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  • Stories from Ancient China: Fulfilling a Worthy Goal with a Modest and Unselfish Attitude

    Zheng Xuan and Fu Zishen were contemporary scholars, noted for their knowledge of ancient classics and history. They had never met each other prior to the above encounter. But, on finding Fu's ideas so similar to his own, Zheng Xuan unconditionally offered support by giving away his own completed work, hence enabling Fu to complete the mammoth task.
  • Poem: The Hour of Heart and Light

    We ponder the stars and many worlds beyondperfection in a petalled flowerwe wonder across the aeons and a future afarlong enough to miss the hour.
  • Poem: A New Light Shines

    The sun rises over Chinahorizons to the hour near donewhere a new light shinesand darkness fadeswhere the song of freedom is won.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Even Thieves Have Principles To Follow

    Three days later, the boat had taken Zhang Qing to his hometown safely. Looking afar, Zhang Qing saw ten familiar big wooden boxes lined up neatly on the wharf. He felt very strange and jumped onto the shore quickly. He went over to check it out. They were his cases indeed, what good luck! A letter was placed on top of one of the cases, and the weight on the letter was the lost pair of glasses.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Forgiving the Faults of Others

    Bingji, a prime minister in the Han dynasty of ancient China, was known for his kindness towards others. Once, when his chauffeur followed him out, the chauffeur was so drunk that he vomited on the prime minister's vehicle. Bingji's manager wanted to fire the chauffeur, but Bingji said: "Would anyone hire him if they find out that he was drunk and got fired? Let forget about it. After all, he only soiled the car cushion."
  • Stories from Ancient China: Even an Emperor Must Pay for His Misdeeds

    Emperor Xuan Di felt another intense pain in his head. Emperor Xuan Di failed to realise it was karmic retribution and did not admit his fault in torturing the maid-in-waiting. Instead, he became all the more enraged and shouted, "She is my nemesis!" He had the maid-in-waiting cut into two pieces at the waist. As soon as she died, Emperor Xuan Di was in agony because of a sudden stomach and lower back pain.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Food is Just for Alleviating Hunger

    One morning, the provincial official came to Liu's home for a visit and Liu told him, "I'd prefer to set up a banquet for you. However, it may take too much of your time and interfere with your official business. So, let me treat you to a meal. My wife is out of town, and we don't have anyone to prepare anything special. How about a simple meal?" The official could not decline the invitation since it was from his teacher.
  • Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Legendary Bukong

    During the period of Emperor Daizong, there was another long drought and Bukong was again asked to pray for rain. The Emperor also said: "If it rains within three days, it is the monk's supernatural power; if it rains only after three days, then it is just due to nature's spontaneous reasons." Bukong accepted the imperial decree and built an altar. It rained heavily the next day.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Seeking No Power and Pursuing No Fame

    Upon hearing this, Heng Rong was not happy. He said, "You are my student and it is still as though you don't even know me? I have been doing research all my life. I appreciate the Tao for gentlemen and do not want to be an official. I accepted the emperor's appointment because the emperor is wise and he has helped to make the world peaceful. You have not been an official for long, yet you've learned political trickery and flattery. You even try to teach me such things. I truly feel sorry for you."
  • Stories from Ancient China: Shame Leads to Self-Discipline

    Once, King Wen of Chu was given a hunting dog named Ruhuang and sharp bamboo sticks called Wanlu. He fashioned arrows and then he and his dog went on a three month hunt to Yumenze. He met up with three beautiful women from the Danyang State and stayed with them for a year. His playboy days were in full swing. It was rumoured that for King Wen, his dog, sharp arrows, and the Danyang beauties came first before the affairs of Chu.
  • Stories from Ancient China: The Power of the Pen

    On New Year's Eve, he had a dream in which two men in black called him into a magnificent, official hall. In the centre of the hall, an emperor sat on a chair and two officials dressed in red stood at his sides, holding a long paper with many names on it. The emperor was writing on the list with a brush pen. After he was done writing, one of the red-robed officials called Wang by name to come in.
  • Stories from Ancient China: The Great Man Liu Yi

    On the way, several hundred miles past Hangu Pass, Liu Yi discovered that an official had died of illness by the roadside. Mr. Liu thereupon traded his horse for a coffin and took off his own clothes to wrap the corpse and place it in the coffin.
  • Stories from Ancient China: Honest Words for the King; Open-Hearted and Selfless

    Yan Ying had already met Luan Ying by then. He told King Zhuang, "Luan Ying is cunning and dishonest. I noticed it when he first talked with me. Just now, I saw that he was full of flattery to you and had no words of sincerity. He is acting this way because he has some ulterior motives. As King, you should be on your guard."
  • Poem: Shifu

    Where you lead me I will follow What you say is All that's true Though sometimes weak And stumbling, I know There is nothing else That I can do
  • Ancient Cultivation Stories: The Buddhist Cultivator Seng Jia

    One day at the Imperial Court, Emperor Zhong Zong said to Seng Jia, "The capital city has had no rain at all for several months. I am very worried about it and expect your mercy to resolve the problem." Seng Jia held a bottle of water and sprayed it towards the four corners. Soon afterwards, black clouds gathered overhead and a heavy rain covered the land. Zhong Zong was so happy that he ordered that the name of the temple where Seng Jia resided be changed to Lin Huai Temple.