To stand in the snow outside of Chéng Yí's house
Refers to deeply respecting one's teacher and their teachings; to walk on foot
Positive
现在的年轻人有程门立雪的精神的已经不多了 | Xiànzài de niánqīngrén yǒu chéngménlìxuě de jīngshén de yǐjīng bù duō le
Very few young people nowadays have [great reverence] towards their studies
[Source]
我们向别人求教要有程门立雪的精神 | Wǒmen xiàng biérén qiújiào yào yǒu chéngménlìxuě de jīngshén
We should have an attitude towards asking for instruction that is like the attitude in the story of Chéng Mén Lì Xuě
[Source]
None
None
None
《宋史》(Sòng Shǐ, or the "History of Song"), a work written by the high-ranking Yuán Dynasty (元, 1271 - 1386) politician 脱脱 (Tuō Tuō, or Toqto'a). The piece documents the history of the Sòng Dynasty (宋, 960 - 1279). Note: The Yuán Dynasty was founded and ruled by Mongols, not ethnic Chinese. 脱脱/Toqto'a is a Mongol name.
During the 北宋 (Běi Sòng | Northern Sòng | 960 - 1127) Dynasty, there lived a man named 杨时 (Yáng Shí). 杨时 had passed the difficult imperial examination and could have focused on working as a government official, but he instead devoted himself to his studies. There were two great neo-Confucian philosophers at the time, 程颢 (Chéng Hào) and his younger brother 程颐 (Chéng Yí). 杨时 first went to study with 程颢, but after the renowned scholar passed away from illness, he traveled to study under 程颐.
One day, 杨时 and fellow scholar 游酢 (Yóu Zuò) went to visit 程颐. Upon arriving, they realized that their teacher was resting with his eyes closed, and they did not dare disturb him. Instead, they waited outside in silence. As they waited, it began to snow heavily, but they still did not move. Half a day passed, and by the time their teacher opened his eyes and urged them inside, over one 尺 (chǐ, or a third of a meter) of snow had accumulated