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Stories from Ancient China: A Blue Phoenix Paid Shows It's Gratitude

2007-04-10

He knew that he couldn't afford to do it by his own efforts. So he made a book for recording contributions and wrote a preface for it. He donated 10 liangs (50 grams equal one liang) of silver first. He then carried the donation book and went to many wealthy gentlemen and his classmates asking for donations. After collecting enough money, he had the temple repaired and the wings of the blue phoenix connected back to its body.

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Stories from Ancient China: A Gold Hairpin Saves Li Shimian's Life

2007-04-10

Li Shimian was an imperial academician in the Ming dynasty of ancient China. One year, he went to see lantern show on the night of the Lantern Festival (January 15th) and found a gold hairpin while on his way. So he put up a note on his front door the following day to find the owner of the lost property.

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Stories from Ancient China: Virtuous Deeds Result in Good Fortune

2007-04-09

"...In your remaining two or three years, you should seize the time to cultivate your virtue diligently, and then you can possibly extend your lifespan. One bit of virtue can eliminate a hundred mishaps. You can also enjoy a life of being a high-ranking official with a lot of good fortune. So there is no need for you to be worried that you cannot extend your life. You should try your best to accumulate virtue. Let’s meet again in three years.” After saying these words, the fortune-teller walked out and left. Liu bade farewell with tears in his eyes.

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Stories from Ancient China: A High-Ranking Official Who Corrupted the Country and Led The People Astray, Committing Unpardonable Sins

2007-04-07

After seeing his parents being tortured in the netherworld, the son of the high-ranking official was extremely frightened. He rushed quickly to Yan Province, spent a lot of money to set up an altar to conduct a religious offering ceremony. He invited Buddhist monks and Daoist priests to chant scriptures to eliminate the disasters, and to pray to the gods for the release of and pardon of his parents’ from this punishment

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Stories from Ancient China: Forbearance Ignites Benevolence in Others

2007-04-06

They asked Ms. Liu why her mother-in-law liked her. She answered, "It is just due to obedience. I comply with all her instructions and am not moved by her provocations. Even for matters that do not accord to etiquette or tasks that are considered inappropriate for women to do, I do not shirk them. Afterwards, I seek an opportunity to calmly explain whether it was right or wrong. This way my mother-in-law regularly listens to me."

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Poem: Heart to Heart

2007-04-05

From heart to heartthe ‘Great Law’ unfoldshere to horizonsand worlds beyond.

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Poem: Many a Voyage

2007-04-04

Many a lifetimemany a seasona voyage across distant shores.Many a revelationmany a realmwith even greaterhorizons to explore.

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Stories from Ancient China: Being Devoted to Spiritual Pursuits Even in Poverty

2007-04-03

Mr. Yuan Xian was a disciple of the virtuous an wise Confucius. He was respected for living contentedly as a poor scholar and leading a simple, virtuous life. His thatched house had a door made of tree branches and straw and a leaky roof that often left the inside of the house wet. Despite this, Yuan Xian did not experience it as hardship; he devoted himself to studying Confucianism and lived happily.

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Painting: Purple Flowers

2007-04-02

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Painting: Tao Qian

2007-04-01

Tao Qian, also called Tao Yuan Ming, is a great writer from the Jin dynasty of ancient China and is considered to be the earliest and most famous poet in China. It is not an exaggeration to say that all successful poets in different dynasties in China were all influenced by him. He loved nature and freedom of thought, without paying attention to perseonal fame. He gave up his position as a county mayor and went to live in the countryside.

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Stories from Ancient China: Everything Happens for a Reason; Forbearance and Forgiveness Dissolve the Resentment

2007-03-31

In history there was a businessman named Cheng Bolin who lived in Yangzhou City. He was a pious man who respected Buddhas and Gods. One summer a northern troop invaded and took Yangzhou City. Cheng prayed to the gods and asked for help. In his dream a god told him that all the other 16 members of his family would pass through this catastrophe safely, except for him.

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Painting: Jiang Ziya

2007-03-30

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Stories from Ancient China: Taking Bribes and Perverting the Law Ruined a Promising Future

2007-03-29

Just before the assistant left, the old man said very seriously, "Is it possible that you did something wrong when you were in Luling County? The day before yesterday I had a dream in which a golden man told me that you took the bribe of 500 thousand silver coins, broke the law and then fabricated a lie to frame someone. As a result of this, your rank will be cut and your life-span will not be long. Why didn't you conduct yourself with dignity. Why didn't you live up to my expectation?"

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: Kang Seng Hui

2007-03-28

Kang said to his disciples, "Buddha Sakyamuni has entered nirvana and the responsibility now lies with us. A divine manifestation should have occurred but it seems we were unable to touch the Buddha's heart. If we are so useless, there is no need to wait for punishment by the ruler. We should make vows that if a divine intervention does not occur, we will pay with our own lives!"

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Stories from Ancient China: Xingling, Thought to be a Fool, Was Actually Quite in Tune

2007-03-27

Xingling did not talk much and was always bullied by others, but he never became angry. Everyone in the village called him a fool. His father and brother also thought that he was foolish and sent him to the field to watch over the grain fields.

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