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Stories from Ancient China: Le Yangzi Advanced His Studies to Elevate His Moral Character Thanks to his Wife

2007-08-11

During the period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, residing in the Louyang District of Henan Province was a celebrated man named Le Yangzi. He was well respected for his moral integrity and scholarship. His achievement, however, was said to be attributed to his wife's exhortation and help.

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At His Wife's Urging Mr. Le Yangzi Advanced His Studies to Elevate His Moral Character

2007-08-10

One day Le Yangzi found a piece of a gold ingot on the road. (Translator's note: People used silver and gold ingots for trade in the early days.) Elated, he brought it home to his wife, fully expecting her to stare at it, wide-eyed and with enthusiasm. But his wife frowned as if deep in thought, and without even glancing at the gold ingot, said in a serious tone, "I have heard that an incorruptible man does not drink water from the Stolen Spring(1) and an honourable man does not eat the food handed out with spite in the name of charity. Yet, you have found a lost gold ingot, decided to keep it, and have no intention of returning it. Aren't you blemishing your character?"

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Stories from Ancient China: A Person with Great Compassion Has No Enemies

2007-08-09

Meng Ke (also known as "Mencius) who lived between 372 - 289 B.C. was a native of the Zou Kingdom, the modern day Zou County of China. He was a great ancient thinker and educator in China whose memorable quotes include, "A gentleman should be righteous and have dignity;" "Rule with virtue" and "A person with great love has no enemies in the world." The following is a story about him.

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Poem: Brighter Days

2007-08-07

I see your facebehind the wallsI hear your criesand silent calls.Beyond the darkness and those vicious guardsour hearts are oneshining and never apart.

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Stories from Ancient China: Selflessly Fulfilling One's Duty

2007-08-06

A friend of Bing Ji was worried about him for speaking his mind and repeatedly told him to stay clear of the storm. "His Majesty himself ruled on the witchcraft plot. Everyone is trying to draw the line with those who are involved in it. Why do you risk your own safety to seek justice for Prince Ju or look after his grandson Bingyi? Did it ever occur to you that you might be accused of being an accomplice to the witchcraft? Is it wise for you to take the risk?"

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Stories from Ancient China: Righteous Historiographers Would Rather Die Than Distort the Truth

2007-08-03

In China today, people have become indifferent to moral integrity due to the Chinese Communist Party's devastation. A famous poem, "Song of Righteousness," by Mr. Wen Tianxiang (1236-1283, a prime minister of the Song Dynasty and one of the most famous patriotic heroes in Chinese history) mentions a story about a historiographer's family. I'd like to share this story here.

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Stories from Ancient China: Chen Shu Gu Interrogates a Thief

2007-08-01

Shu Gu told the alleged culprits: "There is a bell in a certain temple, which can identify thieves very effectively." The bell was transported to the rear of the courtroom and the suspects were put in front of the bell. Shu Gu said: "When the bell is touched, the people who did not steal will not make the bell ring, however the people who did steal will."

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Painting: Great Bodhisattva

2007-07-29

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Painting: Lotus

2007-07-28

A Falun Gong practitioner sits with her legs crossed, holding a lotus flower, in rememberance of her fellow practitioners who have been tortured to death in China since the persecution against the practice illegally started in China in 1999. Scenes of the horrific persecution can be seen at the bottom of the painting.

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Stories form Ancient China: The Value of Marriage in Ancient China

2007-07-27

Liu Tingshi replied, "When I proposed to her, I had already given her my heart. She may be blind, but her heart is intact. If I could break my promise, then my heart must be warped. Besides, everyone will become old one day. When a man's wife becomes old, he shouldn't replace her with a younger one, should he? A man must be true to his word. I must not have a change of heart."

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Stories from Ancient China: Jiang Heng Flees from Disaster

2007-07-25

After a few days there, Jiang Heng observed general Nian being extremely arrogant and extravagant. He said to a friend: "General Nian's virtue cannot match his power. I am afraid calamity will soon fall upon him. Let us immediately leave." When his friend didn't want to follow his advice, Jiang Heng used the excuse of illness and left.

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Poem: Together

2007-07-24

Your tears are my tearsour hearts are onetogether East and Westwhen all said and done.I see the trutheven behind the liesa "party's" rule by fearand its ruthless disguise.

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Stories from Ancient China: Correcting a King's Faults with Righteousness and Selflessly Serving the People

2007-07-23

Yan Zi was the Prime Minister of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States (476 B.C. to 221 B.C.). Assisting the king and aristocrats of the State of Qi for dozens of years, Yan Zi did not avoid criticizing the king's faults frankly, and he administrated the country with honesty, uprightness, and selflessness. Free from corruption, he left behind numerous touching and inspiring stories.

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Poem: The Law

2007-07-22

The Lawall-embracinga myriad of heartsunfolding in light.The Lawall-encompassingbeyond heavensand unimaginable heights."Truthfulness - Compassion - Forbearance"

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Stories from Ancient China: Undivided Attention Always Leads to Certain Success

2007-07-20

"...However, what you thought about was how to catch up with me quickly when you fell behind, and you worried about being caught by me when you were ahead. In the course of a carriage driving competition, one will be either ahead or behind. But no matter where you were, your mind was on me. How, then, could you concentrate on controlling the horse? That is exactly the reason you fell behind."

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