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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Love Story of Niu Lang and Heavenly Weaver Maiden
According to legend, on the night of the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar, cow herder Niu Lang and Heavenly Weaver Maiden will travel across the Milky Way over a bridge formed by swallows to their once-a-year meeting. The love story between Niu Lang and Weaver Maiden has long been told by the Chinese.
Weaver Maiden is the youngest daughter of the Heavenly King, and she is skilled at weaving any beautiful patterns and colors. When you see brilliant skies and seven-colored rainbows, it must have come from Weaver Maiden’s skillful hands.
Niu Lang was a cow herder who was born into a poor family in southern China. His parents died when he was young, and he grew up with a lot of hardships. He lived alone and tended cows for a living. He was honest, kind and diligent, but being poor, he was not able to find a woman to marry.
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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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(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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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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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…]
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