SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Biographies of Noble Scholars

  • The Farmer of Shihu

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    Ana

    The Farmer of Shihu was a man whose origins are unknown. He was a friend of Shun. When Shun offered to yield the world to him, the Farmer of Shihu remarked: “How tirelessly laborious the Lord is! He is indeed a man who exhausts his strength [for the sake of others].”

  • Rang Fu

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    Ana

    Rang Fu was a man from the time of Emperor Yao. During the reign of Emperor Yao, the world was in perfect harmony, and the common people had no troubles.

  • Zi Zhou Zhi Fu

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    Ana

    Zi Zhou Zhi Fu was a man from the time of Emperor Yao. When Yao offered to yield the throne to Xu You, Xu You declined. Yao then offered it to Zi Zhou Zhi Fu.

  • Shan Juan

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    Ana

    Shan Juan was a worthy man of antiquity. Emperor Yao heard that he had attained the Dao and thus faced north to study under him as a teacher. After Yao completed his reign, Shun also offered to yield the world to Shan Juan.

  • Xu You

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    Ana

    Xu You, courtesy name Wuzhong, was a native of Huaili in Yangcheng. He was a man who stood firmly on righteousness and walked squarely; he would not sit on a mat that was not straight, nor eat food that was not properly prepared. Later, he hid himself in the marshes of Pei.

  • Chao Fu

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    Ana

    Chao Fu was a hermit from the time of Emperor Yao. He lived in the mountains, seeking no worldly profit. In his old age, he built a nest in a tree and slept upon it; thus, the people of his time called him “Father Nest” (Chao Fu).

  • Nie Que

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    Ana

    Nie Que was a man from the time of Emperor Yao. Xu You was the disciple of Nie Que.

  • Wang Ni

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    Ana

    Wang Ni was a worthy man from the time of Emperor Yao, and he was the disciple of Bei Yi. Nie Que studied under Wang Ni and asked him about the Dao.

  • Bei Yi

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    Ana

    Bei Yi (or Pi Yi) was a man from the time of Emperor Yao. Yao’s teacher was Xu You; Xu You’s teacher was Nie Que; Nie Que’s teacher was Wang Ni; and Wang Ni’s teacher was Bei Yi.