Cultivation Stories

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Xiao Yixin toiled every day, without ever showing any trace of complaint.

SOH brings stories that enliven the deepest and most original parts of our heart. This story is no exception, built on virtue and the principles which allow us both grace within union, and the forbearance to strive through adversity in our lives. SOH would like to ask anyone out there who has ever wondered why marriage is so important, to take a seat, quieten your mind, and listen to this story of a woman showing the ancient beliefs that kept families together, men and woman in harmony, and people of the whole society achieving union and prosperity. Please enjoy this latest gift from Grace Mann.

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Socrates 469-399BC (Courtesy gds/Flickr)

Hi this is Grace Mann, welcoming you back to Ancient Tales of Wisdom.  Today we have a tiny tale for you which tell of the Classical Greek philosopher, Socrates. This tale is titled: “Know Thyself.”

Socrate’s close friend Chaerephon once consulted God at the Oracle of Delphi and asked, “Is there any person in the world who is smarter than Socrates?”

God answers: No man is wiser than Socrates.

Chaerephon happily informed Socrates of God’s answer. But to Chaerephon’s surprise, Socrates  acted mystified and even felt uncomfortable.

Socrates did not believe that he was the wisest or the most intelligent person in the world. To disprove God’s conclusion, he decided to look for a person with more wisdom and a better standing than himself.

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In Lao Zi's classic text Dao De Jing it states, “Kind people don’t argue; people who argue are not kind.” (Photo courtesy Wikipedia Commons)

Greeting to you all, and welcome to today’s Ancient Tale of Wisdom. Hi, this is Grace Mann, back with you again to share another great storyline and it is titled: Kind People Don’t Argue; People Who Argue Are Not Kind

In the past, there was a gentleman who was acquainted with people who were eloquent and glib in their arguments. At that time, he believed it was their skill, and he didn’t give much thought about the relationship between eloquence, goodness and unrighteousness. Over time, this gentleman met a lot of other people who endured humiliation and they didn’t argue or fight back. It was then he came to realize the vast difference between these two types of people.

One day, when reading Lao Zi’s classic text Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), where it said, “Sages do things but not fight for things,” he again suddenly enlightened to the fact that clever talk and a conniving manner are not talents, and that humility is a higher realm of life.

In chapter 81 of Dao De Jing it states, “Kind people don’t argue; people who argue are not kind.” This chapter also goes on to say that: “Honest words may not be pleasant to listen to; and pleasant words may not be honest. Smart people may not have a wide vocabulary while those who are experienced and knowledgeable may not be smart.”

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One Yuan

April 7, 2010

Apr
7

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The tale of One Yuan - Our heart will not be at peace if we obtain something through improper means. (Courtesy Wikipedia Commons)

Hello everyone, this is Grace Mann welcoming you back to Ancient Tales of Wisdom, an SOH Radio Network initiative.  SOH takes great pride in bringing these wonderful stories, tales, and legends to you, our valued listeners. We trust that these fables inspire your hearts and minds as much as they do ours, and that they give rise to your every day.   The title of today’s tale is: One Yuan

As a child, I lived through the Great Cultural Revolution when there was only a few classes taught at school. Therefore, we spent most of our time playing or sitting on the side of the street. Girls would play a game where players performed complicated routines on a pair of long bands of rubber and those who could not perform the routine without making any mistakes were dropped out. This simple game was one of the most important activities of my childhood.

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For a debt of seven pennies

February 21, 2010

Feb
21

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The grandfather looked around and found himself sitting among several tombs. (Image courtesy laura padgett/Flickr)

Welcome back to the SOH Radio Network the home of Ancient Tales of Wisdom. Hello everyone, I’m Grace Mann, and it is my privilege to bring you the following factual story as told by a grandson of his grandfather’s experience.  This story is titled: For a Debt of Seven Pennies.

The author’s grandfather was a famous doctor in his hometown. One night, after receiving an urgent call from a villager, he took a ferry to see the patient. Because he arrived very early in the morning and did not want to bother the patient’s family, he decided to wait until a more reasonable hour before knocking at the door. In the darkness, he settled himself on the bank beside the river to take a nap. While resting, he overheard a conversation between two children.

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The monk who overslept

January 30, 2010

Jan
30

Buddha Shakyamuni teaching his disciples  Wikimedia Commons

Buddha Shakyamuni teaching his disciples. (Courtesty Wikimedia Commons)

Welcome again to Ancient Tales of Wisdom brought to you by the SOH Radio Network. Hello, I’m Grace Mann. Today’s story dates back to over 2,500 years ago and tells how one of Buddha Shakyamuni’s disciples became known as “The Monk Who Overslept.”

But first, let’s listen to an update ‘quote of the day, from an audience member attending a Fort Lauderale,  Shen Yun Performing Arts performance during its 2010 Global Tour.      [audio]

And now, to our story “The monk who over slept.”

Buddha Shakyamuni repeatedly taught his disciples to study Buddhist doctrine attentively and wholeheartedly, and that they must not slack off or be lazy. Most of his disciples followed his teachings and cultivated diligently, and therefore obtained the Dao and reached their Attainment Status while eliminating a lot of worries and suffering.

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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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Fill your heart with compassion

January 11, 2010

Jan
11

Renowned ancient  Chinese herbalist Li ShiZhen 1518-1593, who lived in the Qichun County, Hubei Province during the Ming dynasty.

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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Holes in the heart

December 15, 2009

Dec
15

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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