Five Kinds of Darkness (Part 1)

Five Kinds of Darkness - Part 1

Master Kuang, was a famous musician from Jin, one of the states so named during the Spring and Autumn Period in China's history. Although Master Kuang was a musician, known for his prowess in playing a string instrument, he often advised the king on ruling the state (Duke Jinping).
Master Kuang was blind. It is said that when Master Kuang played music, horses would stop eating grass and lift up their heads to listen; birds would stop flying and listen attentively, with their heads held high, and would drop the food in their mouth in fascination. When he played Qinghui music, using a special fingering technique, 16 heavenly cranes flew gracefully by, singing and dancing.
Duke Jinping admired Master Kuang very much. He would consult Master Kuang whenever he had difficulties or came across any important matter.
Once upon seeing that Master Kuang was blind, Duke Jinping commented, "Although you are extremely wise, you are blind. Your world must be way too dark". Master Kuang replied, "Not necessarily. There are five kinds of darkness in the world, yet I'm not afflicted by any one of them". "What do you mean?" Duke Jinping asked. "Alright. Let me explain this to you, one by one," Master Kuang said.
"Officials gain fame through bribery and people have no place to complain when they are treated with injustice, and yet the king turns a deaf ear to the situation and ignores it all. This is the first kind of darkness. The king uses unfaithful officials instead of loyal ones. Foolish people take high positions while bad people suppress the wise and kind, and yet the king doesn't know about this. That is the second kind of darkness. Crafty people play with duplicity to cover up their true character, yet they are respected, whereas kind people are slandered and driven away. Yet the king is not in the least aware of this. This is the third kind of darkness. The country is poor and the people are tired, yet the king exhausts all resources to build up his military power, craving grandiose feats. He is wrapped up in flattery and refuses to wake up. This is the fourth kind of darkness. One cannot distinguish between right and wrong, the law cannot be enforced, the corrupt officials pervert the law, and the people are unable to live in peace, yet the king doesn't understand all these. This is the fifth kind of darkness. No state that has fallen into these five kinds of darkness has avoided collapse. In comparison, my darkness is only a tiny darkness, far from endangering the state."
Duke Jinping was very touched when hearing these compassionate words. He was determined to work diligently for the state's welfare and try his best to be a wise king with moral integrity.


https://en.clearharmony.net/articles/a7143-Five-Kinds-of-Darkness-A-Tale-From-Ancient-China.html

Music License:
Music: Solo of Pipa (A Chinese Music Instrument): See You in Spring

Music by Da Xiong, Remix by Ge Jia, Pipa Solo by Ge Jia
(Minghui.org)