Tai Shang Gan Ying Pian

Tai Shang Gan Ying Pian was the ancient book that taught human beings to have luck in their life. Let's study this treatise bit by bit. This book called:" Treatise of the exalted one on response and retribution.
Part one: Introduction-the universal truth.
THE Exalted One says:
Curses and blessings do not come through gates, but man himself invites their arrival.
The reward of good and evil is like the shadow accompanying a body.....
My view:
Everyday we read the newspapers, we can see so many people were convicted in court. They were committing serious crime like murdering, stealing, sex-related crimes,etc. They were probably sent to prison or fined or hanged depend on the seriousness of the crimes.
Their misfortunes or luck were made themselves indeed. Yes, they were suffering from their own bad deeds.
So, we all must know we are the one decide our own destinies.
What is your view on part one?

Sanzi Jing

Let's study the part five of Sanzi Jing-Great reminder to all human beings.
犬守夜 雞司晨 苟不學 曷為人
The dog guards the night; the rooster proclaims the dawn. If, negligently, you do not study, how can you become people?
蠶吐絲 蜂釀蜜 人不學 不如物
The silkworm produces silk, the bee makes honey. If one does not study, what is the use of being human?
幼而學 壯而行 上致君 下澤民
When young, study; when grown up, perform. Influence the sovereign above, benefit the people below.
揚名聲 顯父母 光於前 裕於後
Make a name for yourselves; honor you father and mother. Shine light on your ancestors, bring prosperity to your descendants.
人遺子 金滿嬴 我教子 惟一經
People bequeath to their children chests full gold. I teach children, only one classic.
勤有功 戲無益 戒之哉 宜勉力
Diligence has merit; play has no advantage. Guard against it; exert your strength.
-----------------------------end of part five of Sanzi Jing-------------------------
Wow, the part five of Sanzi Jing reminded us to study well and behave properly in our daily life.

Sanzi Jing

Let's study the part four of Sanzi Jing-show good examples.
讀史書 考實錄 通古今 若親目
Read the history books,examine the records,connect the ancient with the present,
and you'll be as close as an eyewitness.
口而誦 心而惟 朝於斯 夕於斯
Recite them with the mouth,examine them with your heart;do this in the morning;
do this in the evening.
昔仲尼 師項橐 古聖賢 尚勤學
Formerly, Zhong Ni,took Xiang Tuo for his teacher.The ancient sages were virtuous,
yet studied diligently.Zhong Ni was one of Confucius' names. Xiang Tuo was a prodigious seven year old.There is a story told of how he refused Confucius' request to move his play fortress from the middle of the road because, he argued, who had ever heard of moving buildings to make way for carriages?
趙中令 讀魯論 彼既仕 學且勤
Grand Secretary Zhao studied the Analects. He, although already an official,
studied diligently.Song Emperor Taizong asked Zhao Pu why he was reading the Analects, a book commonly taught to kids. Zhao replied: "With half of this book I helped your father gain the empire. With the other half I help you to preserve it."
披蒲編 削竹簡 彼無書 且知勉
Splitting reeds and weaving them,cutting bamboo slips.They had no books,
yet knew how to exert themselves.Lu Wenshu was a too poor to be able to buy books. He braided reeds and copied borrowed books. Gongsun Hong cut bamboo slips to do the same.Both men served under the Han dynasty.
頭懸梁 錐刺股 彼不教 自勤苦
One tied his head to the roof beam;another pricked his thigh with an awl.They were not taught these, but came up on their own to toil hard.Sun Jing tied his hair to the roof beam to prevent from nodding off to sleep. He became a minister under the Qin dynasty. Su Qin set up an awl to prick himself awake if he nodded off. He became a prime minister.
如囊螢 如映雪 家雖貧 學不輟
One put fireflies in a bag.another used the glare from the snow.Although their families were poor,they studied unceasingly.Che Yin used the light from the fireflies while Sun Kang used the glare from the snow because they could not afford candles. Both served under the Qin.
如負薪 如掛角 身雖勞 猶苦卓
One carried firewood,another hanged (books from the) horns.Although they toiled with their bodies,they overcame their hardships.Zhu Maichen carried firewood while Li Mi worked as a cowherd while studying. They became ministers for the Han and Northern Zhou, respectively.
蘇老泉 二十七 始發憤 讀書籍
Su Laoquan at twenty-seven began to show his energy,and study the books.Su Laoquan became the Imperial Librarian for the Song dynasty. His son is the famous poet Su Dongbo.
彼既老 猶悔遲 爾小生 宜早思
When already old,he regretted his delay.Like them, the young should think of this early.
若梁灝 八十二 對大廷 魁多士
There was Liang Hao who at eighty-two replied to the Great Hall,and came out first among many scholars.Liang Hao lived during the reign of Song Emperor Zhenzong.
彼既成 眾稱異 爾小生 宜立志
After he had succeeded,everyone called him exceptional.Like them, the young should think appropriately early.
瑩八歲 能詠詩 泌七歲 能賦棋
Rong at eight years old,could compose poems.Bi, at seven years old,could make a poetic essay on weiqi. Zu Rong accepted the official title of child prodigy and was named civil servant at the age of twelve. Li Bi answered brilliantly a poetic challenge of the Tang emperor. He served four emperors at the highest levels. Weiqi is the Chinese board game better known by its Japanese name of Go.
彼穎悟 人稱奇 爾幼學 當效之
They were clever and people called them special.Like them, young students ought to imitate them.
蔡文姬 能辨琴 謝道韞 能詠吟
Cai Wenji,could judge from [the sound of] a lute. Xie Daoyun,could compose poems. Cai Wenji could tell from the sound which string was broken. She lived a difficult life during the Three Kingdoms era. Xie Daoyun was a celebrated poetess. She lived during the reign of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
彼女子 且聰敏 爾男子 當自警
They were girls,yet they were quick and clever.Like them, boys should alert yourselves.
唐劉晏 方七歲 舉神童 作正字
In the Tang dynasty, Liu Yan when only seven years old,was rated a child prodigy
and appointed Corrector of Texts.Liu Yan served Emperor Minghuang of the Tang dynasty.
彼雖幼 身己仕 爾幼學 勉而致
He, although a child,was already an official.Like them, young students, should exert yourselves and concentrate.
有為者 亦若是
Those who work like them, will succeed as they did.
-------------------------end of part four of Sanzi Jing----------------
There were many examples of how ancient people had performed well in many areas. We all can learn from them like diligence.

Sanzi Jing

let's study part three of Sanzi Jing. This is the first time I ready go through it.
Part three talk about China history.
經子通 讀諸史 考世系 知終始
The classics and the philosophers mastered,read the histories.Examine the connection between the eras,know the ends and the beginnings.
自羲農 至黃帝 號三皇 居上世
From Xi and Nong.to the Yellow Emperor,they are called the Three Sovereigns.
who lived in ancient times. [Fu] Xi ("Animal Domesticator") (2953-2852 BCE)
[Shen] Nong ("Divine Farmer") (2852-2737 BCE)Yellow Emperor (2698-2599 BCE)
唐有虞 號二帝 相揖遜 稱盛世
Tang and Yu, called the Two Emperors,one abdicated after the other and theirs was called the Age of Prosperity.[Tang] Yao (2357-2255 BCE)[Yu] Shun (2255-2205 BCE)
夏有禹 商有湯 周文武 稱三王
The Xia had Yu,the Shang had Tang,the Zhou had Wen and Wu;they are called the Three Kings.The Xia dynasty was founded by Yu the Great, the pacifier of the Great Flood (21st century BCE). Wu founded the Zhou dynasty. Wen was his father, who died during the conquest of the Shang.
夏傳子 家天下 四百載 遷夏社
The Xia handed the throne from father to son,making a family of all under Heaven.
After four hundred years,the Xia ended.Xia Dynasty (2205-1766 BCE) Before the Xia, the throne was not hereditary.
湯伐夏 國號商 六百載 至紂亡 Tang ended the Xia,the dynasty was called Shang.
After six hundred years,it ended with Zhou (Dixin). Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BCE)
周武王 始誅紂 八百載 最長久
King Wu of the Zhou slew Zhou (Dixin).Eight hundred years long;the longest dynasty ever.Western Zhou Dynasty (1027-771 BCE). The 800 years include the period of the Eastern Zhou, when Zhou rule was only nominal.
周轍東 王綱墮 逞干戈 尚遊說
When the Zhous made tracks eastwards,the feudal bond loosened,shields and spears flaunted,wandering advisers held in high esteem. Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-221 BCE). The court moved east to present day Luoyang.This was also a time of the "Hundred Schools of Thoughts" where teachers, strategists, and philosophers offered their services to the various states.
始春秋 終戰國 五霸強 七雄出
Began with the Spring and Autumn Period and ended with the Warring States Period.
Five feudal lords ruled, seven feudal states arose. Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BCE)Warring States Period (475-221 BCE)
嬴秦氏 始兼并 傳二世 楚漢爭
The Qin of the Ying clan, started to unify all the states.The throne passed for two generations and Chu and Han contended. Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE)
高祖興 漢業建 至孝平 王莽篡
Gaozu rose, and the Han dynasty ruled until the reign of Xiaoping, when Wang Mang usurped the throne.Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-9 AD). It was founded by Liu Bang, who ruled as Han Gaozu.Wang Mang interregnum (9-24)
光武興 為東漢 四百年 終於獻
Guangwu rose,and founded the Eastern Han. Four hundred years,ending with Emperor Xian. Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220)
魏蜀吳 爭漢鼎 號三國 迄兩晉
Wei, Shu and Wu, contended for the Han trophy.Called the Three Kingdoms,
it lasted until two Jin Dynasties.Three Kingdoms:* Wei (220-265)* Shu [-Han] (221-263)* Wu (229-280)Western Jin (265-316)Eastern JIn (317-420)[Sixteen Kingdoms (304-420)]
宋齊繼 梁陳承 為南朝 都金陵
Followed by the Song and the Qi,then the Liang and Chen,they are the Southern dynasties, with the capital at Jinling (Nanjing). Southern Dynasties:* Song (420-478)
* Qi (479-501)* Liang (502-556)* Chen (557-588)
北元魏 分東西 宇文周 興高齊
The Northern Dynasties are the Wei of the Yuan clan,which split into East and West,
the Zhou of Yu Wen clan,with the Qi of the Gao clan. Northern Dynasties:* Northern Wei (386-533)* Eastern Wei (534-549)* Western Wei (535-557)* Northern Qi (550-577)
* Northern Zhou (557-588)
迨至隋 一土宇 不再傳 失統緒
Finally, under the Sui,the empire was united. but not passed on,it lost the succession. Sui Dynasty (581-617)
唐高祖 起義師 除隋亂 創國基
Tang Gaozu raised a righteous army,ended the disorder of the Sui,established the foundation of his dynasty. Tang Dynasty (618-907)
二十傳 三百載 梁滅之 國乃改
Twenty times the throne was transmitted,in a period of 300 years.The Liang destroyed it,and the dynasty changed.
梁唐晉 及漢周 稱五代 皆有由
The Liang, Tang, Qin Han and Zhou, called the Five Dynasties, each exist for a reason.Five Dynasties:* Later Liang (907-923)* Later Tang (923-936)* Later JIn (936-946)* Later Han (947-950)* Later Zhou (951-960)* [Ten Kingdoms (902-979)]
炎宋興 受周禪 十八傳 南北混
The fiery Song arose, and received the resignation of the Zhou.Eighteen times the throne was transmitted,and then the north and the south were reunited.Song Dynasty:
* Northern Song (960-1127)* Southern Song (1127-1279)
遼與金 皆稱帝 賽衾踢 諂備著
Liao and Jin each called a dynasty.The Yuan extinguished the Jin
and finished the Song era Liao (916-1125). Tartar.[Western Xia (1032-1227)]
Jin (1115-1234). Tartar.Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). Mongol.
太祖興 國大明 號洪武 都金陵
Taizu arose,set up the great Ming,called himself Hong Wu.The capital was at Jinling (Nanjing)Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
迨成祖 遷燕京 十七世 至崇禎
until Cheng Zu moved it to Yanjing (Beijing).Seventeen generations until it ended with Chong Zhen.Chengzu reigned from 1403-1425.
權奄肆 寇如林 李闖叛 神器焚
The power of the eunuchs unchecked;bandits flourished like a forest.Li Chuang revolted,divine artifacts burned. Li Chuang was a rebel leader who sacked Beijing, causing the Ming emperor to hang himself. The defending general, Wu Sangui, invited the Manchu army into the city to help defeat Li Chuang. They did but then they stayed and founded the Qing dynasty.
清太祖 庸景命 靖四方 克大定
The great ancestor of the Qing received destiny's call; Peace in the four directions,
achieved great stability.Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Manchu.
廿一史 全在茲 載治亂 知興衰
The twenty one histories are complete.They record government disorder;understand prosperity and decline.Republic of China (1911-Present)
People's Republic of China (1949-Present)
-----------------------end of part three of Sanzi Jing---------------------
I think it is good for children to know his country's history.