Deities and Faith
How should I understand a principal deity telling me to find another deity as a teacher?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Do not rush around looking for deities. First clarify how the message came and why this is being asked. If it is your interpretation after casting divination blocks, I have not seen how you asked or interpreted them. I cannot directly confirm every word as correct.
One listener said they had used divination blocks to conclude that Master Ji Gong was their principal deity, and later received the meaning that they should find a 'teacher who is not human.' In responding, I first left the message's accuracy unresolved, then discussed possible reasons on the assumption that the interpretation was correct. That assumption cannot be omitted to make it sound as though I had confirmed their principal deity.
'Principal deity' also needs clarification. A temple's main enshrined deity and the deity with whom an individual feels the closest connection may not mean the same thing. In Sheng Zhen Men's learning, different deities can all be teachers. Especially in religious work, different stages may involve different lessons and learning from different deities. But in my experience, it is less common for an ordinary worshipper who has not understood the original lessons to keep being told to find the next teacher. This deserves further clarification.
My usual experience is to reach a stage in one teacher's lessons before continuing to the next. But the unseen world is vast and people's experiences may differ. I cannot force my path into a fixed sequence for everyone. What truly matters is what you are learning now, what you have learned, and whether you understand the intention of the message.
If the message really is as described, explore why a change of teacher is needed and what is to be taught. You can also seek help from a human teacher to clarify what you do not understand. A human teacher can act as a bridge in communication. Rather than busily collecting deities' names, first learn the virtues of the deity you are close to and develop knowledge and wisdom. This makes the next step clearer.