(Minghui.org) In the book Shuowen Jiezi, the character “忍”(rěn, forbearance) is explained as “能”(néng, ability), which is linked to the “bear.” The bear, in turn, is described as a “creature with inner strength,” implying wisdom and ability. Because of its vigor and power, it also came to signify exceptional talent.
The Yellow Emperor, the ancestral founder of Huaxia, bore the title “Youxiong” (“of the Bear”). In the book Classic of Mountains and Seas, when Yu the Great was controlling the waters, he transformed into a divine bear to open mountains and cut through the wilderness—an embodiment of the bear’s wisdom, resilience, and perseverance. These ancient accounts have enriched our understanding of the profound connotations and spirit contained in the virtue of ren (“forbearance” or “endurance”).
Su Wu Herding Sheep
Around 100 BC, when the Xiongnu (a tribal confederation of nomadic peoples who lived in the north of China) showed signs of wanting to reconcile with the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han (156-87BC) sent Su Wu (140-60BC) to lead an envoy of over 100 people on a diplomatic mission to the Xiongnu as a token of appreciation.
Just as the group was preparing to return to Han territory, an internal upheaval broke out among the Xiongnu, and Su Wu and his people were taken captive. They were ordered to surrender and serve the Xiongnu rulers. Su Wu refused to comply.
First, the Chanyu (the ruler of the Xiongnu) sent a Han official who’d surrendered to try to persuade Su Wu, with money and positions as rewards, to cooperate. But Su Wu firmly rejected the proposal.
The Chanyu then gave orders to lock Su Wu up in a cellar and deprive him of food and water, hoping that such torture would force him to surrender.
It was the beginning of winter, freezing cold and snowing. Su Wu suffered terribly but survived on snow and scraps of sheepskin.
To break his will, the Chanyu exiled him to the barren wilderness near the Northern Sea (today’s Lake Baikal) to herd sheep. He mocked Su Wu, saying, “You will return to your Han emperor only when rams bear lambs!”
Su Wu was exiled to the wilderness alone, with only a wooden staff—the imperial tally-staff representing the Han Dynasty—as his companion. He was given no food, left to survive on wild plants, ice, and whatever else he could find. When the weather turned cold, he huddled among the sheep to keep warm.
Knowing how much Su Wu was suffering, the Chanyu sent another compliant Han official to try to persuade him to give in, but it was a waste of breath. Su Wu said to the official, “I’ve long been prepared to die. If you insist that I surrender, let’s end the conversation right now and let me die in front of you.”
Seeing his unyielding loyalty and sincerity, the official sighed and said, “He is truly a hero! We who tried to persuade him are guilty of a heinous crime.” Tears rolled down his cheeks as he bid Su Wu farewell.
Day in and day out, Su Wu herded sheep with the wooden staff given to him by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Over time, all the little flags on the staff fell off.
Nineteen years passed, and Su Wu’s hair and beard turned white.
By chance, Emperor Wu heard that Su Wu was still alive and managed to find him and bring him home. When Su Wu returned to the capital city of Chang An, he was still clutching the worn-out staff given to him so many years before.
Su Wu’s story became a symbol of loyalty, integrity, and perseverance, remembered from generation to generation in China as “Su Wu Herding Sheep.”
“Let the Spit Dry on Your Face”
During the reign of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang dynasty (624-705), Lou Shide (630-699) was serving as a chancellor when his younger brother Lou Siying was appointed prefect of Dai Prefecture.
As Lou Siying was preparing to leave to take up his new post, Lou Shide asked his younger brother, “I’m a chancellor, and you are now prefect of Dai Prefecture. These high honors will surely invite jealousy. How will you protect yourself?”
“From now on, even if someone spits in my face, I won’t talk back. I’ll just wipe it off. I won’t give you any cause for concern,” Lou Siying replied.
“Well, this is exactly what worries me,” Lou Shide said to his brother. “If someone spits in your face, it means he is angry at you. If you wipe it off, it shows you are unhappy about it, which will make the person even angrier. You should just accept it with a smile, and let the spit dry on your face.”
This is how the saying “Let the spit dry on your face” came into being, indicating that one is able to endure humiliation in silence and without retaliating.
Capable and Humble
Unbeknownst to Di Renji (630-704), Lou Shide recommended him to be the chancellor. In fact, on a number of occasions he sidelined Lou Shide and even assigned him to a post outside the capital.
When Empress Wu Zetian noticed this, she asked Di Renjie, “Is Lou Shide capable?”
“As a general, he was prudent and diligent, but I don’t know if he was capable.” Di Renjie replied.
“Is he a good judge of character?” Empress Wu Zetian asked him.
“I used to work with him, but I’ve never heard of him being a good judge of character,” Di Renjie replied.
“Well, I appointed you as chancellor because Lou Shide recommended you, so he must be a good judge of character.” Empress Wu Zetian said and showed Di Renjie the memorial of recommendation from Lou Shide.
Di Renjie was so ashamed of himself that he sighed and said, “Lord Lou is so virtuous. I didn’t know just how tolerant of me he was. I’m so far behind him!”
Epilogue
Laozi (571-470BC) wrote in the Dao De Jing, “Holding fast to constant virtue, one returns to the purity of a newborn.” and “Unerring in constant virtue, one returns to the boundless void.”
Sages behave based on fixed moral truths and are not tempted or deceived by power, fame, or wealth. They are naturally straightforward and do not follow the crowd or curry favor with the powerful, so they do not make mistakes in their conduct like ordinary people do.
In the face of extreme adversity, Su Wu endured with extraordinary perseverance, holding fast to his mission and never wavering: “Holding fast to constant virtue.”
Lou Shide, a chancellor and famous general in the Tang dynasty, showed exceptional broadmindedness and tolerance. He recommended the virtuous and capable without seeking anything in return: “Unerring in constant virtue”.
Both Su Wu and Lou Shide have been regarded by later generations as exemplars of forbearance in their personal cultivation.
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Category: Traditional Culture
