Sanzi Jing

Let's study Sanzi Jing part two and see what we can learn something good.
凡訓蒙 須講究 詳訓詁 名句讀-Teach kids properly.
When teaching the ignorant,there should be explanation and investigation.Carefully teach the old [texts],clearly identify sentence and paragraphs. Old Chinese text (as recent as those written in the early 1900s) did not bother with any form of punctuation so properly parsing out the sentences and paragraphs was difficult.
為學者 必有初 小學終 至四書-Step by step learning from basic to advanced learning.
Those who would learn, must have a beginning. The basic schooling finished,they go on to the Four Books.
論語者 二十篇 群弟子 記善言-Learning the wise sayings.
There is The Analects,in twenty chapters. In this, the various disciples have recorded the wise sayings [of Confucius]The Analects are a compilation of sayings and teachings of Confucius (551-479 BCE).
孟子者 七篇止 講道德 說仁義-Learn abut virtue.
The works of Mencius,in seven chapters. speak of the road to virtue,talk about benevolence and righteousness. Mencius is a compilation of anecdotes by Mencius (371-289 BCE). He was a fourth-generation Confucian scholar and second only to Confucius in stature in the eyes of Confucianists.
作中庸 乃孔伋 中不偏 庸不易-Learn about the living.
The Doctrine (Way) of the Mean,by the pen of Kong Ji; the mean does not slant to one side, the way does not change.Kong Ji (also called Zi Si) was a grandson of Confucius. Discusses the importance of living according to the Tao.
作大學 乃曾子 自修齊 至平治-Learn about Self development.
He who wrote The Great Learning was the philosopher Zeng, [its teachings] ranging from developing as an individual to governing in peace.
孝經通 四書熟 如六經 始可讀-Learn about filial piety.
The "Classic of Filial Piety" mastered, and the "Four books" done,the "Six Classics",
can be started. Filial piety was the underpinning for Confucian society. Every person was expected to behave according to their position in the family and society. Failure to do so would result in chaos.
詩書易 禮春秋 號六經 當講求-Learn how to analyse.
The Book of Poetry, the Book of Documents, the Book of Changes, the Rites of the Zhou, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals are the Six Classics
which should be explained and analyzed.
有連山 有歸藏 有周易 三易詳-Learn about history.
There is the Lian Shan,there is the Gui Cang there is the Duke of Zhou,such are the three systems which elucidate the Book of Changes.The Book of Changes (or I Ching) is an ancient classic of Mysticism written in the 8-10th century BCE.
有典謨 有訓誥 有誓命 書之奧-Learn about history.
There are standards,there are instructions, mandates,there are oaths, orders,
such are the mysteries explained in the Book of Documents.The Book of Documents (History) records events reaching back to the time of the Yellow Emperor through the Xia and Shang dynasties.
我周公 作周禮 著六官 存治體-Learn about the culture.
Our Duke of Zhou,wrote the Rites of the Zhou,in which he established the six classes of officials thus giving form to the government.The six classes were: Heavenly Ministry (Prime Minister), Earthly Ministry (Public Affairs), Spring Ministry (Rites), Summer Ministry (Military), Autumn Ministry (Penal), Winter Ministry (Public Works).
大小戴 注禮記 述聖言 禮樂備-Learn about rites.
The Elder and the Younger Dai, wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites.
They published the sages' words,and set in order ceremonies and music.
曰國風 曰雅頌 號四詩 當諷詠-Learn poetry.
We speak of the Airs of the States (Guo Feng), we speak of the Minor and Major Odes (Ya) and the Songs. These are the four sections of the Book of Poetry,which should be chanted over and over.The Book of Poetry (Songs, Odes) contains approximately 300 songs and poems.
詩既亡 春秋作 寓褒貶 別善惡-Learn valuable books.
When the age of the Book of Poetry ended,the Spring and Autumn Annals were produced.
These Annals contain praise and blame, and distinguish the good from the bad. The Annals recorded events in the state of Lu, one of several that comprised China as the Zhou dynasty disintegrated.
三傳者 有公羊 有左氏 有彀梁-Learn valuable books.
The Three Commentaries: there is that of Gong Yang,there is that of Zuo
there is that of Gou Liang. Commentaries on the Annals.
經既明 方讀子 撮其要 記其事-Learn something good from the ancient books.
When the classics are clear, read the philosophers.Pick out the essentials,
and remember their facts.
五子者 有荀楊 文中子 及老莊-Learn about famous philosophers.
The five philosophers:there is Xun, Yang,
Wen Zhongzi Lao Zi (Lao Tzu), and Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu).Lao Tzu (5th century BCE) wrote the Tao Te Ching.Chuang Tzu (4th century BCE) wrote the Chuang Tzu.
-------end of part two of Sanzi Jing----------------------------------------------
I think if we want to learn about China culture. This Sanzi Jing can provide us lots of tips.
This is the first time I ready go through Sanzi Jing. At least I know something new.
What is your view about the part two of Sanzi Jing.
If you have view, please contribute. If you do not have any view, it dose not matter at all because this is my journey of self study, hee hee hee.
Life is just simply wonderful because I can learn daily.

Sanzi Jing

Sanzi Jing is the three-Character Classic. Although this classic was used many years ago for all Chinese children. Due to rapid social development in recent years, people had neglected the text for about 50 years.
Now, there are many social problems because children were not instilled the good traditional values. This is the good sign that some wise people start to teach Chinese children this classic.
Frankly speaking, I had no chance to learn this classic during my childhood. I only know about this classic recently.
Let's learn this useful classic today.
Part one- the basic belief in the inherent goodness of mankind, the importance of education, filial piety, and family and social relationships.
人之初 性本善 性相近 習相遠
People at birth, are naturally good.Their natures are similar; their habits become different. (Note the fundamental difference between Confucian and Western Christian thought. Confucianists believe that people are born pure while Western Christians believe that people are born sinners.)
Coolingstar9: My friends, we just look at the babies, they are so innocent. But how come when they grow older, just say 16 years old, they are all different. Some behave very good, some behave like the hooligans. Although they are the same, I mean innocence as babies but what they learn from year one decide their behaviour. Their habits good or bad all because of " learning". What is your view about this?
苟不教 性乃遷 教之道 貴以專
If, negligently, not taught, their nature deteriorate. The right way to teach, is with absolute concentration.
昔孟母 擇鄰處 子不學 斷機杼-Great mother taught her son Mencius the right value.
Formerly, the mother of Mencius chose a neighborhood. When her child would not learn,
she broke the shuttle from the loom. Mencius' mother moved her residence three times to avoid bad influence for her son. She remonstrated to her son by ruining a piece a cloth she was weaving to dramatize the effect of lack of diligence on studies.
竇燕山 有義方 教五子 名俱揚-Father Mr.Dou raised his five sons properly.
Dou Yanshan, had the right method. He taught five sons, each of whom raised the family reputation. In the tenth century, Dou (Yujun), raised five sons, all of whom passed the Imperial Examination.
養不教 父之過 教不嚴 師之惰-Great responsibilities as the teachers and parents.
To feed without teaching, is the father's fault. To teach without severity, is the teacher's laziness.
子不學 非所宜 幼不學 老何為-Kids must study well when they are young.
If a child does not study, it is improper. If he does not study while young,
how will he act when old?
玉不琢 不成器 人不學 不知義-Through studies, kids know what are right and wrong.
Jade that has not been polished cannot be used. Person that has not studied cannot know righteousness. This couplet also stands alone as a Chinese proverb.
為人子 方少時 親師友 習禮儀-Kids must learn proper manner when they are young.
Being a human child, there is little time. He should engage teachers and friends;
and practice etiquette.
香九齡 能溫席 孝於親 所當執-Kids must take care parents.
Xiang, at nine, could warm (his parent's) bed. Filial piety towards parents,should be carried out. Huang Xiang, one of the 24 classic examples of the filial piety, would cool down his parents' bed in the summer and warm in the winter. He became a prime minister.
融四歲 能讓梨 弟於長 宜先知-Kids must learn how to respect eiders.
Rong, at four, could yield the (bigger) pears. To behave as a younger brother towards elders, is one of the first things to know. Kong Rong, a descendant of Confucius, would yield the bigger pears to his elder brother.
首孝弟 次見聞 知某數 識某文-Learn how to love parents first.
Begin with filial piety and fraternal love, then see and hear. Learn to count,learn to read.
一而十 十而百 百而千 千而萬-Kids must learn mathematics.
One to ten, ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand, a thousand to ten thousand.
三才者 天地人 三光者 日月星-Kids must absorb knowledge.
The three forces: heaven, earth and man. The three lights: sun, moon and stars.
三綱者 君臣義 父子親 夫婦順-Kids must learn human relationship.
The three principles: duty between sovereign and subject, love between father and child, harmony between husband and wife.
曰春夏 曰秋冬 此四時 運不窮-Kids must learn the environment.
We speak of spring and summer, we speak of fall and winter, These four seasons revolve without end.
曰南北 曰西東 此四方 應乎中-Kids must learn the nature.
We speak of north and south, we speak of east and west, These four directions depend on the center.
曰火水 木金土 此五行 本乎數-Kids must learn about the universe.
We speak of water, fire, wood, metal and earth. These five elements have their origin in the numbers. These are the five basic elements in traditional Chinese alchemy. The second sentence probably refers to the association of the basic elements with ying and yang interactions, which are usually represented by numbered trigrams.
曰仁義 禮智信 此五常 不容紊-Kids must have all the good values.
We speak of benevolence, duty, propriety, wisdom, and truth. These five virtues must not be compromised.
稻粱菽 麥黍稷 此六穀 人所食-Kids must learn about foods.
Rice, fine millet, beans, wheat, glutinous millet, and common millet. These six grains are those which people eat.
馬牛羊 雞犬豕 此六畜 人所飼-Kids must learn about human life.
Horse, ox, sheep, chicken, dog, pig. These six animals are those which people raise.
曰喜怒 曰哀懼 愛惡欲 七情具-Kids must know the human emotion.
We speak of joy, anger, we speak of grief, fear, love, hate, desire. These are the seven emotions.
匏土革 木石金 與絲竹 乃八音-Kids must have the knowledge about music.
Gourd, earthenware, skin, wood, stone, metal,silk, bamboo, yield the eight musical sounds.These are the materials used to make musical instruments.
高曾祖 父而身 身而子 子而孫-Kids must know the development of the generation.
Great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, father and self, self and child, child and grandchild,
自子孫 至玄曾 乃九族 人之倫-Kids must know about the family.
from child and grandchild, on to great grandchild and great great grandchild.
These nine generations that make up your family.
父子恩 夫婦從 兄則友 弟則恭-Kids must know how to have harmony in the family.
Kindness between father and child, harmony between husband and wife, friendliness from elder brothers, respect from younger brothers.
長幼序 友與朋 君則敬 臣則忠-Kids must know how to get along with people.
Precedence between elders and youngers, support between friends, Respect from the sovereigns,loyalty from the subjects.
此十義 人所同-Kids must know all obligations.
These ten obligations, are the same for all.
---------------------------End of part one-------------------------------------------
All readers, I find this classic is still very useful nowadays. Especially in this ever confusing age, we ready need to let children have the foundation of how to be the human.
How is your view about this Sanzi Jing part one?

Everybody has good nature

Part one- we all have good nature
Although there are different view on human nature. I believe everybody has the good nature.
Once we are born, we are like blank paper. Our brain start to absorb new things. Especially before 3 years old, the absorbing and memory power are extremely strong. Some wise parents will instill good values to them, this is ready the smart move.
Although everybody has the good nature but kids can learn habits easily when they are young. Good habits or bad habits decide their future.
When we open newspaper everyday, we can see so many people committing a lot of crimes because they have no strong foundation on moral parts, that's why they have to suffer from their own bad deeds.
If we parents never teach them properly, then we should not have kids at all. What is your view?
Part 2- Clear away illusions
Last post, I have mentioned that I was the 3 years old blogger. I have the wild thought then. I thought to stop blogging unless I have 100 comments on my last post.
Mr. konwayeast jokingly said:" That sounds like blackmail! I love it! Age ain't nothing but a number. COOLINGSTAR9 has the knowledge of a man with blog experience of a million years." At that time I thought :" Since I want to celebrate the 3rd years of blogging, then I have to wait until the dream come true. I have to keep my promise that I only can continue writing once I have received total of 100 comments on my last post- title- stop stealing."
Very soon, a blogger friend gave me some tips, he said:" coolingstar9, you know, you don"t have to get 100 comments to be a worthy blogger cs9"
Hearing that, I instantly realise this was my illusion. I immediately drop the idea and now I am feeling so relaxed.
Let go is the secret of happiness. What is your view?

No manners and your view

Mr.Havoc was the cleaner. He was transferred to other place because something happened.
Do you know why? Let me briefly tell you. In the working, he like to see girls especially beautiful one. One day, he was cleaning in the first floor of the building, the lady pass by. He smelled the perfume and took a look. He thought like that :" Wow, so beautiful, if I can hug her, I will be very happy." He then open the mouth and whistling " Hui Hui, Hui Hui..." The lady's reaction was not good, she felt annoyed.
Ring ring ring, Someone called his cell phone, Mr. Havoc replied:" Supervisor, OK, I am proceeding to second floor to clean up the gymnastic.
While he was reaching the gym. Wow, the same lady was in the gym. The lady thought that Mr. Havoc was following her. She thought that this Mr. Havoc might be trying to do some decent things, so Immediately she call the building management head and complained the incident.
Very soon, Mr. Havoc's supervisor rushed to the scene and told Mr. Havoc :' You can not work here any more because........"
Mr. Havoc immediately escorted out from the building. He could not work there any more.
You see, no manner could be that serious.
What is your view? Did Mr. Havoc deserve the treatment like that.
For your information, Mr. Havoc was sacked by the cleaning company after he was transferred to other place. Reason: whistling.