Ancient Cultivation Stories

Abide by Tao, Promote Kindness, Use Virtue to Administer the Country Well

2009-05-17

Wen and Jing were emperors during the Han Dynasty. Their administrations promoted kindness, and they governed the country with virtue. This government kept a peaceful and orderly world. This society was prosperous, and its citizens lived happy and peaceful lives.

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Tales from the Practice of Medicine: Ganlan Water – Water Raised up a Thousand Times

2009-01-25

From this case, we can see that Ganlan water was not the key to curing the old man’s illness, neither was the oxygen in the water. It was because of the son’s filial piety. The ancients thought highly of filial piety. They regarded it as a virtue that human beings should have. A sincere and kind heart really can change one’s environment.

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An Emperor Who Paid Great Respect to Heaven and Worked Tirelessly for His People

2008-12-13

The culture and spirit passed down by Yu are extremely rich. They contain popular ideas about respecting God, supporting people, and teaching people. They also contain political ideals, such as using righteous virtues and honesty and valuing traditional moral principles such as "nature and man in one harmony" and "think about morals when seeing money or benefits" and "be selfless and think for the big group." All these ideas have had a huge impact on the development of Chinese civilization.

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The Wisdom of Teacher Kuang

2008-11-04

Jinping became angry. Back in the palace, he asked his servants to place thorny plants on the stairs. Then, Kuang walked upstairs without shoes. After stepping on the thorns, Kuang said, "When a person lowers himself to the level of a slave, his days are numbered. An emperor's court is not a place where thorny plants grow. I predict Jinping is about to die."

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Traditional Values Include Respect for Spiritual Teachers

2008-09-10

Confucius praised him by saying, "Yan Hui is truly extraordinary. He only eats one bowl of rice and one bowl of soup for each meal, lives in a simple room and bears hardships that others cannot bear. He remains focused and studies persistently. He is truly great!"

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One Benefits from Modesty and Is Ruined by Complacence

2008-09-08

Virtuous rulers in Chinese history respected Heaven, complied with morality, acted humbly, respected others, restrained their conduct, and advocated kindness. They were role models of morality. Consequently, they were blessings to their subjects.

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Reflections on Life: A Man of Insight Must Be Moral and Resolute

2008-09-03

During ancient times in China, many sages followed this principle no matter if they were rich and highly educated or poor and lowly. They always placed the matter of their nation as paramount over their personal matters. These sages were always the first ones to bear the hardships and the last ones to enjoy comforts.

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Culture Is Bestowed by Gods: A Noble Person Cultivates Wisdom and Far-sightedness

2008-08-19

Confucius persistently followed his principles throughout his life. He promoted "Follow the heavenly principles and righteous ways, and govern with compassion," "Try your best and follow God's will." A noble man has determination and firmly believes in what he does. Noble men have noble goals and dare to safeguard the truth, take social responsibility, and have a mission. They will awaken many people with their compassion.

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Learning Requires Consistency and Perseverance

2008-08-14

"A small tree likes sun because it wants to grow into a big and strong tree. For a person, his goal of life is to become a good person who will benefit his people and his country. It is important to have goals. When it comes to learning, it is important to be consistent and never give up under any circumstances."

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Natural and Eternal Music from Heaven

2008-07-07

"Good, kind music will benefit its audience and steer them toward morality. Bad music will cause its audience to lose self-control and steer them toward degeneration. Music must be created to spread morality. One must never perform bad music that will ruin people's morality!"

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Confucian Wisdom on the Ways of Treating Others

2008-07-06

Confucius said that one needs to cultivate oneself in order to treat others well. Treating others is not the goal, but improving oneself to a higher level is. Confucius took loyalty, respect, humility and reliability as the prerequisites for being a noble man. A noble man can reach "kindness" through self-criticism and treating others with kindness and forbearance.

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Confucius: The Way to Becoming a Gentleman Lies in Understanding Virtue

2008-07-05

Therefore, a gentleman is someone who understands the true meaning of life and enjoys lifelong happiness. He will not have personal, vested interests in mind. A gentleman's worries are not worries about personal fame and gain, but worries about the entire world. What they shoulder is responsibility and consideration for others, a manifestation of a selfless and altruistic realm.

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Ancient Ways of Conduct: Hold Character Firm in the Chaotic World, Virtue is Priceless

2008-06-17

One friend said to him, "Those pearls are just ripe, very juicy, very delicious. Why you didn't go take some?" Heng Xu replied, "This is not my dragon pearl tree. How could I eat from it? I don't want to go." Then his friend said, "Due to the war, it is a time of chaos, people die, people flee. This tree doesn't have an owner now. Don't worry, go eat some." Heng said, "Even if the pearl tree doesn't have an owner, my heart cannot be without an owner. Virtue is my heart's owner."

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Mencius Does Not Give Up Easily

2008-06-10

"If you care about others, but they still remain aloof, then you should ask yourself if you are truly kind. If you advice others unsuccessfully, you should ask yourself if you are truly wise. If you are courteous to others but they do no reciprocate, then you should ask yourself if you are truly sincere. When you do something but do not get a response, don't complain about others. You should first look within and find where you have to change yourself."

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The Essence of a Gentleman Is to Know Virtue

2008-06-07

Confucius said, "Ancient gentlemen pursued loyalty and righteousness as their goal in life and used kindness for self-defense. They did not need to step out of their rooms to know about major affairs occurring a thousand miles away. They used loyalty and trust to inspire bad men and used righteousness and kindness to calm evildoers. What did they need to use a sword for?"

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