Zen Stories
Who Tied You Up
This morning, while wiping my mala beads, a phrase suddenly surfaced in my mind. "Who tied you up?" Four words. Strange to say, but they floated up fr
6/3/20266 min
Writings
What Ru Shi Writes
Whatever comes to mind. Sometimes a story I read, sometimes something that came to me while holding my mala beads.
Recent
Buddhist Notes
The Man Who Was Always Laughing: The Story of Budai Monk
Behind that chubby, big-bellied, grinning Buddha at the temple entrance, there was a real person — a monk who carried a cloth bag and spent his life smiling. This is his story.
6/2/202610 min
Zen Stories
Su Dongpo and Foyin: Eight Winds Cannot Move Me, One Fart Crosses the River
Su Dongpo thought he was enlightened and wrote a poem declaring "the eight winds cannot move me." Foyin replied with two words: "Bullshit." He immediately crossed the river to confront his friend. This ancient story feels like it's about me.
6/1/20268 min
All Writings
Tea Time
A Bowl of Clear Water: Sen no Rikyu's Tea Was Never for Tea Experts
The great tea master Sen no Rikyu said tea is nothing more than boiling water, whisking tea, and drinking it. Yet he spent a whole winter preparing for just that. What hides in a bowl of clear water?
4/25/202610 min
What I See
Cultural Confidence: Contemporary Life Through Eastern Aesthetics
Cultural confidence is not blind pride but deep understanding and identification with one's own culture. Eastern aesthetics offers unique wisdom for modern life.
4/7/20267 min
What I See
Tea Ceremony: Heaven and Earth in a Cup
A cup of tea contains heaven and earth. From the tea leaf to the boiling water, from the teapot to the teacup, everything is Dao.
4/7/20268 min
What I See
Incense Culture: Healing Body and Mind Through Millennia
Chinese incense culture has a long history, from ancient sacrificial rituals to modern life aesthetics. Incense is not only a fragrance but also a healing for body and mind.
4/7/20269 min
What I See
The Sword Forged from Grinding: Modern Inheritance of Traditional Craftsmanship
Good swords are forged through grinding. Traditional craftsmanship also needs the sharpening of time to shine with new brilliance in modern society.
4/7/20268 min
What I See
History of Chinese Incense Culture: From Rituals to Lifestyle Aesthetics
Chinese incense culture spans thousands of years. From ancient rituals to modern lifestyle aesthetics, incense has always been an important part of Chinese culture. Understanding incense is understanding the Chinese spiritual world.
4/7/202615 min
What I See
Tea Ceremony: Zen and Life in a Cup
Tea is not merely a beverage, but an attitude toward life. In the gestures of pouring water, adding tea, and serving, we discover the essence of Eastern culture and the serenity of existence.
4/7/202612 min
What I See
Amulets - A Spiritual Journey Through Culture
# Amulets: A Spiritual Journey Through Culture > "Every amulet is a vessel of blessings, a witness to history." ## Introduction Amulets, these small objects, carry cultural memories spanning thous
4/7/202610 min
Insights
Ji Xianlin: Life Wisdom of an Oriental Studies Master
Ji Xianlin devoted his life to researching Eastern culture, with countless publications. He taught us: True scholarship requires sitting on a cold bench; be sincere in life; the meaning of life lies in contribution.
4/7/202617 min
What I See
The Secret of Mala Beads: The Meaning of 108
Why are mala beads usually 108? What does each bead represent? Understand the deep meaning behind mala bead counts and choose the right prayer beads for yourself.
4/7/202612 min
What I See
Amulets - A Spiritual Journey Through Culture
4/6/202610 min
What I See
Tea Pets - The Little Companions on Your Tea Table
Tea pets are the finishing touch on any tea table. Nourished by tea, they grow more beautiful with time. From the auspicious meanings of golden toads and pixiu, to choosing between purple clay and ceramic materials, to nurturing methods and the spirit of tea ceremony—a complete guide to the world of tea pets.
4/3/202612 min
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