Three Treasures: Use Them To Fight COVID-19

“Compassion, simplicity, and patience are celebrated as the “Three Treasures” of Taoism. This ancient Chinese philosophy is useful in times of crisis. The wisdom of Taoism teaches us to be yielding, flexible, and resilient. One translation of the three jewels calls them mercy, moderation, and humility. Another translation speaks of love, unpretentiousness, and modesty.

“Whatever we call them, these three virtues are essential in a time of crisis. And even in ordinary times, it is wise to be merciful, mellow, and moderate.”

– Andrew Fiala, professor of philosophy
and director of The Ethics Center at Fresno State

In the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are under tremendous pressures. Loneliness, depression, and other maladies are certainly exacerbated by C-19 restrictions. Yet, we can use this time of sheltering in place to seek wisdom that will serve us during this unprecedented times. One can look for comfort in the basic virtues in Taoism.

"Three treasures" first occurs in Tao Te Ching, chapter 67, which Lin Yutang (1948:292) says contains Laozi's "most beautiful teachings.” Loosely translated …

“Here are my three treasures. Guard and keep them!

The first is pity; the second, frugality; the third, refusal to be 'foremost of all things under heaven.'

For only he that pities is truly able to be brave;
Only he that is frugal is able to be profuse.
Only he that refuses to be foremost of all things

Is truly able to become chief of all Ministers.”

The first of the Three Treasures is ci, literally "compassion, tenderness, love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, benevolence,” which is also a Classical Chinese term for "mother" (with "tender love, nurturing " semantic associations).

The second is jian, literally "frugality, moderation, economy, restraint, be sparing,” a practice that the Tao Te Ching praises. Ellen M. Chen believes jian is "organically connected" with the Taoist metaphor pu ("uncarved wood; simplicity") and "stands for the economy of nature that does not waste anything. When applied to the moral life it stands for the simplicity of desire.

The third treasure is a phrase instead of a single word: Bugan wei tianxia xian "not dare to be first/ahead in the world.” The third treasure, daring not be at the world's front, is the Taoist way to avoid premature death. This is a treasure whose secret spring is the fear of losing one's life before one's time – patience. This fear of death, out of a love for life, is indeed the key to Taoist wisdom. Quick action must not lose sight of the long run. Panicked reactions make things worse. Fortitude, persistence, and hope makes things better.

The Tao encourages us to be in touch with our own deepest selves. For when you know who you really are, that is when you discover eternal peace.

“Be the silent watcher of your thoughts and behavior. To know yourself as the Being underneath the thinker, the stillness underneath the mental noise, the love and joy underneath the pain, is freedom, salvation, enlightenment.”

– Eckhart Tolle, author and spiritual teacher

To use a metaphor, the American people are in a storm under the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. We must not allow ourselves to be swept away by the violent wind and the driving rain of the tempest. If we shelter in place and find peace, quietness, and calmness, we deny the tendency to submit to the chaotic turmoil of the storm. As we look to ourselves, we harvest palpable power and tremendous energy – that vitality literally saves lives.

“Into a soul absolutely free

From thoughts and emotion,

Even the tiger finds no room

To insert its fierce claws.”

– A Taoist Priest

Have you noticed that the more you hurry, the less you get done? If “hurry” is your way of life, you take a big health risk. No person can hurry for a lifetime without having to pay the price sooner or later.

“We cannot see our reflection in running water.

It is only in still water that we can see.”

– Taoist proverb

You do not need to hurry. Everything under ‘Heaven’s Net’ is working perfectly on time. In this time of “hunkering down,” you must practice patience and be calm. You can be sure to take your time … time not only to dwell on mercy, moderation, and humility, but time to practice these personal virtues. The wisdom you gain will serve you always.

“Profound virtue is indeed deep and wide.

It leads all things back to the great order.”

--Tao Te Ching chapter 65