'Student Rules' the edited version of 'Teachings for Enlightening Children.' (zhengjian.org)
Hello and welcome, my name is Grace Mann, today’s Ancient Tale of Wisdom, is the final of the 3 part series – ‘Teachings for Enlightening Children.‘
Teachings for Enlightening Children (Xun Meng Wen) was one of the Chinese classic texts for educating children on observing etiquette and rules and cultivating benevolence in society. It was originally written by an intellectual named Mr. Li Yuxiu (1662¡V1722) during Emperor Kang Xi’s (1654-1722) reign in the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). It was then edited by Mr. Jia Cunren in the Qing Dynasty, who changed the title to Student Rules. Arranged in simple three-character verses, these teachings detail the rules in a variety of settings and is the second most influential text for children; with the most influential being Three Character Classic (1)) Teachings for Enlightening Children, which teaches filial piety, respect, cautiousness, honesty, forbearance, and tolerance, etc.
China was once called “The Nation of Etiquette and Morality.” Though, during the great Cultural Revolution, all spiritual and moral teachings were trampled and desecrated, thus, the beautiful Chinese traditional etiquette and morality has suffered tremendously. In today’s China, adults have little knowledge of the morals that even little children knew in ancient times.
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'Student Rules' the edited version of 'Teachings for Enlightening Children.' (zhengjian.org)
Welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom, my name is Grace Mann and today I bring you the second of the 3 part series from ‘Teachings for Enlightening Children.’
Teachings for Enlightening Children (Xun Meng Wen) was one of the Chinese classic texts for educating children on observing etiquette and rules and cultivating benevolence in society. It was originally written by an intellectual named Mr. Li Yuxiu (1662¡V1722) during Emperor Kang Xi’s (1654-1722) reign in the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). It was then edited by Mr. Jia Cunren in the Qing Dynasty, who changed the title to Student Rules. Arranged in simple three-character verses, these teachings detail the rules in a variety of settings and is the second most influential text for children; with the most influential being Three Character Classic (1)) Teachings for Enlightening Children , which teaches filial piety and respect, cautiousness, honesty, forbearance, and tolerance, etc.
China was once called “The Nation of Etiquette and Morality.” Though, during the great Cultural Revolution, all spiritual and moral teachings were trampled and desecrated, thus, the beautiful Chinese traditional etiquette and morality has suffered tremendously. In today’s China, adults have little knowledge of the morals that even little children knew in ancient times.
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'Student Rules,' the edited version of 'Teachings for Enlightening Children.' (zhengjian.org)
Hello and welcome, my name is Grace Mann and today in Ancient Tales of Wisdom it is my privilege to share with you the first of a 3 part series – Teachings for Enlightening Children.
Teachings for Enlightening Children (Xun Meng Wen) was one of the Chinese classic texts for educating children on observing etiquette and rules and cultivating benevolence in society. It was originally written by an intellectual named Mr. Li Yuxiu (1662¡V1722) during Emperor Kang Xi’s (1654-1722) reign in the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). It was then edited by Mr. Jia Cunren in the Qing Dynasty, who changed the title to Student Rules. Arranged in simple three-character verses, these teachings detail the rules in a variety of settings and is the second most influential text for children; with the most influential being Three Character Classic (1) Teachings for Enlightening Children , which teaches filial piety and respect, cautiousness, honesty, forbearance, and tolerance, etc.
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The characteristic "Zhen Shan Ren" ("Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance"), is the highest Buddha Fa of the universe.
Welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom, my name is Grace Mann. Today I have two short interrelated tales to share with you: Forbearance Influences the Domineering Person to Become Benevolent and A Brief Discussion on the Chinese Character “Ren” (忍, Forbearance/Tolerance)
Forbearance Influences the Domineering Person to Become Benevolent
Zhang Jin was born in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He married a Ms. Liu from a rich family. Zhang Jin’s mother was extremely bossy and envious. Three of her previous daughters-in-law had left since they could not tolerate her ill-treatment. Liu was the fourth daughter-in-law. After she moved in with Zhang’s family, her mother-in-law liked her very much. Many people were surprised.
They asked Ms. Liu why her mother-in-law liked her. She answered, “It is just due to obedience. I comply with all her instructions and am not moved by her provocations. Even for matters that do not accord to etiquette or tasks that are considered inappropriate for women to do, I do not shirk them. Afterwards, I seek an opportunity to calmly explain whether it was right or wrong. Quite often my mother-in-law listens to me.”
Ms. Liu waited on her mother-in-law for three years, and in doing so, her mother-in-law mother became benevolent. From then on, the mother never ill-treated her daughter-in-law again.
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Confucius said, "A gentleman is cautious with his words...."
Hello again, my name is Grace Mann, and it is my privilege to bring you another great Ancient Tale of Wisdom – A Gentleman Is Strict with Himself and Tolerant of Others.
In traditional Chinese Culture, being strict with oneself and tolerant of others is one of the principles a gentleman uses to discipline himself and treat others in society. This is a manifestation of a gentleman’s virtue. Being strict with one-self is a noble character trait, encompassing both behaving righteously and improving oneself. Being tolerant of others means having a demeanor of generosity and forgiveness. This includes several components:
Introspection
This means examining one’s thoughts, words and actions according to moral standards. Confucius once said, “A gentleman examines himself while a villain is demanding of others.” One important difference between a gentleman and villain is whether he can examine himself when issues arise.
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Lily the Lotus Narrated by Corinne Malaske
Once upon a time, in a far away pond there lived a little seed named Lily. She was shy and timid, but enjoyed playing with all of her friends. Lily had become unhappy. She had heard others speak of a wondrous land above the surface of this pond in which she lived. It was said that a magnificent light shines from skies of turquoise blue upon all creatures. It stretches to all the horizons of this world.
Lily longed to see the beauty of this light, but just could not rise from the depths of this pond, through the murky waters to the surface. Her friends would tease, “There’s Lily again, dreaming as usual.” They always told her to give up her dreams of that other world. “This is your home, Lily.” “Why must you seek elsewhere?” They simply could not understand her! Even the fish swimming around her said, “Why can’t you be content with who you are? We are happy here!” Freddy the Fish, the naughtiest of all, roared with laughter. He was always telling the other fish to tease Lily and call her names. Although he was unkind to [click to continue…]
Bodhisattva Guan Yin
This is corinne malaske with an allegory for you. As some may know, but others not. An allegory is an artform whose parts or components symbolize meanings. This can be done in a symbolic type of a story, painting, emblem or sculpture. A dove is a symbol or emblem for peace; while a cupid or heart symbolizes love. All of us can think of many more examples, but I offer this Allegory to ponder. I first read it a few years ago and several times since. Upon reading it again recently, I found my understandings had changed from before. What will you understand from this story?
An Allegory of Cultivation: A Stubborn Water Bottle
Once upon a time, there was a water bottle in paradise. Guan Yin used the waterbottle to contain the elixir and a willow twig. The water bottle had accompanied Guan Yin in paradise for thousands of years and always thought that it was very important to Guan Yin. However, one day Guan Yin suddenly picked up the water bottle and said, “Water bottle, you have become filthy and may no longer stay in this realm. You must now leave for a different realm appropriate to your level.” The water bottle said anxiously, “Guan Yin, I am not filthy! I am as clean and shiny as ever! I am not filthy or tarnished at all!” Guan Yin explained with a smile, “Yes, your appearance is as shiny and clean as ever, but your nature has deteriorated. You no longer meet the standard of this realm!” The water bottle started to beg, “Guan Yin, I have been staying beside you for such a long time. Could you make an exception for the old time’s sake?” Guan Yin smiled again and said, “Water bottle, think about what you have just said and try to compare you with yourself thousands of years [click to continue…]
A portrayal of family respect and harmony between two generations. (Photo source: sssuzun/Flickr)
Hello again, my name is Grace Mann, and it is my privilege to bring you another Ancient Tale of Wisdom – HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP STARTS WITH ONESELF.
There was a businessman named Ma Wenan who lived in Xinghua County, Jiangsu Province in ancient China. Mr. Ma was well educated and had good manners. His wife, Ms. Wu, was smart, pretty, and good at doing housework, but she was a little arrogant and critical of others.
Ms. Wu didn’t get along well with her mother-in-law. Every time Ma Wenan returned home from a business trip both his wife and mother would blame each other for all their troubles and refused to listen to each other. This made Mr. Ma very uneasy. He knew that his wife did not respect his mother, and he wanted to change that. One day he came up with a plan to help his wife gain insight into her conflict with his mother.
The next time when Ms. Wu started to complain about her mother-in-law, Ma Wenan said, “I know my mother is too talkative, and I have thought about moving out. However, our relatives and friends don’t know how difficult my mother is. If we move out so suddenly people will say that we have failed to fulfil our duty to our elders and that we are cruel and heartless. So you’ll have to tolerate her for a month or two. Before we move out, if you can take care of my mother wholeheartedly, everyone will know of your great filial piety and how unreasonable my mother is. Then, no one will be able to criticize us.”
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Dawn of Time (Narrated by Corinne Malaske)
Dawn of Time
A time will come, prophesized the soothsayers of old,
when man will battle with his brothers and sisters,
when the Gods are no longer pure and pristine,
when everything will need to be replaced.
A time will come, prophesized the soothsayers of old,
when breath-taking events will unfold,
in the human world, the heavens and all of creation,
in places beyond the reach of the most seeking eyes.
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Welcome, this is Corinne Malaske with an Ancient tale of Wisdom to share, that of ‘The Golden Buddha’. It has touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours.Since time began, Humans have always sought divine enlightenment. This story is about the purity of this desire to cultivate or raise ourselves up.
A butcher came upon two people cultivating the state of enlightenment or Buddha hood. They told the butcher they were going West to see the Buddha and asked him to come with them. The butcher said, “I’m just too filthy and not worthy enough. Please, take my sincere heart with you.” So saying, the butcher took out his own heart, entrusting it to these two people. They agreed to take his heart into the West to the Buddha.
They did indeed find the Buddha. The Buddha pointed to a giant pot full of boiling water and asked them to jump into the pot. They both felt a lot of hesitation and uncertainty. They decided to throw the butcher’s heart into [click to continue…]
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