Culture
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Stories from Ancient China: Raising Children with Righteous Principles
2006-02-15
Wang Fuzhi taught his children not to be affected by vulgar influences. He said that such influences could easily change people just like drinking alcohol would make people drunk He told them, "When people are vulgar, they punch people suddenly without giving people the chance to defend themselves or stab people in the back, and they fight vigorously for minor gains in profit. A real gentleman is neither like that nor enjoys the company of such people. Endless fortune is not something we should pursue..." -
The Profound Chinese Language (Episode 7): Pig
2006-02-14豬, the Chinese character for pig, was originally written as "豕". "豚" is piglet. "豨" is also piglet. "豪" is a type of boar that always charges straight ahead. In oracle-bone scriptures, the character for "pig" shows a fat belly, and a tail that hangs straight down. One variation shows needle-like hair on its back. The character is a complete and realistic-looking portrait of a pig. -
Remaining Unaffected Whether Granted Favour or Subjected to Humiliation, Seeking Neither Fame nor Wealth, Remaining Tranquil and at Peace
2006-02-13In life, one will experience loss and gain, favour and humiliation. If one can treat all these with the attitude of following the course of nature, seeking neither fame nor profit, with a heart of peace and tranquillity, like what the ancient people said, "Remain indifferent whether granted favour or subjected to humiliation, just watch the flowers open and fall in the front courtyard; Not paying attention to whether to stay or to leave, but only watch the clouds folding and unfolding in the sky," then one has reached a high realm of "going beyond the ordinary." -
Stories from Ancient China: An Oath and A Promise
2006-02-12Not long after that, Empress Xianren lost the sight in both of her eyes, and she searched everywhere for a cure, but in vain. Later a Taoist (someone who follows the 'Way') came to the royal court and restored sight to her left eye with a golden needle, greatly pleasing Empress Xianren. She asked the Taoist to cure her other eye, but the Taoist said: "You can only use one eye to see. Let the other eye remain as evidence and a manifestation of your promise and oath!" -
Traditional Culture: "Upon Hearing the Tao in the Morning, One Can Pass Away in the Evening without Regret"
2006-02-11Life is precious, yet our ancestors said, "Upon hearing the Tao in the morning, one can pass away in the evening without regret." Why would people be so eager to obtain the Tao, steadfastly cultivate the Tao, and treasure it? What is the Tao that people have been seeking for thousands of years? -
Stories from Ancient China: Disrespect for Gods Costs a Prominent and Wealthy Man All His Property
2006-02-08Song said, "You violate the righteous rules of the world and don't listen to any advice. This has been going on for a long time. Real disaster is going to happen to your family. If you go through a blessing ritual, you may be spared the disaster." Wang said, "If disaster can be spared through a ritual, then so can good fortune can. Don't use your unfounded words to deceive me." Song sighed and Wang yelled at Song, driving him away. -
Stories from Ancient China: Ancient Chinese People’s Sincerity
2006-02-07He desperately crawled into the bottom of the sculpture, waiting for death. Soon afterwards, the Jin men came in and searched for him. They carefully searched through the dried well next to the temple, woods, even the beams of the temples and any places they could find. Unbelievably, they did not search the bottom of the sculpture. -
Stories from Ancient China: Kind, Magnanimous, and Always Thinking of Others
2006-02-04The school officials summoned the roommate, searched the room, and found the gold. Zhang Zhichang realised that if he claimed the gold was his, his roommate would certainly be punished. In addition, in the eyes of the masses, his roommate would be terribly shamed. Accordingly, he said, "That is not my gold." -
Stories from Ancient China: A Kind and Bighearted Emperor
2006-02-02Emperor Xianwen was fond of the doctrine of Buddhism and lived in tranquillity, with little attachment to worldly affairs and wealth. He often thought of leaving the palace for cultivation. He thus gave an imperial decree: “I always yearn to live in antiquity and am indifferent to fame and wealth. I am commanding the crown prince to be the emperor. I only want to live in leisure without cares and to cultivate myself.” -
The Profound Chinese Language (Episode 6): Human
2006-01-29While it might be a challenge to paint a complete portrait of a human being, the ancient Chinese people used only two simple strokes in the Chinese character for “human being.” Human beings are the most complicated creatures on earth, but the character for “human being” is the easiest to write in Chinese. It is both pretty to look at and easy to write. The profound Chinese written language has never ceased to amaze me. This is an excellent illustration of an essential characteristic of the Chinese culture --- using the most simple, elegant solution to solve the most complicated problem. -
The Profound Chinese Language (Episode 5): Rat
2006-01-27The Chinese character for rat in oracle-bone scriptures resembled the shape of a rat a lot. It included a pointed mouth and lowered head, which resembled a rat savouring stolen food. The character for rat in ancient Chinese inscriptions on bronze included a head in order to accentuate the four large incisors. Since the incisors are forever growing, rats have to gnaw for life. -
Learn Humbly
2006-01-26Mr. Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072) was a famous scholar in the Bei Song Dynasty (960-1127). Although he was very outstanding in literature and had a high ranking position, he was very humble about learning from others. His famous article Zuiwongting (Toast Pavilion) is a very short and beautiful piece that people praise and read aloud to this day. That article was edited according to a logger's suggestion. -
The Profound Chinese Language (Episode 4): Bird
2006-01-23There are many different species of birds. Hence, there are many variations of characters for bird in the ancient Chinese oracle-bone scriptures. One variation showed a bird looking down for food. Another variation showed a bird looking up to the sky. Yet another variation showed a bird standing quietly. Each variation had beautiful lines. -
Stories from Ancient China: Heaven Helps a Man to Succeed in the Imperial Examination Because He Defied Lust
2006-01-21He could find neither the house nor the elderly lady who had given him half of the couplet. In fact, the elderly lady was transformed from Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the Goddess of Mercy. Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara saw Ping Chengxiu’s noble character the fact that he did not indulge in lust and thus helped him to place first at the imperial civil service examination. -
Stories from Ancient China: A Story about Taoist Zhai Ganyou
2006-01-20He once shouted out loud in a busy market in Kuizhou, “Tonight eight men will come here. Watch out!” No one understood what he meant. That night a large fire burned down several hundred households. It was not until then that people realized “eight men” referred to the Chinese character “fire.” The Chinese character for fire, when taken apart, resembles two characters, eight and man.
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