What is "the most important thing?"

Q.  How do I know what you are saying is the truth?

There is no stamp for the truth, no way to mark it. It is sufficient to determine whether or not what I am saying is false.  The very nature of the false seems to be true.

Disillusionment  p. 29
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"After Dharma, Enlightenment is the most important thing."

Zen Master Dogen.

   This page may be useful to those who are trying to research or verify the "Wu Hsin" fictional character invented by Roy Melvyn.  

    Centuries of ancient and modern research and writing exist about ancient China and the Warring States Period in which Wu Hsin is said to have lived.  This can be accessed with any Google search combining "Wu Hsin" with "Warring States," which will automatically undertake searches of the texts of vast libraries of books (Google Books).  Any such search will begin to demonstrate that, quite simply, there never was a "Wu Hsin."

  In one of his various book introductions, Melvyn tries to add to an aura of realism with a description of Wi Hsin's "compound" for "secret teachings" in the mountains. These like all Wu Hsin details are without reference or citation because they are without foundation -- they are just made up.  The vague narrative about Wu Hsin's birthplace village and the superficial "Translator's Notes," referring to only one well known Chinese character for 'individual' (and then showing the modern, not classical, character) are all part of this framework.  They are supported by the authoritative sounding phraseology of the expert: 

"It is widely believed that Wu Hsin was born during the Warring States Period (403-221 BCE) . . ."   

"If the traditional dating is reliable, Wu Hsin would have been a contemporary of Mencius . . . "

   The giveaway is Melvyn's error in stating that he reviewed "parchment scrolls" of Wu Hsin's writings in the museum in Guilin, China.  Parchment was never used in China in any era.

As a teaching device, Melvy's Wu Hsin may be effective, but it is not appropriate and can do real harm to seekers of truth when they discover the hoax.  Melvyn does not inform us that the character is merely its creator's surrogate, alter ego etc. His personal blog entries, often taking the form of faux dialogues with his apparent students, suggests that he thinks such distinctions are for the unenlightened; those who are subject to the perceived laws of karma.  

There is indeed a deeper truth to be found. Its discovery requires the help of a teacher whose credentials go well beyond his or her own personal experience of "enlightenment" to include learning and understanding how and what to teach.  

Gurus should be chosen with meticulous attention to how they actually behave, not just what they write or say.

Q.  How do I know what you are saying is the truth?

There is no stamp for the truth, no way to mark it. It is sufficient to determine whether or not what I am saying is false.  The very nature of the false seems to be true.

Disillusionment  p. 29
---------------------------------

"After Dharma, Enlightenment is the most important thing."

Zen Master Dogen.

   This page may be useful to those who are trying to research or verify the "Wu Hsin" fictional character invented by Roy Melvyn.  

    Centuries of ancient and modern research and writing exist about ancient China and the Warring States Period in which Wu Hsin is said to have lived.  This can be accessed with any Google search combining "Wu Hsin" with "Warring States," which will automatically undertake searches of the texts of vast libraries of books (Google Books).  Any such search will begin to demonstrate that, quite simply, there never was a "Wu Hsin."

  In one of his various book introductions, Melvyn tries to add to an aura of realism with a description of Wi Hsin's "compound" for "secret teachings" in the mountains. These like all Wu Hsin details are without reference or citation because they are without foundation -- they are just made up.  The vague narrative about Wu Hsin's birthplace village and the superficial "Translator's Notes," referring to only one well known Chinese character for 'individual' (and then showing the modern, not classical, character) are all part of this framework.  They are supported by the authoritative sounding phraseology of the expert: 

"It is widely believed that Wu Hsin was born during the Warring States Period (403-221 BCE) . . ."   

"If the traditional dating is reliable, Wu Hsin would have been a contemporary of Mencius . . . "

   The giveaway is Melvyn's error in stating that he reviewed "parchment scrolls" of Wu Hsin's writings in the museum in Guilin, China.  Parchment was never used in China in any era.

As a teaching device, Melvy's Wu Hsin may be effective, but it is not appropriate and can do real harm to seekers of truth when they discover the hoax.  Melvyn does not inform us that the character is merely its creator's surrogate, alter ego etc. His personal blog entries, often taking the form of faux dialogues with his apparent students, suggests that he thinks such distinctions are for the unenlightened; those who are subject to the perceived laws of karma.  

There is indeed a deeper truth to be found. Its discovery requires the help of a teacher whose credentials go well beyond his or her own personal experience of "enlightenment" to include learning and understanding how and what to teach.  

Gurus should be chosen with meticulous attention to how they actually behave, not just what they write or say.