A tiny advantage has far reaching consequences. (NCBrian/Flickr)
Our Ancient Tale of Wisdom today tells of how “A Tiny Advantage has Far-reaching Consequences .” Hello again , my name is Grace Mann, welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom.
Before our tiny tale today, let’s listen to our Shen Yun Performing Arts – Quote of the Day from an audience member attending the final Sacramento Show on Tuesday 13th January. [audio]
As Shen Yun with its live orchestra moves into the fifth week of its 2010 Global Tour, it continues to ‘transcend all classes, all ages, and all ethnic backgrounds.’
And now, sit back, take five and listen to how A Tiny Advantage has Far-reaching Consequences.
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Renowned ancient Chinese herbalist Li ShiZhen 1518-1593, who lived in the Qichun County, Hubei Province during the Ming dynasty. (Courtesy Wikipedia Commons)
Welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom. Happy New Year to all our avid ATW listeners, it’s great to be back with you. May 2010 grant each of you, wonderful experiences, health, peace and contentment., My name is Grace Mann. Today our tale is one of the many, about famous physician and herbalist, Li Shizhen, titled Fill Your Heart with Compassion.
But before I begin, let’s listen to our Quote of the Day, shared by an audience member from the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2010 global tour performance in Philadelphia. [audio]
And now for our tale; Fill Your Heart with Compassion.
According to Historical Records, Li Shizhen was a famous physician from the Ming Dynasty of ancient China. Li Shizhen loved medical books and was a brilliant physician. He was considered a sage among physicians. In his home town, there was another ignorant and mediocre physician who pretended to know everything. This foolish physician bought lots of medical books to show that he had a supposed wealth of knowledge.
One year, after the rainy season, this physician told his servants to put his collection of medical books in the courtyard to dry. He paced back and forth like a peacock displaying himself. When Li Shizhen happened to see it, he got an impulse to loosen his clothing and lay next to the book racks. The physician saw that Li had his chest and belly exposed to the sun and asked, “Hey, what are you doing here?”
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The beggar (van Avont). State 2 / Wikimedia Commons
Wisdom is not a given, it is learned, be it in the time of the ancients or that of our present day time-space, as the following tale beautifully reveals. Hello and welcome to another great Ancient Tale of Wisdom, my name is Grace Mann, and today’s tale is entitled: Holes in the Heart.
Once upon a time in days gone by, in order to find the true meaning of life, a young man seeking the Tao travelled far from home. Without stopping, he climbed high mountains, crossed dangerous rivers, and visited numerous places looking for a true master to answer his questions. Day after day, he met and asked many people; however, he did not feel he had gained any enlightenment. Disappointed, he pondered and wondered, but he was still not able to figure out why.
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A story of two young monks
A young monk in a temple was assigned to ring the bell. According to temple rules, he was to ring the bell daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. At first he was quite serious. But six months later he felt his duty was too mechanical and boring. One day the temple abbot announced a change of duty for the young monk and had him carry water and cut wood in the forest. He no longer wanted him near the bell. The young monk felt strange and asked the abbot, “Was it because my ringing the bell was not on time, not resounding?” The abbot told him, “The bell sound was very loud, but the sound was hallow, worn out. Because your mind didn’t understand the significance of ringing the bell, also you didn’t do it truly attentively. The sound of the bell is not merely the temple clock, the more important part is to awaken the sinking, confused sentient beings. Therefore, the sound of the bell must not only be sonorous, but also be rounded, vigorous, deep and distant. If a person’s heart does not contain the deeper meaning of the bell, it is the same as not having reverence for a Buddha. If one is not sincere, how can he take on the duty of ringing the bell?” Hearing these words the monk felt ashamed. Thereafter, he cultivated with additional concentration and finally became an outstanding monk.
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(photobucket.com)
Welcome again to Ancient Tales of Wisdom, my name is Grace Mann, today’s story is based on a traditional Mongolian tale and it is titled Hailibu, the kind hearted hunter.
On the Mongolian grassland there used to be a kindhearted hunter named Hailibu. After every hunt, he would divide the meat to other villagers and keep only a small portion for himself. His caring for others won him great respect in the village.
One day, while hunting in the woods, Hailibu heard urgent cries from the sky. Looking up, he saw a small creature captured by a voracious vulture. He quickly aimed his arrow at the predator. Hurt by the arrow, the vulture let go of the prey.
Hailibu looked at this strange-looking creature that had a snake-like body, and said, “Poor little thing, go home quickly.” Replied the creature, “Respectable hunter, you have saved my life, for which I am exceedingly grateful. I am a daughter of the dragon king, and I am sure my father will thank you with great reward. He has great many treasures you can take. If none of these treasures would please you, you may ask him for a precious stone he holds in his mouth. Whoever holds this stone in the mouth will be able to understand the languages of all animals.”
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How can one achieve Buddhahood with a human heart
Du from Fujian Province lived during the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912). He was a Buddhist devotee and appeared to be quite pious. He ate a simple vegetarian meal every day and did not drink alcohol. He often bragged about attaining the Dao and ascending to heaven very soon. He urged his family to purify their minds and bodies and to await the moment of departure. His family members did not laugh in front of him and agreed.One day when Du took a nap he had a dream he remembered clearly after he woke up. In the dream, he came to a place where deities appeared to live. There were several people, and upon seeing Du, they got up and welcomed him. They invited him to sit down and asked him to read a book.
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A Story of Love and Time
A Story of Love and Time
Once upon a time, there was a small island where many beings lived. Happiness, Sorrow, Knowledge, and Love, along with other Emotions, lived on this island.
One day, the Emotions learned the island was about to sink. Everyone then prepared to leave the island, except Love.
Love insisted that she would stay until the very last minute.
A few days later, when the island was about to sink, Love thought of asking for help. At that time, she saw Wealth passing by in a big ship.
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The final moments leading up to Moggallana's nirvana (sacca/Wikimedia).
According to Buddhism, the world and all its beings are connected and governed by the universal laws of karma. No matter how one lives their current life, any misdeed or virtue from a person’s past will come to greet them in the present. History is littered with such tales…this is one of them…
A long time ago in ancient India, there lived a young man who was the only child in his family. He was a devoted son who worked hard and looked after all the household duties. As his parents aged, his workload increased. His parents urged him to find a wife to help him with his duties, but he refused and insisted on doing the work himself. After much persistence from his mother he eventually married.
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'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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