Culture

  • Ancient Cultivation Story: The Story of Wudi’s Reincarnation in the Liang Dynasty

    During the long river of more than 5000 years of Chinese history, monarchs and emperors were numerous. Except for Emperor Taowudi (Northern Wei), Emperor Wudi (Northern Zhou) and Tang Wuzhong (Tang Dynasty) who suppressed Buddhism, no monarchs or emperors disrespected Buddhism or Taoism. Also, many monarchs played a crucial role in promoting Buddhism and Taoism in China. During the reign of the Southern Dynasty, Emperor Liang Wudi (whose name is Xiao Yan) (464-549 AD) was one of the better-known emperors.
  • Archaeological Studies and Myths

    Any unearthed relics and ancient books show that, no matter whether East or West, ancient human beings believed in and adored gods. They followed the principles taught by gods (myths) to behave and handle matters, and passed them down generation after generation. Later, however, human beings could not comprehend the inner meanings of myths, and gradually started to think that myths were something from early fuzzy imaginations. Recently, more and more scholars have begun researching ancient myths, and have found credible research evidence, which differs from previous ideas. Let’s take a look.
  • Stories From Ancient China: A Person from Mount Fan Who Controlled the Particles of Pigment

    Everything is alive. Particles are also alive. People at high levels can control the particles that are below their levels. The following is a story of an ancient person who had the ability to control the particles of paint pigment in order to create beautiful and unusual paintings.
  • Stories From Ancient China: Wang Cizhong Creates Chinese Characters

    The Emperor’s messenger went to see Wang Cizhong and told him about the Emperor’s order. Wang was not angry and said nothing. Then he became a beautiful great bird and flew into the blue sky. The messenger was startled and scared. He kneeled down and kowtowed to the bird ceaselessly. He said, “Wang Cizhong, you became a bird and flew away. But how can I report that to the Emperor? He will kill me! I know you are a Deity. Please save me! The great bird hovered for a while, dropping three feathers to him intentionally. The messenger had to take these feathers back for the Emperor to see.
  • Stories From Ancient China: Pei Xingjian, a Righteous General

    According to the historical texts, Pei had the ability of clairvoyance. Every time he went to war, he was able to predict the date of his victory. He also had the ability to select the best people for a job. Yang Jiong, Wang Bo, Lu Zhaolin and Luo Binwang were famous scholars of his time. But Pei said after meeting them, “Although they are gifted, they do not have the destiny to enjoy a nobleman’s life. Yang Jiong has the most virtue among them, and he’ll be a low-level commander, but the others won’t enjoy a successful life.” His prediction came true.
  • Images of Dinosaurs in Embroidery and Drawings on Burial Items From the Ancient Civilisation of Nazca

    The Nazca culture in the South American country of Peru is world renowned for its enormous and mysterious drawings on the Nazca Plain. The drawings include gigantic flying birds, monkeys, spiders and plants. Some of the handicrafts excavated from ancient tombs in the area are even more surprising than these. They are very hard to explain and their age cannot be determined.
  • Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Taibai Stars of Liquor

    A trusted messenger of the minister was sent to see the men. One time after the four men had gotten half drunk, the messenger showed up to greet them and to give them Minister Zhangchou's message. The message being, “I have worked hard cultivating myself. As I know you immortals are here, I wish to serve you. Will that work?” The men acted as if they had not heard the words at all, and kept drinking. After the first round of alcohol, the four immortals asked the liquor vendor, “How many dou have we drunk?” The vendor said, “One dan.” They all clapped and laughed, “Too much!” As soon as they finished the words, they disappeared immediately from their seats.
  • History of Chinese Culture

    The Gabon Republic in Africa has a nuclear reactor that went critical 2 billion years ago and operated for 500,00 years. A human footprint has been found on a trilobite fossil formed 260 million years ago. Egyptian pyramids were built according to astronomical changes, calendar calculation, geometry and mathematics. The topography of Antarctica was drawn from upper air at least 6000 years ago. These examples are a small part of those great discoveries. With more and more undeniable evidence revealed to the public, it can be inferred that the theory of evolution is just an assumption. Yet, we still don’t know where pre-historic culture originally came from.
  • Since Ancient Times, Only One Path Leads to Mt. Huashan

    Mt. Huashan, also known as Western Mt. Huashan in Shaanxi Province, is the pinnacle of awe-inspiring precipices and has been revered as the King of the Five Sacred Mountains of China. Mt. Huashan is situated south of Huayin City, with Mt. Zhongnan further south and the Yellow River and the Wei River located to the north. A Chinese poet once admiringly described Mt. Huashan's breathtaking views as "Soaring above the white clouds and over-shadowing the Yellow River."
  • Stories From Ancient China: “Wonderful Child” - The Story of Kong Rong

    Kong Rong, was a littérateur in the Lu Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms after the end of the East Han Dynasty. He was once appointed as governor of Beihai and was hence called Kong Beihai at that time. He also held a number of other official positions. He was a noted poet and was one of the “Seven Famous Personages of Jian An.” The essays he wrote were incisive and concise. Most of them contained sarcastic words. Eventually he offended Cao Cao and was executed by him.
  • Stories From Ancient China: The Three Sacred Flutes

    Lu Xiangjun was a good flute player. Whenever he came across a lovely spot with a scenic view of the lake, he would paddle his boat over to anchor and play his flute. One night in mid spring, under the moon, Lu Xiangjun paddled over to Jun Hill by himself to relax and have a few drinks. After he finished each cup, he played his flute. Suddenly he saw a fishing boat approaching on the mist-covered water. As the boat came closer, he saw an old man with white hair and bushy eyebrows steering the boat. The old man’s aura seemed out of the ordinary.
  • Stories From Ancient China: Zhang Jun’s Disaster

    In the Kai Yuan Period of the Tang Dynasty, under the rule of Emperor Xuan Zong, there was a Buddhist monk named Yi Fu who was renowned as a diligent Buddhist cultivator. Due to an illuminating radiance and virtuous character, people from both the upper and lower strata of society were drawn to study the teachings of Zen Buddhism with him. Once, while accompanying Emperor Xuan Zong on a trip to the Eastern Capital of Luo Yang, Yi Fu was offered monetary donations by dozens of people. Living up to his admired and legendary character, Yi Fu declined them all.
  • Ancient Cultivation Story: A Taoist Called Yin Jiuxia

    Yin Jiuxia from Qingcheng Mountain. Yin had the supernormal ability of divination. When Wu Zhongyi asked Yin to predict his life span and his career development, Yin replied, “Mr. Situ [Wu’s formal job title], you are already the governor of a province. What you desire is no more than an upgrade of power and authority, as well as an advancement to nobility! As long as you conduct yourself with compassion, virtue, righteousness, and humanity, you will have more wealth and honour than you desire.”
  • Women’s Virtue in Ancient Times

    The Song Dynasty appears to be a turning point regarding the definition of “women of virtue” in Chinese history. The claim to fame for most virtuous women before the Song dynasty was that they made significant contributions to the country and its people, were outstandingly talented and took courageous actions, were wise enough to differentiate right from wrong in morally depraved times, or because they were highly devoted to their parents and husband, and the like.
  • Li Sixun, an Outstanding Artist in the Tang Dynasty

    Li Sixun’s landscape portraits have an elevated mood and a very unique style. He has beautifully captured the texture and realness of the mountains and rivers with the strokes of his brush. Li Sixun had an equally excellent command of portraying both animals and landscapes. His son, Li Zhaodao, put more emphasis on technique in his paintings of mountains, rivers and wild animals, which decreased their artistic quality. His composition and mastery of the brush cannot be compared to those of his father Li Sixun.