Religion and Theology

China is now a leading economy.  In a few decades, it may even overtake the United States and be the leading country in the world once again, continuing its winning streak for thousands of years.  What is the secret to their success  Is it their philosophy  In this paper I will explore Chinese philosophy and how it relates to the success of Chinathe Middle Kingdom.  At its core is the Middle Way or the Confucian Doctrine of the Mean.  As Confucius says, The virtue embodied in the doctrine of the Mean is of the highest order. But it has long been rare among people.  Chinese government officials are required to know the doctrine by heart.  To its left is Sun Zis Art of War, and to its right is Lao Zis Dao De Jing.   Together, when used harmoniously, it is the Chinese way to success.

Newsweek interviewed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and asked him Premier Wen, your country has grown, as you pointed out, 9.5 percent for 30 yearsthe fastest growth rate of any country in history. What is the key to your success What is the model  So Wen answered, Ensure that both the visible hand and the invisible hand are given full play  Wen speaks of the parallelism between Adam Smiths economic policies and Chinese philosophy.  The invisible hand is the market forces that are to be left alone.  It follows the principles of Yin and the Dao De Jing.  As it says, The existence of the supremely high is not known.  In other words, a great ruler needs to allow natural forces to move without interference.  Wen compares this to Adam Smiths The Wealth of Nations where market forces are the invisible hand.  On the other hand, the visible hand is the regulatory role of government in ensuring social equity and justice.  It is the principle of Yang, the Analects of Confucius and the Art of War.  As Confucius says, after being asked if we should repay an enemy with kindness, If you repay an enemy with kindness, how will you repay someone who is kind to you  You should treat an enemy with decency and fairness.  And you should repay kindness with kindness. This means that those who do harm should not be rewarded.  If too much laissez-faire (non-intervention) occurs, the people will be robbed by businessmen, so the government will try to control businessmen or people who create inequity. The government will attempt to distribute wealth more evenly.  Of course, if there is too much intervention, investors will be discouraged.  Therefore the right mix of incentives and deterrents should be carefully thought of.  As Sun Zi adds, Which rewards and punishments make sense  When the two hands, Yin and Yang are used harmoniously, success follows.

Some people think that the Analects and the Dao De Jing are contradictory and cannot be implemented together just as communism or socialism cannot run simultaneously with capitalism.  But just as Wen Jiabao answered to Newsweek, Socialism can practice market economy, the Dao De Jing, the Analects and the Art of War can all be used together.  This, as Wen says, is Chinas ages-long secret to success.

The Chinese also believe in the Wu Xing (Five Elements) or the Pentacle of Confucius that correspond to the three books.  The elements Wood, Water, Earth, Fire and Metal are an abstract representation of the elements in the universe.  As Rodney St.Michael says for example, within the mind, comparing it to Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, Wood is self-actualization needs (Scholars), Water is superego or esteem needs (Shamans), Earth is social and belongingness needs (Ubuntu Business Class), Fire is security and economic needs (Military and Militant Business Class), and Metal is physiological or basic needs (Working Class and Bi-Military).  This means that all Five Elements are within a person.  When Confucius was asked what makes a complete person, he says, Someone who has the intelligence (Wood) of the wise official Zang Wuzhong, the uncovetousness (Water) of Meng Gongchuo, the courage (Fire) of Zhuangzi of Bian, and the talent of Ran Qiu (Metal), together with a knowledge of propriety and music (Earth), can be considered complete.  In the same way, the Dao De Jing is Water.  The Art of War is Fire and Metal.  And the Analects is Wood and Earth.  Applying the principles in the right amount, the right time and the right circumstance makes a complete person and a true gentleman.

However, this is very difficult to balance.  It takes a lot of practice and skill to get the median between active mindfulness (Analects) and letting go (Dao De Jing).  Confucius says, There are nine considerations a gentleman should keep in mind  When looking, be mindful of clarity When listening, be mindful of acuity For facial expressions, be mindful of geniality For demeanor, be mindful of deference When speaking, be mindful of sincerity When acting, be mindful of reverence When confused, be mindful of inquiring When angry, be mindful of the consequences When seeing the chance for gain, be mindful of what is right.  This long mindfulness list will be very stressful to me if I had to do all of it, and it will likely annoy others if I continuously do it in all types of circumstances.  So I have to let go sometimes, and if the situation does not warrant it, I can use the Dao De Jing.  As Lao Zi says, The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows.   Although it is empty, it is because of its emptiness that it is able to produce the myriad things.  From this we see that doing too much and taking on too much can lead to mistakes and failure.  It is better to preserve tranquility, non-action and silence.

I also need to be virtuous if I want to be a good government official.  One of Confucius disciples, Yan Hui was a model of Confucian virtue.  Confucius says, What a fine man Hui was  One container of rice, one dipperful of drink, living in a back alleyothers couldnt have endured the gloom of it, but he never let it affect his happiness.  What a fine man Hui was  Unfortunately, Yan died at an early age, and it saddened Confucius greatly.  If I were as virtuous as Yan, I would die young too, so again I need to let go a little.  As Lao Zi says in the Dao De Jing, The highest excellence (virtue) is like water.  Water excels at benefiting the ten thousand things while not competing against them It is only because it does not compete, that there is no resentment.  By letting go, adapting and being flexible like water, I will not have such a difficult time being virtuous.  Whenever I go through very difficult times, by being flexible and not striving, I can be virtuous and happy at the same time.

And to govern such a huge country as China, I would need to implement the rituals of bureaucracy and diplomatic protocol.  Proper ceremony would remind me of the rules and values that I have to incorporate in my life.  As Confucius says, after being asked if the sacrificial sheep for the monthly offering could be omitted, You value the sheep, but I value adhering to the rites.  It is better not to do without the sheep.  But strictly following the rules all the time will be stressful for me, and sometimes the rules dont really apply to some circumstances, so during those periods, I let go and remember the Dao De Jing.  As Lao Zi says, The more legal matters are made prominent, the more will be robbers and thieves.  That is why the Sage says I act non-intentionally, and the people spontaneously transform.  So I forget about the protocol for the moment since the circumstances do not warrant it.  I let go, and I feel better.

And if I have enemies, I will try to avoid war.  Confucius says that being in control is better than losing my military.  And as Sun Zi says, Avoid battle and make the enemys men surrender.  This is the right goal for a superior leader.

Truly by using all three booksthe Analects of Confucius, the Dao De Jing and the Art of WarI can become more successful in life.  It is ageless wisdom from the ancient Chinese sages, and Im glad that I learned about it.