Once a Zen master was invited to bless a grandfather's birthday celebration. The Master wrote, "Grandfather dies, father dies; son dies, grandson dies." The grandfather was very upset by this ominous verse, so the Master went on to explain, "What is written here is indeed a blessing. Isn't it a natural and perfect outcome for the grandfather to die first, then the father, then the son and lastly the grandson? If this order is reversed wouldn't that bring a great deal of pain?" To elevate life, one must follow the principle of life to create a good life. ¶ By Master Miao Tsan ¶