Advice From the Ancient Sage

This Week in Core
China Page
History Notebook
Daoism
Confucianism
Buddhism

ADVICE FROM THE ANCIENT SAGE

Apply your understanding of Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism to a fictional situation.

What is the assignment? Write an advice letter to and from one of the ancient sages (Lao Tzu, Buddha, or Confucius).

What are the directions? In your letter, describe a problem situation and ask for advice, along the lines of a "Dear Abby" letter.
Then write a response from the sage, giving advice about what to do.

Your answer must quote or refer to words of a specific teaching from the primary sources you have read.

You must also explain how this teaching applies to the problem.

The length of the question and answer should be 100-150 words total.
Your letter may be serious or humorous, but must not be disrespectful of beliefs.

How do I get started? One good way to approach this assignment is to choose a proverb which is meaningful to you.
Then formulate a problem which fits the proverb.

By doing this assignment well, you will show that you can research historical resources, and apply your understanding to a new situation.

Here is an example:

Greeting
comma Dear Lao Tzu,

Body of letter:
Indent paragraphs      My neighbors are putting an addition on to their house. Every day I hear the noise of hammers, drills, and construction trucks. I can't live with this horrendous noise. I can't eat, I can't sleep, and I get ringing noises in my brain. Not only that, but their addition is all wrong for the style of their house. They are severely in need of decorating advice.
     I want to scream at them. Please help!

Right side:
Closing
comma,
Signature

Sincerely,
Hammerhead

Greeting
comma Dear Hammerhead,

Body of letter:
Quote teaching
Apply teaching      Think of my beautiful verse, "Being passive is real strength." Don't succumb to the urge to control them. You probably can't stop them anyway, so it would be a foolish waste of effort. Just let them go ahead.
     Use controlled breathing and tai chi to help you focus on the beauty of nature instead of the noise next door. Then you won't be annoyed. I wish you peace and tranquillity.

Right side:
Closing
comma,
Signature Your friend,
Lao Tzu

This Week in Core
China Page
History Notebook
Daoism
Confucianism
Buddhism

What is the assignment?	Write an advice letter to and from one of the ancient sages (Lao Tzu, Buddha, or Confucius).
What are the directions?	In your letter, describe a problem situation and ask for advice, along the lines of a "Dear Abby" letter. Then write a response from the sage, giving advice about what to do. Your answer must quote or refer to words of a specific teaching from the primary sources you have read. You must also explain how this teaching applies to the problem. The length of the question and answer should be 100-150 words total. Your letter may be serious or humorous, but must not be disrespectful of beliefs.
How do I get started?	One good way to approach this assignment is to choose a proverb which is meaningful to you. Then formulate a problem which fits the proverb. By doing this assignment well, you will show that you can research historical resources, and apply your understanding to a new situation.
	Here is an example:
Greeting comma	Dear Lao Tzu,
Body of letter: Indent paragraphs	My neighbors are putting an addition on to their house. Every day I hear the noise of hammers, drills, and construction trucks. I can't live with this horrendous noise. I can't eat, I can't sleep, and I get ringing noises in my brain. Not only that, but their addition is all wrong for the style of their house. They are severely in need of decorating advice. I want to scream at them. Please help!
Right side: Closing comma, Signature		Sincerely, Hammerhead
Greeting comma	Dear Hammerhead,
Body of letter: Quote teaching Apply teaching	Think of my beautiful verse, "Being passive is real strength." Don't succumb to the urge to control them. You probably can't stop them anyway, so it would be a foolish waste of effort. Just let them go ahead. Use controlled breathing and tai chi to help you focus on the beauty of nature instead of the noise next door. Then you won't be annoyed. I wish you peace and tranquillity.
Right side: Closing comma, Signature		Your friend, Lao Tzu