Friday, October 15, 2010

Chapter 10 – Guard the Heart-Mind (Xin)

Favor and patronage can lead to mischief.

Thus in times of pleasant goodwill,

It is important to be constantly on guard.

The aftermath of failure can be the success.

Thus when things go contrary, don’t lose heart.



If you enjoy these excerpt, buy the book, Hong, Zicheng; Aitken, Robert (2006), Vegetable Roots Discourse: Wisdom from Ming China on Life and Living, Avalon Publishing Group.

Chapter 9 – “True self” and “Delusion” changes within a moment.

When human sounds are hushed late in the night,

I sit alone and examine my heart-mind.

Delusions seem to lift and abruptly my true person appears.

At such moments, a great opportunity seems to draw near.

But with truth becoming manifest my delusion still persist after all, and I feel great shame…



If you enjoy these excerpt, buy the book, Hong, Zicheng; Aitken, Robert (2006), Vegetable Roots Discourse: Wisdom from Ming China on Life and Living, Avalon Publishing Group.

Chapter 8 – The natural function never ceases

The universe seems silent and unmoving,

Yet its natural functions never cease.

The sun and moon hurry along day and night,

Yet there brightness never diminishes.

By the same token, the noble person is alert while at leisure, and makes time for “tasteful” pursuits when busy with duties.



If you enjoy these excerpt, buy the book, Hong, Zicheng; Aitken, Robert (2006), Vegetable Roots Discourse: Wisdom from Ming China on Life and Living, Avalon Publishing Group.

Chapter 7 – Ordinary is quite Sagely

Rich wine, fatty meats, spicy and sweet foods don’t have true flavour.

True flavour is actually quite bland.

The sage is not an exotic super person.

The true sage is actually ordinary.



If you enjoy these excerpt, buy the book, Hong, Zicheng; Aitken, Robert (2006), Vegetable Roots Discourse: Wisdom from Ming China on Life and Living, Avalon Publishing Group.

Chapter 6 – Human Heart finds Happiness in Harmony

Birds are ill at ease in high winds and pelting rain,

Grasses and trees rejoice in sunshine and gentle breezes.

Just as heaven and earth needs harmony every day,

So every day the human heart needs happiness.



If you enjoy these excerpt, buy the book, Hong, Zicheng; Aitken, Robert (2006), Vegetable Roots Discourse: Wisdom from Ming China on Life and Living, Avalon Publishing Group.

Chapter 5 – Better to be in the opportunity for cultivatio

If treacherous talk constantly assails your ears and hostility constantly troubles your heart,

use this power as whetstones of moral cultivation.

If every word fell pleasantly on your ears and every event gladdened your heart,

then your entire life would be mired in venomous poison.



If you enjoy these excerpt, buy the book, Hong, Zicheng; Aitken, Robert (2006), Vegetable Roots Discourse: Wisdom from Ming China on Life and Living, Avalon Publishing Group.