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Over the years, I have heard from many sources (Andreas
Kluth, for one) about this Indian classic but somehow
managed to avoid it. The other day, when chatting with
team-mates over coffee (one Chinese vs four Indians -:)),
someone mentioned it. What struck me was they all seemed to
know. I shouldn't be surprised, though, for had four Chinese
and one Indian got together and someone mentioned the Dao,
all Chinese should know.
I purchased a kindle version right away and started to dig
in. It has been a fantastic read and I have found so much to
agree with. In the middle I encountered the following
verses:
47. You have the right to work, but never to the
fruit of work. You should never engage in action
for the sake of reward, nor should you long for
inaction.
48. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man
established within himself-without selfish
attachments, and alike in success and defeat...
This reminded me of the last verse of the DaoDeJing "The way
of the saint: do and do not covet." (圣人之道，为而不争。）
Now, many verses from the Dao make great sense. Lao Zi's
writings have shaped the Chinese (and maybe even the Korean
and Japanese) culture for thousands of years and my countrymen
act out of his teachings subconciously.
Can the same thing be said about the Bhagavad Gita? I will
re-read the text and keep observing.
Of course most don't. But again, you think most Chinese practice the Dao?
> I have been plagued with the fact that some people higher above us grab more than they should.
They probably are paying in greed much more than can be compensated by what they grab. Think about more important things greedy people tend to neglect.
> health prevails over anything else
Right. If I have it, I don't need money; if I don't, money can't save me either.
I used to think the same way and have the same question. That stage passed once I regained health. It might sound ridiculous but I thought as long as I have health and the strength to face my last day on earth without fear, nothing in the world can bother me no longer. Anyway, to answer your question, do you think most Indians have my kind of health? If not, their aggressiveness doesn't matter. Isn't being aggressive a symptom of suffering?
I don't think this was a conventional answer. It's OK if you don't agree.