Great Philosopher of China, Lao Tzu ‘s wisdom on environment protection

The increasing events of the serious natural disasters of flood, typhoon earthquake and tsunami incidents happened since last 10 years all over the world and especially in Asia pacific region had given us the warming wake up call. The wake up call of rethinking of our inner self , value of consumption /life style and material development that we peruse in the so call modern age of human kind.

The projection of so called modern, civilized material development and lifestyle of capitalism framework had led us to live life alike the machine of desires and consumption. In order to feed our endless material desires and consumption, we will endless “utilize-exploit whatever natural resources in the universe to feed our greed. The result of this greediness of human kind, we eventually have to face the tremendous tragedy that we refer as natural disaster (“human -make natural disasters“) in recent years. These tragedies had caused deep sufferings to all beings on this universe.

Far back to 2500 years ago, there was a great Chinese philosopher (who is also the founder of the Taoism Philosophy school in China) ,老子- Lao Tzu , he had propagated many great wisdom thoughts that we can contemplate, especially in the midst of this age of great natural disasters.

He had propagated the thought of “天人合一” in his <<德道经》 Tao De Jing. This thought promote the wisdom of “无为、不争、清静、自然”. This thought mainly aims to appeal to human beings to be humble in front of the nature. Be aware that we are only a small part of universe. We have to respect the nature and the law of nature, especially not to harm nature. If we harm the nature, the human society will experience the even bad impact due to its ignorance and arrogance. Therefore, 老子- Lao Tzi is considered as one of great Chinese environmentalist philosopher and advocate .

Practically, he also promoted the environment protection /resource conservation concept of 3 R: Reduce, Reuse and recycle. He always mentioned: 常善救物，故無棄物。」(常常珍惜萬物，所以沒有無用之物，27章.)

If we really practice the attitude of resource conservation, we will not simply throw away the resource that we use. Instead, we will be re-used it.

In particularly ,his view on 无为 -“ wu wei” is a great wisdom thought that we can together reflect upon, especially in this era of greediness -desirousness and over consumption age of modern capitalism age that caused sufferings to our earth and nature.

One of the best story that provoke us to rethink the idea of value- ” usefulness” and “no value- un useful”.

There was a time, one of the Lao Tzi’s student asked the teacher,: as they saw many trees at the forest were being cut away . The student pointed at one of the old tree and said:’ this old tree is useless one, it has no value quality, that’s why it is not being cut. The rest were cut and being used for consumption”.

Lao Tzi told the student that it was not true.

The old tree that seems to be useless and valueless was the actual “useful” and “valuable” one in this forest.

Why?

Because of this old tree is useless and no value in the eye of human kind. It was saved from being cut away. And its remained there safely to protect the earth and nature. The land of the forest was protected by the tree as it supported the balance of the nature. Due to this, this old tree had helped the land and universe, including human kind save from facing natural disaster.

The  wisdom of this story remind us to rethink about our endless desires, greediness and clinging to endless consumptions that shape our thoughts that had harm the nature and all sentient beings in this universe.

We tend to make all available natural resources to be “useful;” and “valuable” feeding our lifestyle harming nature and others. Also, we eventually judge the “useful” and “valuable” of a person base on their material possession and whether they are successful person.

Therefore it is time for us to reflect the wisdom of the taught of Lau Tzi..

More information: & refrence :

http://forum.book.sina.com.cn/thread-972758-1-330.html

http://www.daode.biz/index.php

http://www.bozhounet.cn/mingcheng/11/02/20070313/045645.shtml

 

Be Proud To Be The Loser

Iraq war waged by the American troops in Iraq.

 

Is an unarm Iraq civilian woman causing any threat to the world peace?

 

Destroying the dream and childhood of a kid is less criminal than war agression & crime? - Iraq war

On 6 Nov 2009, an US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan has opened fire on fellow soldiers at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, killing 13 people and injuring 30.

My deepest sympathy to those victims who were killed and injured, and also the Major Nidal Malik Hasan.

This massacre is not a pain or tragedy for only Americans or Muslim community.

Infect, It is another alarming tragedy of humanity in this so called modern civilized capitalist society and world we are living in.

This tragedy reminded us again, any war -militarism actions, whether those war has been waged and claim to be the just war against the evil or vice versa had no fundamental solution to the sufferings of human being and resolve conflict. The middle east war waged by the US and its allies has proven that they have given more crisis to humanity rather than providing true solution.In return, the war is back to their own homeland.

From individual point of view, we could trace back many historical oral records of ex militaries from both sides who involved in the war, Such as those Japanese or western military who had invaded the developing countries. First, we saw it was always the lose -lose situation . Both sides had to bear the deep suffering of injuries, dead and hurt, especially the battle field militaries and their family members back home.

Second, we had not actually stop using coercion military actions/war as the method to resolve conflict Always waging war is the easy solution.

However, its had been proven in the history, there was no peace can achieve /ever achieve when we think hatred/violence can win over another hatred/violence. Infect, the vicious circle continue happening from life to life, century to century due to war and violenece oppression waged by human race . The biggest heritage of human race on this earth is the bloodshed and sufferings . It is the only collective history we shaped and continue enduring on the earth by human race who have been clouded by ignorance. We destroy other human fellows, nature and other beings in this earth by producing all types of war weapons.

The renowned Taiwanese socio political writer, Long Yin Daii, in her latest book described the oral stories/histories of the life of Chinese people and militaries experienced in the transition year of 1949 in China and Taiwan. She has make an very meaningful and wise conclusion in the book that we can reflect together:

she says:

“There is no winner in any war. Everyone is the loser eventually.However, if you can take failure as something to be proud of. Then, the proud and arrogance human being will change to be more humble and appreciate life/beings in the earth”

This is something we can contemplate together: how to end this vicious circle of human tragedy that human race had/have been experienced since centuries ago and now?