When I was a child – I was brought-up with stories of Chinese Sages living to extraordinarily old ages! For me, it was obvious that “virtue” equated to “longevity” – and it had nothing to do with the Bible or Western religion (the godly live to very old ages). The Western view was (and remains) that non-Christians are essentially evil and therefore are unable to live to very old ages. The Devil strikes them down due to his own inherent corruption – which flows through their veins. As a non-Christian, this description would involve myself – but here’s the thing – I do not feel any more or less good or bad than anyone else. Furthermore, I was told by some Westerners that Chinese people “lie” about their age in an attempt to mimic those who lived very long lives in the Old Testament (according to the Jews). I could not understand this approach – as Chinese Daoism is an ancient teaching (in one form or another) that specialises in “life-extension”. Virtue (德 – De) is a product of climbing a tower (self-cultivation) so that when the top is reached (enlightenment) – things can be seen in a 360 degree perspective. Things are seen that others cannot see.
The climb to the top is difficult – but it is the only way that wisdom and health can be attained. People can live to very old ages anywhere in the world – even England has its candidate in Thomas Parr (1483-1635) – but due to China being a) non-White, and b) Socialist – the US-Western approach is that all examples of Chinese people living long lives – must be untrue. I doubt this – and think this is a racist approach. Indeed, due to the self-imposed “hatred” that racists generate – I think this negative energy probably has an impairing effect on the body cells – and thus shortens the life-span. Remember, before the racism seeps into the environment – it circulates around the body and mind of the racist first – causing all kinds of inherent damage. In a sense, whilst acussing all others of be inadequate – racist are shortening their own existences. Not a very good start for a potential super-race.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 