Ancient Cultivation Stories:The Story of Gui-gu

[Chinese folklore is full of ancient stories of cultivation, immortals and taoists. These stories reflect the depth to which the concept of cultivation permeates the whole of Chinese culture, tradition and history. These stories are not directly related to Falun Gong, but are included on Clear Harmony because they are of interest to western people, providing an insight into the deep cultural tradition of cultivation practices in China.]

---

Gui-gu lived during the period of the ‘Warring States’ (403 – 221 B.C.) His real name was Li Wang but he was named after the Gui-gu mountains, where he lived in seclusion.

Gui-gu had two students during the period of the Warring States, Su-qin and Zhang-yi and Gui-gu taught them the arts of “uniting feudal States from combat”. However, they intended to use trickery and cunning to lobby and control feudal States, as opposed to getting rid of wars by influencing feudal barons with Taoist principles. Gui-gu often lamented the fading away of the dao, and often burst into tears while teaching Su-qin and Zhang-yi. The Dao was so profound and mystical that it was not possible for average people to learn its essence. He hoped that they would be able to enlighten to the Dao, but their inborn quality was not good. They both failed.

Gui-gu devoted himself to cultivation of the Dao. He led a simple and frugal life as if he were mentally impaired, although he was very intelligent. He lived for several hundred years and no-one knew exactly when he died.

Source: “Tai-ping-Guang Anecdotes”

Translated from Chinese Clear Harmony at: http://www.yuanming.net/articles/200211/13874.html