Art and Culture

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Stories from Ancient China: Heaven's Scrutiny Sees All

2007-03-24

After he got drunk and returned home, the Xiu Cai sat idly and let his fantasies run wild. “When I pass the next level of civil service examination, I will take the neighbor's young maid Ageng as my concubine. I shall build a luxury mansion and buy extravagant frocks for her.” After midnight, he was still having fantasies about his life with the beautiful Ageng. When his wife hurried him to go to bed, he spat the tea in her face and shouted insults. “You are a vat of vinegar! A vat of vinegar!”

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Painting: Inhumane

2007-03-23

Prison guards are forcing a Falun Gong practitioners head into a bucket of human feces. One of the guards covers his own nose because of the overpowering stench, whilst a pregnant female Falun Gong practitioner can be seen hanging in the background.

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Stories from Ancient China: The Negative Consequences of Lustful Behaviour

2007-03-20

Tan Zhao was very surprised at what he saw and said, "Many years ago, I saw that you had a countenance of good fortune but why has that changed? Your Tianting (forehead) looked full but now it seems collapsed; your Dige was round but now it has sharpened. Further more, there is dark Qi surrounding the centre of your palms. This means there is calamity awaiting you, you need to be careful. Your physiognomy has changed so much. I wonder what unethical things have you done?"

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Stories from Ancient China: Everyone's Fortune Is Predestined; One Must Not Acquire Money Through Dishonest Means

2007-03-19

One Chinese New Year's Eve while all the families in town were celebrating the New Year and playing with fireworks, the two looked at each other and sighed because they lived in such abject poverty that they were unable to go home and celebrate the New Year. Suddenly, they heard a noise outside as loud as thunder. They hurried out of the temple only to find a giant rock had split open, revealing a treasure within. He Rushen was overjoyed beyond belief. He decided it must be a gift from Heaven out of pity for their poverty. He wanted to ship the treasure home.

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Stories from Ancient China: Honest Yan Shu

2007-03-18

Yan Shu lived in the Song Dynasty of ancient China and was known to be kind and honest from the time he was very young. He was also bright and eager to learn. When he was only seven years old, he was able to write excellent articles. By 15 years old, he was honoured as a genius and recommended to the Emperor by the county governor due to his extreme intelligence.

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Photography: White Lotus

2007-03-17

Lotus flowers grow out of the mud yet bloom to be pure and unpolluted. They are called the 'true gentlemen of flowers'. Poems about lotus flowers have always been present in China. Legend has it that the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss [a heavenly paradise said to be Buddha Amitabha's paradise] is filled with lotus flowers whose majestic beauty cannot be described in words.

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Stories from Ancient China: What is Owed Must Be Repaid

2007-03-16

One day, a rich merchant needed to cross the river. Gong discovered that he was very wealthy, and carried many valuable possessions. Thinking about all the money he pushed him into the water when the boat reached the middle of the river. The merchant drowned, Gong took all of his belongings, and with his new swag he quit his fishing and started a business. Soon, he had a son.

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The Assimilation of Humans and the Heavens as Understood in Traditional Culture

2007-03-15

The five thousand years of traditional culture in China is very profound, containing a very deep and scientific understanding of material manifestations and of the spirit. Its understanding of the universe, life, the human body, far surpasses that of today's science and the limitations of its so-called "scientific method." However, nowadays there aren't many who can truly understand the righteous inner meanings and value of traditional Chinese culture.

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Stories from Ancient China: There is an Infinite Amount of Knowledge; Arrogance is the Only Limitation

2007-03-14

Qin Qing was not angry, nor did he stop Xue Tan. Instead, Qin Qing provided a farewell banquet for him in the suburbs. At the banquet Qin Qing sang mournful songs for him. The songs were so fantastic that the nearby woods were moved, and the clouds seemingly stopped and listened.

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A Brief Discussion on the Chinese Character "Ren" (忍, Forbearance)

2007-03-13

The character "Ren" (忍, forbearance) is composed of the element "xin" (心, heart) which represents the meaning, and the element "ren" (刃, knife blade) which represents the sound. "Ren" means to endure, to forbear, and to tolerate. It also contains the connotation of self-restraint and self-control. The character "Ren" (forbearance) is formed by placing the "knife" over the "heart," as if implying "Ren" (forbearance) is not easily achieved by ordinary people, but requires a higher level of cultivation, discipline, and will.

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Journey Home Letters - To Spread the Divine Beauty of the East

2007-03-12

The Greeks spread their myths to the world. The Americans print "In God We Trust" on their dollar bill. The Apollo Temple in Egypt is world famous, and with the spread of Yoga, the Indian Myth of Shiva has widely spread around the world. Since the Renaissance, European literature and artists have as their mission sung the praises of God. But how many Westerners know about the Chinese gods Pangu, Nuwa, Shengnong and the Eight Immortals?

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Painting: Chrysanthemum Blossoms Seen at Chongyang Festival

2007-03-11

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Poem: Endless Tides

2007-03-10

Beyond light and darklife and deathstretching hearts forever wide.Above stage and strifeand stormy seasa voyage upon endless tides.

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Stories from Ancient China: Little Monk Miaoyan

2007-03-07

There once was a little monk called Miaoyan. One time, when he was visiting the Emperor’s palace, the Empress saw him. She thought he was very cute and adorable, so she wanted to give him a hug. However, Miaoyan stopped her and said, "You should not come too close to a monk." The Empress did not agree, saying, "You are about the same age as my son and there is nothing wrong with me giving you a hug."

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Song: Sacred Steps

2007-03-06

Truth Compassion and Forbearance Zhen Shan RenTruth Compassion and Forbearance Zhen Shan Ren When we live within the FaHealing will take place The healing of the earth and cosmos Healing of the human race.

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