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Stories from Ancient China: Tiandan's Sharp Mind Wins the Battle

2007-08-27

Tiandan ordered his army to have one thousand oxen covered with bright red satin sheets painted with dragons, tied a dagger on each bull horn, and tied a burning rope on the oxen's tails. He then ordered the oxen to be released and had his soldiers follow them. The city dwellers beat their drums and shouted together as they marched forward. Yan's army woke up in panic from their dreams and saw many sharp horns with strange fiery bodies rushing towards them and so they panicked and fled. Tiandan

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Poem: Behind These Walls

2007-08-26

Made in Chinafrom blood and tearscountless thousands remainingbehind these walls.

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Stories from Ancient China: Leaving a World of Fame and Power to Study Buddhism

2007-08-25

When Renzong heard about Guan's resignation from his noble office and that he simply handed it over to his brother, he told his officials: "It is hard to find the descendants of generals with such meritorious records. Guan Yunshi presented the Explanation of Classic of Filial Piety, which was highly praised by Renzong. Renzong appointed him as a scholar of his residence before ascending the throne.

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Stories from Ancient China: The Legend of the Heavenly Grass

2007-08-24

Since ancient times, from Emperors to common folks, people have always wished to obtain immortality. Therefore, many legends have been passed down among people about obtaining elixirs and heavenly grass. People have been wondering for thousands of years, "Is there really a grass that will enable one to gain immortality in this world? Has anyone actually seen it?" In the book Jin Lou Zi written by Xiao Yi from the time of Emperor Xiaoyuan in the Liang Dynasty, the mysterious "grass" was recorded in great detail:

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Sincerity and Virtue Move People and Heaven Alike

2007-08-23

All the income that Yuan Dexiu earned during his service as government official was used to help orphans. After he finished his term, his only asset was a roll of silk. Yuan rode a crudely-made cart and settled down in the mountains. Fang Guan, the Minister of Punishment at the time, said of meeting Yuan, "When I see Yuan Dexiu's face, all my thoughts of pursuing fame and profit are gone." After Yuan Dexiu passed away, all he left behind was a pillow, shoes and cookware, without any other valuables.

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Poem: The Day is Coming

2007-08-23

The day is comingever closer to the hourwhen the truth will shineas never before.Where hearts ariseall grey skies departwhen the ‘party’ and its reignshall be no more.

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Stories from Ancient China: A Taoist Talks About Destiny

2007-08-22

In the Qing Dynasty, Ji Xiaolan wrote Yuweicaotang Notes, in which he talked about a mysterious Taoist's talk on destiny. It was very enlightening, and is beneficial to read even today. The following is the main part of the story.

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Poem: Letting Go

2007-08-21

I sit alone for now she's gone.Moved on my heart no longer weeps,freed now from this worldly sleep.So fond I was, her silken kiss.such bliss, yet lost in Babylon.I sit alone for now she's gone.

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Poem: At Childhood's End

2007-08-20

So easy to be lost within ourselves at childhood's endFor what man could keep that innate good, we had so long agoTowards purity, a righteous man does seek himself to mendDefend not who we think we are, for these things too shall endAnd all shall look upon our wrongs with saddened discontentSo easy to be lost within ourselves at childhood's end

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Selected Translation from the Book "Role Model to the World" by Yuan Cai

2007-08-19

"Often, close friends, beloved relatives, and old acquaintances become estranged, not because of what they say, but rather because of how they say it, such as when they have a rude attitude or tone. If we can keep our attitudes gentle and polite, when we point out others' shortcomings with direct and straight words, they will not be offended even if they do not heed our advice. On the other hand, when we speak tersely, then even if we do not mean to alienate others, they will often feel offended, if not outright angry."

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Poem: The Hard Road

2007-08-18

For two years now I've walked the great roadAbiding by high standards set forthAnd though now many good seeds have been sowedSuch hardships words cannot adorn'thLike climbing a mountain of ice and snowBare feet bleeding from winter's biteLights in the distance keep hope aglow

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Poem: Worlds Within

2007-08-16

Silence withincalmest watersto clearest skiesboundlessness, endlessnessas above so belowcome let hearts arise.

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Stories from Ancient China: Lao Zi's Departure

2007-08-15

Lao Zi was from Chu and was in charge of the Print and Drawing Collection for a while during the Zhou Dynasty. Confucius came to visit him there. After he had a talk with Lao Zi, Confucius told his disciples: "Lao Zi's ideology is like a dragon, capable of flying in the wind and clouds."

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Traditional Chinese Culture - Mi Zijian Knew Precisely What to Accept or Reject

2007-08-13

Shanfu County was in order when Mr. Mi played the lute within the hall. When Mi Zijian was acting as the magistrate in Danfu County (what is now Dan County in Shandong Province), he was never extremely busy, like his predecessor. Instead, he seldom went out of the hall, preferring to play his lute. Consequently, the county was administered with great order, and he was praised by the common people. People said, "This magistrate can play the lute and is not meddlesome. He is a good official."

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Stories from Ancient China:: Businessman Xian Gao Saves the Country with His Cows

2007-08-12

When the army arrived at the border of the Zheng, they met a Zheng businessman, Xian Gao, who was about to go to Zhou to sell his twelve cows. When Xian Gao saw the Qin army, he sent a person back to his country to deliver the urgent message. In the meantime, he walked towards the troop and said: "The Zheng emperor sent me here to offer a dozen cows to cheer up your soldiers from the honorable Qin country."

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