Pages 253-276

History 8 China The Examination

Ranks of Power/Mandate of Heaven

"Unlike many of the eunuchs, who were first-rate administrators or true servants of the state, Ni Fenglin used the Emperor's ear to further his own ambitions. As Director of Palace Rites, Ni Fenglin had total control of the palace staff. He wore a jacket with a python design authorized by the emperor. This made him equal in public recognition to the Grand Secretary of the Inner Court, who also wore the python badge, along with the Mandarin Square of two cranes above the clouds" (254).

"The leaders of the White Lotus feared that Ni Fenglin could effectively become the ruler of China. Surely that was his goal. He had created new policies to infiltrate all levels of government..." (254).

Mencius

"The score of men in the inner circle shared the desire to rid China of corruption" (254).

"The subject was ever the same: to bring down the dynasty" (254).

Role of Gods

"In Chinese folktales there were godlike figures called the Eight Immortals, who were eccentric, flawed, but lovable" (257).

" 'Tell us what you think of God'. 'I don't think of God.' 'Then what do you think of life and death?' " (259).

"Had the name on his lips and the endless prayers protected him after all?" (274)

Confucius

"Why must you ask such a question? You don't understand life-how can you understand death?...When you have faults, dont be afraid to abandon them...When you let your ambition go too far, when you give up restraint in order to be what you are not, you risk losing everything...Only fools know exactly who they are" (259-260)

Buddhism

"Back home, about half the villagers were Buddhists. Wujiang's family hosted many wandering bonzes, and so Hong was familiar with their austere garb and begging bowls and quiet manner" (263).

"Buddhism was too gloomy in its emphasis on suffering and detachment" (264).

Pure Land Buddhism

"Emphasized faith in Buddha Amitabha. Founded by Hui-yuan, the Pure Land Sect asked only for the recitation of Amitabha's name in exchange for rebirth in Sukhavati, a haven for tormented souls and a paradise for the faithful" (263).

"Hong nodded and twirled the wooded prayer wheel he carried. Stuffed inside each of a dozen slits in the wheel was a tiny paper with the name of Buddha Amitabha written on it. By spinning the wheel, the deity's name was invoked many times" (269).

-Julia Giordano