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Ancient Cultivation Stories: Don't Try Escape from Your Karma with Supernormal Abilities

2006-07-23

All of them carried walking sticks and big sticks and used the sticks as weapons to intercept and attack passer-by monks. Shelifu was the one walking in the front. When those non-Buddhists wielded their weapons to attack the two, Shelifu spoke them with a mild manner. They stopped and let Shelifu pass by. But when Mujianlian approached them, they again raised their weapons.

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Traditional Culture: Be Respectful and Prudent with a Dignified Appearance

2006-07-22

Mr. Zhu Xi (1130 A.D.-1200 A.D.) lived in the Nan Song Dynasty (1127 A.D.-1279 A.D.). A renowned scholar and educator of his time, he has been respectfully referred to as "Sir Zhu" (pin yin "Zhu Zi") by later generations. Mr. Zhu Xi was a person worthy of respect with a calm personality. Even in his everyday life he cared a great deal about the dignity of his appearance and behaviour. As a very knowledgeable person who produced an abundance of works, he has greatly influenced Chinese traditional culture, moral values, education, propriety and religious beliefs.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: Between Life and Death

2006-07-21

The saint then created a tall tree with his abilities, and told the monk to climb up the tree, which the monk did. When the monk looked down from the top of the tree, he saw a pit extremely deep and wide next to the tree. The saint said, "Release your legs off the tree." The young monk obeyed. The saint then ordered him to free one hand from the tree, which he also did. When the saint told him to free the other hand, the young monk became frightened and said, "If I let go, I'll fall in to the pit and die."

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Stories from Ancient China: Zigong's Noble Respect for His Teacher, Confucius

2006-07-20

Shusun Wushu was still talking badly about Zhongni. Zigong heard about it and said, "He should not do such things. Zhongni was a person that nobody could slander. All other virtuous persons are like mountain tops. Although they may be great, they could be surpassed. Zhongni is like the sun or the moon shining high above us; who can outshine him?"

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: Becoming a Nun

2006-07-18

She was on the verge of collapse not knowing what to do with her lfie. As she was looking for a way to end her life, she came across monk Maudgalaputra (also called Mujianlian) and asked him, "I'm a person full of karma. The world is too horrible. I must be stuck in karmic relationships and that is why I've been living in this mud. Can you give me some advice, otherwise I have no other choice than to commit suicide?"

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Poem: Enter the Age

2006-07-17

Enter the Age of man immortalwhere no heart faint of faiththese days triumphantwhen light fears never to shineand the darkest hour lingers no trace.

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Poem: The Clarion Call

2006-07-16

The end - and the world at its darkestyet, closest to its coming of dawnwith forces of shadow constraineddrawing every spectre down from its reignand many a righteous heart reborn.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Story of Loushajia's Poverty

2006-07-15

After the separation, the group with Loushajia's parents was still in a miserable situation, while the other group regained its prosperity. The unfortunate group divided among themselves into two groups again. After several divisions, Loushajia's parents were singled out. Everyone then realised they were the cause of the misery and thus expelled them from the village.

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Stories from Ancient China: Loyalty, Fairness and Self-Restraint

2006-07-14

Guan Yu was a man of the Three Kingdom Period (approximately 3rd century A.D.). He was very loyal, fair, and courteous. As a youth, he befriended Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, and the three became blood brothers. Since then, Guan Yu maintained his loyalty and accompanied Liu Bei in many fierce battles. He was conferred the title of a general of the Shu Kingdom. His character is well known in China throughout history.

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Stories from Ancient China: Zhao Dun Rewarded for His Good Deeds

2006-07-13

In the Chunqiu Dynasty King Jinlinggong of Jin the Kingdom had no integrity as king. His official, Mr. Zhao Dun was able to repeatably persuade Jinlinggong, whilst simultaneously greatly annoying him. King Jinlinggong secretly sent an assassin, Chu Ni, to kill Zhao Dun. Chu Ni arrived at Zhao Dun's house very early in the morning, and found his door open.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: Letting Go of Illusive Sentimentality

2006-07-12

Balrampur was in the tropical area where there were many poisonous snakes. When he was outside of the city of Balrampur, he saw a father and a son working in the field. Suddenly a poisonous snake came out from the grass and bit the son. The son died shortly afterwards. The father was still working as usual and didn't seem to be affected by the death of his son.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: "Stupid" Mokelu

2006-07-11

In Morocco, in India, around 500 monks lived in a temple which was located six to seven miles away from the city. They were all strictly trained Picchu. Among them, there was one elder monk called Mokelu who was famous for his "stupidity." No matter how hard people tried to teach him anything, he still did not get it. He couldn't even recite a single Zen proverb and so all the 500 Picchu looked down on him. Nobody liked to be with him making him feel very lonely.

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Painting: Like a Stone

2006-07-10

This painting is highlighting the abuse and torture that those Falun Gong practitioners been detained in China have to go through on a daily basis. With this torture method, sharp bamboo sticks are jammed underneath the fingernails.

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Poem: A World in Waiting

2006-07-09

A world in waitingwith storms abatingall darkness parting to the dawn.Towards harbour and havendividing dove from the ravenwhere light of a tempered heart is born.

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Stories from Ancient China: "Wei Sorcerers" and the Chinese Communist Party's Golden Shield

2006-07-08

A noble courtier named Zhao warned the Emperor, "The people cannot tolerate your rule anymore. They will rebel." Emperor Li neither heeded the advice nor feared an uprising. Instead he became infuriated. Emperor Li hired several sorcerers from the Wei nation at a high price to quench the public uproar. These sorcerers used dark magic to closely monitor Li's people and reported all those who held grievances against the Emperor.

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