Ancient Cultivation Stories

  • Kind, Gracious, and Forgiving, Du Lide Refuses to Respond to Abuse

    Du Lide, also called Chunyi, was from Baodi in Shuntian (current Baodi Area in Tianjin City) in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD). He ranked high as the minister of Etiquette, and he was honoured as a private teacher for princes. He was known for his kindness, graciousness, and forgiveness in both his public and private life.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Dealing with Verbal Insults in a Calm and Righteous Way

    When, finally, the person was done with his cursing, Sakyamuni asked him with a smile: "My friend, when a person gives something to another person and if the person refuses to accept it, then who shall own the thing?" That person answered offhandedly: "Of course it belongs to the giver." Sakyamuni said: "That's right. You have been cursing me until now. If I don't accept your cursing, then who will receive the cursing?"
  • Stories from Ancient China: Virtue Brings Prosperity to One's Family

    A couple of years later, Zhang Ying's father again dreamt of Wang Dun who was to be born into his family. He scolded Wang, "You're indeed a minister of dishonesty. You want to fool me again. I won't have you." Wang Dun answered, "I looked around each of the major families south of the Yangtze River. No single family matches yours in terms of blissfulness and virtue. I'm not going to leave this time."
  • Ancient Chinese Cultivation Stories: Zhao Sheng, the Seeker of Tao

    When he got up on the mountain, three roaring tigers charged at him at the same time, as though they were about to devour him. At the pivotal moment, Zhao did not panic. He thought, "I am Master Zhang's disciple. Master is watching over me! Nothing will harm me!" Indeed, the tigers tore his clothes and licked at his face, but they did not bite him at all. Seeing that he was fearless, the tigers lowered their heads and abandoned him.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Benefiting from Chanting Buddha's Name

    He believed in Buddha and built a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, which he set out at home and paid respect to. Later on, he was framed and imprisoned. He could not stand the torture and had to admit to things he did not do. He was sentenced to death. One night, he dreamt of a monk, who told him to chant, "Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the Savior," one thousand times. When he woke up, he started chanting immediately.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Be Persevering, Dauntless, and Concerned with the World

    When he arrived, he opened a barn to provide food for the hungry, exempted them from taxes, and decreased their terms of service, which helped people to recover from the disaster quickly and to live and work in peace and contentment. The people in Suzhou loved and appreciated him. He, as well as Bai Juyi and Wei Yingwu, who also held official posts in Suzhou, were honoured as "Three Distinguished Persons." The townspeople built a memorial hall called the "Hall of Three Distinguished Persons." The emperor also praised his contribution and awarded him a purple and golden fish bag.
  • Stories from Ancient China: "Only the Ordinary People Like to Trouble Themselves"

    After he went to Yi Zhou, he was very kind and generous to the local people. He did not even like to physically punish the criminals. His assistant commented," People here are very stubborn and very hard to manage. You need to have a system to punish them harshly, otherwise you will not be able to not establish your reputation and people will not fear you." Lu Huiangxhian shook his head and said, "I see it entirely different. If you manage the people's affairs well, there will be social stability. The people will love to work hard and enjoy their lives. They will then obey you. So why do I need to punish them heavily to build my reputation?"
  • Ancient Cultivation Stories: Factors Affecting Health

    Zixia and Zengzi were both students of the wise Confucius. One day, they met each other on the street. Zengzi carefully looked Zixia over from head to toe, and then asked, "In the past you had many illnesses and were always thin and weak. You seem to have gained weight and look energetic too." Zixia happily said, "I have recently won a battle, so I feel very happy and have gained weight as a result."
  • Ancient Cultivation Stories: Hui Neng's Robe

    There was a legendary monk in Chinese history named Hui Neng. He was the sixth in the line of chiefs of the Chang Zhong sect of Buddhism. Hui Neng became enlightened in terms of Buddhism. At the time, Hong Ren, the fifth chief, took out a kasaya (robe) made of silk and cotton. It was the symbol of the level of attainment in the Chang Zhong sect.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Zhao Jing, the Elder Stateman

    Shao Jing said, "I don't even care whether I can keep my head; why should I worry about my legs?" His cell mate, however, talked to the guards on Zhao's behalf. As a result, nothing happened to him the next day at his trial. Prime Minister Yang Song recommended a punishment of 100 floggings, but Emperor Shi Zong refused and dismissed Zhao Jing from his job instead.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Prime Minister Yu and His Obsession With Cleanliness

    Yu Zhaitian was a prime minister at the end of the Qing dynasty. He was obsessed with cleanliness and many other taboos. At home, he would not let anyone sit where he normally sat or touch the curtains or doorknob. In the office, his subordinates had to hold the end of a Chinese brush when they handed it to him. his clothes had to be free of wrinkles and dust. If there were wrinkles after he sat for a while, the garment had to be ironed.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Deceiving Heaven and Cheating One's Neighbours - a Thief's Oath Dictates His Own Retribution

    About a year later, Chen Liangdong died from a sudden illness. Before he died, he told his wife, "I'm on my way to Li's family to pay back the debt I owe them." He died as soon as he said those words. At the same time, a cow in Li's family suddenly gave birth to a small ox. On the forehead of the ox, there appeared to be a few characters. The characters were quite illegible. A year later, the characters were legible, and they read, "Chen Liangdong."
  • Stories from Ancient China: Life Is But a Dream

    After he woke up, he realised that he had experienced being both rich and poor, gain and loss. He wrote a poem to express his sentiment: "Life is like a dream until death when you awake. Why worry about gain and loss? You would suffer until you are out of shape."
  • Stories from Ancient China: Maintaining One's Integrity and Keeping One's Wife

    Yan Zi immediately stood up and replied respectfully, "My wife is old and ugly now, but she was young and beautiful once and we have been together for a long time. When she was young and beautiful, she trusted me that we would be together until we died. She trusted me with her life, and I accepted her trust. Now you want to give me your daughter, but how can I violate her trust?" Yan Zi bowed to the king again and again to decline.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Wise Words from Fu Shuo's Conversation with Wu Ding

    Fu Shuo suggested to Wu Ding, "A wise king should follow the way of the universe. The king should establish a country, select a capital city, and give the officials appropriate titles. Doing so is not for the king's convenience and comfort, but for the wellbeing of the people. The gods are the wisest, and they know everything. A wise king should manage the country the same way that gods treat humans. If the governor and officials follow the way of the universe, people can be easily managed."