"Come back to the root of the dish"

Author: Hong Yingming (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: This book was written by Hong Yingming, a scholar from the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. The author possesses a deep understanding of traditional Chinese culture and integrates Confucian moderation, Taoist (non-action), Buddhist detachment, and his own life experiences to form a set of ways of dealing with life and conducting oneself. It reflects the unique insights of ancient Chinese people on human nature, life, and interpersonal relationships. The author is also very familiar with ancient Chinese classics. He extracts numerous famous quotes from historical texts and sayings of sages as the framework of the book. Additionally, he gathers common folk aphorisms and folk proverbs from everyday conversations, refines the wording, and uses them as the flesh of the book. The result is a harmonious rhythm, easy to read and recite, engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring. Many of the book’s have become famous maxims for dealing with life and conduct. This is one of the most prominent features of Leigen Tan and a key reason for its enduring legacy. From the book’s content, the author consistently emphasizes the following central idea: As a normal person, one should practice self-cultivation, develop moral character and psychological qualities, handle interpersonal relationships, and face the joys and sorrows of life to cultivate a healthy personality that is kind to others, at peace inwardly, resilient, and composed in dealing with the world.