探求和諧之道 共建和諧世界

探求和諧之道共建和諧世界

——在國際《道德經》論壇開幕式上的講話

　　　　　　　　　　　　　（ 2007 年 4 月 22 日，中國·西安）

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 劉延東

各位來賓、朋友們：

古都西安，春意盎然，群芳爭妍。來自世界各地的專家、學者和道教界人士相聚一堂，可謂人文薈萃，群賢畢至。首先，我謹代表中國政府和中國政協，向國際《道德經》論壇的召開表示熱烈的祝賀！向各位來賓表示誠摯的歡迎和良好的祝願！

2500 年前，一位偉大的思想家告別都城喧嚷，騎青牛、出函穀，留下了千古傳誦的不朽名篇《道德經》。“紫氣東來”的傳說、《史記》“老子修道德”的記載、周至樓觀台的景觀……都印證著古老的歲月和智者的足跡。物換星移，滄海桑田，先人的思想卻依然閃爍智慧的光芒。這次國際《道德經》論壇以“和諧世界，以道相通”為主題，深入挖掘和弘揚光大《道德經》的思想精華，探討《道德經》與和諧文化、生態環保、現代管理和養生健康的關係，很有意義、倍受關注，是關於老子思想研究的一次空前盛會。

《道德經》作為中華傳統文化的重要經典，思想深邃，言簡意賅，短短五千言，涵攝宇宙、自然、社會、人生各方麵，闡釋萬物之源、治國之術、為政之道、為人之本、立世之則，通篇貫穿著“道法自然”、“大道和諧”和樸素的辯證思想，折射了中華民族祈盼和順、崇尚和美、追求和諧的美好願望，體現了中華文化博大精深、獨具特色的無窮魅力。

《道德經》認為“道生萬物”，闡釋了天人合一的重要思想。強調天、地、人等宇宙萬物是一個有機統一的整體，人類與自然萬物之間有著共同的本源和法則。隻有順應萬事萬物發展的規律，才能達到天人和諧的狀態。這些思想反映了中國古代先賢認識世界、把握世界的深刻洞察力，為實現人與自然的圓融無間、共生共榮，提供了豐富的思想資源。

《道德經》主張“無為而治”，闡釋了愛民治國的重要理念。強調“以百姓之心為心”，不恣意妄為，不逆道而為，達到“無為而無不為”。這些思想體現了中國古代先賢真摯深沉的“民本”情懷，成為中國政治思想的重要淵源，對後世的治國安邦產生了重要影響。

《道德經》主張“為而不爭”，闡釋了和以處眾的重要原則。強調作為個人要“謙下”、“德信”、“上善若水”，作為國家要“不武”、“不怒”、“不以兵強天下”。這些思想對於中華民族形成與人為善、推己及人、合群濟眾的傳統美德，培育親仁善鄰、協和萬邦、愛好和平的民族品格，起到了不可忽視的重要作用。

《道德經》主張致虛守靜，闡釋了立德修身的樸素哲理。強調把“德”作為操行的標準、人生的原則，倡導“見素抱樸”、“少私寡欲”的態度和知足常樂、“清靜無為”的境界。這些思想體現了中國古代先賢深層次的精神追求和行為準則，滲透在中華民族的民族心理和民族性格中，成為滋養人們精神家園的重要源泉。

《道德經》睿智的思想穿越時間和空間、跨越信仰和國度，經世而長存，曆久而彌新。從敦煌卷子、馬王堆帛書、郭店竹簡等出土文獻的記載，到遍布全球 30 多種語言的 400 多種外文譯本；從孔子問禮於老子的傳說，到曆代思想家、政治家的悉心研究；從“東方智慧的結晶”、“永不枯竭的井泉”的讚譽，到老子被譽為世界百位曆史文化名人，無不說明了《道德經》的深遠影響，無不體現了《道德經》的重要價值。《道德經》潛移默化地影響了一代又一代中華兒女，影響了不同國度、不同膚色、不同民族、不同語言的人們，不僅是中華文化寶庫中一塊絢麗奪目的瑰寶，而且為世界文明的發展作出了不可磨滅的貢獻。而在 21 世紀的今天，古老的《道德經》所蘊含的理念與主張，仍具有重要的現實意義。

各位來賓，朋友們：

和諧是中華文明的重要價值觀念，也是世界各國人民的共同願望和不懈追求。在人類社會不斷實現自身美好理想、邁向光明和進步的 21 世紀，國家的興旺發達，越來越需要和諧有序的社會環境；世界的繁榮發展，越來越需要和諧共存的國際環境。作為世界上最大的發展中國家，作為深受“和諧”文化潤澤和滋養的禮儀之邦，中國的發展將為世界帶來更多的機遇，中國永遠是維護世界和平、促進共同發展的堅定力量。當前，中國政府對內致力於加快構建和諧社會，對外致力於推動建設和諧世界。共建和諧已經成為億萬中國人民的共同追求。這種和諧應是以人為本的和諧，即堅持尊重人的尊嚴，關注人的價值，保障人的權益，重視人的生活質量和發展潛能，努力實現人的全麵發展。這種和諧應是包容多樣的和諧，即堅持尊重差異，和而不同，求同存異，維護文明多樣性和發展模式多樣化，實現各美其美而又美美與共的良好狀態。這種和諧應是公平正義的和諧，即堅持扶正揚善，注重權利的平等、分配的合理、機會的均等，確保各方麵的利益和訴求得到全麵兼顧。這種和諧應是誠信友愛的和諧，即堅持以誠相待，坦誠相商，誠實守信，更加關愛彼此，更加珍視情誼，更加融洽相處。這種和諧應是共同發展的和諧，即堅持平等合作、互利雙贏，實現持久和平、共同繁榮，使人類文明進步的成果惠及各國人民，共同建設、共同享有屬於全人類的美好未來。

推進和諧社會、和諧世界，需要和諧的理念、和諧的文化。麵對日益加快的全球化和現代化進程，我們將始終堅持繼承和發展中華優秀傳統文化，深入研究和挖掘《道德經》的豐富內涵，宣傳和弘揚《道德經》的時代意義，遵循客觀規律、倡導和合友善、注重律己修身，使這一超越曆史、超越宗教、超越國界的文化寶藏，在新的時代煥發出新的生命力。

遵循客觀規律，就是要樹立尊重自然、順應自然的理念，促進人與自然的和諧。人與自然的關係，是人類生存與發展的最基礎的關係。從工業化開始的現代經濟，極大地增強了人改變自然的力量，但是也帶來了生態破壞、資源枯竭、環境汙染等世界性難題。我們要通過研究和弘揚《道德經》，引導人們樹立人與自然辯證和諧的發展觀，合理而有節製地開發、利用自然，與自然建立一種和諧共處、同存共生的關係，走科學發展、和諧發展、可持續發展的道路。

倡導和合友善，就是要弘揚慈愛和同、為善尚義的傳統美德，促進人與社會的和諧。人與社會的和諧，是一個古老而又永恒的話題。隨著人類文明的發展，人與人、國與國之間的關係趨於融洽，但社會上依然存在物欲膨脹、損人利己、信用危機等問題，國際上依然存在以強淩弱、以富壓貧、對抗衝突等現象。我們要通過研究和弘揚《道德經》，推動人們堅持正確的是非觀、善惡觀、榮辱觀，以慈善謙讓的態度待人處世，多行善舉，濟困助人，努力形成有利於社會和諧的社會風尚和行為規範。要通過研究和弘揚《道德經》，推動人們認識文明多樣性是人類社會的重要特征，不同文明之間應當相互包容、積極對話、兼收並蓄，不同國度之間應當講信修睦、互惠合作，摒棄排斥、歧見和隔閡，使世界各國在互信協作中謀求共同發展，使人類文明在和諧共存中更加豐富多彩。

注重律己修身，就是要培養淡泊寧靜、貴德守真的品格，促進人的內心和諧。追求內心和諧，是人生的重大課題，也是人際和諧與社會和諧的基本要求。在社會發展和轉型中，一些人出現了虛華浮躁、精神空虛、信仰失落、道德失範、心理失衡等問題，人們的精神生活麵臨著新的考驗。我們要通過研究和弘揚《道德經》，引導人們從古人修身思想中得到啟發，淨化和升華思想境界，從社會發展進步的要求出發，培養高尚的道德情操，樹立正確的人生觀、價值觀和義利觀，崇儉抑奢，培功建德，不為物欲主義、拜金主義、享樂主義所侵蝕；要理性認識和對待發展過程中出現的利益和差距，把個人發展的目標和社會的大目標統一起來，合理表達情緒和訴求，采取積極的人生態度，以平衡樂觀的心態迎對挑戰、戰勝困難，去實現人生的和諧、安寧與幸福。

道教植根於中華傳統文化、生長於華夏大地，是一個以《道德經》為根本經典、重人貴生的宗教，對中國曆史社會和文化發展產生了重大影響。新中國成立以來特別是改革開放以來，道教積極傳承愛國愛教、慈愛和同、濟世度人的優良教義和傳統，重視現實，關注社會，利益人群，福臻家國，為促進我國社會發展進步、為推動世界不同宗教和不同文明的交流作出了重要貢獻。

各位來賓，朋友們：

《道德經》是人類的共同精神財富。這次論壇，在曆史文化底蘊深厚的千年古都西安揭幕，在東西方文明交匯的國際大都市香港落幕，象征著《道德經》進一步從古老走向現代，從中國走向世界。我相信，在各位道教界人士的積極參與下，在各位專家學者和喜愛《道德經》的海內外友人的大力支持下，《道德經》一定會在新的時代煥發出新的奪目光彩，中華優秀傳統文化一定會在世界文化之林中熠熠生輝！

衷心祝願國際《道德經》論壇圓滿成功！祝各位朋友健康幸福、吉祥如意！

謝謝各位！

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!