joi, 23 decembrie 2010

The seven virtues of bushido

"In feudal Japan bushido was the code of moral principles followed by the samurai, an ethical code of conduct that permeated life, from childhood to elderhood, often not even written, but carved in the heart of the samurai.

As Inazo Nitobe defines it: Bushido means literally the military-knight ways - the ways which fighting nobles should observe in their daily life as well as in their vocation; in a word, the precepts of knighthood.
What characterized these samurai and supported their action and knowledge of right and wrong is what we now popularly call the bushido code or the seven virtues of bushido. Some of the virtues such as benevolence, politeness and truthfulness are inspired by the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. In his chapter on the Sources of Bushido Inazo Nitobe mentions that the writings of these Chinese philosophers were the principal text-books for the youth and the highest authority of discussion among the old.

1. GI - Right Action, DutyGi has two parts: the upper part represents a sheep, which was the symbol of beauty in ancient China and the lower part is the character for I, with a strong slanting stroke on the left which represents a halberd. The character could be explained as understanding (sheep) after conflict (halberd).
Gi is to do the right thing.

2. YUUKI - CourageYuuki has two kanji. The first is yuu, which means courageous, with the important component of chikara, the symbol for strength.
The second kanji is ki or energy.

Yuuki means brave, courageous energy.

3. JIN - BenevolenceJin has two parts: on the left side stands the character for human, and on the right there are two horizontal strokes which represent the number two. Jin is one of the most fundamental virtues of Confucianism, which could be defined as to treat each other with tenderness, to love each other.
Jin is the benevolence that unites each human being to the other.

4. REI - Politeness or MoralityThe kanji for rei is a modern abbreviated form, which does not reveal very much of the ancient character. The ancient symbol shows a sacrificing vessel that evokes the rites and ceremonies conducted for worshipping and offerings. The character actually means rite or ceremony but in a broader sense it means respect.
Rei too is essential to Confucianism: In society rei governs your actions towards others, a fundamental politeness, very much related to jin.
It is often translated with morality, but as morality has other connotations I suggest politeness.
Rei is politeness, respect shown in social behavior.

5. MAKOTO - TruthfulnessThe kanji for makoto is composed of two parts: at the left stands the character for to speak, a mouth that produces words. At the right stands the character sei, which means to accomplish, to succeed.

Makoto means truth in word and action, to follow truly the Law of the Universe.
6. MEIYO - HonorMeiyo has two kanji. The first is mei, which means reputation, with the symbol of mouth below. The second kanji is yo, which means to praise or to admire, which has the component of to say.

Meiyo is to enjoy a good reputation, honor.
7. CHUUGI - Loyalty
Chuugi has two characters. The first one is chuu which means to be sincere or loyal. This character expresses very well the true meaning of loyalty. We see a heart and on top of it the symbol for middle. Chuu could be understood as no conflict in the heart, faithful to what is felt in the heart. The second kanji is gi, which means right action or duty.
Chuugi is to act faithfully, to be loyal. "

sâmbătă, 11 decembrie 2010

Balansoar de gradina (leagan)

Un loc de odihna in livada...

balansoar
leagan
balansoar


Am revenit cu masuratori in mm...

Grosimea picioarelor(popicilor rotunzi) e cam de 10cm.
Cadrul bancii este din patrat de 5x5cm, se fac doua dreptunghiuri(sezut si spatar) ce se imbina la 90grade, dar se atarna pe lant sub un unghi de 30grade intre pamant si sezut.
Pentru imbinarea popicilor se cherteaza locurile de imbinare. Am dat gauri cu burghiul si am folosit bara filetata de 8mm cu saibe late si cate doua piulite la fiecare capat.
SFAT: filetati piulitele pe bara si abia apoi taiati(unul din capete sa ramana "ca nou") altfel va veti chinui sa le filetati in capatul taiat.
Datorita contravantuirilor leaganul este foarte stabil chiar daca inca nu am prins picioarele in ciment(ceea ce este foarte indicat in cazul copiilor sau a zonelor cu vanturi puternice).

Un alt model la Balansoar de gradina 2 si Scaun balansoar

Masuta de cafea

Masuta de cafea (sufragerie)...


masuta_cafea_1masuta_cafea_2masuta_cafea_3masuta_cafea_4

Bonsai pe balcon



 Cateva poze cu "piticii" mei...

Ligustrum sinense sau Privet
 bonsai4


bonsai5






Nasterea Domnului e aproape!

Si tu nu stii

Te prind fiori, te simti murdar
Te-a prins pacatul la rascruce
Si tu nu stii, copil fugar
Ca-m fost lovit cu atata amar
Si-am stat in locul tau pe cruce.

Te uiti la cer, te simti zdrobit
Nu-i nimenea sa te inteleaga
Si tu nu stii, n-ai auzit
Ca pentru tot ce-ai savarsit
Eu am platit pedeapsa intreaga.

O cat ai vrea sa fi curat
Si sa incepi o viata noua
Si tu nu stii, tu n-ai aflat
Ca pentru Tine mi-am lasat
Strapunse mainile amandoua.

Ti-a spus un duh neintelept
Ca nu mai poti gasi iubire
Si tu nu stii, ca tot ce astept
E doar sa vii, sa-mi cazi la piept
Cu un cuvant de multumire.

O vin-o dar, te chem sa vii
Sa-ti iei din mana Mea cununa
Si atunci vei sti ce azi nu sti
C-ai fost al Meu din vesnicii
Si esti al Meu pe totdeauna.

Versuri: Costache Ioanid

Va urez tuturor "Sarbatori fericite!" si multa sanatate.