Declination to Throne (10)

1 Yan Hui learned from Confucius for a long time. Due to his destitution, the kid led a poor life.

2 Someday Confucius advised Yan Hui. “Hui! You almost learn all from me. You usually lead an austere life. Do you think of going out to develop and getting a position? Looking at Zigong and Zilu, they have led a good life, don’t they?”

3 Feeling grateful to his teacher’s kindness, Yan Hui, however, made up his mind to practice. Not seeking honor or doing cause is his commandment for seeking soundness, tranquility and peace.

4 Therefore, he replied, “I don’t want to develop outside. Though I am austere in life, I still have fifty Mu field outside the town with enough harvest for food. I also have ten Mu in the town with enough harvest to exchange gauze and linen which is sufficient for keeping warm.

5 At home, I can play music in my spare time, so I can entertain myself. From you, I learn ‘five aggregates are empty, which can eliminate all suffering. It is real, no virtual.’ I have food and clothes, accompanied by music, there is no vexation in my heart. Nothing is better than the mind of soundness, tranquility and peace. Why do I go out for development?”

6 Hearing the view, Confucius could not help but became serious. He turned and told other disciples, “Yan Hui’s view really is very right. We should take him as sample to encourage ourselves.

7 I hear that a man of wise, who really knows the truth of life and the ways of dealing with life, isn’t obsessed by the factors of objective environment and does not lose the life of soundness, tranquility and peace. Hence, he deals with the external things by the theory of mirror that is: He doesn’t plan the future, doesn’t miss the past, doesn’t refuse the coming things and chase the leaving things. He goes all out to do the present things, never giving them up.

8 Therefore, he spares no effort to do things well in his duty when in office. Time and environment have changed, when he is in demission, he no long lingers over. Then, he focuses only on new things which emerging out of the mirror.

9 I yearn for the ideal for long time; however, I can’t give up some dreams and some plans yet. Today I listen to Yan Hui. I know that he has reached the level. It is very good.

10 Yan Hui is our role model, worthy of learning from. It is our bliss to stay with a man like him.”