Mig

I don't see the point about inequality. One thing for sure the image distortion in this image says it all. It seems obvious that her face is taken as a model, not the average type of facial and her body doesn't show what it really looks like. Reality is different and marketing images we see everywhere are another way to manipulate medias.

I was wondering how inequality is viewed by Daoists practitioners or Masters or those who have a good knowledge of Daoists scriptures and classics. It seems that in later years inequality has been disproportionately bigger in the past years but nothing new in humankind history. How can you observe inequality and just let the nature takes its ways and then continue in life as nothing has happened or just accept it while you are living the good life both spiritual and economical. It makes me wonder about Daoists who are secluded or hermits not having responsibilities as every human living in society. Any ideas?

I found this clearly explained about inequality and something to think about comparing to Daoist thinking:

Aren't they part of the population who was oppressed for centuries? I think they were in the same boat as everybody else and this is the reason why I think there are many thoughts to ponder from the Daoist perspective. Daoists seem to have had a tradition of utopias. An example of founding ideal societies is the Yellow Turban (Huangjin 黃巾) during times of oppression.

Very true and certainly works to attract more believers. Where do you base your as not being explicit teaching in Daoism? It seems that historically, poverty or inequality had already existed as a way of living but today the world is different and inequality is a common denominator. I guess there are new policies to eradicate poverty which is very unusual during this time of human history. https://www.ft.com/content/b818aece-4cd7-4c99-8b62-e52ae4aa1b21

Indeed, we are living years of too much information, information that is apparently manipulated even many academic papers that need to be challenged, many ideas and natural laws that need to be refuted and still we know little and practically have no control of what's going on. It seems to me that what we are living now is the same humans have lived in the past, long past and the difference now is that information is there right in front of us. IMO, we are on both worlds. In the past Americans were known not to be aware about the world around them, today they are much aware and still people have no clue what's going on, they are completely not interested how much the world is important to them in their policies and economies. It seems to me that the world is more interested in their gadgets and less humanization. People are more interested in humanizing their pets and forget about the world in hunger and lack of basic quality of life. It seems that there is more about ourselves to work on, learn more about compassion, conservation and humility. We are not there yet even for those who study philosophy or religion. I don't see action to make changes whether you are in the middle east, southeast Asia, central Europe or Latin America.

Interesting note and wonder if this is the one from the English translation: Men cultivate, what do they cultivate? They cultivate a rod. Women cultivate, what do they cultivate? They cultivate a ditch. There is a round of cheers and the old man wipes his mouth with his hand. When the rod is thrown into the ditch, It becomes a leaping, lively eel – Ah!

** True enough although if we look at history episodes Daoists were involved in revolts or participated in uprising when inequality was beyond control. IMHO, at least we can learn something about this since we are living moments of disparity, misery and inequality. Indeed, is about doing not just talking about that issue. This is not about saving them, it is much more complicated but donating to those in need doesn't help. I would imagine that bringing everyone together to find ways to solve the problem is a start and then having a plan of action, bringing results and see if that works. Good for you and I applause your initiative. My curiosity started as I am reading the DDJ and ZZ , wondering how Daoism faces inequality whether is social or economical or how we can learn to find a balance living in society and how to move thru in society. Simple, certainly is to find that balance although my interest is how Daoists found in the DDJ or ZZ ideas where you can inspire or leading by example. We are living interesting moments mostly thanks to digital revolution although we are forgetting what is around us and how much unbalance one can find in our little world and around the world.

I was expecting more from a Daoist perspective based on the Daoists classics. One chapter draw my attention DDJ Ch 75 and need more deep understanding. Poverty is nothing new in human history, we used to be poor and we knew nothing to be poor if we read what happened over hundred years. Today is a complex world and probably not as much different than as in ancient times (yes technology maybe one difference) and certainly native Chinese philosophies have thought about the problem of inequality whether is social, racial or financial. I still think there are other perspectives in which a Daoist will understand and act or do something about inequality. More to ponder and will get back after my readings. thanks a bunch

Here is an example of a so common case that is much prevalent in this world today, view of what happens when inequality shows:

Inequality as a modern concept? If we read Chinese history, isn't inequality all over both socially or economically, it is a fact of life and I am trying to tackle from different angles to understand the Daoists texts.

Hmm, not sure I want someone to prove me wrong, it is a simple inquiry about how Daoists act in this kind of situations and in which Daoist text they support their beliefs or explanation as inequality has always existed.

In the beginning I asked to understand what Daoists say and where those thoughts come from. It certainly possible that I don't understand what they say and clearly I am not looking for to hear what I want to hear. The situation we live today is nothing new in human history and I was trying to find out in which text Daoists follow the thought relating to this situation of inequality so I can understand the point of view of those texts or from those who are Daoists.

It seems that Daoists through the ages have developed various forms of community and proposed numerous sets of behavioral guidelines and texts on ethical considerations. Thus the importance of ethics in a world of disparities, not the nature but the human construction of our worlds. It seems to be also the central part of Daoist religion on ethics and morality in the creation of a community. And here I found some notes: Taoist ethics are concerned less with doing good acts than becoming a good person who lives in harmony with all things and people. Taoists tend not to initiate action - but wait for events to make action necessary - and avoid letting their own desires and compulsions push them into doing things. The Taoist ideal is for a person to take action by changing themselves, and thus becoming an example of the good life to others. But more careful thought suggests that Taoism might not offer happy solutions to the problems of the modern world. Something to ponder and let see what you wise bums think about this

I am not sure why talking about equality and I don't think I implied if there is inequality there is equality. This is not the point, the more I see around the world, my little world living in a large cosmopolitan city where corruption reigns, the more I see inequality, there is an imbalance and chaos reigns until manu militari becomes the norm. Inequality is a man made issue not nature problem to solve. I don't see my emotions involved in what I see individuals who have to struggle to end meets and have to survive and it is not a small percentage of individuals. Granted, I practice minimalism to minimize cost of living but I can see other people who have to struggle because they cannot find a job to make it better and got to find whatever job minimum wage and still just barely surviving. And all this is not ideology, class struggle dialectics or political rhetoric, fake news or what have you, the problem is that there is an issue and one of them is inequality. Back in the days, people would ignore and nobody will say anything because of what they believed, so far I have not seen a Daoist being a leader to propose or show in actions for changes. Could you tell me which preconceived notions? How to apply humility in this context? Is it in the DDJ? Or DDJ Ch 67 line 7? I have three treasures I hold on to them and protect them The first is called compassion The second is called conservation "The third is called not daring to be ahead in the world" humility - the awareness that seeing oneself as being above or ahead of other people can only lead to failure. Derek Lin translation and comment.

precisely the way I feel about it so I can understand what Daoists or Daoists schools or Daoists religions say about this. Every time I have mentioned this type of questions, it seems that nobody wants to answer. Very true in the past, there were Daoists who were involved in helping society for a better society (I guess) but never mentioned their accomplishments. Also, I cannot find a Daoist text or canon that say at least something about inequalities in society, where there are more poor than those who have something or more than others.

And what do you do after? Understood to work on yourself first but again, don't we try to do the best we can though we live our lives comfortably? If you have experienced to live in the streets, you know the world is different when you are privileged and it is not an experience to enjoy. What is the right action?

I am surprised about the responses as it seems that nobody sees inequality in today's societies but everybody knows it and they are quite aware, just don't want to talk about it, not to confront the issue that in many societies, inequality is a real issue whether is a third world country or an industrialized country. Let us take an example of large cities, cosmopolitan city in the world, i.e. Paris, Los Angeles, New York and a poor country as Bangladesh, Tegucigalpa or Manila. Don't you think people see inequality where corruption reigns and there are those who cannot make it because of different reasons, some reasons are out of their control, some other reasons they are responsible of their actions. So what do Daoists say about this situation? Do they do something to make changes or just keep doing their thing and play ostrich, head in the ground and everything is okay? Which Daoist text can help me to understand what are my options based on their guidance as they guide in other things as being like the water, be content, be compassionate, etc. Where?

in which way the wei wu wei is equivalent to go with the flow? Any examples to provide to support that concept?

It seems that if we look at history, especially in China, all you can see is famine, misery, wars, revolts and much more inequality. The religions of China have been an essential element in all the conflicts you read in Chinese history and the more I read the more I see how much the regular people, the poor people have been victims of a flagrant inequality. What have Daoists done to make changes or where in the Daoists scriptures mention about how to deal with inequality in society or in their community?

I didn't know where to post this one. I find the question may relate to Daoists or Buddhist beliefs about respecting life or not to kill. Recently, I was invaded by ants, even if there was no food around but the little they found, they will invade by hundreds that looks by thousands. Then after cleaning the house and kitchen, I decided to take a rest in the evening and little by little I found out I was attacked by mosquitoes. Then I bought a repellent plant that helped a little and dressed well to protect myself, and no, they will attack no matter what. So the question comes about, should I kill them or what should I do? Ants, don't give up so the only way I see is to kill them and stop their invasion. The mosquitoes, no matter what they will attack so I decided to avoid going out until it becomes cooler so they won't come at me. Since those religions preach not to kill, what do you do even if you try to persuade ants and mosquitoes or find other alternative and none of them works?

Just like other proselytizing religious movement, churches or temples, I have not seeing them in impoverished areas, always where the money is, well off areas. In Taiwan I guess is a different story because of the social strata and community cohesion. I guess during Chinese history there were power struggles between Daoists and Buddhist in the imperial court but not sure their involvement in impoverished areas of the empire.

It made me think about this: https://www.taoist.org/50years/

What about those in western countries, i.e. USA, Europe or others places around the world?