World Peace: In the Perspective of Chinese Philosophy

World Peace!

Ever since, man has struggled for peace. There have been many efforts put forth that intend to alleviate conflicts and restore peaceful relationships. However, much as we want to attain peace by doing any peace agreements possible, we are still no where near from that goal. Conflicts and disagreements that have exacerbated into violent combats are constantly plaguing the planet. Isolated cases of violence are present everywhere, both small and big scale hostilities afflicts the whole humanity. We have the problem in Middle East, in our country, in Mindanao, in our government and even in our own homes.

Despite our efforts to live in peace and harmony, we are still at a loss on how to make it lasting. War still surfaces notwithstanding our efforts to make peace. There must be something wrong with what we are doing at the moment. What is that thing that prevents us from reaching our goal to have peace?

This paper would like to offer an analysis of the cause of the world's bloody plight by presenting an oriental perspective from Lao Tzu specifically this statement: (#37) Tao invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone./If kings and barons can keep it, all things will transform spontaneously./If, after transformation, they should desire to be active,/I would restrain them with simplicity, which has no name./Simplicity, which has no name, is free of desires./Being free of desires, it is tranquil./And the world will be at peace of its own accord.

Here, we see a clear development or flow of ideas. First, the statement tells us about taking no action and then about the human desire to be active and manipulative. Next, it presents to us that simplicity is the antidote of that urge to manipulate and be active. Lastly it demonstrates to us that a peaceful world will be possible by its own accord.

These points will be our guide as to the flow of our discussion as we go on further in this paper. What is this idea of taking no action? Among men, only a few can understand and appreciate the advantage of taking no action. Why, because the present context orients us to manage things on our own. We have to do this. We have to do that. Man has become so obsessed with the idea of being the captain of his ship, the master of his life, of being superior to animals, to other things both living and non-living, and even with his fellow man. So, man tends to believe that he has the responsibility and has the power to control his environment in his due accord. Man is so overwhelmed in manipulating things to the point of distorting their nature.

What benefit can one actually get from doing nothing? Doing nothing means letting things be as they are. Spontaneity therefore is not suppressed. The natural flow of transformation of things is not disrupted. Why one has to let things go their own way? Nature actually has built-in auto preservation. Things will be in order as they are. Each has its own role in the grander scheme of things and let us just let them be without us intervening their natural flow. By doing nothing, one has contributed in the preservation of the nature of things. One has avoided thorough destruction of things.

But then again, man has a tendency of becoming active. The cause of man's craving to be active is his desires. And this will bring nothing but damage. Take for