seem to bring quick wealth, but in reality, they come at the cost of "good fortune" and can easily lead to "disaster after wealth." Taoism emphasizes that legitimate ways of attracting wealth require "using the Tao to guide the techniques," rather than "using techniques to violate the Tao."

5. The rich are heartless: an inevitable punishment from Heaven.

The Taiping Jing states that "accumulating wealth without helping the poor" will obstruct the harmony of heaven and earth, causing "heavenly wrath and earth-shattering events." Historically, cases of the wealthy and unkind encountering calamities such as "theft and fire" are regarded by Taoism as a direct manifestation of "heaven's way of diminishing the surplus."

VI. Ultimate Pursuit: Harmony between Wealth and Life

The essence of Taoist views on wealth lies in achieving a triple harmony among "humanity, Tao, and society" through wealth: for the individual, wealth is the foundation for "health and well-being," not a shackle that enslaves the mind; for society, wealth is a tool for "helping the needy and relieving the poor," not a monopolized private property; and for the Tao, wealth is a product of "conforming to the laws of nature," not capital that opposes nature. As the *Tao Te Ching* states, "The more one does for others, the more one has; the more one shares with others, the more one receives," true financial freedom lies in a balanced approach that is "based on the Tao, supported by virtue, and guided by purpose."