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…]
"Heaven generates one, one generates water, and water generates ten thousand matters. (Debbie and Tad/Flickr)
Welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom, my name is Grace Mann, and it is my privilege to bring you another classical Chinese story: Knowing the Shape by Watching Water
Our human eyes have the ability to observe a myriad of things, but they always look from the outside. There is no way for them to see an object’s true form or true existence. For example, if you want to look at yourself, you have to use a mirror. If you do not have such a tool, you can only see other people’s appearances. So how do we correctly see both our own appearance and the current state of our country (China)? To do that, we can borrow wisdom from the ancient people of China.
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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…]
Your life will change at the moment when you start to learn how to disengage. (tinou bao/Flickr)
Hello and welcome, my name is Grace Mann, and it is my privilege to bring you another Ancient Tale of Wisdom: THE MOMENT WHEN YOU DISENGAGE.
In August of this year, brother Huang came to visit me. He told me that he was planning to sell the plant that he had inherited from uncle Huang. I was very surprised and asked why he had made such a sudden decision. He said that he was very tired and wanted to have a good rest. I kidded him: “You are only forty-three years old and you want to retire? Isn’t that too early? He answered: “It almost drives me crazy every day facing all the matters in the company. Also, I want to finish my first travelling work overseas.” After this, I shared his happiness and longings and then wished him good luck.
Yesterday brother Huang asked me out for dinner and told me that he had sold the plant. I congratulated him and asked him: “When are going to go? Do you need me to do anything for you?”
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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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Natural Equilibrium – Vitruvian Man, a representation of symmetry and balance.( Image courtesy of Luc Viatour/WickimediCo.)
Hello again, my name is Grace Mann, and it is my privilege to bring you a narration – Harmony and Virtue: Wise Men’s Sayings About Balance.
Prophets and wise people throughout the centuries have touted the idea of balance-balance in relation with happiness, with beauty, and with reason. The word harmony comes from the Greek word armonia whose root is areti, meaning virtue. The two words don’t look the same at first sight, but the origin (aro) is contained in the word armonia, suggesting that through virtue, balance will be achieved.
Socrates the Greek philosopher (470-399 BC) said:
“Virtue is when you avoid exaggerations.”
“Miden agan” written in ‘The Oracle of Delphi’ translates as – (Exaggerate nothing)
The words “Pan metrion ariston” meaning (All in good measure) are those of Cleovoulos of Rhodes, one of the seven sages of Greece.
Of course, sayings regarding balance are not common only to Greek philosophy.
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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…]
Lao Zi - said to be one of the most famous philosophers in Chinese history. Also known as the Father of Taoism
Hello and welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom proudly brought you by SOH Radio Network. My name is Grace Mann, and it is my privelege to bring you the story; One Benefits from Modesty and is Ruined by Complacence.
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There is an ancient Chinese saying, “One benefits from modesty and is ruined by complacence.” The famous Chinese Taoist Lao Zi said, “A man is able to tell right from wrong when he does not think of himself as a know-it-all. A man will be recognized for his achievements when he does not brag. A man is capable of great accomplishments if he is not proud.”
A tolerant person is bound to have good fortune. An intolerant person is bound to have bad fortune. Being humble or being proud determines one’s fortune. A humble man of lofty character will become increasingly moral. Hence, modesty is a virtue a moral person must maintain.
During the Spring and Autumn Period in ancient China, Zi Lu, a disciple of Confucius, once asked Confucius “Why does a degenerated person tend to be conceited?” Confucius replied, “At its origin in Wen Mountain, the Yangtze River is unable to even float a cup. But when the Yangtze River goes down to the next port, multiple boats can line up in a row on the river.” Zi Lu asked again, “What do you mean, teacher?” Confucius explained, “The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, but it is no more than a small brook at its origin. It becomes bigger and wider as it keeps receiving water from many different brooks and rivers. A man who thinks twice before he speaks does not boast or make empty promises. A man who thinks twice before he acts does not hug all the credit. A true gentleman is wise and kind. A true gentleman respects, tolerates and forgives others and is a man of his word. A degenerated man thinks little of virtue and that is the reason why he is not the man he appears to be on the outside and is conceited.”
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