36. Sun Simiao: On Happiness and Long Life
A Sourcebook in Global Philosophy - Mohammed Rustom
Livia Kohn [+]
Boston University
Description
On Happiness and Long Life is a short treatise on moral behavior and its consequences by the great physician and Daoist Sun Simiao (d. 682 CE). The text presents the workings of life and destiny together with various ways to enhance life. Matching traditional Daoist understanding, the author sees long life as the direct function of the genetic make-up and talents one brings into this world (described as inner nature) in combination with the physical strength, social circumstances, and overall situation in life one receives from heaven, defined as destiny. While inner nature manifests in one’s principle or the inner beacon that guides one’s direction in life, destiny appears concretely in one’s lot, that is, the chances and opportunities one has in life.