My Four Most Precious Guan Yin: the Third (updated and full)

There was a famous Chinese artist call Zhang Da Qian 张大千. The peculiar technique he used is called the "splashing ink landscape painting" (泼墨山水).

The technique begins by splashing water and ink onto the rice paper. The water mixes unevenly with the ink. Part of the mixture is absorbed by the rice paper, part of the mixture flows freely and naturally on it. The artist will look at the natural impression formed on the paper, searching for inspiration in his mind from memories of all the different landscape and angles of landscape he has seen in his life. As the mixture of ink and water is drying up, he uses his brush to superimpose, to outline, and to detail the landscape in his mind onto the impression on the paper.

The finishing result is interesting. It is impossible to make another identical copy, even by the artist himself. It requires not only the skill of a craftsman, it requires also the repertoire of the landscape of a traveler. It rules out the possibility of simple memorizing and regurgitation work of a copycat craftsman. It requires the eyes of appreciation and possibilities. It needs the courage of an inspired man to go with the flow. In short, it transforms works from meticulous craftsmanship into a piece of art.

No wonder Zhang Da Qian's paintings are worth millions of dollars.

Zhang Da Qian's "splashing ink landscape painting."

This is also how the Guan Yin is carved out of a natural crystal. Except this time, the splasher of ink and water in a natural crystal is not the artist himself. It is Heaven and Earth.

The carver needs to look at a piece of natural crystal with layers of transparency and richness of opacity formed by the resources of Earth and the time provided by Heaven.

The carver needs to "see" a Guan Yin or a Buddha "formed" inside the piece of natural crystal. Many pieces of crystals will be given up when the volume and depth of transparency allows no Guan Yin to be carved out of it. Even when a Guan Yin form is possible, there will be a question of the kind of Guan Yin posture that is possible. Is she seated or standing, with a straight looking forward posture or a relax sideways one? And what could she hold in her hand? Can there be any other auspicious animals or plants around her?

Carving Guan Yin out of natural minerals is not only for the purpose of providing real, authentic, and powerful Qi for feng shui purposes. Personally, it is a manifestation of aesthetic beauty and artistic pursue.

A good machine and a hardworking craftsman can repeat their work on synthetic crystal, man-made glass and plastic. But not natural crystal.

It is like "splashing ink landscape painting." No, it is more difficult. You have to work with Heaven and Earth. You have to work with your luck. You have to exercise every bit of potential talent given by God. 

Do you see any form of Guan Yin or the Buddha in this raw crystal?

This is raw citrine. It is placed in the out-of-bounds areas of Lotus on Water galleries. We did not carve this because citrine is too rare, let alone one that is premium in it's natural hue and generous in size.

With all conditions meeting at one point, with the inspired eyes and skillful hands of an artistic carver, this crystal Guan Yin of Nine Lotuses has descended into this world.

Nine. It is a powerful number. It is the highest and biggest "yang" number. It signifies the number of the ruler, the emperor. Nine is also the number of the celestial stars that govern the feng shui of the earth.

Already such a big natural crystal with a clear form of Guan Yin seated within is no less than a miracle. The most surprising part is that she has nine small whirlpools of clarity surrounding her. We could carve that nine whirlpools of clarity into nine lotuses.

It is the highest form of Guan Yin --- Guan Yin with nine lotuses. Already when she was born I was reluctant to sell her away. I felt that she was a gift from Heaven.

But being a director of our company, it's insensible of me to keep everything I am fond of. Especially a collection with a very high value. So, dutifully, I instructed a price tag of one over million dollars to be fixed on her.

Little did I know she came with a purpose of delivering a message to me. And shockingly she delivered the message by plucking one of her lotuses to me...

Of course, long before a crystal lotus is plucked, Guan Yin did send her message in other ways.

That year, the dangerous star of Five Yellow fell right in front of our galleries and my house. I gave specific instruction not to create any movement in those areas or great calamity will fall.

One early morning, a great storm came. The very tall frangipani tree that was in front of my house was uprooted and fell onto the ground. On the same day, something happened. The pendent I always wear cracked with 2 lines that form a Chinese character "人 ren"(means human).

I knew it was an omen from Heaven. The direction is southwest, which represents elderly women. It means elderly women is creating problems for us. But which elderly women? I dislike suspecting people with no concrete evidence.

Affections always blind a clear vision, especially affections for the close kin and family members. 

That afternoon, my aunt from Malaysia came to Singapore to visit me for 2 weeks.

Little did I suspect that she was the one Heaven has sent a sign to warn me.

The crystal Guan Yin of Nine Lotuses.

My aunt had a pathetic life. She was very pretty when she was young and was well-loved by my grandparents.

She was married to a rich man who owns a very big bungalow. But on the wedding day, my grandfather whispered to my grandmother: "Let us celebrate in joy today. Although, it is a pity that the marriage cannot last. It has got to do with that celestial star in her life."

I know what that star is. It is a strong and ruthless star that makes one strong and competitive. However the same star will destroy a marriage when the one who possess this star is a woman.

And it turned out to be true. My aunt's husband bankrupted. He left for another woman. My aunt was also bankrupted as she was the factory's co-owner and guarantor.

I was only in primary school when this happened. And I saw how she climbed up from the pitch. She was blessed since young, not needed for any housework. When she was divorced and bankrupted, she had to rent a small house, do all the housework, raise her two daughters. 

Slowly, she raised enough money to start a small florist shop in a hotel. I went there to help her sometimes. I saw how she worked and I had a special sympathy for her. 

My aunt has a perpetual sweet smile. But her voice is even sweeter. She always speak with a ringing melody. You never see her raising her voice to anyone. Even when she narrates an angry incident, the hanging smile on her lips never disappears. The smile is almost like tattooed on.

I could never imagine that it is possible to have anybody to dislike her or get angry with her.

After clearing her name from the first bankruptcy, my grandparents came out with money again to help her and my uncle (her brother) to set up a clothing manufacturing factory.

Things went well for many years and my grandfather passed away. However, after some years, the factory of my aunt and uncle closed down as well. Luckily with 20 years of experience in sales, she managed to get a sales job somewhere. 

By this time, I have made quite a name for myself in Singapore and fame has travelled to my hometown. My aunt then requested to come and look at my business. She volunteered to come and helped me. 

My grandfather had five children and ten grandchildren. None of them, my aunt included, wanted to learn feng shui and bazi reading from my grandfather. Partly they felt it is an industry too ancient and they see no financial benefit from it.  I saw no financial benefit as well when I was learning from my grandfather and helping him. It was purely a fond love for things cultural and traditional and belonging to our family heritage. And also I did it for the love for grandfather. 

But the Lotus on Water I started, with my keenness to refine and improve on traditions and conventions, has become more profitable than any of my family members could imagine.

Since I was the only one who inherited the skill and knowledge from my grandfather, I felt obliged to give my aunt a chance to benefit the way I did as well. 

Master Yun is the only one who learned from his grandfather, the 5th generation fengshui master, from his young age.

My aunt quickly became well acquainted with all staff and with many of my very good clients. She also warms up very well with our media friends who supported us at those time.  After sometime, she came and asked me: "Why don't you open up a store in Kuala Lumpur and let me run it?" I was hesitant but I told her I shall think about it.

The main reason for my hesitance was that she loves gambling. She frequents the casino and enjoys mahjong, a bit too much. 

Yes we have many clients who love to gamble. Some of them win quite a bit of money right after wearing our jade. She herself has won jackpot from the casino twice after she wore our Heaven and Earth jadeite ring.But the standard required on a client and on those who serve clients representing Lotus on Water are different.

When a person receives money in gambling, he does not contribute any value to those who pay him. Most of the time, the luck of a winner in gambling is due to the lack of luck on his counterpart. When a person wins money in mahjong, it is because those who play with him are losing money.

But as I have always emphasized to my staff, when Lotus on Water sells a piece of something, the value we provide to the one who pays us must always exceed the amount of money we receive from them.

The psychology and philosophy of gambling and Lotus on Water are totally different. We just won't match.

But after my refusal towards my aunt, things started to get a bit strange.

With her sweet personality, my aunt is well acquainted with many rich friends. And she brought some to our gallery.

The Heaven and Earth jadeite ring. The proud creation of Lotus on Water, prospering clients since 2006. "She herself has won jackpot from the casino twice after she wore our Heaven and Earth jadeite ring."

During one incident as such, she came to me and told me: Why don't you tell them that they need "tiger-stripped agarwood"? I was shocked. It was the first time in years of bazi reading that someone dares to come tell me what to instruct my clients to do. But quickly I resumed my composure, I said calmly: No, aunt. It does not work this way here. I only tell my clients what to wear when the remedy suits him.

Next few days, my staff came over to tell me that this was what she asked them to do as well. In my anger, I kept away all my "tiger-stripped agarwood" until the clients she brought over left.

My aunt stayed in my house when she was in Singapore. She goes back to Kuala Lumpur on her own accord whenever she feels like the stay is long enough. One day, I had an impulse to bid her farewell so I went home when she was leaving my house. I saw her carrying a paperbag full of my books as she was stepping out of my house. I exclaimed: "Hei, what books are you taking away?" She said:" Oh! No! No! It's just some books that you are no longer interested to read anymore." I was thinking: how do you know those are books that I am no longer interested to read?"

One day, I had a relative giving me a call. She told me she would like to come and visit me. When she arrived, she told me that my aunt in Kuala Lumpur has been trying to gang up with other relatives to steal the secret of my business. She told them that it is truly unfair that my grandfather has passed his inheritance of knowledge to me alone. I have been making all the money and enjoy the fame while the rest do not get to share. Some of the relatives were very worried for me but none dared to offend her. However, she was urged by her conviction to warn me.

I listened with calmness and I told myself to be patient. Maybe she could change when she realized that the reason our business is so good because of our honesty towards our clients and our pursue of excellence in our quality. Maybe by comparing our business with others in the same industry, she would understand that you harvest what you sow and there is no short cut about it.

Signs after signs came. Evidences after evidences have I ignored, in the hope that a soul would be awaken by the truth that lies in front of her.

Slowly my staff acted rather strangely. Even those who have been with me for a long time and seen how miracles of faith have happened in the lives of my clients. 

Signs and symptoms showed up again and again. Finally, this crystal Guan Yin of Nine Lotuses showed her sign. One of her lotuses dropped. The staff put in charge of her glued the lotus back with clear silicon. In his remorse, this staff left. But he told me about it before he left.

Despite the fallen lotus just right of Guan Yin, the radiance and beauty of this crystal Guan Yin of Nine Lotuses shine.

When I heard the news about the fallen lotus, I was shocked and speechless for a long while. I was thinking what should be done now. My mind was confused yet my heart was calm. I knew that the Guan Yin with Nine Lotuses must have something to show me. But what was it?

At that moment, a senior staff suggested that nobody can tell that the crystal lotus was broken because it was gelled back nicely. And out of respect for Guan Yin, no clients would ever send it to the gemologists for inspection.

Hearing that, I felt anger expanding in my chest and I yelled at the top of my voice: "No! Lotus on Water never sells such kind of Guan Yin." My anger came from the realization that my most senior staff has gone wayward in her value. She has forgotten what standards Lotus on Water represents. We must always be trustworthy even when there isn't anyone we need to prove to.

The founding standards of Lotus on Water. When we started insisting on these principles, the market was laughing initially, then we upset them.

That evening, Mr Kan accompanied me for a quiet dinner. He was a manager and put in charge of the daily operations of the gallery. I was still praying quietly in my heart for Guan Yin to review all the riddles to me.

At that moment, the handphone rang. Not my handphone but Mr Kan's. The sweet ringing voice came from the other side.

"Hi Ying Loong (Mr Kan's name). I sold a crystal mountain and allowed the client to take it away. They gave me a postdated cheque, I pass it to you tomorrow?" 

Mr Kan asked: "What if the cheque bounced?"

"Then we will ask the client to return the crystal to us."

"But our company policy does not allow us to sell a second-hand item to anyone so that we will not have any chance of passing on a bad Qi to clients who have taken them home."

My aunt asked again: "Oh dear! What shall we do?...You must help me. I am Master Yun's aunt."

At the end of their conversation, I realized this was how my aunt has been testing waters with my staff. When she discovered that their principle was not strong and firm enough, she fed them with more ideas and lured them to her side. 

Finally, Guan Yin spoke to Master Yun with the fallen lotus.

A few days later, I brought my grandmother out for dinner. She is the eldest member of our family. When she heard what I said, she was shocked and began to tell me all the tales my aunt has fed her with. In front of her, I called every one of her children. We counter checked all the lies and tales my aunt has been telling and spreading.

At the end, I put down my phone and waited for my grandmother for her instruction. My aunt has caused more then one she lived and worked with to fail --- her husband, her brother. And now she desires the downfall of her nephew.
 

Finally my grandmother said, "I will personally give her instruction not to enter the gallery anymore. It is a sanctuary of our ancestors' glory. She will not be allowed to enter anymore."

Subsequently, I dismissed all the staff who were in cahoots with her, who were not courageous enough to stand up for the standards they were taught when they first entered Lotus on Water.

With most staff dismissed, I anticipated a dip in our revenue. But to our surprise, the revenue grew three times the next month.

I realized what Guan Yin was trying to show with the fallen lotus. The most beautiful thing about the lotus is not the flower, but the seed. No amount of fertilizers can grow a lotus seed if it is corrupted. And yet, no draught can kill a lotus seed as well. A lotus seed dried for decades will germinate when you drop it into water.

The lotus seed is our heart. Some call it free will. No deities can change it, no devil can destroy it. It is destined by our will.

I place the Guan Yin with Nine Lotuses in front of the gallery that keeps all the sculptures of Buddha and Guan Yin. 

It is to remind us to keep our heart well. All the nine lotuses, or ninety nine lotuses, or nine hundred ninety nine lotuses - can grow from one lotus seed.

-- Master Yun Long Zi, 24 May 2014.

我收藏的四个最珍贵的观音——第二座

她是第二座我不会卖掉的观音。在我第一家云龙子旺财馆成立之后，她来了。

她的金身是乳白色的白玉雕刻成的。有一尺来高。她头戴象徴权贵的冠帽，左手执一大如意（“如意”能让你的心愿成真)，右手捧一球（看来象能看到未来的水晶球，也叫“有球必应”)。

双眼微闭，她脸上挂着高贵的微笑。她从第一天到馆至今，脸上总有一抹亮光。

这第二尊观音现在安坐在总馆的正中架子上，俯瞰着旺财馆的客人收获他们的祝福。

她到达的第一天，我把她摆在角落头櫃子的最下方。原因如下：

第一、她颇重。櫃子最下方比较能夠承载重量。

第二、我们当时未有储藏库。现在有储藏库时，我们会将所有的产品先存在储藏库里，待宝石鉴定师鉴测其品质与价值之后，才把价格标签标上，才摆在展櫃上待售。

当时我们只能将所有的新产品放在不起眼的櫃子，待鉴测之后把价格标上才出售。

当天，有个客人走了进来。她站在客厅中央环顾四方。可是当她转问观音所在之方，整个人突然颤抖地吓了一跳。我问她发生什么事。她告诉我有个白衣女士从櫃子下方站立起来。

我陪伴这位客户一起走向她所指的方向。当她见到这座观音时，马上惊乎：“是她！是她！我见到的白衣女士就是她。她从这里站了起来，走向我，然后就不见了。”

我将双手伸向她，放松肌肉感受她的气场。我感受到的是一股几乎发烫的暖流，而不是阴寒可怖的邪气。

我感觉这座观音不愿意坐在一个如此底下的位置。她希望被安置在一个较高的地方。

我于是把她放在一个较高较明显的櫃子里。

几天之后，我把这座观音送到宝石鉴定师那里去，让鉴定师估量价值。好几天过去了。鉴定师那里一点消息都没有。我打了个电话给他，让他速度加快些。根据我们公司规定，东西不经过宝石鉴定师鉴定，是绝对不可以出售的。

宝石鉴定师告诉我，他很难从这座观音表面鉴测出质料是什么。我心想：可怪了！我们公司里头再硕大的物品，比如云龙子极品馆里头摆放的85O公斤重的巨大翡翠毛料，不也是从表面鉴测出来的吗？我问他可有什么办法没有？他告诉我，必须从观音音的底部或背后挖出一小块来，把那小块料拿去化验，我告诉他，如果果非得这样办，也只好这样做了。

云龙子旺财馆的850kg翡翠毛料。

可是第二天，鉴定师却把这座观音送了回来。依然没有鉴定报告。

我又给他打了通电话。

他说，奇怪的事情发生了。在他打算在观音底部敲下一块材料做化验之前，他把观音抬到秤上。他想先秤一下，免得让人说他把太多料子给敲了下来。谁知道，观音一上了秤，整个秤竟然弯曲了。他连观音的重量都无法测出，又怎么说检测观音的质地？

他真幸运还没有开始从观音身上挖出一块样品来。

这座观音拒绝让人量衡她的重量与价值。

不容被秤、不容被衡量。

我不是个容易改变原则与规则的人。我认为规则是应该经过仔细考虑之后才成立，成立后得贯彻实施。既然观音拒绝被衡量，拒绝被检测；我们只好不卖她。我把她摆放在馆内，祈求她的庇佑与施福。

那天开始，生意如车水马龙。当时我还有为客户看风水批八字。淡季之时客户得两个星期前预约，旺季之时得三个月前预约。

我有个客户是给人看塔罗牌的。她来我店时我刚好出外给客户看风水。在等待我回馆之时，她从包里掏出一对“L”型的金属测量器。据她说，这对测量器遇到好的气场会打开，遇到不好的气场会交叉。

她在我馆里的各个角落测量，每个角落测量器都大大打开。她连连称好。可是一走到这座观音前，那对“L”型测量器却一物也不能动了。这座观音连自己的气场也不愿意被测量。

虽然她不愿意被衡量，她赐给我们的祝福却是无可量衡的。她应允了许多摆放在她面前的祈求。在她面前开光的吉祥物会有非同凡响的效果，在客户的生命里行施令人惊㤉的奇迹。

愿我们的客人同样得到不可衡量和不可想象的祝福。

现任云龙子旺财馆的董事，简应隆先生，当时只不过是在这里假期当临时义工的。他希望能羸得一个奖学金，到北京大学念中文系。他向这座观音祈求，结果梦想实现了。他又希望能与当地的学生同念一班，并能考到好成绩。结果在毕业时他名列前矛。

许多人对于云龙子旺财馆超快速的进步难以想像。对于我们售出的吉祥物所产生的法力，他们极有兴趣。他们来询问我们的员工，有者甚至以金钱相诱……

是你们吉祥物的材质和别人的不一样吗？还是你们大师设计的形状能产生超乎想像的法力？还是你们大师开光用的朱砂特别厉害？他从哪里找到的？你们大师把吉祥物摆在馆之前，可有在储藏室里进行什么仪式没有？他用的是什么仪式？

这些都是他们常问的问题，并尝试模仿的事。

我是相信用科学与理性方法做事的。正如我坚决用科学检测来鉴定产品之后才可以摆在馆里售卖一样。这是对客户的责任，也是对神佛的敬重。因此，我也顽固地拒绝用任何廉价材料如染色玻璃和假玉来雕刻观音一样。

因此我都是亲自确保产品的每一个步骤都很认真用心地做好。

然而，到底是哪一步骤所产生的法力？毎一个步骤的相加又如何产生客人生里头的奇迹？我也说不通。

正如这座拒绝被量衡的观音，给于我们的神奇回报总是超出我们所付出一切代价的总和。而他的回报也是难以量衡的。

——云龙子大师，12 May 2014. 卫赛节前夕。

“然而，到底是哪一步骤所产生的法力？”

Choose: waiting for heaven and earth, or let heaven and earth wait on you?

A sad human reality: "I shall wait."

I shall wait till I get my promotion, when I get a breakthrough. I will definitely do it after I strike the first prize tonight, I will do it. Let me wait for 2...3 months, I will do it later. Ok, give me 3 years, 3 years, I will do it after 3 years...

Many people assume they can wait for something to happen. Wait for...the stack of cash to drop from the sky...for someone who dresses like the God of Wealth to come knocking...and in the meanwhile, there is nothing much to do. Just wait.

And some wait for a lifetime.

There is a word for this. It spells p-r-o-c-r-a-s-t-i-n-a-t-i-o-n. Procrastination.

Honestly, I have no idea what are you waiting for.

Reality check. Let's take a page of harsh harsh fact from Dao De Jing (《道德经》): "Heaven and earth are indifferent, all creatures are considered sacrificial straw dogs (天地不仁，以万物为刍狗)."

If you are waiting and waiting for your luck to come, because you assume the heavens or someone random is going to tuck a handsome cheque into your pocket. And you look around, you see people around you getting luckier, wealthier, happier and moving on in life, but not you, then you ask, why? Why am I not favored by the heavens? Why is fate so cruel to me? And the heavens and earths remain silent.

Here's the question to ask: why should the heavens and earths favor you, when you are not doing anything, but just waiting?

Lotus on Water does not believe in waiting. What's the point of being passive? One second of waiting is one explosive opportunity missed, and it might never come back again. I learned somewhere that there are 7 major chances in one's life. 2 chances are missed when we are too young, another 2 chances are missed when we are too old. 3 major chances left. And this particular explosive opportunity might just be the mega one you need. But you missed your breakthrough, because you preferred to just wait.

Let's flip this whole scenario around with a more constructive question: we want the heavens and earths to favor us with great fortunes, harvests and breakthroughs, what have you and I done to be one of the privileged to accept the blessings of the heavens and earth?

Do something. Be active. Don't wait for heavens and earths to take care of you. Harvest the power of the heavens and earths actively. What we want to do is to be sincere in showing the heavens and earths our efforts, our faith and our respect. We do our part first by having the best earthly resources with us, then the heavens shall put in their share. If you want to ride on the gushing tides of good fortune, the impeccable harvests rained by the heavenly time, produce your ticket.

Better still, make it a ticket to the first class cabin.

Lotus on Water Exquisite Jadeite Gallery. Always first class.

You will find that while we are in the business of luck, we never leave things to chance. Leaving something as important as luck to chance is purely gambling your life away. Wear your Lotus jadeite first, open the doors to a path of luck and prosperity, then walk on it.

I remember Mr S. He first stepped into the Lotus gallery in 2007. Then, there were Lotus jadeite that were about 900SGD. He found it "expensive" and left. Somehow he came back in 2012, 5 years later. Life hasn't change much for him, obviously. And while the whole world around you is improving, staying put at where you are simply means getting left behind. He saw the Lotus jadeite of the same design, but it was already priced at a few thousands of SGD. He was shocked. Batches after batches of Lotus jadeite have been bought by blessed clients since 2007. And with every new batch that comes along, the supply of top grade and authentic firsthand jadeite simply dwindles. 

Mr S knew he couldn't wait anymore. He has suffered a tremendous loss of time and opportunities, and he is not getting any younger. What more is that by not buying his Lotus jadeite earlier, he has to pay a higher price for it. But he knew he to take action now. Mr S knew he has to do something solid immediately to harness the good qi of the heavens and earths. He knew he has to equip himself with the best earthly treasure, then heavens shall put in their share.

In that month right after Mr S wore his first Lotus jadeite, he won a considerable amount from 4D. He was happy. We were happy for him. When you do something to reach out for the good energies of the universe, they often stretch out their hand as well. This is the simple cause and effect, karma - you do something, you get something. 

The only regrettable thing was, if Mr S had started in 2007, his blessings would not just be a 4D winning. It would have accumulated by now to something greater than our imaginations put together.

Don't wait for the heavens and earths. Let the heavens and earths wait on you.

My Four Most Precious Guan Yin: the Second

She is the second Guan Yin that I will never sell. She came right after my first Lotus on Water gallery was set up.

She is carved in milky white jade, more than a foot tall. She wears a crown of authority, her left hand holding Ruyi (a treasure that grants your hearts desires), her right hand holding a ball (that looks like a crystal ball that sees into future).

Both eyes closed, she has a serene smile that is full of dignity. She perpetually has a glow on her face from the time she came till now.

The second Guanyin now sits on the main shelf of the first gallery, overlooking clients getting their blessings here.

The first day she came, I placed her at the lowest level of the shelves, for a few reasons.

Firstly, because she was rather heavy, the lowest level of the shelves would be able to carry more weight.

Secondly, we did not have a warehouse yet then. Now that we have a warehouse, all new items have got to be stored there to be inspected and tested by the gemstone gemologist, and also to have the value ascertained, price tags fixed before we would place them at the display cabinet.

At that time, we placed our new items at the most inconspicuous corners. After all that need to be done were done, we will then fix the price tags and they were ready to be sold.

On that day, a client came. She stood in the middle of the gallery and looked around her. But when her head turned towards the direction of this Guan Yin, she was startled. I asked her what happened. She said she saw a white lady stood up from that corner.

I walked with this client towards this Guan Yin. When she saw it, she said, "Yes! It was from this statue that the white lady stood up, walked towards me and disappeared."

I stretched out my hands towards the Guan Yin and relaxed my muscle to sense it. It was a sensation of warmth, almost to heat that I felt. Not the kind of cold and terrifying fright that would accompany bad vibes.

I felt this Guan Yin wanted to be placed at a position that is higher and not be made to sit here at an obscure low corner.

So I had her placed at one cabinet that is much higher

A few days later, I sent her to the gemologist for inspection and identification. Many days have passed and no news came from the gemologist. So I called him to hurry. After all, we were suppose to sell this Guan Yin. And I won't sell anything without first have it's quality ascertained by the gemologist.

The gemologist told me that he could not really test what is the material of the Guan Yin. He just could not see it from the surface inspection. I thought in my heart, it's strange because this gemologist has inspected much bigger and heavier jade stone and could ascertain the result straight away (for instance, our 850 kilogram raw jadeite that is siting in our gallery).

The 850kg raw jadeite of Lotus on Water.

Then I asked the gemologist what could he do? He said he may have to cut a piece (probably from the back or bottom) for him to inspect better. I told him if he needed to do so, do it.

But the next day, this Guan Yin was sent back to me. Again without the inspection report.

I called the gemologist again to find out what has happened.

He said a strange thing has happened. Before he tried to chop a piece of specimen from the Guan Yin, he first tried weighing it to see how heavy it is. Once he placed the Guan Yin onto the balance, the balance bent. He cannot weigh the Guan Yin.

Strange. He has used his balance to weigh even heavier things, those that needed two people to carry. And the balance worked perfectly well. But this Guan Yin, although quite heavy, only needed one man to carry. And the balance has bent.

Luckily he has not started trying to chop a piece of material from this Guan Yin. I don't know what would happen to him.

This Guan Yin refused to be weighed and valued.

Not to be weighed, not to be valued, not to be measured.

I am not a person who is capable of bending my principals and regulations easily. I believe that regulations ought to be created carefully and administered consistently. Since this Guan Yin refused to be weighed and inspected by the gemologist, we cannot sell it. I placed her in my gallery and prayed to her for blessings and protection.

From that day onward, my business flourished. I was still seeing clients at those time. Clients have to book two weeks in advance during cool season and three months in advance during peak season. People in Singapore, even those in Europe rumored that my words is as strong as the prophets. Whatever I say, even as a joke, will come into reality. I wondered if that has to do with the ball that she holds in her hand. But in any case, I have learned to curb my tongue, even my witty jokes from then onward.

I have a tarot card reader who is my client. She came to my gallery while I was away doing feng shui. While waiting for me, she took out a pair of "L" shape metal sticks. Holding the shorter end in each fist, she goes to every corner of my gallery. She told my staff, that when the sticks meet bad qi, they will turn inward and cross each other. When the sticks meet good qi, they will turn outward away from each other.

Every corner she went to is good qi, the sticks turned wide apart. But when she came to this Guan Yin, the two sticks just stopped. Unmovable. This Guan Yin refused to be tested this way as well.

Not only did she refuse to be measured, her blessing for us is unmeasurable as well. She has granted us many wishes that were laid before her. And the items that has got the blessing ritual done in front of here were extremely powerful. 

May the blessings received by our clients be unmeasurable and unimaginable as well.

Lotus on Water present director, Mr Kan, was just a part-timer then, he wanted a scholarship to go to Peking University in Beijing to study Chinese Language and Literature. His wish was granted. He was overwhelmed by the command of language of the locals. He prayed that he will have good result when he compete against them. He was the top student when he graduated.

A lot of people were curious with the unimaginable progress of Lotus on Water. They are curious about the many miracles that accompany the collections we sell. They came to ask, even bribed our staffs to find out...

Is it the kind of quality your Master used to make the items that make them so powerful? Is it the image that your master have carved that created the miracle? Was it the special vermillion that your Master use? Where did he get it? Did your Master do anything to the items in the warehouse before he brings out to the gallery? Is there any special rituals he is using?

These are the kind of questions they have asked and tried emulating.

Frankly, I am one who believe in scientific and logical ways of doing things, just like I have always insisted a scientific inspection before an item is even placed on the shelves. It's a responsibility to client as well as a respect to the deities. That's why I stubbornly reject using colored glass and fake jade to carve Guan Yin.

Thus I personally make sure that every step will be done with care and seriousness.

However, exactly which part has created the magic? How did the sum add up to the final miracles that happened in our clients lives? I cannot tell.  

Like this Guan Yin who refused to be weighed and measured, the miraculous results always outweigh the price we pay. And the result is unmeasurable.

-- Master Yun Long Zi, 5 May 2014. The start of summer.

Where is the "magic"?

"I told my business partner, don't bother doing fengshui": a conversation with Mr C

Mr C offers a piece of sandalwood incense to a majestic tri-crystal Guan Gong statue. The Guan Gong is the martial God of Wealth. He protects the riches and brings in more righteous wealth for the blessed one. Mr C is the blessed one. This tri-crystal Guan Gong has a red ribbon around it. It belongs to Mr C. Once his new house is done, Mr C will set this Guan Gong at the entrance of his place. 

The tri-crystal Guan Gong.

This is a Saturday. Mr C comes nearly every Saturday to relax from the intense work week, and eyes for new collections to be placed at his office and new home.

Mr C is building a new house, just one street away from where he stays now. It will be 5 floors, including a basement with swimming pool, and an attic, where he plans to build a gallery to house the best Buddha and deity sculptures. I saw the floor plans and the artist impression. It looks like a palace.

Mr C: I told my business partner, don't bother doing fengshui. Why spend that amount of money buying jade and placing all these crystals when you are just waiting for money to drop on your lap?

Mr C takes a sip of the Lotus tea. It's aged Pu'er infused with essence of sandalwood and agarwood. He loves it. It makes him calm, so he can think. And with the sandalwood and agarwood essence, the Lotus tea prospers those wearing the Lotus jadeite too.

Mr C: I mean, think about this. If God of Wealth pushes a stack of cash in front of you, and you stay put. You just sit there, do nothing. And you expect to get the cash. Kan, you tell me, how would it be possible?

Kan: Yes I agree. The best earthly treasures to get the good luck, and the unwavering human will to grab it all. 

Mr C: You know when I went to bid for the 10 million SGD project, I wasn't sure whether my company can make it or not. 

Kan: But you went ahead. That took courage.

Mr C: I buy your jadeite. I buy the crystals, the Guanyin, the crystal dragon, for my home and office. All these, I believe, are here to give me chances. They open up doors for me. And I have to step in myself. And I got it.

I knew Mr C since 2011. His first Lotus jadeite is the Laughing Buddha with ingots. He passed by the gallery, and felt there was an attraction. Maybe it was the bright lights, maybe it was the shining crystals. Mr C took off his shoes and stepped in. He felt the lush carpet warmed his feet. The divine tea warmed his throat. He has always been a believer of the Laughing Buddha, so he asked for Laughing Buddha pendant. He saw it, and if you ask him now, he would say he couldn't have asked for better. It was about 9k SGD. Mr C was feeling more than a pinch. 

Then, his business was small. It was an one-office business. There were issues. Cashflow issues too. But he knew he has to do something to turn the situation around, to make it better, to prosper. 

In July 2013, Mr C showed me his grand plans of a new office. He is moving his office to a new premise. A 5 floor building. Expanding his headcount from 30 to 300. The Laughing Buddha with ingots warmed his soul.

The Lotus jadeite Laughing Buddha with ingots. This is what Mr C started with.

Anxiety crept in around November 2013, when new expenses were high, and the company was still getting used to the expansion. Business was there but not fast enough.

Mr C kept on to his faith. He prayed. Prayed hard. He lighted his incense religiously. He added a Heaven and Earth jadeite ring to boost the wealth power, to increase his chances of clinching deals. Mr C pulled through. The heavens and earths rewarded him with a surprise deal of 10 million SGD. His single highest deal ever.

This is Mr C's Heaven and Earth jadeite ring.

Mr C: I believe in luck. That's why I buy what you tell me to buy. I believe in ability too. I got to make the best of what Buddha gives me. I have to make it happen, right Kan?

Kan: Luck and ability. Couldn't say it better myself.

Mr C: I believe this is what your fengshui does for me. Kan, it now presents to me a 100 million SGD deal. This deal is 10 times more than the 10 million deal I just secured last month.

Kan: 100 million SGD? Congrats Mr C! This is it. Remember  when you celebrated the expansion of your company? You told your shareholders you want 1 billion for this first year - you are on your way, and spring isn't even over.

Mr C: If I rejected that 10 million deal, or that 10 million SGD deal didn't come to me, I would never have the courage to try for this 100 million deal. All these fengshui I have done, all these Lotus jade and crystals I bought, they bring my power to another stage. Now, I just have to go grab it.