Culture

Stories from Ancient China: Keeping One's Word Is Fundamental to Being a Person of Integrity

2006-12-12

If a person makes a promise, he should live by the principle of "Truthfulness" and fulfil his promise no matter what. It is a foundation of behaving virtuously. When I read stories about ancient people keeping their word, even at the cost of their lives, I felt great admiration for them from.

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Nurturing the Youth with Virtue, the Effect Is Profound and Far-reaching

2006-12-09

The true essence of education, therefore, is to guide the person to preserve and return to his original good nature. This approach educates a person to dedicate himself to nurturing and substantiating his moral character, so that in the face of the numerous dilemmas in his life, he will make the correct decision by following his kind nature. This ancient educational philosophy is at odds with what today's science-based society often advocates.

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Stories from Ancient China: The Idiom, "Vicissitude"

2006-11-28

The idiom "Vicissitude" means that things in this world have changed a lot. It is originated from the book A Deity Passes on - Yuan Wang by Ge Hong from the Jing dynasty. Ma Gu said: "Since the reception, we have seen that the East China Sea has changed to a mulberry field three times."

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Stories from Ancient China: Dare to Recognize Mistakes, Compensate and Correct Them

2006-11-23

With some obstacles, Li Rongji was finally rescued and brought to shore. A-Gui was in tears as he helped Li remove his wet clothes. He took off his own uniform, which was made of black fox skin that was granted by the Emperor. A-Gui put the uniform on Li to warm him. After a long time, Li regained consciousness. A-Gui apologized to Li sincerely and then proceeded to report his failure and mistake to the government, recommending that Li Rongji fill his post.

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Stories from Ancient China: Saying "Yes" but Meaning "No" is Characteristic of a Villain

2006-11-21

The old saying "Tian (heaven) Gao (high) Ting (listen) Bei (tiny things)" means that even though the Gods are far above us, they observe all good and evil deeds and will reward each with either fortune or retribution. Therefore, if a person says "yes" but means "no," he will only end up cheating people.

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Stories from Ancient China: Don't Do Things You Don't Want Others to Know About

2006-11-19

The officials told him to prepare a notebook and write down everything that he did during the day. If there was anything he said or did during the day that would be too shameful to record, then those were the words that he should not speak and actions he should not do. The underworld official also told him to meditate often to have longevity. He pointed out that no medicine in the human world is more effective than meditation, which doesn't have any bad side effects or cost.

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Stories from Ancient China: Being Forgiving, Benevolent and Disregarding Other's Mistakes

2006-11-17

The guard wasn't careful with the candle and Han Qi's hair caught on fire. Han Qi quickly wiped out the flame with his sleeve and continued to write as if nothing had happened. After a while, he noticed that the original guard had been replaced. Han Qi was afraid that the original guard was going to be punished. So he hurriedly told the supervising guard, "Don't replace him. Bring him back. He has already learnt how to hold a candle properly." Everyone in the army greatly admired Han Qi.

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Stories from Ancient China: The Dangers of Believing Without Rationalisation

2006-11-16

Just when everyone was vigorously discussing what to do, Zeng Shen returned home. Everyone was surprised. They asked Zeng, "Weren't you arrested because you killed someone? How have you manged to come here? Was it because you killed a bad guy so you weren't severely punished?"

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Stories from Ancient China: True Gentlemen Cared Little About Loss and Gain

2006-11-14

Zhang Shuai sent his servant's ship home with three thousand pounds of rice. When the rice arrived home, only half of it was left. The servant told him that the birds and mice stole half of the rice. Zhang Shuai smiled, and said, "Those birds and mice are very capable!" Liu Gongquan and Zhang Shuai ceased looking for their lost property, which helped them to avoid conflicts and trouble, manifesting a great amount of tolerance.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: "Compassionate People Enjoy Mountains While Wise People Enjoy Water"

2006-11-11

"...People from far and near come to get what they need, and mountains always generously offer what they have. Mountains can also stir up winds and thunder and create clouds and rain to link heaven and earth and harmonise Yin and Yang energies, bringing rain to water all things on earth, so that they can grow and people can have food and clothes as a result. This is the reason why compassionate people enjoy to see mountains."

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Stories from Ancient China: Wise Words from Fu Shuo's Conversation with Wu Ding

2006-11-10

Fu Shuo suggested to Wu Ding, "A wise king should follow the way of the universe. The king should establish a country, select a capital city, and give the officials appropriate titles. Doing so is not for the king's convenience and comfort, but for the wellbeing of the people. The gods are the wisest, and they know everything. A wise king should manage the country the same way that gods treat humans. If the governor and officials follow the way of the universe, people can be easily managed."

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Stories from Ancient China: Kindness Is Rewarded

2006-11-06

A regulation of that dynasty set an upper limit of people on the island to 300 people. The government provided enough food for 300 criminals only. In addition, the island was very small and couldn't really hold any more people. Usually when the number of people in the island exceeded 300, the officials drowned the surplus criminals in the sea. The head of Shamen Island, Li Qing, threw more than 700 criminals into the sea during his term.

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Stories from Ancient China: A Forgiving Man Wins Respect from Every One

2006-11-05

Who is without fault or mistake? He who is willing to understand and forgive other people's mistakes has a broad, forgiving heart. Ren Dijian won the respect of an entire army because he was forgiving and generous and because he was able to forgive the server's mistake. After Li Jinglue passed away, all the officers and soldiers asked to have Ren Dijian take his place.

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Stories from Ancient China: Sincerity and Reverence Can Move the Heaven's

2006-11-04

Wang Su responded, "I am not the director of astronomy, but I am sure that it will not rain that day." The Emperor asked why. Wang Su answered, "Your majesty, you prepare to pray for rain when you know that it will rain soon. Thus you do not have any sincerity. How can you move the heavens without any sincerity? That's why I know it will not rain."

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Looking at Teachings for Enlightening Children Part II

2006-11-03

Arranged in simple three-character verses, it has five parts detailing the rules in a variety of settings. As the second most influential text for children, (the most influential being the Three Character Classic (1)) Teachings for Enlightening Children teaches filial piety, respect, cautiousness, honesty, forbearance, tolerance, etc.

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