Liao Fan's Four Lessons: Changing One's Destiny | Yuan Liao-Fan

Book Description: The Book Liaofan's Four Lessons was written in the sixteenth century in China by Yuan Liaofan with the hope that it would teach his son, Yuan Tianqi, about destiny, how to differentiate good from bad, how to correct his faults, and how to practice good deeds to cultivate both virtue and humility. As an embodiment of his teachings Liaofan was living proof of their benefits, for he had changed his destiny. Learning to re-create destiny has long been of interest to those who believe that wealth or poverty, long life or short life - everything is destined. People who accomplished good deeds in their past lives will naturally enjoy wealthy and long lives now, while those who committed bad deeds in their past lives will undergo deprivations and short lives. However, there are exceptions. Destiny can be changed. If we were originally supposed to enjoy wealth and longevity in this lifetime, but have committed excessive bad deeds, then without waiting until the next life, we will become poor and have shortened lives. If we were originally supposed to undergo poverty and have short lives, but have accomplished exemplary deeds, we will become wealthy and have long lives.