Ancient poems about etiquette and courtesy:
In ancient Chinese culture, etiquette and politeness are very important social norms and are regarded as mutual respect, friendliness and harmony between people. The cornerstone of harmonious coexistence. Therefore, many ancient poets emphasized the importance of etiquette and courtesy in their works.
1. Ceremony to Master Guanyin (two poems) (Ming Dynasty - Tu Yaose)
Water Moon Guanyin, the water moon is bright, and only looks at all living beings with kind eyes. All living beings are filled with immeasurable sorrow and should feel the sound of an empty valley.
2. Meng Li Sangha Master Dynasty: Song Dynasty | Author: Zhou Zizhi
I observe that all the Buddhas are in delusion. I don’t know whether I have any thoughts or not, everything is false. If you think it is true, how can you know that it doesn't exist? Just like a person has desires, ears, eyes, nose and tongue. All the bodies move, and all movements have a phase. The ears want to hear sounds, and there are ears to hear words. Both the string instrument and the shengxiao are equipped with various palace feathers. Although it is played at the beginning, everyone with ears will hear it. When living beings are like this, they know the sound but don’t hear it. The crowd began to sing, and there was silence. If you listen to it, you will hear nothing. When living beings are like this, they know their ears but don’t know the sound.
As for the visual color, it is also like the ears. Knowing that color is tangible means taking color as existence. It is better to know that it is colorless, let alone the eyelashes. The nose smells the bad smell, and the mouth and tongue eat it. All the hairs on the body have something to do with it. Walking, sitting and lying down, panting and breathing. When there is something to do, there is nothing that does not exist. Everything is empty, nothing exists. My mind only thinks of what I did yesterday, and it is like a dream. I once paid homage to the Bodhisattva, who is the one who has the true vision. For example, hearing a crowd of voices and recognizing the voice as having a sound.
It is inferior to etiquette, and Bodhisattva can see it. For example, when all the voices are extinguished, no remaining sound is heard. It started with delusional feelings, but will it ever be seen again? Also what I am dreaming about now, it doesn’t matter if I see it or not. The master smiled and said nothing, and I had nothing to say. Just like Shariputra, silently facing the goddess. Jishou composes a verse, but it still hurts to speak. Yun Heliang was speechless and entered the non-duality door. I and all the disciples of Buddha will finally achieve enlightenment.
In addition to these poets, there are many ancient Chinese writers and thinkers who emphasized the importance of etiquette and politeness.
For example, Confucius, a representative figure of Confucianism, once said: "The purpose of etiquette is to harmonize. The way of the ancient kings is beautiful. If you follow it, you will not be able to do anything. Know how to be harmonious, and be harmonious. It’s impossible to do it without etiquette.” This sentence emphasizes the important role of etiquette in regulating interpersonal relationships and promoting social harmony. At the same time, it also reminds people that they cannot ignore etiquette norms and constraints in the pursuit of harmony.