The World Needs Innocence

Healthy and optimistic people must have a childlike innocence. It is the source of imagination and creativity. Without a measure of innocence, it is often difficult to achieve great things, and even if one does become a great person, one may not be lovable. A lovable person is loved by all; a person who loves others is lovable. Therefore, the word 'cou' – a transliteration of 'cute' – is currently very popular.

I saw a bewildered little boy in an elementary school in Shijiazhuang, saying to his classmates that he hoped there were more people who could learn Chinese, saying it with a nod as if 'deeply thoughtful.' Then he slowly said, 'with considerable gravity,' as if a great man was delivering an international situation report. However, he kept wiping his nose, which detracted from his solemn image. I gave him two tissues and said, 'A great man shouldn't have a runny nose.'

A 'great man' doesn't laugh. He continued his report after wiping his nose. He said his mind was full of ideas, he wanted to use air as fuel, reduce pollution, and save energy, but he was afraid it would cost too much. Furthermore, he was concerned about the reckless cutting of trees, which could leave Earth with only carbon dioxide in the future.

I said you have a very thoughtful mind. Have you ever thought about how to develop Shijiazhuang?

He responded with his first, second, and third ideas. He talked about thunderstorms, and how to recover lightning to generate electricity – what a vast energy source it would be!

I couldn't help but ask this 'great man' his 'age.' He modestly said he was ten years old. A little boy with his ears perked up and shouted, 'You're actually nine!'

Heroes are not asked about their age.

Children are closest to the essence of human beings. Lao Tzu said, 'The depth of virtue is comparable to that of an infant.' An infant has weak muscles and bones but holds his fists firmly. Lao Tzu said, 'Harmony is the ultimate state,' meaning harmony with heaven and earth is the highest state.

In Buddhism, there's the 'infant practice,' which is second only to saintly practice and heavenly practice.

The ten-year-old 'great man' of Shijiazhuang was even more endearing because of his runny nose.

Because, it's the state of being an infant.

Success doesn't necessarily mean maturity. Bill Gates has a strong life force, exceptional imagination, and youthful passion, but what is most moving about him is his unique childlike expression.

Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse because of his innocence, and then built the Disney Kingdom, which continuously supplies joy and innocence to the world. Disney said, 'I want to awaken the children in this world who are losing their childlike innocence.'

'Please note that it all started with a mouse.'

Whether it's infant practice, childlike innocence, or the Disney Kingdom, all that's lovable, creative, and vibrant stems from 'childlike innocence.'

I want to say: please note that it all started with 'childlike innocence.' Imagination is more important than knowledge, and innocence is the embryo of imagination, and with innocence, there is the potential to create everything.

——Written by Chen Zufen

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