This chapter refers to the time when Ziya used his magic power to get rid of the five demons, and helped his friend Yiren to build a house on his auspicious lot. Yiren happily said to Ziya: “Brother, you are so talented. You certainly have not wasted your forty years of spiritual cultivation at all.” Ziya sincerely answered: “Fortune telling and exorcism are my specialty. They are not important and not worthy of praises.” Lady Ma interfered: “Why don’t you make a living out of it then?” Ziya answered: “If I have a shop in the marketplace, I can do fortune telling and physiognomy reading.” Lady Ma was doubtful. She said: “I am only afraid that you will speak nonsense and say the wrong thing, then people would pull your teeth out, break your tools, and tear out your books and that would be such a shame.”
Ziren said: “If you want, I will give you a shop at the market in the capital and you can do what you like with it.”
Ziya was very happy with the offer. He then chose a lucky day to open his fortune telling shop, and stayed there day and night. In front of the entrance door was pasted a couplet of verses in bright red words:

Vast experience in countless highs and lows,

Truthful always, never a false vow.

And the other couplet says:

I speak truth, aware of all fortunes,

Eyes mirror worlds’ rises and plunges.

Another couplet was at the desk where Ziya does his fortune-telling. It says:

My sleeves hold Heaven, Earth, and the World.
My gourd takes in the sun and moon.

Three months passed by. Still, no one showed up to have a reading. Lady Ma nagged: “No one came because you are a bad fortune-teller.” Ziya smiled: “It is because my time has not come yet.” Lady Ma glanced reproachfully at her husband and said: “Useless people always blame destiny for their failure. Your hair is all white and what have you achieved so far?” Ziya wanted to explain himself but he could only look at his wife, speechless. One day, a woodcutter named Liu Qian entered the shop. He banged on the desk and spoke loudly, “Mister, what is your name?”
“My last name is Jiang. My first name is Shang. My pen name is Jiang Ziya, or Feixiong.”
“You show off that you know the past and future. I now want you to tell my fortune. If you are correct, I will reward you with twenty coins, if not, I’ll let you have a taste of my fist and ask you to go back to your country. You cannot stay here to cheat people any longer.”

Ziya said: “Just tell me what you want to know.” Li Qian answered: “I sell firewood for a living. Show me what direction I should take, and how much would I get selling them.” Ziya cast the coins and wrote down these four verses:

Go directly south
And meet an old man under a willow tree
The wood sells for one hundred and twenty coins
Four dishes of refreshments and two bowls of wine.

Liu Qian protested: “This cannot be right. I have been selling firewood for over twenty years. No one ever gave me refreshments and wine.” Ziya said: “ Just go ahead, do what I said, and find out for yourself.” Liu Qian followed the instructions and things turned out for him as predicted. He sold the wood for one hundred coins and he got another twenty coins for tips. He also got the refreshments and a small bottle of wine. Liu Qian exclaimed: “Jiang Ziya must be a Saint or a God. Let me pour the wine out and see how accurate he is.” In fact, the bottle of wine filled exactly two bowls.

Commentary

At some point in our lives, many of us have encountered a fortune teller who accurately predicted our future. However, during these readings, we can only confirm events that have already occurred, often waiting five or ten years to validate future predictions. Unfortunately, by the time these forecasts materialize, the fortune teller is typically unavailable or cannot be located.

For a fortune teller to gain prominence, it’s imperative they have invisible mentors. These mentors, often lesser Spirits, play a crucial role in guiding the fortune teller and providing insights that enable accurate predictions. They particularly assist those in dire situations in need of guidance and support, as well as individuals who are deemed deserving of their assistance due to blessings or merit.

Fortunetelling encompasses various methods, including palm reading, card reading, physiognomy, coin divination, dream analysis, horoscope charting, and other unconventional approaches. However, to deliver remarkably accurate readings, a fortuneteller typically relies on a guiding Spirit to reveal secrets, ensuring precision in their counsel to clients. Those who solely trust their own judgment often end up wrong in their predictions.

There are instances when the Spirit refrains from disclosing certain truths, as revealing them could potentially harm the individual more than benefit them. In such cases, the fortuneteller may resort to a white lie. Consequently, fortunetellers, even with the assistance of their Spirit mentors, receive both praise and criticism for their readings.

The role of a fortuneteller may seem insignificant, yet they indirectly steer people towards the right path and unveil secrets of the Spirit world. Additionally, they provide predictions for individuals or families, aiding some while earning a livelihood for themselves.

To derive value from fortunetelling, one must maintain objectivity when evaluating the outcomes and refrain from hasty praise or criticism.

It’s essential to apply logic when assessing the accuracy of the reading and avoid succumbing to superstition. Remember, whether or not one believes in divination, accurate predictions will manifest.

Prophecy encompasses diverse realms, offering glimpses into the future of significant figures like kings, tribal leaders, and religious founders, or the fate of clans, nations, and humanity. Prophets convey vital revelations received from higher celestial beings—such as the Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Archangels, or Superior Angels—to wide audiences. They often hold positions of leadership within tribes, serve as royal advisors, or undertake grand missionary endeavors. Additionally, prophets bear the responsibility of cautioning nations and guiding them along the path ordained by the divine.

In Buddhist history, the sage Asita is recounted for shedding tears of foresight upon predicting that Prince Siddhartha would either become a significant humanitarian leader or attain Buddhahood. Asita’s tears were prompted by his knowledge of his imminent death and subsequent rebirth in the immaterial realm, realizing he would miss the rare opportunity to learn from the future Enlightened One. Additionally, shortly after Prince Siddhartha’s birth, numerous talented and knowledgeable Brahmins visited him, including eight exceptional astrologers who, through careful observation, also prophesied his potential as either a universal monarch or a Buddha.

The Judeo-Christian Bible is filled with accounts of prophecy, illustrating a consistent flow of divine revelations from start to finish. In contrast, the mention of prophecy in Buddhist Sutras is relatively limited. Throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures, we encounter numerous instances of patriarchs, prophets, and disciples who possess the gift of prophecy bestowed by the Holy Spirit. Though it’s difficult to list them all, let’s highlight a few notable cases:

* The story of Noah
The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence, so God said to Noah, “Make an ark of gopher wood for yourself” (Gen. 6:11-15).

* The story of Abraham
God told Abraham to leave his country to go to a land chosen by God to establish a large population there (Genesis 12:1-3).

* The story of Isaac
God appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go to Egypt. Stay in the country that I will tell you. I will bless you and your descendants will be as many as stars in the sky” (Genesis 26:2-4).

* The story of Jacob
Jacob dreamed of a stairway resting on the earth with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God ascending and descending on it. The Lord said to him, “I will give you and your descendants the land that you are sleeping on right now and I will make your population as many as sand and dust on the earth” (Genesis 28:10-15).

* The dream of Joseph
“He said to them, this is my dream: We were binding sheaves in the field, and my sheaf stood straight while your sheaves bowed to mine. He had another dream, and told it to his brothers,” I have a dream, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me” (Genesis 37:6).

In another occasion, Joseph analyzed the dream with the butler and high-ranking officer of the Pharaoh. Joseph said, “Are the analyses of dreams not coming from God in Heaven? Please tell this dream to me” (Genesis 40).

* The story of the Pharaoh feeling uneasy following a dream he had. “He ordered the magicians and doctors of Egypt to come over and told them about his dream. None of them could explain it except Joseph” (Genesis 41).

* The story of the burning bush God appeared to Moses at the burning bush. He identified himself as the Great I AM and told Moses, “Say unto the children of Israel, that I AM has sent you to them” (Exodus 3:10-14).  In another instance, God told Moses, “But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under my compulsion. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my miracles, which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that, he will let you go” (Exodus 3:19-20).

* After the death of Moses, God appeared to Joshua and told him, “Moses, my servant is dead; now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all your people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:1-2, 5).

* Gideon wanted to confirm the will of God wanting him to save Israel. (Judges 6:37-40) Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” That is what happened (Judges 6:37-40).

* When Gideon came, a man was relating a dream to his friend and he said, “I had a dream. A loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat” (Judges 7:13). Gideon returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the LORD has given the camp of Midian into your hands.” (Judges 7:15)

* The angel of God appeared to Manoah and said to her, “Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children. You shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines” (Judges 13:3-5).

* The Lord called Samuel four times and said to him,” On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end”(1 Samuel 3:3-12).
* The Lord revealed to Samuel about Saul. He told him to anoint Saul as the first king: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people [of Israel]; and he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines” (First Samuel 9:15-16).

* Samuel got the order from Jehovah to anoint David. From then on the Spirit of the Lord is with David. Because of Saul’s disobedience, God’s Spirit departed from Saul and allowed an evil spirit to trouble him (First Samuel 16:13-14).

* When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, neither by dreams, Urim, nor prophets. Then Saul ordered his servants to bring him a medium. He ordered the medium to conjure up the soul of Samuel. The medium said that she saw a divine being coming up out of the earth and by her description, Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage. Samuel told him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.” Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel (1 Samuel 28:5-20).

* Jehovah ordered the prophet Nathan to reproach David: “I anointed you and set up the throne for you to be the King of Israel. I rescued you from danger caused by Saul. I also bestowed houses of your boss, gave you the wives of your boss, and if you feel this is not enough, then I will give you other blessings, why did you use a sword to kill Uri and take away his wives” (2 Samuel 12:7-9)?

* The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for anything he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the Israelites. God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life or riches for yourself, or the life of your enemies, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days” (I Kings 3:11-13).

* God sent a prophet to King Jeroboam. The prophet delivered a sign by causing the altar to split apart and the ashes to pour out from it. In response, King Jeroboam attempted to threaten the prophet by stretching out his hand, but his hand became withered.

In response, King Jeroboam attempted to threaten the prophet by stretching out his hand, but his hand became withered. Only when the prophet interceded and the king submitted did the king’s hand get restored. (1 Kings 13:1-10).

* God said to Prophet Elijah, “You shall anoint Hazael King over Aram, and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint King over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-Jehovah you shall anoint as prophet in your place” (Kings 19:15-16).

* Jehovah told King Ahaz, “A virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

* The prophecy about the Messiah: A child will be born and His name will be Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Other prophecies: About the pagans and fall of Babylon (Isaiah 13:19-23), the destruction of Assyria directed to Ethiopia (Zephania 2:12-13), against Duma and Arabi (The Burden of Duma, Edom, and Seir 21:11-12, the burden of Arabia 21:13-17), the siege of Jerusalem (Ezekiel chapters 4-7), the prophecy against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia (Ezekiel chapter 25), the fall of mainland Tyre (Ezekiel chapters 26-28), Egypt (Ezekiel chapters 29-32), the rebuilding of Israel (Amos 9:11, 13).

* God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations. To whomever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatever I shall command you, you shall speak. Don’t be afraid because of them for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:1-8).

* The Prophecy about Christ: “But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old” (Micah 5:2).

* The prophet Isaiah spoke about John the Baptist: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for The Lord, make straight paths for Him’” (Matthew 3:1-3).

The Bible ends with Revelations and prophecies about the end of the world.

As such, the prophetic and fortunetelling abilities have their differences and common points. In later times, several priests who were not able to research mysticism appeared confused and contradicted themselves when they discussed the subject of fortunetelling. At times, it was they who taught too many and too many superstitions and it was also they who arbitrarily forbade their disciples from believing in fortunetelling without giving them any thorough explanation.

Let me give you a specific example: The story happened in a province in Vietnam. The bishop’s assistant of the parish had his radio stolen, and nobody was able to discover who the thief was. A few days later, a group of parishioners had gone to consult a Hindu Muslim fortune teller, a psychic from Chau Giang village, hoping to have some clues about the thief. As a result, they were able to recover the radio. It was stolen by a member of the religious community!