There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are…

Summary

The website content reflects on the philosophical teachings of ancient Chinese classics, emphasizing the paradoxical strength of softness and weakness, the importance of governing with propriety, and the purpose of the holy life in Buddhism for the fading away of lust.

Abstract

The provided text presents a compilation of wisdom from Chinese classics, including Confucius's "The Analects," Lao Zi's "Tao Te Ching," and the Buddha's teachings from the "Saṃyutta Nikāya." It highlights the counterintuitive power of water, which is soft and weak, yet unparalleled in its ability to erode the hard and strong. This concept is extended to the art of governance, where the mastery of propriety is both a tool for effective leadership and a measure of a prince's capability. The text also touches upon the philosophical paradox that true statements may appear contradictory. Furthermore, it outlines the Buddhist perspective on the holy life, which is centered around the diminishment of lust through the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path. The content is curated by Jian Xu for the "China Three" newsletter, which aims to provide daily insights into China's classical literature.

Opinions

The text suggests that the soft and weak can overcome the hard and strong, illustrating this with the example of water's erosive power.
Confucius opines that a leader's ability to govern with propriety is fundamental to their success, and without it, the rules of propriety are irrelevant.
Lao Zi points out the paradoxical nature of truth, where what is strictly true may seem contradictory.
The Buddha teaches that the purpose of the holy life is to fade away lust, and this is achievable through the Noble Eightfold Path.
Jian Xu, the curator of "China Three," likely believes in the enduring relevance and wisdom of these classical texts, as evidenced by the daily newsletter's focus on them.

Things to be believed

There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it; — for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed.

Every one in the world knows that the soft overcomes the hard, and the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice.

Therefore a sage has said, ‘He who accepts his state’s reproach, Is hailed therefore its altars’ lord; To him who bears men’s direful woes They all the name of King accord.’

Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.

— Tao Te Ching, Lao Zi

The Fading Away of Lust

At Savatthī. “Bhikkhus, if wanderers of other sects ask you: ‘For what purpose, friends, is the holy life lived under the ascetic Gotama?’ — being asked thus, you should answer them thus: ‘It is, friends, for the fading away of lust that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.’

“Then, bhikkhus, if the wanderers of other sects ask you: ‘But, friends, is there a path, is there a way for the fading away of lust?’ — being asked thus, you should answer them thus: ‘There is a path, friends, there is a way for the fading away of lust.’

“And what, bhikkhus, is that path, what is that way for the fading away of lust? It is this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view … right concentration. This is the path, this is the way for the fading away of lust.

“Being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects in such a way.”

— Saṃyutta Nikāya 45.41, Buddha

China Three is a daily newsletter on China classics, beautifully selected by Jian Xu.

There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it.

Daily three quotes from China classics

Things to be believed

The Fading Away of Lust