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Talented Officials More Valuable than Auspicious Omens Edited by Ming Yue
(Clearwisdom.net) It is documented in the book The Great History Writings Zi Zhi Tong Jian
- the Tang Dynasty that during the rule of the Emperor Taizhong, white
birds built a nest above the palace. The nest was small in the middle and large
at either end, as if two nests had been pushed together, similar to a waist
drum. All his officials complimented the birds, saying, "Ordinary things in
this world don't like to be combined because they cannot tolerate each other.
Now two bird nests have merged to become one with a special shape. It is truly
remarkable--a reflection of the harmony existing between heaven and earth, and
the virtue of Your Majesty, our Emperor. We really need to celebrate this
event." Taizhong said, "I often laughed at the Sui Emperor, who did not pay
attention to talented officials but liked auspicious omens. As a result, his
country perished. In my opinion, what is truly auspicious is having talented
officials managing our country well, and having our people be happy and content.
As for the rare birds and wonderful beasts, they are only slightly different
from ordinary things. How can we celebrate this?" He then ordered the nest
to be destroyed and the birds to be returned to the wild. March 10 2008
Posting date: 3/24/2008 |