Culture
-
Stories from Ancient China: The Great General Yue Fei Was Frugal and Virtuous, Seeking No Honour or Glory
2007-11-30
Historical research indicates that General Yue Fei was both honest and frugal. He stayed away from frivolous music and women whilst turning a blind eye to fame and profit. His conduct deeply touched people's hearts and gained their admiration. Yue Fei once said, "If the government officials do not love money, and the military officers are not afraid of dying, then the country will be peaceful." Yue Fei was definitely someone who practised what he preached. -
Stories from Ancient China: Confucius on the Benefits of Studying
2007-11-16Zilu said, "The bamboo grown in the southern mountains is straight as can be without any human intervention. If one makes arrows by cutting this type of bamboo into smaller pieces, the arrow can pierce the skin of a rhino. Why should one [with great inborn quality] need to study?" Confucius answered, "Isn't it true that the arrow can penetrate even deeper if one mounts feathers at the tail and sharpens its head?" Zilu bowed to show his respect and said, "I sincerely accept your teaching." -
Stories from Ancient China: Xiang Xiong Stands Firm for What is Right
2007-11-13Since they were already dead, the orders of your Majesty have been implemented. I buried them due to my moral sense. This shows the world that it is a principle that one has to repay generosity. Wouldn't such a principle make it easier to rule the country? Isn't it a good thing to do? Or would your Majesty like me to feel guilty about the dead and live mindlessly?" The emperor was pleased with what Zhong Hui said and so treated him with a banquet and then let him go. -
Stories from Ancient China: On the Way to the Imperial Examination
2007-11-05When he heard the story about how the servant came by the gold bracelet, Peng Jiao wanted to return to the tavern immediately to return it. His servant was very perplexed and said: "If we go back we will miss the imperial examination." Peng Jiao said: "This bracelet must belong to a woman. If she loses it, her parents will suspect she has given it to someone. And the intense interrogation that could follow might cost a life." -
Little-Known Stories from History: Lao Zi, Confucius, and Shakyamuni
2007-11-03Even though he was getting very old, Confucius's thoughts were the most brilliant in the last nine years of his life. During that time, Confucius devoted himself to teaching students and writing books. As a philosophical system, Confucianism was established in those last nine years. -
Correcting One's Mistakes With Courage and Improving Oneself Without Delay
2007-11-01History is like a mirror, and the end result depends on one's ability to accept criticism. We should understand the principle of "To err is human, but people respect those who are able to admit fault and are willing to change." We should not be afraid of making mistakes. The key is knowing what do to when we make mistakes. Some people are afraid of hearing unpleasant words. Once they hear something that hits a nerve, they become angry, and they even want to bully others and retaliate. This kind of behavior will not only hurt others but will eventually hurt themselves. We should keep a proper attitude and do what is right, while continuously upgrading our level of thinking. Then there is nothing that can stop us from progressing forward. -
Little-Known Stories from History: Lao Zi, Confucius, and Shakyamuni
2007-10-30During the more than two thousand five hundred years that have passed since the Spring and Autumn era, except for the Buddha School, nothing has influenced Chinese culture more profoundly than Confucianism and the teachings taught in the Tao School. Therefore, the founders of the three schools, Shakyamuni, Confucius and Lao Zi, have long been respected and worshipped by succeeding generations. -
A Look at the Great Chinese Physician Li Shizhen
2007-10-29However, Li Shizhen thought the categories were too complicated; the names were not properly assigned or documented, since sometimes one herb was classified as two separate types or two herbs were mixed up with one. Seeing this predicament Li Shizhen devoted thirty-years of effort and finished the Bencao Gangmu (The Great Compendium of Herbs) after three revisions and consultation with more than 800 books. -
Stories from Ancient China: Two Artists
2007-10-19Master Zhang said, "You have won the five-year contest. Your paintings are invaluable and cannot be bought with money, whereas my paintings can. Your paintings can bring changes to countless people but my paintings are nothing but a part of rich people's decorations. I think that I deserve to lose and you have allowed me understand the true value of art. Let me learn from you! Let's work together and create more beauty for the world!" -
Stories from Ancient China: The Old Master's Advice
2007-10-14The young disciple was quite capable and continued to enlarge the temple. He thought that after the temple was completed, he would follow the old master's instructions and save more poor people. After the temple was finished and looked quite presentable, he thought, "Perhaps, I should wait for the temple to get bigger and better before I help those poor people." -
Chinese Fable: The Beggar's Handkerchief
2007-10-09When the hostess saw the ugly servant, she was so shocked that she was speechless. The female servant felt very strange and asked the hostess: "Is there something on my face?" She wiped her face again using the handkerchief. The hostess was even more shocked and shouted, "What kind of handkerchief is this?" Upon hearing the hostesses shouting people flooded into the room. Everyone was shocked. -
Stories from Ancient China: Yue Yun is Loyal, Courageous, Kind and Devoted; His Fame and Glory Will Last Forever
2007-10-04Holding great aspirations from a very young age, he wanted to be like his father, Yue Fei, and serve the country loyally. He was intelligent, righteous, and successful in many military endeavours. At the age of twenty-three, Yue Yun and his father were framed and killed by the cunning minister, Qin Gui. With his pure heart and righteous spirit, Yue Yun is being remembered as a courageous Chinese patriot. -
Stories from Ancient China: The Origin of Manchuria
2007-10-03One day, three heavenly maidens came to bathe in the pond. The oldest sister was called Engulun, the second Zhenggulun, and the youngest Fogulun. After they finished bathing and were putting on their clothing, a magpie carrying a red fruit in his mouth and put it on the top of Fogulun's clothing. Fogulun was so fond of the red fruit that she kept playing with it in her hands when she accidentally swallowed it and fell pregnant. -
Stories from Ancient China: An Honest, Righteous, and Selfless Government Official
2007-09-30Yang Fu, also known as Yang Hongji, was an accomplished scholar from Hubei Province in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 A.D.) of ancient China. During his life he advanced to the high positions of Hanlin academician and prime minister. He was known as a moral, honest, and righteous man who was also very modest and reverent. He was revered as one of the most virtuous prime ministers in Chinese history. -
Chinese Culture: Enlightenment from the Bell
2007-09-28In the Temple Regulations - Buddhist Instrument, it is said, "Bells play the role of verbal commands in temples. When it strikes at dawn it breaks the endless night, and wakes one from sleep. When it strikes in the evening, it alters the dusk, to banish the bad elements." No matter if a bell was used to call people to the main building, to read study the scriptures, to announce morning's arrival, to mark the time for sleep, for meals and so on, all these activities were done according to the command of the bell.
New Jingwen
-
Our Practice and the Term “Religion” 2024-12-01
-
Why This World Is a Realm of Unknowing 2024-09-30
more ...
World
Falun Dafa Day
Falun Dafa Day
Newsletter
Photo Exhibition
Papers from Europe
Fa conferences
Fa conferences
Special Topics
Press Releases