Vocabulary

a reclusive life; living secluded from the world; leading a sequestered life

(creating) a cover-up

the cosmic dual forces (yin and yang) and the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth) in Chinese cosmology

the harmony of yin and yang energies

a sense of release (as if one had wings and were riding on air)

scenery being beautiful in both rainy and sunny weather

sentient and nonsentient beings

(since) the beginning of the universe; (since) the dawn of time

(a Buddhist monk or priest or nun) without head shaven and not wearing religious garb

sexual liaison

not being obsessed with something very long (just as clouds and haze pass swiftly before one's eyes)

turn (stroke) of good fortune; one's fortune turning for the better

(many things) gathering like clouds and vanishing like mist; swarming and scattering

itinerant monk being on pilgrimages to many lands

having slow reflexes; being nonathletic; person who is not athletic

retired (uniform) number

permanence; forever unchanging

railroad (bus) lines (routes) in operation

eternal recurrence; eternal return

Eight Principles of Yong; principles for writing the eight basic brush strokes in Chinese characters

visual culture; culture of visual images; (screen) image culture

services performed in perpetuity by a Buddhist temple for the repose of a departed soul

hero; warrior of matchless valor; heroic character

all great men like women; great men enjoy sensual pleasure

highly nourishing (nutritious); earning top marks nutrition-wise

beautiful smile; there being a great charm about one's smile

three kinds of beneficial friends: straightforward, sincere, and well-informed ones

street performance by itinerant entertainers featuring a tumbling act in which a child performer wears a carved lion's head

politicking by wining and dining

employment of workers through personal connections; hiring through personal connections; nepotism

crony politics; nepotistic government

evacuating to the homes of one's relatives in the countryside in wartime

recruiting (inviting application for) through personal connections

how can a small bird (a sparrow, a petty person) understand the aspirations of a great bird (a phoenix); only a hero can understand a hero

nepotism

humorous erotic literature

killing oneself out of despair (for life)

oratorical tone

giving a charming (bewitching) smile

feeling of war-weariness