Chinese Idiom: 程门立雪 (Cheng Men Li Xue)
English Translation: Standing in the snow at Cheng’s door
pīn yīn: chéng mén lì xuě
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the respect for a teacher and the earnestness in seeking knowledge.
Historical Source: The idiom is derived from the Song History (《宋史》) in the biography of Yang Shi.
Idiom Story:
During the Northern Song Dynasty, Cheng Hao and his younger brother Cheng Yi, known collectively as the “Two Chens,” were prominent philosophers of the time. They were key figures in Neo-Confucianism, often contrasted with Zhu Xi, another great scholar, forming the “Cheng-Zhu School.” In the reign of Emperor Shenzong Zhao Xu during the Xining (1068–1077 AD) and Yuanfeng (1078–1085 AD) periods, the Two Chens taught the profound meanings of Confucianism, attracting numerous scholars from the vast regions between the Yellow and Luo Rivers (now central Henan) who came to study under them.
One of these scholars was Yang Shi, a native of Jianle (now Jianle County, Fujian). Despite having passed the imperial examination and being appointed to an official position, Yang chose to serve as a disciple to Cheng Hao in Yingchang (now Xuchang, Henan) to continue his studies. Yang Shi was diligent, earnest, and humble in his approach to learning, fostering a strong student-teacher relationship with Cheng Hao. Their time together was marked by mutual enjoyment and intellectual camaraderie. When Yang was about to leave, Cheng Hao gazed at his departing figure and remarked, “My scholarly thoughts have now spread to the south.”
Four years later, upon hearing of Cheng Hao’s death, Yang Shi was filled with grief and set up a memorial tablet for him in his home. He mourned deeply outside his bedroom door. During this time, he also visited Cheng Yi in Luoyang. By then, Yang Shi was forty years old. One day, he went to see Cheng Yi along with another scholar, You Zuo. When they arrived, they found Cheng Yi dozing in a meditative state. Out of respect, Yang Shi and You Zuo stood quietly outside the door, waiting patiently without making a sound. By the time Cheng Yi awoke, the snow outside had piled up to a depth of over a foot.
This story illustrates Yang Shi’s profound respect for his teachers and his sincere pursuit of knowledge, symbolized by his patient wait in the cold snow.
