In the Chinese language, the word for "popularization" or "universality" is Puji (普及). To truly understand its weight, we must look at its roots.

Pu (普) is composed of the radicals for "Sun" (日) and "Together" (并). Its original meaning is "the sun shining upon all things." It represents a brilliance that is vast, comprehensive, selfless, and equal.

Ji (及) depicts a person (人) being reached by a hand (又). Its original meaning is "to catch up to" or "to grasp," extending to mean reaching, touching, or attaining.

When combined, Puji means to extend and reach every corner and every person, just like sunlight. While its modern usage often refers to mere mass promotion or distribution, its deeper meaning is about making the profound accessible to the common person.

The Reach of Knowledge We see this throughout history. Take Qigong, for example. In the past, these practices were esoteric, passed down in secret and inaccessible to the average person. When masters began to "popularize" it, they brought these teachings to the public for health and fitness, allowing ordinary people to encounter what was once hidden.

However, not everything can or should be popularized. For instance, stories of people who go years without food or water may seem miraculous, but such feats cannot be "popularized" because they are beyond the reach of the common person's reality.

Understanding Popularization through Zhen, Shan, and Ren

To truly spread an idea or a practice, we can examine the process through three fundamental lenses:

1. Zhen (真 - Truthfulness) In the process of popularization, can we maintain the original essence of a thing without distorting it or "cherry-picking" parts just to cater to the masses? True popularization is about making the truth transparent under the sun, without artificial embellishment. The prerequisite for any spread of information is that the content must be true.

2. Shan (善 - Compassion) What is the motive behind popularization? Is it for profit, to manipulate public opinion, or for the genuine well-being of others? True popularization should be like "spring rain nurturing the soil"—silent and life-giving. It arises from seeing the needs of others and a heart of compassion, sharing beautiful and beneficial things like knowledge and morality to help others improve their quality of life. This is the selfless manifestation of "sunlight shining on all."

3. Ren (忍 - Forbearance) Popularization is a long and arduous journey. One will inevitably encounter misunderstanding, rejection, or even attacks. This requires immense Forbearance. Everyone has a different capacity for new ideas. A "popularizer" must let go of their ego (attachments), embrace the slow progress or prejudices of others, and wait for their awakening with a broad heart. It is not about forcing speed, but about persistence.

Equality and Resistance The "Pu" (普) in popularization implies a lack of hierarchy; it does not distinguish between the rich and the poor, the noble and the humble. Whether one can maintain the same honesty and kindness toward every member of the audience is the true measure of their character. While "Ji" (及) means to reach out, if that reach is based on Shan, it will be in harmony with the laws of nature—gentle and unobtrusive. If we focus on being Zhen and Shan, time (Ren) will eventually provide the best answers.

History shows us that popularization is rarely smooth. When cars and machinery were first introduced, people smashed them. The UK even passed the "Red Flag Act," which strictly limited speeds to avoid scaring horses, effectively resisting the popularization of automobiles. Similarly, when the internet first began to spread, there were those who attacked it and attempted to block its signals.

Final Reflections Popularization is not about making the world simple; it is about making the Truth no longer distant.

I was inspired to reflect on this after seeing the word "popularization" in a truly precious book. These are merely my surface-level reflections and personal inspirations; the deeper inner meanings can only be found within the original text.