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Poem: Reverence

2007-05-21

So deep grown were our rings of sinno hope had humankindno hope for sight of spring againour fates could not unwindYet chimes so soft of vows of oldnow echo through us allnow echo back with promise retoldand answer heaven's call.

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A Tale from the Ming Dynasty: Prefect Kong Yong Peacefully Resolves an Armed Insurgency

2007-05-19

The situation was critical. Some proposed to close the city gates and defend it with their blood. Some advised to borrow troops from neighboring counties to defeat the rebels. Kong Yong said to his subordinates, "Our city is now isolated and is very weak inside. Defending the city can hardly last long, while borrowing troops is like trying to put out fire with remote water. Let me talk to them in person and try to persuade them. Perhaps they will retreat. If that's the case, it will be like exchanging weapons for silk cloth."

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Music: Three Words Held Deep In My Heart

2007-05-18

Download song here: http://www.yellowexpress.nu/three_words.phpThe 13th of May 2007 is world Falun Dafa Day. As a way of showing our appreciation towards the practice we published this song. We want with this song pay homage to the core principles of Falun Gong Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. By following these principles millions and millions of people have raised their morality, regained better health and uplifted their spirits.

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Poem: Crossing Samsara

2007-05-17

The winds of change, so soft they blow.In the blink of an eye, a thousand years.Immeasurable is the great river's flow,to sail, one must remove his fears.

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Poem: Spring's Promise

2007-05-16

Such weary faces amidst the townsFor what to find with joy to bring?The melody of a longing soul resoundsSo long forgotten these legends of spring.

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Stories from Ancient China: Convincing People with Virtue

2007-05-15

Zhuge Liang did not force him. Instead he took a walk around his army camps with Meng Huo. He then asked Meng Huo, "What do you think of my army?" Meng Huo said arrogantly, "I failed because I was not clear about the weaknesses of your army. After you showed me your army today, I have to say that it is not that impressive. It would not be that difficult to defeat you." Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "Since you think this way, then go back and prepare better next time. We will have another battle."

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Great Monk, Dao Xian

2007-05-14

Shi Dao Xian originally came from the State of Kang Ju of the Western Region of ancient China. He had used to be a travelling businessman. One day, he attended a senior Buddha monk's lecture and became awakened. He sank his treasure ship into the river, said his farewells to his wife and children and became a monk at the Bamboo Wood Temple in Guan Kou. At the tonsure ceremony, he swore to the public, "I'll not leave the temple until I become enlightened."

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Poem: The Other Side of Dawn

2007-05-13

The calma long time comingnight darkest before the mornas lightfinds our horizonson the other side of dawn.

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Stories from Ancient China: The Rabbit and the Silver

2007-05-11

Balang had no choice but to divorce his wife. He told her, "Please go back to your parents. I will seek shelter from an old friend in Xinzhou and hope to turn things around a little. If I'm lucky, I will come back for you." Before he set off, he swore to the heavens: "I have to leave now because I have owed too much debt. If things get better for me and I come back in the future, I will pay double all my debts."

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Stories from Ancient China: The Monk and the Tiger

2007-05-10

In the early morning the tiger approached the north side of the tree. It seemed to be quite surprised and happy to see Faan, slowly approaching his feet. Faan recited sutras and taught the tiger the precepts. The tiger seemed to listen attentively without the slightest movement. After a while it left. At daybreak, the villagers rushed to the tree and found Faan unharmed. Seeing that he wasn't killed by the tiger they thought he was an immortal.

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Emperor Kangxi: A Simple Life Adored by Generations

2007-05-05

Many Chinese emperors longed for immortality and sought medicine and other means to attain everlasting life. On one occasion someone paid tribute to Emperor Kangxi by presenting him the book Secrets of Obtaining Elixir and Long Life. Kangxi refused to read it. He said, "Birth and death are part of the human condition. As Zhu Xi1 said, 'Heaven and earth circle in turn, like that of day and night.'

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Poem: The Party's Fall

2007-05-03

Of crimes and murderous schemesof poisonand darkest dreamsClouding China’s hearttearing lives apartbitter ends by evil means.

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How Tang Emperor Taizong Bore the Blame Himself and Swallowed a Locust

2007-05-01

The ancient Chinese believed in the unity of heaven and man and that man's rise and fall reflects the changes in the cosmos. In the dynasties of the past, the official historians always set aside one chapter in their history books to describe how the changes of the cosmos corresponded to the rise and fall of their dynasties. The historians did this in order to alert people and to urge the kings and emperors to respect heaven, which would bring benefits to the people.

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Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Monk Dao Shun

2007-04-30

Dao Shun didn't have any savings and he only ate one meal a day. The rest of the time he meditated. Snakes and rats often hid under his bed and lived in peace with each other. Once a tiger came to his cottage and Dao Shun spoke about the dharma to it. Once a person came to visit him. When he saw the tiger, he turned around and left. He told Dao Shun he 'd come back when the tiger left. Dao Shun Told the tiger: "I will have a visitor coming tomorrow so you will have to go somewhere else for the day."

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Stories from Ancient China: The Miraculous Beggar

2007-04-28

Taoist priest Mai Daolu was originally a eunuch in the Song dynasty. Once he went out to buy some lumber for the palace. When he rode past Xishuimen at the capital, he saw a dead beggar lying by the riverbank. There were a worn out mat and a short cane beside the beggar. Daolu bought a shirt and a pair of pants, hempen sandals, and a scarf and buried the beggar.

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