The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy

Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 17: Cao Cao Talks of Plums to Ease His Soldiers' Thirst; Li Si and the Fall of Han Fei

Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 17 is rated Fair Fortune, and its story is “Cao Cao Talks of Plums to Ease His Soldiers' Thirst; Li Si and the Fall of Han Fei”. In plain words: Don't let gossip or empty promises lead you around. A painted cake won't fill you up. Only what's real can be counted on.

Fair Fortune
Don't listen to idle talk or gossip.Morning and evening, just softly say Amitabha's name.If you take empty words for the truth,how can a painted cake fill an empty stomach?

Original Chinese

莫聽閑言與是非晨昏只好念阿彌若將妄語為真實畫餅如何療得飢

The story behind it

Cao Cao Talks of Plums to Ease His Soldiers' Thirst; Li Si and the Fall of Han Fei

Video

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Questions people ask

Is Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 17 a good fortune?

It is rated Fair Fortune. Don't let gossip or empty promises lead you around. A painted cake won't fill you up. Only what's real can be counted on. A fortune poem is a reminder, not an order. The choice is yours.

What does Guanyin Fortune Poem No. 17 say in English?

Don't listen to idle talk or gossip. / Morning and evening, just softly say Amitabha's name. / If you take empty words for the truth, / how can a painted cake fill an empty stomach?

Different temples may use slightly different versions.

A fortune poem is a reminder, not an order. The choice is yours.

Chinese poem font: Wang Han-zong Li Shu (GPL v2), with a few added glyphs