The Way Follows Nature
This concept was first outlined in The Classic of the Way and Virtue (Dao De Jing). According to Laozi, Dao (Way) is the original source of the ontological existence of all things and beings, the driving force and ruler of how things move and change, and the manager of rules and norms to be followed in life. The Way creates everything yet it does not intervene in or command anything. Rather, it shows great respect and tolerance for all things it has created and allows them to take their own natural course.
In the political sphere, the Daoists advocated non-action (Wuwei). Non-action does not mean doing nothing. Rather, it requires rulers to leverage the initiative of the people instead of imposing their will on them or interfering too much. Today, this Daoist wisdom is manifested in China's advocacy of a new concept of development featuring innovation, coordination, greenness, openness, and shared results, China's respect for the principal role and pioneering spirit of the people, and China's endeavors to build modernization characterized by harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
道法自然
道法自然出自《道德經(jīng)》。老子認為“道”不僅是天地萬物的最初本源,而且是事物運動、變化的動力和規(guī)律, 也是人生應當遵循的準則和規(guī)范。“道”高度尊重和包容它所創(chuàng)造的萬物,并不干涉和控制萬物,而是順應萬物的自然而然狀態(tài)。
基于道法自然的理念,道家在政治領域主張執(zhí)政者“無為”?!盁o為”并不是無所事事,而是要求執(zhí)政者充分尊重民眾的自主活動,不要以主觀意志過多地控制或干擾民眾。中國倡導創(chuàng)新、協(xié)調(diào)、綠色、開放、共享的新發(fā)展理念,強調(diào)尊重人民群眾主體地位和首創(chuàng)精神,努力建設人與自然和諧共生的現(xiàn)代化,均體現(xiàn)了道法自然的傳統(tǒng)智慧。