Stories from Ancient China: Adversities Build Success Stories

Mencius¹ said, "Shun² was recommended and promoted among farm fields; Fu Shui³ was promoted when he was one of the slaves building walls; Jiao Ge⁴ was promoted among fish and salt vendors; Guan Zhong⁵ was promoted when he was a prisoner; Sun Shu'ao⁶ was promoted by Chu Kingdom's King Zhuang (also translated as "Chu Zhuang Wang") when living a life of seclusion by the sea; Bai Li Xi⁷was bought by Qin Kingdom's King Mu (transliterated Qin Mu Gong) at a slave market and promoted to the position of Zai Xiang⁸. Therefore, when the heavens intend to bestow important tasks on a person, they will first make him suffer to temper his heart and mind and willpower, tire his tendons and bones, starve his body, make him poor, and disrupt the things he was doing. This way his heart can be touched, he learns to forbear, and his capabilities are enhanced."

Many of those in ancient times who had ambitions made great achievements after having learnt tenacity and perseverance through adversities. Though they suffered in poor and tough environments, they upheld their unshakable beliefs with great willpower and perseverance. They became models for later generations. Their stories are remembered, encouraging people to conquer all difficulties and hardships to succeed.

In the history of cultivation, Shakyamuni, Jesus, and Buddha Milarepa let go of everything for the truth of the universe. Their amazing willpower and their strong beliefs are models for today's human beings.

If one wants to cultivate to be a supernormal being, she or he will need extraordinary perseverance and courage. Just like Master Marpa taught Wen Xi (i.e., Buddha Milerepa), "Without courage one cannot cultivate. You look like a person with perseverance and diligence, though. Whether you can become a Buddha in this lifetime depends on how diligent you are." ("Cultivation Story of Buddha Milerepa" in Reference Material about People in the Buddha School)

Notes:

1. Mencius: also translated as "Meng Zi," most accepted dates 372-289 B.C., was a well-known follower of Confucianism.
2. Shun: A thoroughly virtuous person and one of the first emperors during this Chinese civilisation's period. It is believed that the age of farming started during his reign.
3. Fu Shui (around 1300 B.C.): A virtuous, high-ranking official in the Shang Dynasty (1562-1066 B.C.) who is considered to be the first saint in this civilisation of China.
4. Jiao Ge: Jiao Ge made a living selling fish and salt at the end of the Shang Dynasty. He assisted King Wu in the Zhou Dynasty in governing the kingdom upon recommendation.
5. Guan Zhong (? - 645 B.C.): A politician in the Spring and Autumn age (770 - 476 B.C.).
6. Sun Shu'ao (around 630 - 593 B.C.): A virtuous prime minister that worked for Chu Kingdom's King Zhuang (also translated as "Chu Zhuang Wang").
7. Bai Li Xi (around the seventh century B.C.): A virtuous official who worked for Qin Kingdom's Sir Mu (also translated as "Qin Mu Gong").
8. Zai Xiang: a position similar to Prime Minister in ancient China.