真心誠意X手繪工坊 Since 2013

(Three Character Classic = Disciple Gauge = Old moral = Dizigui)

⭐All people are innately good. -- Three Character Classic (= Disciple Gauge = Old moral = Dizigui)

⭐Human nature is originally good. -- Buddhist teaching

Men at their birth, are naturally good. Their natures are much the same; their habits become widely different. If follishly there is no teaching, the nature will deteriorate. The right way in teaching, is to attach the utmost importance in thoroughness. Of old, the mother of Mencius chose a neighbourhood and when her child would not learn, she broke the shuttle from the loom. Tou of the Swallow Hills had the right method He taugh five son, each of whom raised the family reputation. To feed without teaching, is the father's fault. To teach without severity, is the teacher's laziness. If the child does not learn, this is not as it should be. If he does not learn while young, what will he be when old ? If jade is not polished, it cannot become a thing of use. If a man does not learn, he cannot know his duty towards his neighbour. He who is the son of a man, when he is young, should attach himself to his teachers and friends; and practise ceremonial usages. Hsiang, at nine years of age, could warm (his parent's) bed. Filial piety towards parents, is that to which we should hold fast. Jung, at four years of age, "Younger") could yield the (bigger) pears. To hehave as a younger brother towards elders, is one of the first things to know. Begin with filial piety and fraternal love, and then see and hear. Learn to count, and learn to read. units and tens, then tens and hundreds, hundreds and thousands, thousands and then tens of thousands. The three forces, are heaven, earth and man. The three luminaries, are the sun,the moon and the stars. The three bonds, are the obligation between soverign and subject, the love between father and child, the harmony between husband and wife. We speak of spring and summer, we speak of autumn and winter, These four seasons, revolve without ceasing. We speak of North and South, we speak of East and West, These four points, respond to the requirements of the centre. We speak of water, fire, wood, metal and earth. These five elements, have their origin in number. We speak of charity, of duty towards one neighbour, of propriety, of wisdom, and of truth. these five virtues, admit of no compromise. Rice , spike, millet, pulse wheat, glutinous millet and common millet, These six grains, are those which men eat. The horse, the ox, the sheep, the fowl, the dog, the pig. These six animals, are those which men keep. We speak of joy, of anger, we speak of pity, of fear, of love , of hate and of desire. These are the seven passions. There are gourd, pottery, leather, And wood, stone and metal, Together with string and bamboo, All these can be made into musical instruments. Great great grandfather,great grandfather, grandfather, father and self, self and son, son and grandson, from son and grandson, on to great grandson and great great grandson. These are the nine agnates, constituting the kinships of man. Affection between father and child, harmony between husband and wife, friendliness on the part of elder brothers, respectfulness on the part of younger brothers, procedence between elders and youngers, as between friend and friend. Respect on the part of the sovereign, loyalty on the part of the subject. These ten obligations, are common to all men. In the education of the young, there should be explanation and eluciation, careful teaching of the interpretations of commentators, and due attention to paragraphs and sentences. Those who are learners, must have a beginning. The "little learning" finished, they proceed to the four books. There is the Lun Yu (discourse or Analects), in twenty sections. In this, the various disciples, have recorded the wise sayings of Confucious. The works of Mencius, have comprised in seven section. These explain the way and exemplifications thereof, and expound clarity and duty towards one's neighbour. The Chung Yung (the doctrine of the mean), by the pen of Tzu-su; Chung (the middle) being that which odes not lean towards any side, Yung( the course) being that which cannot be changed. He who wrote the 'Great Learning' was the philosopher Tseng. Beginning with cultivation of the individual and ordering of the family, It goes on to government of one's own State and unifying of the countries. When the "Classic of Filial Piety" is mastered, and the "Four books" are known by heart. The next step is to the "Six classics", which may now be studied. the books of poetry, of history and of changes. the 'rites of chou dynasty, the book of tites, and the 'spring and autum annals' are the six classics which should be carefully explained and analysed. There is the Lien Shan System, there is the Kuei Tsang And there is the system of Changes of the Chou Dynasty, such are the 3 systems which elucidate the changes. There are the Regulations and the Counsels, The Instruction, The Annoucements, The Oaths, The Charges, These are the profundities of the Book of History. Our Duke of Chou, drew up the Ritual of the Chou Dynasty, in which he set forth the duties of the six classes of officials; and thus gave a settled form to the government. The Elder and the Younger Tai, wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites. They publish the holy words, and Ceremonies and Music were set in order. We speak of the Kuo Feng, we speak of the Ya and the Sung. These are the four sections of the Book of poetry, which should be hummed over and over. When odes ceased to be made, the Spring and Autumn Annals were produced. These Annals contain praise and blame, and distinguish the good from the bad. The three commentaries upon the above, include that of Kung-Yang, that of Tso and that of Ku-Liang. When the classics were understood, then the writings of the various philosophers should be read. Pick out the important points in each, and take a note of the facts. The five chielf phlosophers, are Haun, Yang, Wen Chung Tzu Lao Tzu and Chung Tzu. When the classics and the philosophers are mastered, the various histories should then be read, and the genealogical connections should be examined, so that the end of one dynasty and the beginning of the next be known. From Fu Hsi and Shen Nung. onto the Yellow Emperor, these are called the three rulers, who lived in the early ages. Tang and Yu-Yu are called the two emperors. They adbicated, one after the other, and their was called the Golden Age. The Hsia dynasty has Yu and the Shang dynasty has T'ang' The Chou dynasty had Wen and Wu; these are called the Three Kings Under the Hsia dynasty the throne was transmitted from father to son, making a family possession of the empire. After four hundred years, the imperial sacrifice passed from the house of Hsia. T'ang the completer destroyed the Hsia Dynasty, and the Dynastic title became Shang. The line lasted for six hundred years, ending with Chou Hsin. King Wu of the Chou Dynasty finally slew Chou Hsin. His own line lasted for eight hundred years; the longest dynasty of all. When the Chous made tracks eastwards, the feudal bond was slackened; the arbitrament of spear and shields prevailed; and peripatetic politicians were held in high esteem. This period began with the Spring and Autum Epoch and ended with that of the Warring States. Next, the Five Chieftains domineered, and Seven Martial States came to the front. Then the House of Chin, descended from the Ying clan, finally united all the states under one sway. The thrown was transmitted to Erh Shih, upon which followed the struggle between the Ch'u and the Han states. Then Kao Tsu arose, and the House of Han was established. When we come to the reign of Hsiao P'ing, Wang Mang usurped the throne. Then Kuang Wu arose, and founded the Eastern Han Dynasty. It lasted four hundred years, and ended with the Emperor Hsien. Wei, Shu and Wu, fought for the sovereignty of the Hans. They were called the Three Kingdoms, and existed until the two Chin Dynasties. Then followed the Sung and the Ch'i dynasties, and after them the Liang and Ch'en dynasties These are the Southen dynasties, with their capital at Nanking. The northern dynasties are the Wei dynasty and the Yuan family which split into Eastern and Western Wei. The Chou dynasty and the Yuwen family, with the Ch'i dynasty of the Kao family. At length, under the Sui dynasty, the empire was united under one ruler. The throne was not transmitted twice, succession to power being loast The first emperor of the T'ang dynasty raised volunteer troops. He put an end to the disorder of the House of Sui, and established the foundation of his line. Twenty times the thrown was transmitted, in a period of 300 years. The Liang State destroyed it, and the dynastic title was changed. The Liang, the T'ang, the Chin the Han and the Chou are called the five dynasties, and there was a reason for the establishment of each. Then the fire-led house of Sung arose, and received the resignation of the house of Chou. Eighteen times the throne was transmitted, and then the north and the south were reunited. The Seventeen Dynastic Histories, are all embraced in the above. They contain examples of good and bad government, whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay. Ye who read history must study the Annals, whereby you will understand ancient and modern events, as though having seen them with your own eyes. Recite them with the mouth, and ponder over them in your hearts. Do this in the morning; do this in the evening. Of old, Confucius, took Hsiang T'o for his teacher. The inspired men and sages of old, studied diligently nevertheless. Chao, president of the Council, studied the Lu Test of the Analects. He, when already an official, studied and moreover, with diligence. One opened out rushes and plaited them together, another scraped tablets of bamboo. These men had no books, but they knew how to make an effort. One tied his head to the beam above him; another pricked his thigh with an awl. They were not taught, but toiled hard of their own accord. Then we have one who put fireflies in a bag. and again another who used the white glare from snow. Although their families were poor, these men studied uncessingly. Again, there was one who carried fuel, and another who used horns and pegs. Although they toiled with their bodies, they were nevertheless remarkable for their application. Shu Lao-Chuan, at the age of twenty-seven at last began to show his energy, and devote himself to the study of books. Then when already past the age, he deeply regretted his delay. You little boys, should take thought betimes. Then there were Liang Hao, who at the age of eighty-two, made his replies to the great hall, and came out first among many scholars. When thus late he had succeeded, all men pronounced him a prodigy. You little boys, should make up your minds to work. Jung at eight of age, could compose poetry. Pi, at seven years of age, could make an epigram on wei-ch'.i These youths were quick of apprehension, and people declared them to be prodigies. You young learners, ought to imitate them. Ts'ai Wen-chi, was able to judge from the sound of a psaltery. Hsieh Tao-yun, was able to compose verses. They were only girls, yet they were quick and clever. You boys ought to rouse yourselves. Liu Yen of the Tang dynasty when only seven years of age, was ranked as an "inspired child" (child prodigy) and was appointed a Corrector of Texts. He, although a child, was already in an official post. You young learners strive to bring about a like result. Those who work, will also succeed as he did. The dog keep guard by night; the cock proclaims the dawn. If foolishly you do not study, how can you become men ? The silkworm produced silk, the bee makes honey. If man does not learn, he is not equal to the brutes Learn while young, and when grown up apply what you have learn; influencing the soverign above, benefitting the people below. Make a name for yourselves, and glority you father and mother. shed lustre on your ancestors, enrich your posterity. Men bequeath to their children, coffers of gold. I teach you children, only this book. Diligence has its reward; play has no advantages, Oh, be on your guard, and put forth your strength. 

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