探求和谐之道共建和谐世界

——在国际《道德经》论坛开幕式上的讲话

　　　　　　　　　　　　　（ 2007 年 4 月 22 日，中国·西安）

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 刘延东

各位来宾、朋友们：

古都西安，春意盎然，群芳争妍。来自世界各地的专家、学者和道教界人士相聚一堂，可谓人文荟萃，群贤毕至。首先，我谨代表中国政府和中国政协，向国际《道德经》论坛的召开表示热烈的祝贺！向各位来宾表示诚挚的欢迎和良好的祝愿！

2500 年前，一位伟大的思想家告别都城喧嚷，骑青牛、出函谷，留下了千古传诵的不朽名篇《道德经》。“紫气东来”的传说、《史记》“老子修道德”的记载、周至楼观台的景观……都印证着古老的岁月和智者的足迹。物换星移，沧海桑田，先人的思想却依然闪烁智慧的光芒。这次国际《道德经》论坛以“和谐世界，以道相通”为主题，深入挖掘和弘扬光大《道德经》的思想精华，探讨《道德经》与和谐文化、生态环保、现代管理和养生健康的关系，很有意义、倍受关注，是关于老子思想研究的一次空前盛会。

《道德经》作为中华传统文化的重要经典，思想深邃，言简意赅，短短五千言，涵摄宇宙、自然、社会、人生各方面，阐释万物之源、治国之术、为政之道、为人之本、立世之则，通篇贯穿着“道法自然”、“大道和谐”和朴素的辩证思想，折射了中华民族祈盼和顺、崇尚和美、追求和谐的美好愿望，体现了中华文化博大精深、独具特色的无穷魅力。

《道德经》认为“道生万物”，阐释了天人合一的重要思想。强调天、地、人等宇宙万物是一个有机统一的整体，人类与自然万物之间有着共同的本源和法则。只有顺应万事万物发展的规律，才能达到天人和谐的状态。这些思想反映了中国古代先贤认识世界、把握世界的深刻洞察力，为实现人与自然的圆融无间、共生共荣，提供了丰富的思想资源。

《道德经》主张“无为而治”，阐释了爱民治国的重要理念。强调“以百姓之心为心”，不恣意妄为，不逆道而为，达到“无为而无不为”。这些思想体现了中国古代先贤真挚深沉的“民本”情怀，成为中国政治思想的重要渊源，对后世的治国安邦产生了重要影响。

《道德经》主张“为而不争”，阐释了和以处众的重要原则。强调作为个人要“谦下”、“德信”、“上善若水”，作为国家要“不武”、“不怒”、“不以兵强天下”。这些思想对于中华民族形成与人为善、推己及人、合群济众的传统美德，培育亲仁善邻、协和万邦、爱好和平的民族品格，起到了不可忽视的重要作用。

《道德经》主张致虚守静，阐释了立德修身的朴素哲理。强调把“德”作为操行的标准、人生的原则，倡导“见素抱朴”、“少私寡欲”的态度和知足常乐、“清静无为”的境界。这些思想体现了中国古代先贤深层次的精神追求和行为准则，渗透在中华民族的民族心理和民族性格中，成为滋养人们精神家园的重要源泉。

《道德经》睿智的思想穿越时间和空间、跨越信仰和国度，经世而长存，历久而弥新。从敦煌卷子、马王堆帛书、郭店竹简等出土文献的记载，到遍布全球 30 多种语言的 400 多种外文译本；从孔子问礼于老子的传说，到历代思想家、政治家的悉心研究；从“东方智慧的结晶”、“永不枯竭的井泉”的赞誉，到老子被誉为世界百位历史文化名人，无不说明了《道德经》的深远影响，无不体现了《道德经》的重要价值。《道德经》潜移默化地影响了一代又一代中华儿女，影响了不同国度、不同肤色、不同民族、不同语言的人们，不仅是中华文化宝库中一块绚丽夺目的瑰宝，而且为世界文明的发展作出了不可磨灭的贡献。而在 21 世纪的今天，古老的《道德经》所蕴含的理念与主张，仍具有重要的现实意义。

各位来宾，朋友们：

和谐是中华文明的重要价值观念，也是世界各国人民的共同愿望和不懈追求。在人类社会不断实现自身美好理想、迈向光明和进步的 21 世纪，国家的兴旺发达，越来越需要和谐有序的社会环境；世界的繁荣发展，越来越需要和谐共存的国际环境。作为世界上最大的发展中国家，作为深受“和谐”文化润泽和滋养的礼仪之邦，中国的发展将为世界带来更多的机遇，中国永远是维护世界和平、促进共同发展的坚定力量。当前，中国政府对内致力于加快构建和谐社会，对外致力于推动建设和谐世界。共建和谐已经成为亿万中国人民的共同追求。这种和谐应是以人为本的和谐，即坚持尊重人的尊严，关注人的价值，保障人的权益，重视人的生活质量和发展潜能，努力实现人的全面发展。这种和谐应是包容多样的和谐，即坚持尊重差异，和而不同，求同存异，维护文明多样性和发展模式多样化，实现各美其美而又美美与共的良好状态。这种和谐应是公平正义的和谐，即坚持扶正扬善，注重权利的平等、分配的合理、机会的均等，确保各方面的利益和诉求得到全面兼顾。这种和谐应是诚信友爱的和谐，即坚持以诚相待，坦诚相商，诚实守信，更加关爱彼此，更加珍视情谊，更加融洽相处。这种和谐应是共同发展的和谐，即坚持平等合作、互利双赢，实现持久和平、共同繁荣，使人类文明进步的成果惠及各国人民，共同建设、共同享有属于全人类的美好未来。

推进和谐社会、和谐世界，需要和谐的理念、和谐的文化。面对日益加快的全球化和现代化进程，我们将始终坚持继承和发展中华优秀传统文化，深入研究和挖掘《道德经》的丰富内涵，宣传和弘扬《道德经》的时代意义，遵循客观规律、倡导和合友善、注重律己修身，使这一超越历史、超越宗教、超越国界的文化宝藏，在新的时代焕发出新的生命力。

遵循客观规律，就是要树立尊重自然、顺应自然的理念，促进人与自然的和谐。人与自然的关系，是人类生存与发展的最基础的关系。从工业化开始的现代经济，极大地增强了人改变自然的力量，但是也带来了生态破坏、资源枯竭、环境污染等世界性难题。我们要通过研究和弘扬《道德经》，引导人们树立人与自然辩证和谐的发展观，合理而有节制地开发、利用自然，与自然建立一种和谐共处、同存共生的关系，走科学发展、和谐发展、可持续发展的道路。

倡导和合友善，就是要弘扬慈爱和同、为善尚义的传统美德，促进人与社会的和谐。人与社会的和谐，是一个古老而又永恒的话题。随着人类文明的发展，人与人、国与国之间的关系趋于融洽，但社会上依然存在物欲膨胀、损人利己、信用危机等问题，国际上依然存在以强凌弱、以富压贫、对抗冲突等现象。我们要通过研究和弘扬《道德经》，推动人们坚持正确的是非观、善恶观、荣辱观，以慈善谦让的态度待人处世，多行善举，济困助人，努力形成有利于社会和谐的社会风尚和行为规范。要通过研究和弘扬《道德经》，推动人们认识文明多样性是人类社会的重要特征，不同文明之间应当相互包容、积极对话、兼收并蓄，不同国度之间应当讲信修睦、互惠合作，摒弃排斥、歧见和隔阂，使世界各国在互信协作中谋求共同发展，使人类文明在和谐共存中更加丰富多彩。

注重律己修身，就是要培养淡泊宁静、贵德守真的品格，促进人的内心和谐。追求内心和谐，是人生的重大课题，也是人际和谐与社会和谐的基本要求。在社会发展和转型中，一些人出现了虚华浮躁、精神空虚、信仰失落、道德失范、心理失衡等问题，人们的精神生活面临着新的考验。我们要通过研究和弘扬《道德经》，引导人们从古人修身思想中得到启发，净化和升华思想境界，从社会发展进步的要求出发，培养高尚的道德情操，树立正确的人生观、价值观和义利观，崇俭抑奢，培功建德，不为物欲主义、拜金主义、享乐主义所侵蚀；要理性认识和对待发展过程中出现的利益和差距，把个人发展的目标和社会的大目标统一起来，合理表达情绪和诉求，采取积极的人生态度，以平衡乐观的心态迎对挑战、战胜困难，去实现人生的和谐、安宁与幸福。

道教植根于中华传统文化、生长于华夏大地，是一个以《道德经》为根本经典、重人贵生的宗教，对中国历史社会和文化发展产生了重大影响。新中国成立以来特别是改革开放以来，道教积极传承爱国爱教、慈爱和同、济世度人的优良教义和传统，重视现实，关注社会，利益人群，福臻家国，为促进我国社会发展进步、为推动世界不同宗教和不同文明的交流作出了重要贡献。

各位来宾，朋友们：

《道德经》是人类的共同精神财富。这次论坛，在历史文化底蕴深厚的千年古都西安揭幕，在东西方文明交汇的国际大都市香港落幕，象征着《道德经》进一步从古老走向现代，从中国走向世界。我相信，在各位道教界人士的积极参与下，在各位专家学者和喜爱《道德经》的海内外友人的大力支持下，《道德经》一定会在新的时代焕发出新的夺目光彩，中华优秀传统文化一定会在世界文化之林中熠熠生辉！

衷心祝愿国际《道德经》论坛圆满成功！祝各位朋友健康幸福、吉祥如意！

谢谢各位！

Searching for the Way to Harmony,

Building a Harmonious World Together

—— Speech at the opening ceremony of the International Forum on Dao De Jing in

Xi’an, China, April 22, 2007

 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Liu Yandong

Dear guests and friends:　　

　　Spring is in the air in this ancient city of Xi’an, with flowers in full bloom. It is a great pleasure to have you all here -- specialists, scholars and personages of Taoist circles from all over the world. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the opening of the International Forum on Dao De Jing. I would also like to extend my heartfelt welcome and sincere wishes to all our guests.  

　　Two thousand five hundred years ago, a great sage left behind the din and bustle of the capital city, riding on a black ox, and headed for the Han’gu Pass, where this wise man wrote one of the greatest works of all times – Dao De Jing. The legend of “purple air coming from the east,” the account of Laozi writing Dao De Jing, as related in Shi Ji (or Records of the Historians), and Louguantai Monastery in Zhouzhi County all remind us of the remote past and the traces of that wise man. The passing of time has transformed the former turquoise sea into mulberry fields, as the saying goes, but the rays of wisdom of the ancient philosopher still shine as brightly as ever. This International Forum on Dao De Jing, which features the theme of “a harmonious world communicated through the Tao,” is of great significance, and has attracted much attention. This is because that, as a grand gathering of people who study Laozi’s thought, we will continue to search and carry forward the essence of Dao De Jing, and discuss the relationship between Dao De Jing and the culture of harmony, the protection of ecological environment, modern management and health preservation.  

　　As one of the important classics of Chinese traditional culture, Dao De Jing manifests a great profundity of thought contained in pithy remarks. The book, consisting of only 5,000 characters, is a comprehensive discussion of the cosmos, nature, society and life, expounding on the origins of myriad things, the way of ruling a country, the ethnics of governance, the basics of being man and the principles of living. A crude dialectical thread of thought can be found throughout the book, contained in such sayings as “the Way follows Nature” and “the Great Way is harmony,” a reflection of the lofty aspirations of the Chinese nation for amiability, happiness and harmony. It shows the profundity of Chinese culture and its unique appeal.    

　　Dao De Jing maintains that “the Tao begets the myriad things,” expounding the important thought of the integration of man and Heaven. Emphasizing that Heaven, earth, man and all things in the universe are an organic and integral whole, it believes that man and all the things in Nature share the same origin and law. Only by following the law of development governing everything on the globe can we reach a state of harmony between Heaven and man. These ideas mirror the insightful vision of the ancient Chinese philosophers as they were trying to understand and come to terms with the world. They also provide bountiful resources to realize seamless harmony between man and Nature, and their common survival and prosperity.  

　　Dao De Jing advocates a “rule by doing nothing that is against Nature,” elaborating on the important idea of a ruler caring for his subjects when governing his country. It advocates “taking the sentiments of the populace as one’s own,” maintaining that the ruler should not act willfully or go against the Tao, in order to reach a state whereby “rule by doing nothing, yet through it all things are done.” Such ideas indicate that the philosophers of ancient China, including Laozi, had a firm belief that people were the essential element of a country. These ideas were the key origins of political thought in China and had a great impact on rulers of later generations regarding governance of a country.  

　　Dao De Jing points out that “the Sage’s way is to act without striving,” explaining the important principle of maintaining a harmonious relationship with others. This classic emphasizes the traits of “humbleness” and “trustfulness,” and asserts that “the highest good is like that of water” on the part of the individual; a country should not “rush its soldiers ahead” or “make displays of wrath,” and should “oppose all conquest by force of arms.” These views have played important roles in shaping the characteristics of the Chinese nation, such as amity towards others, mutual understanding, working in collaboration with others, maintaining cordial relations with neighbors and countries, and peace-loving.   

　　Dao De Jing urges people to “push far enough towards the Void, hold fast enough to Quietness,” a simple philosophical idea about the cultivation of virtue and self improvement. It emphasizes “virtue” and takes it as the criterion for one’s behavior and principle of living. By saying “give them simplicity to look at, the uncarved block to hold; give them selflessness and fewness of desires,” it advocates a state of “quietness and inactivity” whereby “happy is he who is content.” These ideas were the embodiment of the spiritual pursuit and code of conduct of the ancient Chinese sages, and have become part of the national sentiment and character of the Chinese nation, as well as important sources of nutrition for the people’s hearts and minds.  

　　The wisdom in Dao De Jing transcends time, space, ideologies and countries, and is as fresh as ever today. From the text in the Dunhuang scrolls to the silk book found at the Mawangdui Tomb and to the bamboo slips unearthed at Guodian, and then to the more than 400 versions in more than 30 foreign languages, from the legend about Confucius conferring with Laozi on the rites to the assiduous study of Dao De Jing by philosophers and politicians through the ages, from being praised as the “crystallization of Oriental wisdom” and “an inexhaustible spring” to Laozi being included among the top 100 most influential persons in world history -- all are proofs of the wide influence of Dao De Jing and its great value. In many subtle ways, Dao De Jing has influenced the Chinese people generation after generation, as well as people of different countries, races, nationalities, and languages. It is not only a precious gem in the treasure house of Chinese culture but a common spiritual wealth of the mankind. As such, it has made an indelible contribution to the progress of world civilization. Today, in the 21st century, the ancient concepts and views of Dao De Jing still have important values in present-day life.

Dear guests and friends: 

　　Harmony is an important value concept in Chinese civilization，as well as the common aspiration and persistent pursuit of the peoples around the world. In the 21st century, as more dreams are coming true and constant progress is being made, we need all the more a harmonious and orderly social environment to realize national prosperity, all the more a harmonious international environment for co-existence to realize world progress. As the largest developing country in the world and a land of civilization long imbued with the culture of harmony, China will bring about more opportunities for the rest of the world along with its continued growth, and will forever be a trusty force for safeguarding world peace and promoting common

development. 

　　At present, the Chinese government is accelerating the construction of a harmonious society at home, while motivating the formation of a harmonious world environment abroad. Harmony has become a common goal of the entire Chinese nation. Such harmony is people-oriented: respecting the dignity of the people, concerning the value of the people, safeguarding the rights and interests of the people, attaching importance to the quality of life and the potential of the people, and encouraging all-round development of the people. Such harmony encourages tolerance and diversity: respecting differences, seeking harmony and common ground while reserving differences, encouraging the flourishing of diverse civilizations and multiple ways of development, and maintaining an ideal state of appreciating the fine aspects of one’s own civilization while sharing the fine aspects of other civilizations. Such harmony treasures fairness and justice: upholding righteousness, advocating equal rights, rational distribution and equal opportunities, and ensuring the interests and pursuits of all parties. Such harmony values good faith and friendship: treating people with sincerity, doing business in good faith, caring for each other, and cherishing friendship for harmonious co-existence. Such harmony cherishes common development: adhering to equality and cooperation for mutual benefit, everlasting peace, shared prosperity and win-win, extending the achievements of civilization progress to all people, and building and enjoying together a bright future for the mankind. 

　　To build a harmonious society and a harmonious world, we need the guidance of a concept and culture of harmony. As the trend of globalization and modernization accelerates, we will, as always, carry forward and develop the fine traditions of the Chinese nation, study and tap the rich connotations of Dao De Jing, spread and display its significance in the present-day world, follow the objective law, advocate friendship, and encourage self-cultivation and self-discipline, so as to make this cultural classic, which has been passed down through the ages across religious and national boundaries, to play a new role in the new era. 

　　To follow the objective law is to adopt the concept of respecting and complying with Nature, and to build harmony between man and Nature. The man-Nature relationship is the fundamental relationship needed for human survival and development. The modern economy, a product of industrialization, has greatly reinforced man’s capability to transform Nature. However, it has also brought about worldwide problems of ecological deterioration, resource exhaustion and environmental pollution. We should, through studying and spreading the message of Dao De Jing, guide the people of the whole world to adopt a concept of dialectical and harmonious development between man and Nature, develop and utilize Nature in a rational and thrifty way, build a relationship between man and Nature for harmonious co-existence, and follow the path of scientific, harmonious and sustained development. 

　　To advocate friendship is to popularize the fine traditional virtues of being kind and just, and to promote harmony between individuals and society. Harmony between individuals and society is an ancient but eternal topic. Along with the progress of civilization, the relationships among people and among states are becoming more harmonious. However, problems still exist in the society, such as excessive desires, making gains at the cost of others, credit crises, etc., and there are still unjust phenomena in the world, such as the rich and the powerful bullying the poor and the weak, and conflicts and confrontations. We should, through studying and spreading the message of Dao De Jing, encourage people to uphold the correct concepts regarding right and wrong, good and bad, and honor and disgrace, be compassionate and modest, do charitable deeds, and help those in need, so as to form a social ethos and norms favorable to the shaping of a harmonious society. We should, through studying and spreading the message of Dao De Jing, help people understand that the diversity of civilizations is a major feature of human society, that different civilizations should be tolerant to one another, actively carry out dialogues, draw on good points of each other, and that different countries should be friendly and sincere to each other, cooperate for mutual benefit, and discard discrimination, prejudice and misunderstandings to seek common growth, so that human civilization will become more colorful within the context of harmonious co-existence. 

　　To encourage self-cultivation and self-discipline is to nurture characters and morals that cherish a simple life, virtue and truth, and promote mental harmony. Seeking mental harmony is an important goal for all the people in their life, is also the essentials for interpersonal and social harmony. During the period of fast development and social transition, some people are led astray by vanity and impetuousness, loss of belief and bearings, and mental disequilibrium. People’s spiritual life faces new challenges. We should, through studying and spreading the message of Dao De Jing, enlighten people so that they purify and sublimate their minds, foster lofty morals, and adopt a correct outlook on life, value, justice and interest for the progress of the society, so that they will honor simple lifestyle than luxury and cherish virtue and merit than material desires, money worship and pleasure seeking. We should help people adopt a rational attitude toward interest-related problems and differences arisen in the course of development, integrate personal goals with the overall interests of the society, express their emotions and pursuits in a rational way, maintain mental equilibrium, take active attitude towards life, be optimistic in challenges and overcome all the difficulties, so as to realize harmony, peace and happiness in life. 

　　Taoism is a religion based on Dao De Jing and people’s life. It has deep roots in traditional Chinese culture and in the existence of the Chinese nation, greatly influencing the Chinese history, culture and social development. Since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, especially after the reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, Taoists have endeavored to carry forward their fine doctrines and traditions of loving the country, the religion and the people, and of helping the people free from sufferings. They have paid attention to the reality of the society and cared about the people, making significant contributions to China’s social progress, as well as to the exchanges among religions and civilizations in the world.

Dear guests and friends: 

　　Dao De Jing is a common spiritual wealth of the mankind. As this Forum opens in Xi’an, an ancient capital with a history of thousand years, and ends in Hong Kong, a metropolis where the East meets the West, it symbolizes that Dao De Jing moves from ancient to modern, from China to the world. I believe that, with the active efforts of all Taoists and the great support from specialists, scholars and all others, Chinese or foreign, who love this classic, Dao De Jing will emit more colorful brilliance in the new era, and the Chinese culture will shine even more brightly among the world cultures. 

　　I sincerely wish the International Forum on Dao De Jing every success, and wish you a happy and pleasant time.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Thank you!