After becoming a monk Master Hong Yi deepened his study of Buddhism. The Buddhism value, love is compassion, became a part of his doctrine.

We are constantly saying goodbye to our friends, to our family, to our past selves. Master Hong Yi is no different. These goodbyes became an inspiration for his song, "Farewell".

In this episode, Yi Gongzi introduces the often overlooked museum specialty: ancient Chinese bronze ware.

As Yi Gongzi explains, ancient bronze tableware isn't for just anyone to use.

Yi Gongzi explains how bronze was discovered and formed in ancient China.

Yi Gongzi details the long and involved process of making bronzeware.

Making bronzeware is an arduous and involved process, and its usage has a strict hierarchy.

Dings were used by nobility as a way to capture all of life's special moments.

What defines luxury and wealth when it comes to tableware?

China's first statues did not come from the popular Song or Tang dynasties. Yi Gongzi explains.

Yi Gongzi describes the chaos and turmoil of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties.

Yi Gongzi tells the tale of Xiaoming and how he discovered an important find during the Northern Qi Dynasty.

Why does the statue of Buddha suddenly bring calmness to those who have experienced suffering?

How do the Buddha statues from the Northern Qi Dynasty compare with those from the Northern Wei Dynasty?

Yi Gongzi explains how the face of the Buddha can show us what the deepest state of calmness and relaxation looks like.

How do we reach a fully relaxed state of being?

Yi Gongzi explains the meaning of the Buddha's expression of complete acceptance.

What is true and complete acceptance?

Learn about the Chinese naming system and some of the issues concerning names that are being encountered today.

Learn about the Chinese naming system: there's a method to the madness!

The Chinese naming system is very complex. It follows precise rules, stating the differences between a person's last name, given name and courtesy name. In particular, the difference between the last two is strictly connected with the rituals that used to bring a child from childhood into adulthood in ancient China.

Chinese last names worked in a different way in the past than they do now. Chinese children used to get their mother's last name. That is because Chinese ancient society was matriarchal and divided into clans.

Through a detailed report of the Zhou Dynasty's history, we discover how the Chinese last name system worked and what has changed over the years and become today's practice.

This interesting discussion on the origins of Chinese last names and clan names shows how the tradition has evolved from the matriarchal to the patriarchal practice.