Culture
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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. -
The Assimilation of Humans and the Heavens as Understood in Traditional Culture
2007-03-15The 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. -
Stories from Ancient China: There is an Infinite Amount of Knowledge; Arrogance is the Only Limitation
2007-03-14Qin 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. -
A Brief Discussion on the Chinese Character "Ren" (忍, Forbearance)
2007-03-13The 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. -
Journey Home Letters - To Spread the Divine Beauty of the East
2007-03-12The 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? -
Stories from Ancient China: Dong Yong's Filial Piety Touched the Heavens
2007-03-02Dong Yong was from the Qianchen area of the Han Dynasty, currently north of Gaoyuan Town, Gaoqing County, Shandong Province. After his mother died when he was a child, he did his best to serve and care for his father. He worked hard to give his father a happy life. When he went to the field to farm, he pulled his father on his cart to the field. His father rested besides the field so he did not feel lonely. After his father died, he did not have money to bury him. He sold himself to be a servant and used the money to bury his father. -
Stories from Ancient China: Zhuge Liang and His Teacher
2007-02-27After Sir Shuijing heard the three stories, he nodded in appreciation, "Zhuge Liang will be an outstanding fellow!" He immediately asked the young servant to take him to Longzhong to invite Zhuge Liang back in person. -
Stories from Anicent China: Zhang Liang Cultivating Godhood
2007-02-19The second day, Zhang Liang was late again and the old man told him the same thing. On the third day, Zhang Liang arrived earlier than the old man. The old man was satisfied with Zhang Liang this time, so he gave him a book and said, "If you read this book, you can become the King's teacher. If you need any further help, go to the yellow stone at the foot of Gucheng Mountain." Therefore, later generations named the book Yellow Stone Master's Book. -
Stories from Ancient China: Earthworm, Emperor Liangwu and the Monk
2007-02-18Emperor Liangwu sought to meet the monk. He sent a messenger with an invitation to the palace. One day, Emperor Liangwu was playing chess when a messenger arrived and told him, "Your Majesty, the Kowtow monk has arrived." Emperor Liangwu was concentrating so hard on his chess game, trying to figure out how to take one of the enemy's chessman, that he said loudly "Kill!" The messenger left at once to fulfil the command. The monk was killed. -
A Chinese New Year Legend
2007-02-16In ancient times, there was a legendary ferocious beast named Nian. Nian lived at the bottom of the sea all year around, but when the Chinese New Year's Eve came, Nian would leave the sea, approach villages, eat livestock and hurt human beings. Therefore, every year when the New Year's Eve was getting closer, people all fled to tall mountains to prevent from being hurt by Nian. -
Stories from Ancient China: Tao Shu's Family Revered Pure and Honest Principles and Kindness
2007-02-15A drowning burglar saw him and called for help, "Please help me! I swear that I will not steal any more." Bohan showed mercy for him and asked people to set him free. The revered Bohan worried that this man would go back to doing unrighteous deeds again, therefore he gave him a small boat and told him to row travellers over to the ferry and thereby earn a living. Similar to this story, the revered Bohan had given another seven boats to those kinds of men, and they all gave up their evil deeds. -
Stories from Ancient China: What Goes Around Comes Around
2007-02-02The other replied, "He is a man of very good fortune. When he reaches 17 he will pass the entrance exam for a government-official training school and at age 19 will graduate and become a county official. He will advance rapidly in his career and enjoy a comfortable life." The first divine gestured toward Li Fu and asked, "What about him?" The second divine being answered, "He is a man with no luck and will have neither money nor power all his life." With those words, the two divine beings flew up and disappeared behind the closed Heavenly Gate. Li Fu awoke puzzled, and told his dream to his parents and friends. -
A Noble Man Has the Same Characteristics as Jade
2007-02-01The Chinese and the western world view jade differently. In western mineralogy and petrology, rocks and minerals are studied based on physics and chemistry. Scientists research their ingredients and how they were formed. They are classified and appraised based on their investigations. However, the ancient Chinese studied rocks and minerals with a connection with the realm of thoughts. -
Kind, Gracious, and Forgiving, Du Lide Refuses to Respond to Abuse
2007-01-31Du Lide, also called Chunyi, was from Baodi in Shuntian (current Baodi Area in Tianjin City) in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD). He ranked high as the minister of Etiquette, and he was honoured as a private teacher for princes. He was known for his kindness, graciousness, and forgiveness in both his public and private life. -
Stories from Ancient China: Dealing with Verbal Insults in a Calm and Righteous Way
2007-01-30When, finally, the person was done with his cursing, Sakyamuni asked him with a smile: "My friend, when a person gives something to another person and if the person refuses to accept it, then who shall own the thing?" That person answered offhandedly: "Of course it belongs to the giver." Sakyamuni said: "That's right. You have been cursing me until now. If I don't accept your cursing, then who will receive the cursing?"
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