Jan 06 2009
The Power of Benevolence By Willy Tan
The Power of Benevolence By Willy Tan
Let me begin with a story. King Wu, the founder of the Zhou dynasty (1122-220BC) has just defeated Chou Hsin, the last emperor of the Shang dynasty(1700-1112BC) with the help of his strategist Jiang Ziya (Taigong Wang). One day, King Wu was at the countryside with his followers when they passed by the rice fields.
Strategist Jiang Ziya then asked the King to follow the poor peasant by ploughing the field for the poor man! ‘What? How can you ask the King to plough the field for such a lowly man?’ exclaimed all the generals. However, the King remained calm and respecting the wisdom of his beloved strategist, came down and set his hands to the plough. All the King ’s followers yelled and protested as the King, splattered with mud, panted through his task. The King was tired but he struggled on despite the generals urging him to stop.
After some time, the King was too tired to continue. Strategist Jiang asked the King, ‘Your Highness, how many steps have you taken?’ King Wu took a look and said,’ Nine hundred steps in all.’ Strategist Jiang then prophesied that the Zhou dynasty would last as many years as the number of steps King Wu has taken. Susprised and alarmed, the King wanted to return to the field and plough further so that his dynasty could last longer. But he was stopped by Jiang.’ It is destiny, my Highness.’
True enough, the Zhou dynasty went on to last over nine hundred years. It was infact one of the longest era in the dynastic history of China. King Zhou and his descendants continued to remain humble and treat their people with care and concern. The chinese word Shou Hsing which means longevity actually incoporated the sub-character of ‘plough’ according to this legend.
We can learn from this story. To be successful, it is not good enough to have wisdom and bravery. We need the power of benevolence for the people around us. Only when leaders care for their people or those below them that they will gain their support. The most powerful tool to weather any crisis is the unity born out of care and concern between leaders and followers!
Willy is a writer in Chinese History, Culture, Philosophy and metaphysics subjects like Yijing & Fengshui. To read more about the essence of Chinese Knowledge, visit http://www.fengshuiforward.com andhttp://www.fengshuiforward.com/forum





















