Lotus on Water, and the Will of the Heavens

For the ancients, and for Chinese at large, the matter of having the approval of Heavens has always been an important one. 得不得天道. It's a matter of whether a decision is correct, it's a matter of whether a King has the right to rule.

A testament of whether a King has the 天道, is to see whether he has 民心, the heart of the people. And a way to observe where the hearts of the people are, is to see where the 神器、法器、礼器——国之重器 are gathered. For instance, when Shang Dynasty 商朝 conquered Xia 夏, the symbols of kingship and the right to rule inherited from the Heavens, the 9 Cauldrons 九鼎, were moved to the new capital.

It can be no coincidence that in our times, we see an ever growing number of precious artifacts representing a high order of culture, taste, power and spirituality, gathering at Lotus on Water.

The "First Blade Under the Heavens 天下第一刀", used at Beijing's Tiananmen Square on 1st July 2021, to commemorate 100 years of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Three were used that very day, one is with the Lotus gallery.

A highest and most royal order of arts in Southeast Asia in modern history, Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, She gave Master Yun Her Apsara Crown before Her passing.

The magnum Blanc de Blancs of Maison Champagne Laurent-Perrier, one of most prestigious and still family-owned champagne houses, is with Lotus on Water. There are only three in Asia, and the only one in Singapore is with us.

The set of 54 seals of the "Heart Sutra 心经", carved by 晋欧老师, the most leading figure of Chinese art in Japan, a member of the very exclusive Xiling Seal Art Society 西泠印社, somehow found its way across the oceans, is with Master Yun and Lotus on Water.

We are where the Will of the Heavens 天道 points to. And where the 天道 is, the 旺气 will be.

And with the Heart Sutra seals, Master Yun shall be unlocking the universes of prosperity, into our blessed collections, and lives.

 

-- Kan

Looking back, and thanking my Followers for 2020

[Looking back, and thanking my Followers for 2020]

 

Dear Followers!

We are into the new year, we are already in the Metal-Ox year 辛丑年.

Happy New Year!!

The past year has been very exciting, a lot of dramatic and grand developments. Once again, we showed what it means to be the leader of the industry -- fengshui, arts, even Chinese culture, what it means to be a solid beacon of prosperity and happiness, what it means to be really great and living great.

With the spirit of always looking for solutions, as like how we constantly look for ways to boost your luck, we morphed the ways we do things, we upgraded the structure of the Fellowship, we invested even more into the value we give back to our faithful clients.

And it was a most fulfilling year for Lotus on Water. We have always been creating bests, and they were actually just "best year SO FAR". 2020 Metal-Rat year, was also a best year for the Lotus.

So far, of course.

Our Fellowship is definitely very crucial to the stunning success. We have new friends who joined the Fellowship, we "cleaned" our house of those who do not share the same values as us, we have improved the quality of our members.

Certainly, there is still much work to progress, and I am sure it will be rewarding for all of us, on many different levels.

Great great thanks to Followers who kept bringing new friends to join the Lotus Family. 2020 was most probably the year, so far, when we had the most new clients. (Please keep them coming!)

My gratitude also goes to Followers who are always at the galleries, helping us to speak to fellow clients, encouraging them, sharing your knowledge and recommendations. We see a lot of new clients progressing fast, through your help, and the weekly Modules that Gerard's team conducted spectacularly.

A lot of weekly operations were also taken up by Sir Yip and Pook's teams. The LIVEs, the bigger virtual celebrations. We come together to reach to more people, opening our doors in a different way.

And so, our Fellowship, while we can be close-knit, we are always open to expand the Lotus Family.

I thank YOU once again, and I hope that through these start-of-year reflections, you are once again filled with grander dreams and aspirations.

Have a powerful Ox year!

[Photo from one year ago, the gallery was so crowded with Followers when we were doing a quick recap and toast after a mega event, let's see when we can gather again!]

-- Kan, Executive Director
5th Feb 2021

 [Originally posted here: https://www.facebook.com/yingloong.kan/posts/5054707967934374 ]

So, what's in store for us in this 2021 Metal-Ox year 辛丑年?

 

It has been a while since I blogged, if you don't count my rather long Facebook posts...time after lockdown has been super intense, and the achievements we unlocked (gaming lingo) unimaginable and magical. All the awards, the Great Wall of China fengshui art exhibition...it's really not something that can be attained by copying others. Imitation is soulless. So are the words of imitators, hollow.

 

The leap of Lotus on Water in 2020 Metal-Rat year 庚子年 is beyond exponential, it's fueled and propelled by years of solid work and a passionate spirit. Luxury requires a passionate spirit. Our future and fortune require a passionate spirit.

 

 

Our blessings require a genuine and passionate spirit.

 

But I digressed.

 

2021's January flew by just like that. The first time in many years that I did not conduct annual fengshui talk for large groups. But gave me and my people a chance to speak to clients one-to-one, and understood more intimately their aspirations and concerns for this year. Of course, we were also busy with post Winter Solstice celebrations, and catching up with Great Wall exhibition.

 

 

So, what's in store for us in this 2021 Metal-Ox year 辛丑年?

 

Last year, we predicted that 2020 Metal-Rat year 庚子年 was going to be a "watershed year" (http://bit.ly/3tTEhgd). My urge to Lotus clients was: "2020 can be a very challenging year. But it can also be the one that 'serves you a new hand of cards' -- a watershed year, and you determine where your river shall flow." 

 

 

I am glad that many of my beloved clients chose victory and prosperity, despite knowing the difficulties that lay ahead. And even gladder to know that they have done surprisingly and spectacularly well, despite the treacherous "weather". 

 

Victory and prosperity truly belong to those who choose to believe, choose to be associated with the best and authentic, and take action.

 

 

2021 Metal-Ox year 辛丑年, it's going to be a glorious year. It is going to be a year full of grand opportunities, especially for my clients in Singapore. It is going to be a year when the world's richest and most powerful gather in Singapore, set up homes and bases.

 

It is also going to be a year of never-before intense competition. Those who thrived in 2020, the survivors, would go all out to capture these deals, these opportunities.

 

 

Question is, would you be able to capture them?

 

Hardly have we advised clients to lie low, wait, be fatalistic...not even in 2020.

 

2021 is really the time to bring out the big guns. Time to be geared up with your Imperial White Inkstone, time to hang your Master Yun fengshui painting, time to be equipped with your sandalwood and agarwood left and right, time to secure your benefactors with your mountains...time to go big.

 

 

Time to GO BIG. Time to WIN.

 

We might have passed the Start of Spring 立春, and that in itself makes it even more important and urgent to revisit what we haven't done, and get it done already. Your home and office fengshui, your personal luck...we see many new clients buying their Lotus Heaven and Earth jadeite rings, their agarwood, right after their first Lotus jadeite pendant, very very happy for them! Very happy that they chose to be their very best!

 

 

If you ask: if I have to choose, what should I focus on?

 

For the house, I say: Mountain, Painting, White Inkstone.

 

For yourself, I say: Lotus Rings, Agarwood, Sandalwood.

 

We have highlighted the powers of each of these collections on many occasions. Of course, it's best for you to possess them all. They work together, forming a web of prosperity and elegance.

 

Still, now is the time to check what you have, and what's the next one you can go for. And as you would have already known, that would depend on what's still available too. Speak to us.

 

Have a glorious 2021. 

 

-- Kan, Executive Director

Black Inkstone Also Can Be Very "Atas"

 

Most people would think White Inkstone 御用白端 is the much more expensive one. Well, just to let black inkstones feel a bit better, there are also pretty expensive black Duan inkstones 端溪静水砚台.

Exquisite in terms of grade, generous in terms of size, abundant in terms of inclusions and special features, and definitely smoother than a baby's cheek.

 

I placed my favorite top grade 老坑 Laokeng black inkstone (still available!) next to them so we can roughly get the difference in size.

 

This is of the 麻子 Mazi grade. 麻子 Mazi is just two grades after Laokeng, and this piece has many "live" eyes (see the round things with a red speck in the center?); those are super valuable features that they regard highly in auction houses. The reddish "skin" (remnants of the raw boulder) is decorated as the leaf of grapes.

Price: 88,868SGD

 

This is of the Laokeng grade. In fact, top tier of Laokeng grade. Those who have touched it before will never forget how smooth it is. So smooth, as if all your troubles and obstacles shall slip away. One obvious feature, is the plentiful of golden threads, intertwined like veins and blood vessels, giving life to this magical piece of black Duan inkstone. The favorite of mine, the smaller Laokeng black inkstone, is from the same source.

Price: 138,868SGD

Now you know, black Duan inkstones can also be very atas.

 

Because your kids' grades are worth it. Because harmony is worth it. 

-- Kan, Executive Director

China CCTV Awards Lotus on Water: "2019 Outstanding Enterprise | 2019突出贡献企业" (PART 1)

 

Of the many China CCTV awards given to Master Yun, one was to commend Lotus on Water as an outstanding enterprise.

Lotus on Water is the only jewelry enterprise to receive this award in 2019, and the only fengshui enterprise to receive this award, ever. Couldn't have done it without your support, THANK YOU!

 

Of course, whatever achievements Lotus on Water has, it is through the spirit and direction of Master Yun. I am sure you are familiar with the history of Lotus on Water, that it started from Master Yun's house back then, how the 1st Lotus Guan Yin (the one carved of green and lavender jadeite) blessed Master Yun with 21 overseas clients, how we started the first Lotus gallery...and so on.

 

You also know about the Lotus standards, how we inherited and innovated, how we kept pushing the frontiers of fengshui jewelry, how we through more than a decade of endeavor brought "fengshui" to a glorious height...these are evident from the many awards presented to Master Yun.

The significance of the "Outstanding Enterprise" award, I think, first got to do with turning the art and practice of fengshui into an enterprise.

This might sound...redundant. After all, hasn't the enterprise Lotus on Water being around for a very long time?

Yes, to most of us, buying and paying a stated price for Lotus collections for the benefit of our own future and fortune, can't be simpler, can't be more common.

 

But there are still some who stubbornly and rather illogically feel that fengshui should not be practiced as a business. They feel that it should be based totally (or randomly, ironically) on affinity 缘分, or they weirdly feel that if the fengshui really works and brings prosperity, the people practicing it don't even need to do business (because they should be wealthy enough...?). Or, they feel that one shouldn't monetize or profit from culture, heritage, arts. Or, maybe they just want fengshui free of charge.

Whatever the assumptions and excuses might be, after decades in the fengshui industry, and dealing with various arts and culture circles, I have come to understand the importance of practicing fengshui as a business, as an enterprise.

 

A China client once asked me:

风水对你来讲是作为爱好去做，还是作为一门生意去做？

(Fengshui for you, are you doing it as an interest, or doing it as a business?)

I said:

我认为我庆幸的是，风水肯定是我的爱好，从小便是。如今又能把它运营成一门生意。所以每天的工作，也没怎么感觉是在工作似的。

(I think I am lucky. Fengshui is definitely my interest, since young. And now I can operate it as a business. So I don't really feel like I am working.)

因为是爱好，所以有无穷尽的好奇感。但也因为是生意，所以不再只是为了自己的喜好而已，而是成了一种纪律、一种要对他人和传承的责任。

(Because it is an interest, so there is insatiable curiosity to discover more about this art. But since it is also a business, you are not just doing it solely because of fancy; it becomes a discipline, and you must be responsible to others, and on how to let this art be passed down to future generations.)

When fengshui is practiced as a business, there are standards to follow. No longer can one do fengshui as they feel like it, there has got to be some kind of system -- that is, if one aspires to be a good businessman!

No longer is it just about one's own pleasure when studying and practicing fengshui; it's not just a hobby. You can't afford to be whimsical about it anymore! You have to answer to your paying clients, provide value, and be responsible.

 

For instance, there is a process to buying your Lotus collections, and I am sure you familiar with it: Lotus advisories prescribe the fengshui jewelry according to your needs, you choose and pay the clearly stated price (明码标价), the collection be blessed by Master Yun personally, then we arrange a date for wearing it.

And I am sure you know, since there should be standards and systems, before a piece of Lotus collection appears in the gallery, there's a huge process behind the scene, from harvesting raw materials, to carving, to seven rounds of inspection...all to ensure the "gold standard" quality.

 

If fengshui is practiced based purely on affinity or as a mere self-absorbed hobby, none of these tedious processes matter. And if there were to be no enterprise, one would not have the capacity to persevere in upholding the rules.

 

By the way, Lotus on Water is the first fengshui and jadeite company to insist on having clearly stated prices (明码标价). We disagree with quoting prices based on how a client dresses. We despise the swindling trick of quoting a high price but only to cut 50% because of "affinity". Whatever prices you see in the Lotus gallery, that's the amount you are paying, regardless of your wealth status, and that's the exact piece of jadeite or agarwood you are getting.

And there are rules and charts to the pricing of a Lotus collection. The size, quality, clarity, what kind of inclusions, intensity of color...are some of the factors. The system is so clear that some clients could roughly guess the price of a Lotus collection just by its photo on Facebook! "Errr, I think it's about 50k", "this should be in the range of 100k-120k"...how wonderful it would be if they were on the game show "The Price Is Right"!

-- Kan, Executive Director

[Continue to PART 2]

What's Master Yun doing during "Circuit Breaker"?

What's Master Yun doing during this period?

Painting.

 

For Master Yun, painting is his meditation. And he imbues his prayers and blessings into the paintings.

I suppose that's why some collectors and art critics say they can feel the energy from Master Yun's fengshui art.

I think we all need that extra ounce of positivity daily. Especially now. Master Yun's paintings and calligraphy have evolved over the years, but the underlying idea/philosophy has been constant.

 

When Dr Woon Wee Lee 云惟利教授 asked if Master Yun would name a school of art for his paintings, what would he call it? Master Yun said: Celebrationism.

Master Yun describes: "The unifying quality of my art is that it celebrates all things worth celebrating, from health to wealth, and from relationships to prosperity. I focus on the positive energies and elements that I can draw on such as love, joy, peace and hope, all of which are subject matters that my art symbolizes. To that end, may I be so bold as to coin the term Celebrationism as a movement that I would like my art to be celebrated upon." (https://bit.ly/2XqCbGO)

There might be some who lament back then: oh, that's not serious art; that's pretty pandering and commercialized...

 

Then now we truly realize, happiness is a serious topic. Prosperity and longevity are serious topics.

And uplifting topics too.

That extra stroke of huatness, that extra stroke of hope and happiness, might just get you past the days and weeks. Might just open up your perspective and soul to the universe. Might just draw that much needed opportunity to you.

Stay safe, stay HUAT.

-- Kan, Executive Director

(originally posted here)

China CCTV Awards Master Yun: "I-Ching Gold Medal Master 易经绝学金牌大师"

 

Surely you know by now, Master Yun received MANY awards from China CCTV. If I am counted correctly, NINE 9 awards. The person second to Master Yun, probably received about five.

 

Some awards are "categorical awards", as in, there are several persons receiving the "艺术成就奖 Achievement in Art Award". 

Some awards are specifically given to Master Yun. Like, this jaw-dropping title: I-Ching Gold Medal Master 易经绝学金牌大师.

Master Yun is the only one who received this commendation.

Why is Master Yun recognized as the "Gold Medal Master 金牌大师"? I mean, there are plenty of people who learned and practice fengshui, some even for a longer time than Master Yun, some even closer to China...?

 

Perhaps because of Master Yun's 6th generation lineage?

Perhaps, of Master Yun's First-Class Honours scholarly capabilities?

Or is it the founding of Lotus on Water, only the most high-end fengshui jewelry gallery?

 

Maybe it's all the above. Some people learn about fengshui, but don't believe in it. Some people practice fengshui, perhaps pretty good in predictions, but offer no solutions or merely having others resign to fate. Some, offer and sell solutions, but they are either placebos, plastics, second-hand, imitations...things that simply don't work, and simply degrading to our culture.

Master Yun is not only beyond knowledgeable and wise about fengshui, he has been using this art to improve the lives of many. MANY. And for sure we know, the solutions, the fengshui jewelries, the Lotus collections, are all of very high standards, value and beauty.

 

It can even be said, Master Yun made fengshui great again (yes, I am deliberately speaking like Trump).

Before Master Yun founded Lotus on Water, fengshui in Singapore (at least) was mired in the swamp of superstitions and "cheapstakeness". There was no honor. I have written about this many times.

Master Yun, with his extremist insistence on standards, shocked the fengshui industry with only the best, authentic and beautiful jadeite. Jadeite that even old-timers in the jewelry industry couldn't even offer.

 

He established such a high standard, that it revitalized the name of fengshui. Till today, no imitators nor veterans have come close.

One thing for sure, we know that the Chinese Central Government has been very hush-hush with "fengshui", and even denounced it during certain periods in recent history. The last ever award or title given to a fengshui master, was during the last imperial/feudal dynasty. For the Chinese government to award such a title, "I-Ching Gold Medal Master 易经绝学金牌大师", I think it's really something.

And, out of all the fengshui practitioners, out of all Chinese.

-- Kan, Executive Director

谁是你的生肖守护神？Who is YOUR Zodiac Guardian Buddha? (PART 2)

 

你知道你的守护神是谁吗？

Do you know who your Guardian Buddha is? 

为了让我们的客户得到他们自己守护神的庇佑与福气，我们第一次推出天然翡翠雕刻的守护神。

To help protect and bless our clients, we launch our new batch of jadeite pendants. 

他们是每一个生肖的守护神！你的守护神有责任保护你。

They are the Guardian Buddha of every zodiac sign. Your Guardian Buddha has you under his/her responsibility and will be most ready to help you. 

你佩带的翡翠必须是旺你的用神五行的（木火金水土）。翡翠的颜色也必须是天然的。

And you must wear the jadeite that suits your elements (WOOD, FIRE, METAL, WATER, EARTH). And the color of the jadeite must be natural.

第一部分在这里
PART 1 over here

———— ———— 

属马的守护神：大势至菩萨

The Guardian Buddha for those born in the year of Horse: Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva

 

他是智慧与文明的菩萨。

He is the Bodhisattva of wisdom and civilization.

是西方三圣佛之一。是第二候补佛位的菩萨。

He is one of the three holy Buddhas of the West. And the second Bodhisattva as stand-in Buddha.

 

他的智慧含有消解的力量，能调节终生纠纷。

His wisdom resolves conflicts, can settle all the conflicts in your entire life.

属马的人，受了大势至菩萨的加持，会为人和气，一生平安。

Those blessed by Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva are calmed and peaceful throughout their lives.

 

今年怕被太岁冲的属马的朋友，可以佩戴一枚大势至菩萨的翡翠。

Those who are afraid of clashing with the "annual god (tai-sui)" can wear a piece of jadeite pendant in the image of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva

———— ————

属羊和属猴的守护神：大日如来佛

Guardian Buddha of those born in the year of Goat and Monkey: Vairocana Buddha

 

他是密宗佛教的最高领袖，也是最高神明。

He is the highest leader of Tibetian Buddhism.

他一直是全部菩萨和佛的领导。大日是太阳的意思。

He has always been the leader of all Bodhisattva and Buddhas. His names means the sun.

 

他是光明的理智。

He is the brilliance of light.

有了大日如来的保佑，属猴属羊的人多勇往直前，宏图大展。

With his blessings, those born in the year of Monkey and Goat are courageous, and can create a magnificent career.

 

希望得到大日如来保佑的朋友可以佩戴一枚大日如来的翡翠。

Those wishing to be protected and blessed by this Buddha can wear a piece of jadeite pendant in the image of Vairocana Buddha!

———— ———— 

属鸡的守护神：不动尊菩萨

The Guardian Buddha of those born in the year of Rooster: Acalanatha Bodhisattva

 

他也叫不动明王。他是一位佛性坚定的菩萨。

He is a Bodhisattva with a firm and unmovable quality of Buddha!

 

他能为你抵挡邪魔，扫除障碍。

He helps you block all evils and sweep off all hindrances.

有不动明王加持，属鸡者大多矢志不渝，成就卓著。

Thus with the blessings of Acalanatha Bodhisattva, those born in Rooster years have strong and firm determination to bring about extraordinary achievements!

———— ———— 

属狗和属猪的守护神：阿弥陀佛！

The Guardian Buddha of those born in the years of Dog and Pig: Amitabha Buddha

 

又叫做无量寿佛。

He is also the Buddha of immeasurable longevity and blessings!

他是能够让人免遭痛苦的佛。

He helps people avoid pains.

 

他寿命无量，宣扬光明和乐土。

He has unlimited longevity, proclaiming light and paradise!

他能够消除罪业。

He removes debts of sins.

 

有他能量的加持，属狗属猪的人大多现世安稳，没有颠簸。

With his protection, those born in the years of dogs and pigs are unshakable and enjoys great peace and smoothness.

希望得到保佑的朋友可以佩戴一枚的翡翠。

Those wishing to be protected and blessed by this Buddha can wear a piece of jadeite pendant in the image of Amitabha Buddha!