Culture
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Stories from Ancient China: Earning Respect Through Tolerance
2006-09-26
Once, there was a man named Huang Xian, (or Shudu) living in Runan County, Shenyang District during the Eastern Han Dynasty. His family was not well off and his father made a living as a veterinarian. Even though Huang Xian was a poor and lowly person, he gained the respect of top officials, famous intellectuals, and others due to his knowledge, superior moral character, and especially because of his extraordinary tolerance. -
Stories from Ancient China: Benevolence Can Move a Thief
2006-09-25He asked his son to come and instructed him, "Some people do bad deeds. It is not because their nature is bad, but merely because of their old habits. The man on the rafter is just this type." When he heard it, the thief came down from the rafter and apologised to Chen Shi by kneeling before him. Chen Shi said, "You don't look like a bad man. That you want to steal must be caused by your poor living conditions." Then Chen Shi gave the man two rolls of clothes. The thief was so touched that he never stole again. -
Stories from Ancient China: Killing Innocent Men Jeopardises One's Good Fortune
2006-09-23Before dawn, Lou Shide returned to the human realm and woke up from the dream. Like the man in the purple robe had predicted, Lou recovered from his illness very quickly. Later he was indeed appointed as a imperial government official. The positions he held and the time of each career advancement were exactly the same as what he saw in the book of fate in the netherworld. -
Stories from Ancient China: The Benefits of Being Tolerant
2006-09-22When Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty led an army to suppress a rebellion in Bingzhou, he made a stop at the farmer's home. The Emperor called all the elder members of the family and asked them, "What is the secret to having five generations living under the same roof?" The farmers replied, "We have nothing special other than all being tolerant." Upon hearing these wise words the emperor commended them. -
Stories from Ancient China: Marquis Wen of Wei Asks Zi Xia about Music
2006-09-20Zi Xia (507 B.C. - 420 B.C.) was a student of Confucius and a famous educator. Marquis Wen of Wei once asked Zi Xia, "When I wear my court clothes and listen to ancient music, I quickly lie down and fall asleep. But when I listen to music from the Zheng or Wei Kingdoms, I never feel tired. Please tell me why the ancient music tires people and the new music appeals to people?" -
Stories from Ancient China: A Wise and Tolerant Official
2006-09-19Wang Dan replied, "This is very reasonable, because I served as the Prime Minister for many years and must have made many mistakes in my job. Kou Zhun hasn't tried to hide my mistakes from you, Majesty. It shows his loyalty to you even more, and this is also why I think highly of him." The Emperor's admiration toward Wang Dan grew even more after their conversation. -
Stories from Ancient China: Virtues Accumulated for Trading Fairly
2006-09-14Huang Jianji told Zhang Yong, "I haven't done many meaningful deeds. I bought some wheat at the regular price when it was ripe. The following year, I sold it at the original price to the poor farmers before their wheat was ripe. I didn't make money when I bought and sold the wheat. The weight of the wheat was the same. I didn't lose anything but I helped those poor people." -
Stories from Ancient China: A Straightforward and Highly Tolerant Man
2006-09-13Han Qi possessed great tolerance and a natural disposition to be simple and honest. He never resorted to the use of sly tricks. He accomplished a great deal and had a high position in society, but he was never prideful. No matter how important the responsibilities he held and whatever unexpected disasters and dangers he faced, Han Qi never seemed to be worried. -
Stroies from Ancient China: Forgiveness Will Put Your Mind at Ease
2006-09-12Fan Chunren, a famous scholar and government official from the Song dynasty of ancient China, once said, "What I've learnt through my lifetime of study can be summarised in two words: loyalty and forgiveness. My whole life has been benefited from practising these two words. I always live by these two words when I serve the Emperor, communicate with colleagues and friends, and treat people from my clan." -
Stories from Ancient China: Just and Unjust—The Story of a Good Girl
2006-09-10When the villagers celebrated the building of the bridge, they all felt sad for the good girl—although poor, crippled, and blind—who had inspired it all. The little girl did not feel sad for herself, however. She smiled broadly, showing genuine happiness for the villagers. -
Stories from Ancient China: The Virtuous and Selfless Empress Changsun
2006-09-05"Able to lead the troupes during war time and able to give wise advice during peace time," "married to an unequalled emperor," and "rare virtuous Empress" were descriptions of Empress Changsun's life. It also was said that Emperor Tang Taizong not only could rely on his royal cabinet, but also on his virtuous and kind wife Empress Changsun. -
Stories from Ancient China: Good Deeds Receive Good Fortune; Evil Acts Harm Oneself and One's Descendants
2006-09-03The thief wept so much in the hallway that his clothes were drenched. Cheng Renba happened to walk past him and thought the prisoner might have been wronged. He told him, "If you have been wronged, please tell me. I will certainly uphold justice for you." The thief told Cheng what happened. Cheng transferred the man to another prison and wanted to try him fairly. However, the local official and the prison warden transferred him back and sentenced him to death. -
Stories from Ancient China: Zhong Liyi, a Man of Compassion, Honesty and Righteousness
2006-09-02During the dead of winter one year, Zhong Liyi was ordered to escort some prisoners, who had been sentenced to hard labour, to the Henei District. Most of these prisoners wore very little clothing, and some were very sick and could hardly walk. When they passed the Hongnong area, Zhong Liyi ordered the local county government to make warm coats for these prisoners. When Emperor Guangwu learnt this, he praised Zhong Liyi as a good and decent official. The Emperor commended his benevolent heart. -
Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Real Tang Monk in History
2006-09-01Journey to the West is one of the most famous works of classical Chinese literature. In the book, Tang Monk led his three disciples to the Western Paradise and achieved Consummation after experiencing a lot of troubles and difficulties. Some people regard it as been purely fictional. In history, there was a real Tang monk who risked his life and travelled tens of thousands of miles from China to India to bring Buddhist scriptures back to China. The journey he took was also the cultivation process of a cultivator who was eventually able to let go of life and death. -
Stories from Ancient China: Qi Xi's Wise and Selfless Recommendations
2006-08-28Confucius said, "These recommendations illustrate that Qi Xi recommends the truly capable for public posts. He did not kiss up to his enemy. He sees merits in his enemy. He recommends his son to replace him, but not out of selfishness. He recommends his right arm man’s son, but not for building his faction. According to The Classic of History, ‘Without favoritism or factions, the imperial court becomes righteous.’"
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