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Love Legend: A Peacock Flying to the Southeast
The legend A Peacock Flying to the Southeast was the work of an anonymous poet living in the Jian An period at the end of the Han Dynasty (196—219 AD). It is one of the collections of the Music Academy (yuefu) formed by the Eastern Han courts to gather literary works created largely but not exclusively by common people. Unlike a Western epic, Chinese poems of this genre, known as the "Han Yuefu songs," use vernacular language and depict mostly the average people. A typical yuefu song has regular five-syllable lines and both Mulan and A Peacock Flying to the Southeast follow this rule.
Su Shi's Story: How Fart Can Make You Grow Spiritually?
Su Dongpo was an avid student of Buddhist teachings. He was quick-witted and humorous; as a Zen Buddhism follower he was very serious and self-disciplined. He often discussed buddhism with his good friend, Zen Master Foyin. The two lived across the river from one another.
Behavior Mirrors the Mind - the Story of Su Dongpo and Fo Yin
Su Dongpo, the famous scholar, one day joined Fo Yin, a Buddhist monk, in sitting meditation. They meditated for some time before Su Dongpo opened his eyes and asked Fo Yin, "What did you see in me when I was meditating?" Fo Yin looked at him and nodded in approval, "You looked like a stately Buddha." Su Dongpo was very pleased.
Stopping Halfway, Never Comes One's Day
In the Warring States Period, in the state of Wei lived a man called Leyangtsi. His wife was very angelic and virtuous, who was loved and respected dearly by the husband.
The Gentleman on the Beam
In the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), there lived a man called Chen Shi, who had been the head of a county. He was admired and respected by people for his fine morality and good reputation. He was ready to be promoted, instead he retired for some political reasons and lived in his hometown since then.
The Fall of a State
The powerful emperor, Liu Che, of Han Dynasty was a successful sovereign, who was not only a politician but also a talent poet. He started the famous official conservatory for collecting and composing folk songs and ballads.
A Wily Hare Has Three Burrows
In the Warring States Period, the Prime Minister, Meng Changjun, of the Qi State, supported and fed many people at his home. One of them was called Feng Xuan. One day, Feng Xuan was sent to collect what the tenant farmers owed to the landlord (Meng Changjun). When he got to the place, he declared self-assertively to the farmers that all the tenancy contracts would be demolished at once. Cheers burst out among the happy farmers; they owed great gratitude to Meng Changjun, their landlord.
A Fond Dream of Nanke
In Tang Dynasty, there lived a person called Chun Yufen, who thought himself a wise man but was not recognized by people then. So he often felt sad and drank down to pass his time. One day, he was drinking under an old pagoda tree, to the south of his house. he soon fell asleep and had a dream.
A Loss May Turn Out to Be a Gain
Long ago, near the frontier lived an old man. One day he found his horse missing. It was said that the horse was seen running outside the border of the country. The neighbors came to comfort him for the unfortunate loss. But the old man was unexpectedly calm and said, "It doesn't matter; it may not be a bad event, on the contrary, I think it can be a good one."
A Mantis Trying to Stop a Chariot
When somebody overrates himself, he is often warned: "Don't be a mantis trying to stop a chariot." The saying comes from a legend dated back to the Spring and Autumn Period.