Chinese Philosophy and Buddhist Tradition on Virtues and Leadership: Fostering and Transformation of Energies toward Love and Care for Others

• In Event: Eastern wisdom traditions and implications for education

Proposal

We are relying so much on our information network today, made possible by harnessing the electromagnetic forces in the universe, which is not visible but discovered through scientific study. Since the last century, a terrain that we have broken into and is starting to benefit from is the understanding that everything is both energy and matter, and that we can play an active role in shaping ourselves and the world. This theory from the quantum physics builds a great bridge to our understanding of Eastern philosophies, which have long exerted the worldview of nonduality and that all is energy (Capra, 2000). In this presentation, we examine the notion of Qi, which in Chinese philosophy is the primordial force that forms the physical, informational and spiritual energy of network that links up all existence. Qi, in Chinese philosophy is the fundamental force that penetrates all existence; this energy can be cultivated, elevated, and utilized for our own wellbeing, spiritual growth, societal improvement and our care for nature. In our paper, we focus on Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, which all stress contemplative cultivation of Qi for a person to become connected with all that exists morally, emotionally, spiritually and energetically. Through such cultivation love and compassion emerge as practitioners realize their oneness with all people and all things. Being filled up and wrapped in the energy of Love, the creative life energy which Einstein, Gandhi and King talked about as the most fundamental cosmic force, we propose leaders in education should explore and experiment with effective methods to engage their energy with that of all others, focusing on nurturing the ability to care and love, to cooperate and to connect. We will examine wisdom in these philosophies which have these penetrating threads: In tranquility, we can feel for each other and nature; in selflessness, we sense Dao and reach our higher Self. In our paper, we use the words and deeds of Confucius, Laozi and Buddha to illustrate their cultivation pathways and their transformative leadership acts influencing the humanity for thousands of years. The pathways they exemplified can be translated into leadership in education and practices. We highlight key elements such as contemplation, working for the good of the world, and taking virtues as the mechanism that regulates and enhances the energy for self and social transformation.

Author

• Jing Lin, University of Maryland