One day, the king sent envoys to invite all the monks to his palace. Mokelu was ashamed of his stupidity. He was afraid of joining the gathering. After everyone left, he was very sad. He found a rope, stood under a big tree and wanted to end his life. At that moment, the solemn Buddha appeared in front of him and scolded him seriously, “Mokelu, instead of cultivating yourself diligently and finding out your shortcomings, you are doing such a stupid thing.”  Buddha stopped for a few seconds and continued, “You were a cultivator with broad and profound knowledge in your past life.  But you did not want to teach others. You were very arrogant and scolded others. That is why you are stupid in you current life as punishment. You can not blame others for this. You have to deeply repent all your wrong doings. Ending your life can not end your crime. ”

Buddha’s words woke Mokelu up. Mokelu felt very ashamed. He knelt down in front of Buddha and repented all his wrongdoings. The benevolent Buddha did not count his past wrongdoings against him and still considered him to be a good person as long as he learned from his mistakes.

Then Buddha patiently taught Mokelu the Fa and inspired his wisdom. Since the time was also right, Mokelu was enlightened and achieved the True Fruition. His wisdom was opened up suddenly. He was able to understand Buddha’s delicate Fa and could see everything. At that time, Buddha knew that Mokelu was enlightened. He urged Mokelu to join the king’s gathering and teach Fa to the people there. When he was about to leave, Buddha told him:” You had 500 disciples when you were the elder of the Buddhist monastery. Those 500 disciples are the 500 Picchu who are in the King’s palace. Now you go there as soon as possible because they are waiting for your guidance.”

After bidding farewell to the Buddha, Mokelu came to the palace. The party was about to begin. Mokelu saw a highest empty seat. He sat there without any hesitation. Everyone thought that Mokelu must be insane when they saw Mokelu’s behavior. Nobody said anything in that situation, especially in front of the king. After everyone finished their meal, without any fear, Mokelu stood up and started to teach the Fa to the 500 Picchu and the other people at the gathering with his touching voice and solemn appearance. Everyone admired him.

The 500 Picchu were also ashamed. They had thought that Mokelu was stupid. But he was actually an enlightened being.

Zhou Chu Got Rid of the Three Terrors

Welcome to another Tales of Wisdom, today our story is about a young man who discovered that where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Zhou Chu lived during the Jin Dynasty (1115 – 1234), in a place now called Yixing, in Jiangsu province. Lacking proper parental guidance during his childhood, Zhou developed into a rough and unrestrained menace, with a temperament that was rude, fierce, and unscrupulous. He became the village terror, and villagers were extremely fearful of him, avoiding him like the plague.

As time went by, Zhou realized that his fellow countrymen detested him, and he desired to mend his ways. He saw that most of the villagers were depressed and had a worried look. He was puzzled, and asked: “Now that there is peace throughout the country, favorable weather, an abundant harvest, and everything is what could be wished for; so why so glum?” The elders replied: “There are three terrors here at present yet to be dealt with - how can anybody be joyous?” Zhou asked: “Which three terrors?” The elders said: “The random assault on people by the white tiger in the Southern Mountains is one of the terrors; the flood dragon in the river under the Long Bridge which often injures people and livestock is another; as for the third …” the elders hesitated for a moment, “I am afraid, it has to be you.”

After hearing this, Zhou was quiet for a long time. Finally, he said resolutely: “I can get rid of all three terrors!”

With sharp weapons in hand, Zhou single-handedly went to the mountains in search of the ferocious white tiger. He fought hard and finally killed the beast. He then proceeded to the river, and vigorously wrestled with the flood dragon for three days and nights, finally beheading it.

During those three days, when Zhou had not returned, the villagers thought he must have been dead. Believing that all three terrors were now gone at once - and thereupon all would be well - the villagers were ecstatic. They congratulated each other, reveled, and jumped for joy. At that moment, Zhou returned and witnessed the jubilation. He then understood that everyone truly hated him, and was deeply saddened and ashamed. He firmly made up his mind to make amends, and be born anew.

Having now made up his mind and formed his will, Zhou wasted no time. He found out that the grandsons of the great General Lu Xun: Lu Ji and Lu Yun - were learned scholars, he paid them a special visit to ask them to be his teachers.

After only meeting with Lu Yun, Zhou told him about his situation, saying, “I truly want to make amends and start over, but because of my advanced age, I don’t know if there is still time.” Lu Yun encouraged Zhou. “The ancients held in high regards people who are willing to change,” he said. “Your future, sir, is quite bright. Besides, one should be more concerned about one’s resolve than one’s reputation.”

Lu Yun’s remarks were instructive and encouraging. It was then Zhou realized a profound truth: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Zhou worked hard and assiduously, determined to improve his ways, and paid great attention to self-cultivation and refining his moral character. Within the course of just one year, his reputation became drastically different, such that local government officials all recommended he serve office.

Soon Zhou Chu became an official. For the next thirty years he held many positions and was a diligent and accomplished official. As governor of Xinping, he managed good relationships with the ethnic minority population there. When he was governor of Guanghan, he cleared up many historic matters left over from his predecessors. When he was a high ranking disciplinary officer, he would hold on to principles and remained ethical.

Zhou’s ethics and morally upright conduct offended some bad, powerful people. When minority leader Qi Wannian later started to rebel, Zhou Chu’s enemies wanted him to fight the rebel forces, hoping to get rid of him in the process. His friends knew of this vicious plan and tried to persuade Zhou Chu to dodge the assignment. Zhou Chu said firmly, “I said good-bye to my parents and I’m now working for the emperor. No parents can treat their son as private property. Today is my time to give my life.” In the end, Zhou fell to the villains’ entrapment, died in the battlefield, and sacrificed his life for the country.

Zhou proved courageous enough to make fundamental changes in his character, transforming from a wicked terror to a loyal, commendable officer, and a source of inspiration for future generations. His story shows that a person can make mistakes, but so long as he is willing and determined to mend his ways, he can live an upright life, and a bright future awaits him.

King Lu Ai Gong asked Confucius, “Is it true that the fate of a nation is determined by heaven and not just the actions of men?”

Confucius answered, “The fate of your country will depend on your own actions. Special phenomena cannot alone change the fate of your nation.”

The King said, “Okay. Could you please provide some facts regarding this statement?”

Confucius said, “During King Zhou’s period of the Shang Dynasty, near the city wall of the capital there was a little bird that gave birth to a big bird. The King consulted a soothsayer about it. The soothsayer said, ‘Whenever a small thing gives birth to a big thing, it means that the nation will unify the land and the nation shall become more and more prosperous.’ The King thus became very complacent. He thought that he could just depend on the omen. He stopped working hard in ruling his country and became extremely brutal toward his officials and the people. None of the officials in the imperial court were able to stop him. In the end, outside enemies attacked their country and overthrew the Shang Dynasty. This is an example of a good omen that brought disaster, the reason being that the king gave up good actions and disobeyed the law of heaven.

In comparison, during the time of King Zhou’s ancestor King Tai Wu, the morality in society was very bad and the laws of the nation were very chaotic. This had caused the growth of an abnormal plant, which grew inside the imperial compound. It grew very quickly. Within seven days, it was large enough for two people to embrace it. The King consulted a soothsayer and the soothsayer said, ‘This type of wild plant should not grow inside the imperial compound, but now it does. It means that the nation is about to come to an end.’ King Tai Wu was very scared. He began to watch his actions carefully and he also thought about how the earlier kings ruled the nation correctly and cared about the people. Within three years, many kings of other countries heard about King Tai Wu’s great virtue and as many as sixteen kings had sent their messengers to visit and pay their respects to the Shang Dynasty. This is an example of giving up bad actions and as a result, the supposedly bad omen had turned good.

Therefore, when heaven makes special phenomena and disasters appear, it is heaven’s warning to rulers; when the officials dream about strange and meaningful stories, it is heaven’s warning to the officials. Disasters and strange phenomena will not defeat the good policies and good decrees of a nation; dreams will not defeat high morals and great virtues. If one can do things like this - giving up bad actions and following good actions - this would be the best way of governing a country. Only the wise kings are able to do so.”

King Lu Ai Gong said, “Your teaching will serve precisely to correct my ignorance. It is so wonderful to hear your teachings!”

King Zhou gave up good actions and became evil, and his country was destroyed. King Tai Wu gave up bad actions and became good, and his country began to flourish. Today’s Chinese Communist regime has been a dictatorship since the beginning. It indulges the evil and has done all kinds of evil deeds. Heaven is angry and the people are complaining.

Now the woman did not know the king, but she saw that he was an English soldier, and that he was very tired, so she let him come in and sit in her kitchen.

Upon the hearth before the fire, some cakes were baking, and the woman told the stranger that if he watched them, and took care that they did not burn, she would give him some supper. Then she went away to do her work.

At first, King Alfred watched the cakes carefully; when they were well cooked on one side he turned the other to the fire. But, after a time, he began to think of his country, and of his poor people, and then he forgot his task.

When the woman came back, the cakes were black and burnt. “You are an idle fellow,” cried she angrily. “You would be quite ready to eat the cakes, but you will not take the trouble to watch them.”

While she was loudly scolding, her husband came home. He knew King Alfred. “Hush, wife!” cried he. “It is our noble lord the king!”

When the woman heard this, she was much afraid, and she begged Alfred to forgive her.

The king smiled, and said: “I will gladly forgive you for your scolding, good wife, if you will forgive me for spoiling your supper.”

Once upon a time, there was a literary man surnamed Zhou in Pei State. He had three sons in their early 20’s. They appeared very healthy. But other than being able to utter some sounds, none of them could speak.

One day a man passed by Zhou’s house and asked for a cup of water. He heard strange noises inside the house, so he asked Mr. Zhou, “What is that noise?”

Mr. Zhou replied, “My sons. They cannot speak. They can only utter some sounds.”

The man said, “Perhaps you should search inward and ask yourself why such a great misfortune had befallen upon your sons.”

Mr. Zhou was amazed by the man’s advice. He thought to himself, “This is by no means an ordinary man.”

After a long while, Mr. Zhou came out and told the man, “I don’t remember I have done anything wrong.”

The man said, “Why don’t you try to recall things you have done in your childhood?”

Mr. Zhou entered his room again and thought hard about his childhood. After a long time, he came out and confessed to the man, “When I was very little, a swallow built a nest at the head of my bed. After the swallow hatched three eggs, she started flying out daily hunting for food for her baby swallows. The baby swallows would open their big mouths and ate everything the mother swallow brought them. I watched the mother swallow feeding her babies every day. One day I put one of my fingers into the nest, and the baby swallows tried to eat my finger. I took three large thorny seeds and gave each baby swallow a thorny seed. They died shortly afterwards. When the mother swallow returned and saw her dead babies, she wailed sadly and flew away. To this day, every time I think of it, I still regret killing the three baby swallows.”

After having heard his confession, the man turned into a Tao. He told Mr. Zhou, “Since you have confessed your crime, I will stop the punishment.”

Suddenly Mr. Zhou’s three sons could speak like normal people. Then the Tao disappeared into thin air.

It is truly admirable for a man to correct his faults once he finds them.

According to the Buddha school, when someone beats others or curse others, he will ultimately be punished for his sins. Killing animals or human beings is an even greater sin. Mr. Zhou in the story created a terrible sin for himself by killing three innocent living beings, so he had to suffer for his sins. He paid back his sin by painfully watching his sons unable to speak for twenty years and by honestly confessing his childhood crime. It is true that a fault confessed is half redressed. It is truly important for us to search inward for our faults and attachments when we encounter tribulation and immediately correct them.

Visit divineperformingarts.org for a truly uplifting and inspiring experience!

Baozang felt very puzzled and immediately returned to Beijing. Meanwhile, the emperor, Taizong, was suffering badly from dysentery. Many doctors had tried to treat him but were all ineffective. So, the emperor issued an imperial order to all officials in the court, directing them to find someone who could treat this kind of illness. He told them that whoever found such a person would certainly get a generous reward.

Baozang himself had previous bouts with dysentery, so upon hearing news of the emperor’s condition, he submitted the prescription for the cure he had used. The medicine consisted of stir-frying piper longumi with milk. After taking this medicine, the emperor immediately became well and subsequently issued an imperial order for the prime minister, Wei Zheng, to appoint Zhang Baozang to a government position of official with the fifth highest rank. Wei Zheng, however, didn’t like Zhao Baozang and decided on his own not to issue the promotion order for Zhang Baozang.

More than a month went by, and the emperor suddenly suffered from the same sickness again. He said to the nearby servants, “The fried piper longumi remedy I took before was very effective,” and ordered them to prepare the medicine again. He became well again after taking this medicine. Upon his recovery, the emperor reflected for a while and said to his prime minister, “I once issued an order to award the person who presented the formula with a position that carries the fifth highest rank. I don’t remember seeing that person being promoted yet. Why is that?” Wei Zheng became afraid, and said, “When I got you order, I did not know whether you meant to honor him with a civil official position or a military one.” The emperor became angry, “He cured the emperor. Why don’t we give him a position that carries the third-highest rank? I am an emperor. Am I inferior to you?” Severely he continued, “Honor him with a civil official position with a designation of the third-highest rank. In addition, honor him with the title ‘Honglu Loyal Minister Official.’”

All of these events happened on the 60th day of the monk’s prediction.

Qi Jiguang (November 12, 1528 – January 5, 1588) was a national hero during the Ming Dynasty. He was best remembered for his courage and leadership in the fight against Japanese pirates along the east coast of China as well as his reinforcement work on the Great Wall of China. According to historical accounts, Qi Jiguang’s father, Qi Jingtong (戚景通), was an honest and upright man. He cultivated in his son a yearning for knowledge as well as a firm set of morals. When his father died, Qi Jiguang took over the commandership of the Dengzhou Garrison at the age of seventeen. The rest, as they say, is history.

Qi Jingtong was rather old at the age of 56 before having a son, and he loved the child dearly. He personally taught Qi Jiguang to read books and to practice martial arts. He was also very strict when it came to his son’s character development and moral conduct.

One day, when Qi Jiguang was 13, he tried on a pair of exquisitely made silk shoes and fell in love with them. He walked back and forth in the courtyard lingering and relishing in their elegance. This caught the eye of his father.

His father called him to the study and admonished him angrily, “Once you put on good shoes, you will naturally want to wear good clothes. Once you wear good clothes, you will naturally think about eating good food. At such a young age, you have already developed the yearning for good clothing and good food. In time to come, you will be insatiably greedy and when you grow up, you will pursue delicious food and beautiful clothing. If you were a military officer, perhaps you would even embezzle the soldiers’ pay. If you continue like this, it would be difficult for you to succeed in any undertaking honestly.”

Qi Jiguan’s father then learnt that the silk shoes were a gift from his maternal grandfather. But even so, he ordered Jiguang to take off the shoes and instantly tore them to pieces. He did this to prevent Jiguang from developing the bad habit of indulging in luxury.

The Qi family has a dozen dilapidated thatched huts that had been left in disrepair for many years so Qi Jingtong hired several craftsmen to renovate them. In order to have a presentable place to receive officials from the royal court, he asked the artisans to install four engraved doors in the main hall and had Qi Jiguang supervising the installation.

The artisans considered the Qi family a prominent and prestigious household and thought that it would not be befitting if there were only four engraved doors. They talked to Qi Jiguang privately, “Your family consist of great Generals. For such a prestigious household, all doors throughout the compound should be engraved with flowery embossments, which would be twelve leaves in total. Only this can match the prestige of your family.” Qi Jiguang thought their suggestion was reasonable and brought it up with his father.

Qi Jingtong reprimanded his son sternly for his vain and flashy idea and warned him, “If you pursue vanity, you won’t be able to accomplish great things when you grow up.” Qi Jiguang accepted his father’s criticism and told the artisans to install only four engraved doors.

Qi Jingtong also taught his son that the purpose of studying literature and practicing martial arts was not to pursue personal fame and fortune but to serve the country and the people, and also to cultivate moral conducts such as, “loyalty, filial piety, incorruptibility, and proprieties”.

Under his father’s personal instruction through his words and deeds, Qi Jiguang was content with a quiet and modest existence. He diligently focused on his studies and his practice of martial arts. Later, he became a celebrated General and defended the country against foreign invasion and was also an outstanding military strategist in the Ming Dynasty. His legacy was firmly etched in the annals of history.

Showing off, wallowing in and attaching to things like external appearance, wealth, knowledge, achievements and status in order to gain adulation and praise are all signs of vanity. The root of vanity is egotism. This trait will undermine one’s lofty aspirations and cause one to fall short of being anything great. If one becomes slave to such illusory glory and fights with or even harms others, it will be lamentable indeed.

Even though Qi Jiguang’s family prestige and status could support a life of indulgence and opulence, his father did not wish for him to be brought up in pursuit of these ways, and instead focused on his inner character and upright moral standing.

Many parents who are often eager to give their children the best of everything in our modern materialistic world could well take a lesson from this approach, and teach their children to appreciate that success in life does not depend on what you wear or what you own, but should be a reflection of the strength of your character and moral values.