Ancient Cultivation Stories

Stories from Ancient China: The Origin of Manchuria

2007-10-03

One 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.

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Stories from Ancient China: Tang Yuan from Yuan Zhi Mountain

2007-10-02

However, no one noticed that a huge block of Yuan Zhi Mountain was missing. It turned out that the old man appeared in front of the mountain late at night and blew lightly toward the mountain. Within a minute, a huge piece of rock fell down and turned into numerous tang yuan.

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Chinese Culture: Enlightenment from the Bell

2007-09-28

In 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.

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Stories from Ancient China: Lu Mengzheng Urges People to "Follow Their Fate"

2007-09-27

"When the timing is not right for heaven, the sun and the moon will lose their radiance. When the timing is not right for the earth, the plants will not grow. When the timing is not right for the ocean, the water will be stormy. When the timing is not right for a person, he will have bad luck. People's luck and fortunes are all predetermined by their fate. Everyone wants to be rich and noble. But how will you get it if that is not your fate?"

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Stories from Ancient China: Yan Shu's Honesty

2007-09-26

Yan Shu was well respected by everyone for his honesty in asking to take the test and asking for reassignment of the topic. This story was passed on not only among the fellow test takers but also to Emperor Zheng Zong. Emperor Zhen Zong immediately asked to see Yan Zhu and commended him, "You not only have genuine talent and knowledge, but more importantly, you have the good character of honesty!"

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Stories from Ancient China: From the Perspective of Gods and Buddhas, the Most Important Thing Is One's Heart

2007-09-20

Several days later, the Buddha statue was completed. When people looked closely, they found that the dime from the old woman was right on the chest of the Buddha statue. After a rich person saw the dime, he felt uncomfortable, and suggested that the dime be removed and so someone cut the dime from the statue.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Huayang Hermit

2007-08-29

His whole life Tao Hongjing searched for the truth--the ultimate truth of life. And with compassion he always cared about sentient beings. He was modest, understanding, sharp-eyed, and always conformed to etiquette regardless of his reclusive life or being a high-level official. He was honest, calm, and unperturbed regardless of what was happening. The stories of his cultivation and great deeds will forever be remembered.

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Stories from Ancient China: Leaving a World of Fame and Power to Study Buddhism

2007-08-25

When Renzong heard about Guan's resignation from his noble office and that he simply handed it over to his brother, he told his officials: "It is hard to find the descendants of generals with such meritorious records. Guan Yunshi presented the Explanation of Classic of Filial Piety, which was highly praised by Renzong. Renzong appointed him as a scholar of his residence before ascending the throne.

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Stories from Ancient China: A Taoist Talks About Destiny

2007-08-22

In the Qing Dynasty, Ji Xiaolan wrote Yuweicaotang Notes, in which he talked about a mysterious Taoist's talk on destiny. It was very enlightening, and is beneficial to read even today. The following is the main part of the story.

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Poem: Worlds Within

2007-08-16

Silence withincalmest watersto clearest skiesboundlessness, endlessnessas above so belowcome let hearts arise.

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Stories from Ancient China: Lao Zi's Departure

2007-08-15

Lao Zi was from Chu and was in charge of the Print and Drawing Collection for a while during the Zhou Dynasty. Confucius came to visit him there. After he had a talk with Lao Zi, Confucius told his disciples: "Lao Zi's ideology is like a dragon, capable of flying in the wind and clouds."

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Stories from Ancient China:: Businessman Xian Gao Saves the Country with His Cows

2007-08-12

When the army arrived at the border of the Zheng, they met a Zheng businessman, Xian Gao, who was about to go to Zhou to sell his twelve cows. When Xian Gao saw the Qin army, he sent a person back to his country to deliver the urgent message. In the meantime, he walked towards the troop and said: "The Zheng emperor sent me here to offer a dozen cows to cheer up your soldiers from the honorable Qin country."

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Stories from Ancient China: Selflessly Fulfilling One's Duty

2007-08-06

A friend of Bing Ji was worried about him for speaking his mind and repeatedly told him to stay clear of the storm. "His Majesty himself ruled on the witchcraft plot. Everyone is trying to draw the line with those who are involved in it. Why do you risk your own safety to seek justice for Prince Ju or look after his grandson Bingyi? Did it ever occur to you that you might be accused of being an accomplice to the witchcraft? Is it wise for you to take the risk?"

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Stories from Ancient China: A Place of Idyllic Beauty

2007-07-13

A fisherman lived in Wu Lin District of Wuhan. One day, he paddled a boat along a river. The boat was floating and floating. He did not know how far and how long he had been floating, until all of a sudden, he found himself going into a paradise full of peach blossoms. Grasslands were situated on both banks of the river, where the fresh green grass was set off by the luxuriant peach blossoms.

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Watermelon - The Melon King

2007-07-08

The watermelon is not only a popular fruit in summer, its juice and skin can also be used as medicines. The Ben Cao Gang Mu says that the watermelon "can relieve thirst and heat, cure a dry and painful throat, help urination, is good for constipation and resolves alcoholism". Traditional Chinese medicine calls the watermelon skin the jade cloth with a sweet taste and cold nature, which can cure a swollen throat and apotheosis. The root and leaves of the watermelon can be used to treat diarrhea and intestinal inflammation.

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