Scale Of Minimum Fee - The Two Perspectives

In the professional arena, fee or remuneration as a consideration for a service rendered is a must, in regardless of its form, must it be concealed in a red packet or not, as a matter of traditions. If one practice the art of Fengshui as a profession, this sort of remuneration is a must, although the meanings of professionalism is quite daunting in two counts. One, there must be a set of ethic that is self regulated and self governed, meanings you are answerable to yourself, if not then to the community practicing these forms of art. Secondly, you are expected to have a sufficient training or at least a minimum skill acknowledged by the community of practitioners of these forms of art, putting your client before self. Saying such, it is almost equivalent to the practice of Architecture as a profession, in view that both Fengshui and Architecture is related to the realm of human habitation in which we lived and die in.

The practice of Architecture in the world is generally governed by the UIA (Union of International Architect) Accord that will lay the foundations for their respective Board of Architects, regionally or locally, to govern the registration and the practice of Architecture as a profession. All registered Architects are self regulated on this count. Although some may equate that Architecture is only second to the oldest surviving profession in the world, the profession of Fengshui Master, on the other hands, existed since the founding father of the ancient China walks the Earth. Since then there is no governing bodies until now. Yet this profession has lasted till today.

Fengshui, subset to the recognition of features and formations, is the least important art in the Chinese 5 arts, although the role it plays is the third in the formations of first faith, second destiny and third Fengshui in lives of every Chinese born beneath Heaven. Similarly to that, it is classify as a Fire Industry governed by the will of heaven. and thus the notion of "thou shall not leak the heaven's will" remained as a self governing principle that only the deserves one shall learn and practiced. That is the reason, practitioners of the Chinese 5 arts do not simply reveal their readings unnecessarily liken to a hobby. On top of that, the principle of the 3 principles of moral values, where monetary self indulgence is not of paramount important, be the guiding ethical principle, failing to adhere to may invite heavenly retribution beyond dollar and sense. In the absent of a regulating board, Heaven be the supreme governing entities, that the conscience may have to be responsible to,not anyone else.

Today we heard that Fengshui masters are paid in hefty fees, without question asked whereas Architects are lucky if they were paid the statutory minimum scale of fee, although this scenario should not have happened in the first instance, in theory at least. Why such diverse differentiation, and who should be blame for? Come to think of it, what happened if the Architect himself is the Fengshui Master, the Client for sure will not dare to negotiate his Architect's fee for fear of what he can do, he can also undo.

It has come a point that, the profession of Architecture should incorporate Fengshui Master's 3 morale principles as the followings before he takes up the job: -

1) No affinity don't do. (jokingly, It also means, no ability to pay his fee, don't do)
2) Destroying other peoples auspiciousness, don't do.
3) Breaking your own conscience, don't do.

Kind of thinking of it, it does resonance the consistency of both professions in some ways that one is in the drivers seat the others is in the back seats. Worth pondering on it...

Ar. David Yek Tak Wai