In serving each other we become free

Distinguished teachers and guests,

You may wonder what’s my first reaction when I touch this topic. What popped up into my mind when I got the subject was not the legends of King Arthur, because nothing is certain about historical Arthur, not even his existence, but polarized norms and beliefs in the society.

How it’s polarized? I like to remind you of two schools of thought. One group believe, as Chairman Mao told us that we should do everything for others’ benefit and nothing for one’s own. In Chinese “毫不利己，专门利人”. But another group argue that heaven would destroy those who do nothing for self. In Chinese “人不为己，天诛地灭”. Along with development of commercial society, this thought is gaining weight.

I don’t like to run to an extreme, and prefer to a more balanced philosophy, just as this topic says that in serving each other we become free. In Chinese “服务他人，成就自我”. In this way, we can achieve a win-win situation, instead of zero-game. Why? Why I favor this balanced philosophy? I’d like to explain it as follows:

First, this kind of morals deeply rooted in Chinese tradition with a very long history. Furthermore, it’s also the shared belief of human being. Great thinker Confucian told us that we should love others. The deeds of Lei Feng actually embodied the glorious tradition of Chinese people. We all cherished a dream from childhood to become a noble person, but the only way to go is to arm ourselves with lofty ideas, then let the deeds speak. I think in general humans need to give service, to their community, to their nation, and to the world as a whole.

Second, as a Chinese saying goes: to help others is to help yourself. So, serving others never mean that there is only sacrifice. We don't serve to receive anything back, but to serve others per se is to serve self. Many people realized their ideals in serving the people in need. In other side, we also found that some people discard their garbage in the streets, and make the environment polluted. They enjoyed convenience at the moment, but suffered later from their own behavior. SARS was a right example.

Third, to serve each other is the way to approve and demonstrate your ability and your potentials. If you want to be a leader to serve the people, you’d first show the people you’re able to. If you want to be successful lawyer, to serve the clients, you’ve first to convince them that you are the right person.

There are many good examples around us, and in our university as well. Many volunteers help their poor helpless neighbors, brothers and sisters. Some of them visit sick or lonely old people or parentless children, to look after ill patients or handicapped people who cannot take care of themselves. Some of them donated their fortune to help others. Mr. Wang Wanlin, a 60-year-old retired worker in Hangzhou, has raised 287 children in the past 24 years. In many cases, he met these helpless children on the street and brought them to his home. These children, who roamed about because of family problems, schooling troubles, or personal difficulties, enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere in Wang’s home. Mr. Wang said that he felt very happy because he was able to make others happy. In his mind, True happiness comes to only those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.

Another one I’d like to mention is George Washington Carver. His life spanned the Civil War of US to World War II. Carver was born a slave. He became one of the great scientists of his time, widely read, widely studied, and his influence spread far and wide. In the end, Carver did not measure the success of his life in terms of accomplishments that enriched his own existence and brought him fame. Carver said that it is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank. It is simply service that measures success.

In serving each other we become free. This is not just the path to harmony of society, to progress of human civilization; it is also the path to success in career, and to happiness in life. We will build a better world in this way.

Thank you.

 
Note: Mr. Wang’s story appeared on Beijing Review, Feb. 20, 2003.