''Liao-Fan's Four Lessons'' () is a book written by Yuan Liaofan (; 1533–1606), was a Chinese official during the

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peo ...

, born in present-day Wujiang County,

Jiangsu Jiangsu (; ; pinyin: Jiāngsū, alternatively romanized as Kiangsu or Chiangsu) is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its ca ...

Province. Yuan wrote the book to teach his son, Yuan Tian-Chi. The principal idea behind these lessons is that destiny can be changed through proper cultivation of kindness and humility. Thus, one should not be bound by fate, but by one's own actions. Yuan Liaofan was told by a

Taoist Taoism (, ) or Daoism () refers to either a school of philosophical thought (道家; ''daojia'') or to a religion (道教; ''daojiao''), both of which share ideas and concepts of Chinese origin and emphasize living in harmony with the '' Tao ...

monk surnamed Kong that he would only live to the age of 53 and have no son. At first, he disregarded this monk's words as farcical nonsense, but as Kong's other predictions began to occur with great accuracy, he then proactively made an effort to rewrite his fate. In relating his own life experience in changing destiny, Yuan, at the age of 69, wrote and taught these four lessons to his son. The first lesson shows how to create destiny. The second lesson explains the ways to reform. The third reveals the ways to cultivate kindness and the fourth discloses the benefits of the virtue of humility. The book, still in circulation after more than 400 years, is said to be a useful foundation in learning both

Confucianism Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or a ...

and

Buddhism Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religions, Indian religion or Indian philosophy#Buddhist philosophy, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha. ...

Excerpts

3 conditions for reform: # One must have a sense of shame - conscience. # One must be cautious and conscientious of one's own intention and conduct at all time, as well as having a solemn respect of the Divine and the Universal rules/Golden rules. # One must have determination and courage to rectify one's mistakes. 3 methods to reform: # Changing through action # Changing through reasoning # Changing from the heart 10 ways to cultivate kindness: # Supporting the practice of kindness # Harboring love and respect # Helping others succeed # Persuading others to practice kindness # Helping those in desperate need # Developing public projects for the greater benefit of the people # Giving through donation # Protecting the proper teaching # Respecting our elders # Loving and cherishing all living beings

External links

Liao-Fan's Four Lessons (audio)
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Liaofan Society in Changhua (in Chinese)
Chinese classic texts Ming dynasty literature 1550 books