Culture

Stories from Ancient China: The Great Man Liu Yi

2007-05-26

On the way, several hundred miles past Hangu Pass, Liu Yi discovered that an official had died of illness by the roadside. Mr. Liu thereupon traded his horse for a coffin and took off his own clothes to wrap the corpse and place it in the coffin.

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Stories from Ancient China: Honest Words for the King; Open-Hearted and Selfless

2007-05-24

Yan Ying had already met Luan Ying by then. He told King Zhuang, "Luan Ying is cunning and dishonest. I noticed it when he first talked with me. Just now, I saw that he was full of flattery to you and had no words of sincerity. He is acting this way because he has some ulterior motives. As King, you should be on your guard."

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Buddhist Cultivator Seng Jia

2007-05-22

One day at the Imperial Court, Emperor Zhong Zong said to Seng Jia, "The capital city has had no rain at all for several months. I am very worried about it and expect your mercy to resolve the problem." Seng Jia held a bottle of water and sprayed it towards the four corners. Soon afterwards, black clouds gathered overhead and a heavy rain covered the land. Zhong Zong was so happy that he ordered that the name of the temple where Seng Jia resided be changed to Lin Huai Temple.

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A Tale from the Ming Dynasty: Prefect Kong Yong Peacefully Resolves an Armed Insurgency

2007-05-19

The situation was critical. Some proposed to close the city gates and defend it with their blood. Some advised to borrow troops from neighboring counties to defeat the rebels. Kong Yong said to his subordinates, "Our city is now isolated and is very weak inside. Defending the city can hardly last long, while borrowing troops is like trying to put out fire with remote water. Let me talk to them in person and try to persuade them. Perhaps they will retreat. If that's the case, it will be like exchanging weapons for silk cloth."

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Stories from Ancient China: Convincing People with Virtue

2007-05-15

Zhuge Liang did not force him. Instead he took a walk around his army camps with Meng Huo. He then asked Meng Huo, "What do you think of my army?" Meng Huo said arrogantly, "I failed because I was not clear about the weaknesses of your army. After you showed me your army today, I have to say that it is not that impressive. It would not be that difficult to defeat you." Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "Since you think this way, then go back and prepare better next time. We will have another battle."

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Great Monk, Dao Xian

2007-05-14

Shi Dao Xian originally came from the State of Kang Ju of the Western Region of ancient China. He had used to be a travelling businessman. One day, he attended a senior Buddha monk's lecture and became awakened. He sank his treasure ship into the river, said his farewells to his wife and children and became a monk at the Bamboo Wood Temple in Guan Kou. At the tonsure ceremony, he swore to the public, "I'll not leave the temple until I become enlightened."

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Stories from Ancient China: The Rabbit and the Silver

2007-05-11

Balang had no choice but to divorce his wife. He told her, "Please go back to your parents. I will seek shelter from an old friend in Xinzhou and hope to turn things around a little. If I'm lucky, I will come back for you." Before he set off, he swore to the heavens: "I have to leave now because I have owed too much debt. If things get better for me and I come back in the future, I will pay double all my debts."

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Stories from Ancient China: The Monk and the Tiger

2007-05-10

In the early morning the tiger approached the north side of the tree. It seemed to be quite surprised and happy to see Faan, slowly approaching his feet. Faan recited sutras and taught the tiger the precepts. The tiger seemed to listen attentively without the slightest movement. After a while it left. At daybreak, the villagers rushed to the tree and found Faan unharmed. Seeing that he wasn't killed by the tiger they thought he was an immortal.

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Emperor Kangxi: A Simple Life Adored by Generations

2007-05-05

Many Chinese emperors longed for immortality and sought medicine and other means to attain everlasting life. On one occasion someone paid tribute to Emperor Kangxi by presenting him the book Secrets of Obtaining Elixir and Long Life. Kangxi refused to read it. He said, "Birth and death are part of the human condition. As Zhu Xi1 said, 'Heaven and earth circle in turn, like that of day and night.'

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How Tang Emperor Taizong Bore the Blame Himself and Swallowed a Locust

2007-05-01

The ancient Chinese believed in the unity of heaven and man and that man's rise and fall reflects the changes in the cosmos. In the dynasties of the past, the official historians always set aside one chapter in their history books to describe how the changes of the cosmos corresponded to the rise and fall of their dynasties. The historians did this in order to alert people and to urge the kings and emperors to respect heaven, which would bring benefits to the people.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Monk Dao Shun

2007-04-30

Dao Shun didn't have any savings and he only ate one meal a day. The rest of the time he meditated. Snakes and rats often hid under his bed and lived in peace with each other. Once a tiger came to his cottage and Dao Shun spoke about the dharma to it. Once a person came to visit him. When he saw the tiger, he turned around and left. He told Dao Shun he 'd come back when the tiger left. Dao Shun Told the tiger: "I will have a visitor coming tomorrow so you will have to go somewhere else for the day."

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Stories from Ancient China: No Argument, No Resentment, Be Known For Virtue

2007-04-27

Many people cannot stand for these kinds of things. Shaozi gave away his own interests to others without argument or resentment. It was not cowardly behaviour, but the result of his forbearance and broad mind. Only a person with moral integrity and knowledge behaves in such a manner. The story spread in the royal court and in society. History has recorded that Shaozi was known for his virtue. Three governments offered him positions, but he refused.

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Stories from Ancient China: A Treacherous Imperial Court Official Condemned by History

2007-04-24

At the time, Yue Fei was on his way to victory in fighting the invading Jin troops in the north. Yue's army had a slogan: "Do not take people's house even if the soldiers are freezing; do not loot even if the soldiers are starving." The people respected them for this.

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Stories from Ancient China: Gods See to It That the Good Avoid Disasters

2007-04-21

The voices said: “Several hundred people should die on the bridge this year. They are wicked, dissolute, or unfilial persons. Now check the names according to the death list. For those who are on the list but have not yet come, quickly urge them to come; for those not on the list, tell them to leave.” Many voices replied in the sky: “Yes! We will follow your orders!” Hearing those voices, the local residents were startled and terrified, they dared not speak.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: Bodhidharma

2007-04-20

Bodhidharma was born in a Brahman family in the southern India. He was cheerful, wise, and had a rather high enlightenment quality. He focused all his energy on studying in the Mahayana or "Great Vehicle" school.

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