Asia trip

Near LuoYang, provincial capital of HeNan, central China. There is a LaoZi Cultural Park near the foot of the mountain and a cable car is available to reach the top. The ancient sage LaoZi (in modern PinYin though one will still also see Lao-Tse or Lao-Tzu) who started Daoism (Taoism) and authored the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), is said to have gained inspiration here around 550 BC. The Dao (道) which roughly translates as 'the way', in the sense of how things are, is a concept that existed in Chinese thought many centuries before LaoZi, but it was LaoZi who developed the concept considerably. Wu Wei (無爲), literally "non-action" or "not acting", is a central concept of the DaoDeJing. The concept of wu wei is multi-faceted, and reflected in the words' multiple meanings, even in English translation; it can mean "not doing anything", "not forcing", "not acting" in the theatrical sense, "creating nothingness", "acting spontaneously", and "flowing with the moment / 'here and now'". It is a concept used to explain ZiRan (自然), or harmony with the Dao. LaoZi used the term broadly with simplicity and humility as key virtues, often in contrast to selfish action. On a political level, it means avoiding such circumstances as war, harsh laws and heavy taxes. The 'ruler' can also refer to the 'self'. There is an overlap here with the Buddha's teachings that suffering stems from attachments and desires, ultimately to the notion of a separate self. In Chinese philosophy, Yin and Yang (陰陽 YīnYáng, "dark—light") describes how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. While duality is found in many belief systems, Yin and Yang are parts of a Oneness that is also equated with the Dao. Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts; it is a holistic view. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, though either of the two major aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object, depending on the criterion of the observation. Yin and Yang is a balance between two seeming opposites with a portion of the opposite element in each. Some of LaoZi's famous sayings include: "When goodness is lost, it is replaced by morality." "Without Darkness, there can be no Light." "The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness." "The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is so similar to the Way." "When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad." "Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it." "Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know." "When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." "A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe." "A journey of a thousand miles starts under one's feet." "The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves there will be." Alan Watts - 'The Daoist Way' ...

A selection of songs from the China Central TV Gala, Beijing TV (BTV), Hunan TV, and more ...

With Chinese Street View ... Bonus film - WuShang Dream Plaza; with Rafa Goes Around! ...

90 kilometers (55 miles) north west of Beijing city, LongQing Gorge offers boating, hiking and more; plus an ice festival in winter. LóngQìng Xiá reminds one of the natural, soaring scenery around GuiLin and YangShuo ...

Chinese students are increasingly, and rightly so, avoiding studying in the West, where standards are declining, fees are extremely high, healthcare is either appalling or extremely expensive, the cities and towns are dingy and filled with homeless people and violence, the accommodation is dreadful and the food even worse; and where dangers abound. In contrast, Chinese universities are the far better choice. Besides, why fund countries that see China as an adversary, where Chinese products are banned and the media is increasingly hostile, and you could be labelled a spy ? Don't waste the 'best years of your life' ! YT comments : "I’m from Canada and I would never send my kids to study on the US. It’s just not safe. The quality of US education is declining. I’d rather send my kids to school in China than US." "The university in the West has very little to offer other than the English language. Chinese technology is more advanced, and Chinese students get better jobs after finishing Chinese university." "Let's be realistic. Where can you learn the AI best? China. Where can you learn quantum computer? China. Where can you learn best about rocket engines and space science? China landed a rover on the moon several times. Where can you learn chemistry and micro biology? China. Do you name anything? China has more advanced technology. Chinese students learn and speak English in China, so why pay high tuition to learn English outside?"

The Giant Buddha, which is around 70 meters in height, was carved out from the hill during the Tang dynasty (618–907). It took 90 years to complete. The LeShan Giant Buddha is part of the Mount Emei Scenic Area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area has exceptionally diverse vegetation, ranging from subtropical to sub-alpine pine forests. Over time, additional temples established nearby making this an important place in Buddhism. There is a lot to see and explore. Slideshow (with some great photos) :

The true measure is : does the government work for the people, or vice versa. Is it a sham / illusion / deception 'democracy' - elections, where one is forced to choose between elite factions, that are basically the same ideology? 'Pick a card, any card ...' Or is there a better way based on merit and that is bottom up - a system that truly responds to, and cares for, the people? With Jerry's Take on China ... In China, the people are family. In the West, the people are livestock. -- Recently, out of the hundreds of countries in the world, three decided to suicide, to serve their puppet masters : the Philippines, Argentina and Italy. Will Taiwan (not a country) be next? Are they Chinese or just fodder on a US missile base ??? -- China has defended itself (hence the Great Wall), but never been expansionist ... YT comment : George-rj4fj : "They who point fingers at China, failed to notice the huge expansionism of the Euro-Caucasians throughout the world so that some 2/3 of the world speaks not only English and Spanish but have also been forced into adopting Western cultures, religion, history and clothing. Talk about "cultural genocide"! They who accuses China of "expansionism" are also ignorant of history. Mongolia and Manchuria became part of China not from Chinese Han expansionism of conquest but because China was conquered by the Mongols and the Manchus and became part of THEIR empires. So too did Tibet when it ran wars into China in an expanding of the Tibetan Empire - and was defeated and absorbed in turn. Chinese culture is an amalgamation of all the different cultures that were absorbed into the greater Chinese diaspora. They who do not know history and are content in creating their own versions from western propaganda make themselves foolish by opening their mouths on topical subjects that they have absolutely no idea about." Bonus film - Jerry Grey in conversation with Ben Norton ... With Reports on China ...

Excellent examples of Chinese garden arts. The first three films are of the famous Humble Administrator's Garden and the fourth shows the Surging Wave Pavilion.