How Do We ‘Sense’ Who We Are?
Original Chinese Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Life has existed on this planet for millions of years. This process of development has included the development of human life which has undergone many stages of change and manifestation. This long path has culminated in the contemporary situation of a highly developed modern society. What is human history? Although evolution is understood through the observation of physical (bodily) change – it is also true that humanity has used the deep wisdom inherent in the mind to transform the physical world within which we all live.
Recently, one of my overseas Chinese friends returned to China and talked with me about the different cultures around the world. He has been to dozens of countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, etc., studying the different religions and beliefs, and telling me about the three major religions in the world - Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and the beliefs and totems found within other countries.
Religion is a belief in the ‘sacred’ – a special something at the heart of existence. Many such belief systems cultivate kindness when interfacing with the many attributes of the physical world around them, cultivating equality and harmony as a consequence. When my friend returned to China, he also learned an unexpected amount about his ancestral country. He was surprised to find out how China has different religious beliefs everywhere. Some villages have built churches within which many people are baptised as Christians. Many other places in the country have built temples which have cultivated numerous believers in various belief systems. However, it is also true that in general discourse, the Chinese teachings of Confucianism and Daoism (Chinese cultures that the Western countries so admire) is rarely mentioned in China by the youth of the country who sadly seem to equate ‘freedom of belief’ with having no belief at all! Of course, it is not just the fault of the youth, as in many cases they are simply following the example of the older generations.
My point is that it is precious for a nation to have its own culture. The concept of historical belief – although free from ignorance and superstition in the modern era - symbolises the culture and belief of this nation. If a country’s belief system is irrelevant, then why have untold numbers sacrificed precious lives in its defence? A modern nation should respect and preserve its historical sacred spaces for future generations!
As a native of China, what should we do? What is treason? What is ignorance? What is faith? What is Chinese culture? The troubled land of old China is now gone, and as a nation we are now strongly standing in front of the world and no longer bowing. We have a robust country now. What have we done? Where are our five thousand years of Confucianism and Daoist culture?
When my friend expressed these feelings, I was made to think deeply. The five thousand years of Confucian thought in China has cultivated benevolence, righteousness, justice, and wisdom. Daoism allows us to understand the wisdom of our predecessors. Although it is right for China to scientifically develop, is it not also important for these ancient ‘wisdom’ cultures to be preserved, practised and understood today?
Daojia, Longmen, Qianfeng Prenatal School Lineage Inheritor.
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2019.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102y9e4.html
感受我是谁? (2018-12-09 17:28:41)
人类存在这个星球已经有几百万年的历史,我们一步跨越到现代社会宇宙经历的一瞬间。人类历史是什么?是用智慧来发展自我,来改变这个地球,在人类中最重要离不开心中的信仰。
前不久我的一位海外华裔朋友回国后和我谈起世界各地文化,他曾经去过亚洲,非洲,欧洲等几十个国家,谈到宗教与信仰,和我讲述了世界上的三大宗教以椰酥的基督教、伊斯兰教、佛教以及其他国家的信仰与图腾。
宗教是一种圣洁的信仰大部分都是以善心面对自己身边的事和物,平等与和谐共存。当我的这位朋友回国旅游时也在中国了解了很多,让他惊奇的发现中国怎么到处都有不同信仰各种宗教人士。如有的农村盖起了教堂很多人去教堂让基督教徒洗礼,全国很多地方盖起了寺庙信徒众多。
而就连西方国家都敬仰的中华儒道文化,在国内很少提起。谈到这里可能大家尤其是年轻人会不屑一顾,认为世界之大信仰自由,其实这一点很可悲。
一个民族拥有自己的文化是很宝贵的,他象征着这个民族的文化与信仰。有的时期为了民族信仰去牺牲宝贵的生命为什么?应为那是这个民族心灵中的圣洁之地。
作为华夏大地土生土长的大众,我们应该如何?什么叫叛逆?什么叫无知?什么叫信仰?什么叫中华文化?在多灾多难的中华大地上,我们如今站立在世界强者面前不再低头,我们如今有个强壮的国家,我们又做了什么?我们五千年儒道文化又在哪里?
作为一名普通人当我听到这些感觉心中有种郁闷,华夏五千年儒家文化思想让我们了解什么是仁义礼智信,什么是德善。道家无为让我们了解到前辈的智慧,难道这些文化与规矩不值得我们当今好好的去品味一下吗?
道家全真龙门千峰先天派传承
北京千峰草堂 ;赵明旺
Recently, one of my overseas Chinese friends returned to China and talked with me about the different cultures around the world. He has been to dozens of countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, etc., studying the different religions and beliefs, and telling me about the three major religions in the world - Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and the beliefs and totems found within other countries.
Religion is a belief in the ‘sacred’ – a special something at the heart of existence. Many such belief systems cultivate kindness when interfacing with the many attributes of the physical world around them, cultivating equality and harmony as a consequence. When my friend returned to China, he also learned an unexpected amount about his ancestral country. He was surprised to find out how China has different religious beliefs everywhere. Some villages have built churches within which many people are baptised as Christians. Many other places in the country have built temples which have cultivated numerous believers in various belief systems. However, it is also true that in general discourse, the Chinese teachings of Confucianism and Daoism (Chinese cultures that the Western countries so admire) is rarely mentioned in China by the youth of the country who sadly seem to equate ‘freedom of belief’ with having no belief at all! Of course, it is not just the fault of the youth, as in many cases they are simply following the example of the older generations.
My point is that it is precious for a nation to have its own culture. The concept of historical belief – although free from ignorance and superstition in the modern era - symbolises the culture and belief of this nation. If a country’s belief system is irrelevant, then why have untold numbers sacrificed precious lives in its defence? A modern nation should respect and preserve its historical sacred spaces for future generations!
As a native of China, what should we do? What is treason? What is ignorance? What is faith? What is Chinese culture? The troubled land of old China is now gone, and as a nation we are now strongly standing in front of the world and no longer bowing. We have a robust country now. What have we done? Where are our five thousand years of Confucianism and Daoist culture?
When my friend expressed these feelings, I was made to think deeply. The five thousand years of Confucian thought in China has cultivated benevolence, righteousness, justice, and wisdom. Daoism allows us to understand the wisdom of our predecessors. Although it is right for China to scientifically develop, is it not also important for these ancient ‘wisdom’ cultures to be preserved, practised and understood today?
Daojia, Longmen, Qianfeng Prenatal School Lineage Inheritor.
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2019.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102y9e4.html
感受我是谁? (2018-12-09 17:28:41)
人类存在这个星球已经有几百万年的历史,我们一步跨越到现代社会宇宙经历的一瞬间。人类历史是什么?是用智慧来发展自我,来改变这个地球,在人类中最重要离不开心中的信仰。
前不久我的一位海外华裔朋友回国后和我谈起世界各地文化,他曾经去过亚洲,非洲,欧洲等几十个国家,谈到宗教与信仰,和我讲述了世界上的三大宗教以椰酥的基督教、伊斯兰教、佛教以及其他国家的信仰与图腾。
宗教是一种圣洁的信仰大部分都是以善心面对自己身边的事和物,平等与和谐共存。当我的这位朋友回国旅游时也在中国了解了很多,让他惊奇的发现中国怎么到处都有不同信仰各种宗教人士。如有的农村盖起了教堂很多人去教堂让基督教徒洗礼,全国很多地方盖起了寺庙信徒众多。
而就连西方国家都敬仰的中华儒道文化,在国内很少提起。谈到这里可能大家尤其是年轻人会不屑一顾,认为世界之大信仰自由,其实这一点很可悲。
一个民族拥有自己的文化是很宝贵的,他象征着这个民族的文化与信仰。有的时期为了民族信仰去牺牲宝贵的生命为什么?应为那是这个民族心灵中的圣洁之地。
作为华夏大地土生土长的大众,我们应该如何?什么叫叛逆?什么叫无知?什么叫信仰?什么叫中华文化?在多灾多难的中华大地上,我们如今站立在世界强者面前不再低头,我们如今有个强壮的国家,我们又做了什么?我们五千年儒道文化又在哪里?
作为一名普通人当我听到这些感觉心中有种郁闷,华夏五千年儒家文化思想让我们了解什么是仁义礼智信,什么是德善。道家无为让我们了解到前辈的智慧,难道这些文化与规矩不值得我们当今好好的去品味一下吗?
道家全真龙门千峰先天派传承
北京千峰草堂 ;赵明旺