Hanlu Temple · eighty lots
The lot library
Ten halls, eight lots each, eighty in all. The verses are four-line poems written in Chinese for Hanlu Temple — they are kept in the original, because rhyme and metre do not survive translation. Under each one is a short reading in English, and a longer one on its own page. Every lot is free to read.
A lot is a way of putting a question into words, not a prediction. Nothing here is a promise, and none of it is medical, financial or legal advice.
Today's lot
It changes at midnight. When the eighty run out, it starts again.
Wealth Hallmoney
- Lot 1Excellent金炉烟起宝光浮Money is flowing. Take it honestly and let it run steady rather than fast.
- Lot 2Good东厢曙色照门庭Small profits, accumulated. Steady, not speculative.
- Lot 3Good元宝盈怀莫自满Give some away. Money gathers where character does.
- Lot 4Fair财帛如水有枯盈Hold what you have. No speculation.
- Lot 5Fair门前车马往来频Get the accounts straight before you push forward.
- Lot 6Fair迟迟未见宝船来Not yet. Sharpen the skill first.
- Lot 7Poor贪多易把本钱包Do not reach, and do not borrow. Guard the capital.
- Lot 8Good五路财神各一方Honest earnings, and plenty of work behind them.
Yuelao Shrinemarriage
- Lot 1Excellent红线牵来不用寻It is already close. Look after the person in front of you.
- Lot 2Good姻缘簿上有君名The right one comes later. Be patient.
- Lot 3Good一纸婚书未写迟Ordinary is the real thing. Settle.
- Lot 4Fair花开花落自有时Work on yourself first; the rest follows.
- Lot 5Fair眼前人似雾中花Do not force it. Let it be.
- Lot 6Fair两地相思一线牵Distance can work, if you keep at it.
- Lot 7Poor错把萍聚当鸳盟Probably not the right match. Look again, calmly.
- Lot 8Good红烛高烧照绣帏A time to marry and settle. Respect first.
Wenquxing Hallstudies
- Lot 1Excellent文星昨夜照书窗The exam window is wide open. Go and take it.
- Lot 2Good十年灯下苦功夫The work is half done. Do not slacken now.
- Lot 3Good书山有路志为梯One more push and your name is on the list.
- Lot 4Fair文章半成莫自夸Ask for help. Do not be pleased with yourself.
- Lot 5Fair心有旁骛志难专Gather your attention. Put the noise away.
- Lot 6Fair榜上无名莫怨天A miss this time is not a waste. Go through it and go again.
- Lot 7Poor学问原无捷径抄No shortcuts. Rebuild the foundations.
- Lot 8Good文昌案上墨犹香A steady head. You will perform.
Medicine King Hallhealth
- Lot 1Excellent药灶烟消百病除The body is mending. Rhythm is what does it.
- Lot 2Good小恙何须意自惊A small thing. Do not frighten yourself; rest and see a doctor.
- Lot 3Good千金方里有真传Prevention is the cheap route. Keep regular hours.
- Lot 4Fair操劳过度损精神You need rest. Stop forcing it.
- Lot 5Fair心病还须心药医Loosen the knot and a third of it goes.
- Lot 6Fair病去如丝慢慢抽Recovery takes time. Be patient with it.
- Lot 7Poor讳疾忌医事不宜Do not put it off. Go and get it looked at.
- Lot 8Good葫芦不掩药香清Trust the doctor and follow through. It will ease.
Guandi Shrinecareer
- Lot 1Excellent青龙偃月气如虹Work is going well. Put integrity first and help arrives.
- Lot 2Good过关斩将志昂扬Push. Let ability open the way.
- Lot 3Good独守孤城志未移Hold this position. The turn comes later.
- Lot 4Fair桃园结义重然诺Partnership can work. Write the rules first.
- Lot 5Fair事到中途遇阻难Hold the decision. Watch for a few days.
- Lot 6Fair身在曹营心莫摇Keep the line. Do not take the near profit.
- Lot 7Poor恃勇轻进易失蹄Do not charge. Step back and the ground opens.
- Lot 8Good赤兔奔腾事业开Go ahead. The straight road is open.
Mahavira Hallpeace of mind
- Lot 1Excellent心安定处即莲台A settled mind is home. Things ease from there.
- Lot 2Good蒲团坐到日西斜Think less about what is coming. Stay in today.
- Lot 3Good念珠一百零八颗Trouble is something you wind up yourself. Stillness unwinds it.
- Lot 4Fair心如乱絮风吹絮Eat and sleep first. The rest can wait.
- Lot 5Fair执念如藤绕树生Loosen the grip and the world gets wider.
- Lot 6Fair求佛不如先求己Do the good thing. Skip the forecast.
- Lot 7Poor心头块垒积如山Do not carry it alone. Saying it out loud helps.
- Lot 8Good暮鼓晨钟日日同Ordinary is the blessing. Keep it steady.
Mazu Hallsafety
- Lot 1Excellent海上明灯照夜航Good to travel. You will arrive and return.
- Lot 2Good慈云一朵覆行舟Some chop, but respect keeps you safe.
- Lot 3Good湄洲香火万家传The long trip goes well. You come back smiling.
- Lot 4Fair风浪未平且泊船Wait a few days. It is safer and no slower.
- Lot 5Fair出门在外记添衣Mind the details. Send word home.
- Lot 6Fair舟行半渡莫心慌A bumpy middle. Hold on and it passes.
- Lot 7Poor黑云压浪莫开船Not a good time for a long trip or water. Postpone it.
- Lot 8Good殿前明灯点一盏The household is safe. What worried you eases.
Dragon King Halltiming
- Lot 1Excellent春雷一响雨滂沱The moment has come. Move.
- Lot 2Good龙宫深处宝珠明Nearly ready. A short wait, then go.
- Lot 3Good云从龙兮风从虎Help arrives like rain. Move with it.
- Lot 4Fair云聚云散未有期Not yet. Dig the channel first.
- Lot 5Fair旱久田干心莫焦Do not force it. Let the source fill.
- Lot 6Fair一半晴来一半阴Test the water. Do not stake everything.
- Lot 7Poor亢旱之年莫硬耕The season is against you. Hold, do not advance.
- Lot 8Good水到渠成是古言Small amounts add up; the moment makes itself.
Earth God Shrinehousehold
- Lot 1Excellent一方土地保平安The house is calm. Harmony brings the luck.
- Lot 2Good门前樟树绿阴浓A good house and good neighbours. Keep the peace.
- Lot 3Good新居乔迁择吉时A good time to move or repair.
- Lot 4Fair家长里短莫较真A family quarrel. One step back ends it.
- Lot 5Fair修房动土看根基Building or buying: keep it modest.
- Lot 6Fair家中琐事乱如麻Sort the practical things first, feelings after.
- Lot 7Poor家中口舌近期多Watch for quarrels at home. Hold your tongue.
- Lot 8Good土地公公坐庙堂Look after your elders and the family fortune lasts.
Kitchen God Halldaily bread
- Lot 1Excellent灶膛火旺米粮足Enough to eat and wear. Keep it by being frugal.
- Lot 2Good上天言好事一桩A harmonious house, a steady table.
- Lot 3Good一锅一灶见真章Enough is enough. Plain food tastes of something.
- Lot 4Fair柴米油盐酱醋茶Count the pennies. Store against the lean months.
- Lot 5Fair灶上功夫在火候Mind the heat. Neither rush nor let it drag.
- Lot 6Fair腊月糖瓜甜又粘Be kind with your mouth and the house warms up.
- Lot 7Poor仓廪渐空要早谋The store is thinning. Plan now.
- Lot 8Good灶王捧笏上天庭Food and clothing are provided for. Something left at year end.