A Taste of the Gita

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." (聖人之道，為而不爭。）

            
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.

[7grizzly]

> I am not sure if they believe in what is said in the book.:)
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.

[暖冬cool夏]

回複 '7grizzly' 的評論 : Thanks for your generous understanding. My last sentence is really a rhetorical question (I am not sure if they believe in what is said in the book.:)) I have been plagued with the fact that some people higher above us grab more than they should, trickling down little to people below. But you are right in saying health prevails over anything else, as in the end everyone is equal before God.

[7grizzly]

回複 '暖冬cool夏' 的評論 : Thanks for reading and your straightforward comments.

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.

[暖冬cool夏]

I might be the person, but I now question this 為而不爭, especially when the world is becoming more and more aggressive, 為而不爭 may no longer be a virtue. It may protect us but may never make us triumph. Aren't most Indians very aggressive?