Today’s Between
Master and Disciples –
“From the Gospel
of the Toltecs” – will be
presented in Spanish
with subtitles in Arabic,
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
Bulgarian, Chinese,
Czech-Slovak, English,
French, German,
Hindi, Hungarian,
Indonesian, Italian,
Japanese, Korean,
Malay, Mongolian,
Persian, Polish,
Portuguese, Punjabi,
Russian, Spanish
and Thai.
Quetzalcoatl was born
in the 10th century
in what is now the town
of Tepoztlán, Mexico.
As legendary ruler
of Toltec in Mexico,
he is also known
by the names
of Ce Acatl, Naxcitl, and
Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl.
When he was young,
Quetzalcoatl underwent
seven years of meditation
and spiritual training
to become a priest.
As a result of
his extraordinary skill,
the Toltecs requested
that he became
the ruler of Tula.
His military achievement
and religious piety
made him
a powerful ruler.
Known as a holy man
who was in communion
with the Divine,
Quetzalcoatl was credited
for the discovery of corn,
the arts, science,
the calendar, and a game
called Tlachtli which was
used to impart justice
throughout the land.
During his reign,
Quetzalcoatl encouraged
religious piety
from his people
and established a rule
that required the Toltecs
to destroy the images
and altars every 50 years
to prevent idolatry.
Many majestic houses
of worship were built
under his leadership.
He was the role model
for the priesthood
and many of the rituals,
laws, and customs
in Mexico were based
on his life and teachings.
Quetzalcoatl eventually
left his kingdom in search
of higher wisdom.
He wandered for
many years and traveled
through many lands.
He spent his day
in meditation and prayer,
and as the news
of his travels spread,
many came to seek his
counsel and some asked
him to become their king.
He refused the throne
and guided many kings
and leaders in the ways
of a compassionate
government.
Quetzalcoatl was credited
for uniting
many kingdoms
in peace and friendship.
Wherever he went,
Quetzalcoatl shared
the teachings that he had
learned from Heaven
and from the wise sages
he encountered
during his travels.
Many loved him
and followed him
to become his disciples.
Today we share with you
the life and teachings
of Quetzalcoatl,
with excerpts from
the Gospel of the Toltecs.
These excerpts portrayed
Quetzalcoatl’s teachings
and his subsequent
departure from Cholula.
Thank you,
gentle viewers,
for your company for today’s episode of
Between Master
and Disciples.
Please stay tuned to
Supreme Master Television
for Planet Earth:
Our Loving Home,
coming up next
after Noteworthy News.
We wish you peace, love,
and harmony.
The Gospel of the Toltecs:
The Life and Teachings
of Quetzalcoatl
Chapter 13:
The Priests
of the God of Death
It so happened that
there came to Cholula
certain partisans
of Tezcatlipoca
who were preaching
new ideas about
the destiny of
human bodies and souls
after death.
In opposition to them
were some priests
of the god of death
whose salaries
depended on performing
funeral traditions.
A great discussion was
unleashed between them
and they could not come
to an understanding.
They went then to
the disciples of Ce Acatl
to ask that they be arbiters
of their discussion,
but the disciples
were not able to do so.
They then decided
to look for their teacher.
They found
the penitent meditating
on the ball-game field,
and there they asked him:
“Teacher, what are
your teachings regarding
human death, the destiny
of the body and the soul,
and the nature
of funeral rites?”
He responded:
“Before I answer you
I would like to
hear your explanations.”
The Tezcatlipoca
adepts began:
“The body is like a chalice
filled with flowers,
while the soul is like
the blossoms’ perfume.
When the flowers die,
the body and soul
die as well.
The body is like a page
in a book without paint;
the soul is
an illuminated figure.
When the book
falls into the fire,
everything disappears.
“There is only one way
to escape
our human destiny:
by becoming an offering
from a pure heart,
by going ahead of death
and mocking her
with your sacrifice.
Only in this way
can we come to be gods.”
Then the priests
of the god of death
took the floor
and explained: “There are
many ways of living
and many ways of dying,
therefore
there are many types
of bodies and of souls,
and many destinies.
This is what
our elders have said:
Long ago, the world
was destroyed by water,
and because of
their great sins,
all its inhabitants
perished by drowning.
They descended
to the inferno where they
were burned in its flames.
We, the ones
who have come after,
should burn our people’s
bodies after death
and keep the ashes,
for in this way
the lord of the dead will
allow us to be born again
in new bodies.
The souls of sinners
will be burned
and will go to the grave
and the snare,
to the mouth of the reptile
and to battle.
They will move endlessly
among tempestuous winds
and needles of ice
until they are cleansed
of their faults.
But the bodies of these
will not be burned:
those touched by lightning,
those who have drowned,
the lepers, those who are
sick with chronic
and contagious disease.
They will be sent back
to the earth in their clothes
and their souls will live
in endless amusement
with the sons of Tlaloc.
And the bodies of the
warriors, priests, ascetics,
painters, poets, princes,
children, slaves who
have died in the fields,
and the women who
have died in childbirth
will not be burned.
They will be buried
with honors
and their souls will
go to the fields of the sun
where they will be
accompanied forever
by flowers and chanting.
After four years,
their souls will return
as butterflies and birds
to flutter about for a time
before going back to
Ometeotl (Supreme Being),
from whom we all parted.
This is what we know.”
The Ce Acatl
answered them:
“By chance, have you
heard the elders speaking
in this way when
they dispose of the dead?
Is he already God?
And perhaps
you have heard this song:
Lord, wake up, wake up,
the day is breaking,
the golden birds
begin their singing,
the butterflies
are already flying.
Do not deceive yourselves.
The dead ones do not die;
they wake up.
We who live here
are not really living;
we are dreaming.
To die is to become
a god, a sun, a moon,
a star, the wind,
the sea, the land.
Understand this:
The dead ones wake up
from this life’s dream.
Be they wise men,
nobles, or slaves, they all
go to the land of mystery.
Consider this
and take advantage of it:
We do not live twice
and we do not die twice.
Our life is unique.
Whether you are good
or bad, your actions were
like good or bad paint,
a color that vanishes with
time and forgetfulness.”
Chapter 14:
The Dream
Year Thirteen
Tochtli (998 C.E.).
One night Ce Acatl
had a dream in which
appeared a necklace
of unmatchable beauty,
made with golden grains
of maize.
The necklace was spinning
in space by itself,
then it broke apart
and its grains
were scattered all over.
The penitent became
frightened and screamed,
and the sound of his own
voice awoke him.
He stood up on his mat,
called his followers
to come closer,
and said to them:
“Listen, my friends,
to the dream of one word!
Each spring the golden
corncob revives us.
The red corncob
opens our eyes.
The necklace
from its grains comforts
and illuminates us.
See:
The necklace is breaking,
its grains are scattering.”
With this he announced
his coming transformation.
Then he added:
“Spring is coming to an end,
summertime is arriving.
The sun inflames the battle,
the rains are beginning.
Men must be dragged down,
the country
must be ruined.
It is time, my friends,
for the ice to break,
for the clouds to
completely cover the sun
and moon across the world.
It is time for the torrents
of dissolution to fall
and end the memory
of all suffering.
It is time to sweep
and gather and
throw away the dust.
It is time
to tear up the tunic
and trample it underfoot.
It is time
to get rid of the mask that
is keeping us under cover.
Who is going to
protect you then,
orphans of mother,
orphans of father?
To whom
will you go for shelter?”
So he told them.
When they realized
that he was telling them
of his departure,
the apprentices became sad.
They said: “Is it not so
that here
with the Cholutecs we
are better off than ever?”
Timal asked Ce Acatl:
“When will we see all this?”
He answered: “when
the sun and the moon join.
When night and the day
come at the same time.
When you sink deep
into the abyss and
the new day finds you there.
When the numbers nine
and thirteen unite.
When you see
movement above
and movement below and
the serpent of light and life
without end is born.
Yet on this earth
you will see all this
and the will of the one
will come to be.
See: The consecration
of a new life
is already descending
from the heart of heaven.”
After speaking,
he asked them to put
all their business in order,
and to be ready
for their departure.
Chapter 15:
The Embassy
When the Cholutecs
learned about
the penitent’s desire
to continue on his way,
they sent an embassy
made up of
the foremost priests
to persuade him.
But he did not want
to hear their reasons
and told them:
“The time has come,
my friends.
See: I only have one life
and it is suffering.
My own people chased,
stalked, and tricked me,
but you offered me shelter.
My heart has been
destined for sacrifice,
and you, for a short while,
have made me happy.
The time has come
to an end.
I have chosen
to march forward.
Friends, do not stop me,
do not increase my pain.
I am going to the house
of mystery,
to the precious scale.
I am going to the edge
of the divine water
where the green jade is.
The mother calls,
the son has descended.
It is time to go back.
Rejoice and come with me.
Come forward you,
the ones
with oppressed hearts.
Open with me
the coffer of your souls,
spill the flowery wine
of your lives.
Do not fear, my friends,
it is the springtime
of the one
for whom we all live.
Very soon his chanting
will adorn this temple.
Listen!”
But the Cholutecs
did not want to hear him.
One of them took his hand
and told him:
“Because of your skills
and knowledge
you have come here.
Precious twin, you
who make things shine.
Think now
and take pity on yourself.
Remember how our
grandfathers also went to
the house of mystery,
and there they sank.
We inherited
only their absence.
In vain you start this war.
Oh, you who meditate!
The one
for whom we all live has
unhinged your judgment.
You broke the jades,
the bracelets.
You tore
the broad plumage.
There was a shower of
weeping in your house.
And yet you are disposed
to you
yourself being destroyed?
Perhaps your heart
will perish as well?”
The priest answered
Ce Acatl with these
words of complaints,
for in Cholula they
loved him greatly and
didn’t want to lose him.
But Ce Acatl interrupted
this speech and told him:
“What is this
that you say, grandfather?
Have you really had me
among you?
Have you truly
had need of me?
Think about your words,
priest.
You have no one.
We are forever alone
on earth.
With anguish
we live on the earth.
All Ometeotl’s
(Supreme Being) rage
has poured this way.
But ask your memory:
Is this our true house?
Observe the signals:
Our existence is found
in another place.”
He then requested of
those surrounding him:
“Do not ponder, friends,
or think about our death.
Do not deceive yourselves.
By our side the beautiful
flowers are sprouting,
the ones that are the joy
of the one
for whom we all live.
We all remember
past moments,
and that makes us sad.
But think about it:
All heroes were formed
in the same way,
with pain and anguish.
Do not cry on account
of departed princes.
No one will remain here
forever.
Chapter 16:
“I Greet You”
Determined as he was,
Ce Acatl wanted
to say goodbye
to the people of Cholula.
Ten years
he lived with them, and
he had received nothing
but affection at all times.
Therefore,
he sent his followers with
messages of gratitude
for the shared friendship.
They went with
the nobles and the poor
and exchanged with
all of them words of love
and the promise
of returning to see them.
Upon learning about
the departure, the king
of Cholula organized
a farewell ceremony
during which he spoke:
“My lord, stand up, there
where you have been
for a moment, for a day,
right next to the god
of intimate vicinity,
the owner of the house,
the divine king and
proprietor of the sandals
that you are wearing and
on whose left you are,
the one you assist
and represent.
For you are his interpreter,
you are the speaker and
the witness of his word.
You are eagle and tiger,
you are your own gift and
you are what you deserve;
you are intrepid;
you are a singer!
The breath,
the word of our God
does not bloom in vain!
He has entrusted it
to your hands, he keeps
the book and the paint,
so red and so black,
in your bosom
and in your throat!
And for an answer
you throw us eagle darts
and tiger arrows.
Why did you go there,
where the great mirror
with two faces is, the one
that at the break of day
is in both the world
of the dead and heaven.
And there you saw
the curve of the universe
expand from the world
of the dead to heaven,
there where the thick torch
is that neither expels smoke
nor casts any shadows,
the one that lights all
the corners of the world,
manifesting
its own dawn, its sun,
its water, its mountain.
For he gave you hands,
he gave you feet, he
gave you a tail and wings
that you spread so well.
He gave you a people
and a city that,
under your guidance,
long for him.
For he painted you,
he gave you colors
and lips and teeth,
he gave you
distinction and glory.
That is how
he has strengthened you.
He showed you his cloth,
and he dressed you
in white.
That is how he chose you
and gave you power.
Oh penitent, you honored
his kingdom and make
prosperous his dominion.
For here among us,
great was your effort.
You did slave’s work
to lead us toward
his mat and throne.
Cholutecs!
Here before you
is the brave warrior,
the one who has no rest
during the daytime,
who does not lie down.
The one who endures
tooth and nail,
hunger and penitence,
our exaltation
and dejection, the trap,
the snare, and the hole.
Here before you
is the one who defends
jade, turquoise,
and the broad, gleaming,
and waving plume
that is always green.
He is the genuine eagle,
the authentic tiger;
the one who has come
to preserve
things and people
and make them grow;
the one who gives
flowering and renewal;
the one who
shines and dignifies;
the one who is
worthy of veneration.
Here we proclaim
your light and shadow,
your fall and your rebirth.
We have seen
your weeping, your sweat.
We have seen
your fatigued body,
your suffering flesh.
We see that
you don’t live in peace,
that you don’t rest in sleep.
Your face is tired,
your heart struggles
in the waves.
Fear surrounds you here,
anxiety is at your back.
You threw away
your wealth;
food and water are
separated from your lips.
Here we proclaim
your exaltation
and your dejection.
Only in this way,
with your hands
on your heart,
with extreme difficulty
and great penitence,
did you achieve
the power, the kingdom.
Only in this way
have you come to be a
true relief for the people
and a counselor
to the throne.
Today
your pleasure is great,
your responsibility is wide.
You are ceiba and willow,
roof and shelter,
guide, rest, and balm.
Within you
and by your side
we shelter ourselves,
we your subjects,
your blood and color,
your shoots and renewal,
the ones who follow
in your footsteps and
look to your guidance,
the ones who are willing
and of a noble race.
Oh leader of men,
strength of people!
You of the broad back
and sure steps.
You have become
a garden of fruit.
You elevate yourself
with sweetness,
you bloom with grace.
Birds of many colors
find relief by your side;
they are protected from
the sun in your hands.
The bowl of jade
is in your hands
by the green waters and
by the blue waters where
the dew-covered reed rises,
the one you rattle
and shake over the birds.
That is how you wash them;
that is how you clean them.
And the thick brush
and broad comb
are in your hands,
the scorpion and nettle
as well, the frozen water
and the whipping staff.
That is how
you reprimanded us.
In your hands are the drill,
the fine sand,
and the dense brush –
the ones with which you
sand, smooth, and polish.
You choose and match
the slender jade, well lined
and better drilled;
the broad turquoise,
well polished
and well rounded.
You arrange the necklace
and the garland of feathers.
You select everything
that is of value, place it
in its proper place,
and keep it sheltered.
This you offer freely.
For you paint and
give color to the writing
in the book;
you choose the ink,
the design, the size.
You are a sculptor
and you define the lines.
Your name
will never be forgiven.
Your fame
will never be erased.
I greet you, oh priest!
16. Perhaps the dual princes
passed over you to
give you their guidance
and their condition?
Did you fulfill
the ancient promises?
Did the signals
that we were waiting for
turn to flesh in you,
so that we might
have you as a prince
and as a god?
I greet you, oh penitent!
Now Ometeotl
(Supreme Being)
has called you
and it is time
for farewell and weeping.
Do not allow your people
to remain behind!
Wherever you go, guide us
on your good path.
I will ensure that
you don’t become sick
or infected.
I will not allow
any plagues to take you.
Go in peace,
divine messenger, and
allow your apprentices
to go with you.
Try, oh my lord!”