Quote:
Originally Posted by markpaul
Could you tell me whether Lee applied above teaching (or similar practice) in his life? I would like to check an idea and discuss with you later. Thanks.
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I would say the answer is "no".
If you look at the Chinese principle of reciprocity, or Guanxi, if you give something then you are owed something back. Jesus taught to give when you get nothing back and you will be rewarded in heaven. Witness Lee would not do that, nor would he allow his followers to obey this teaching. I was there in the FTTA (Full-time Training, Anaheim [California]) and they were clear about this.
Second, if you break the set of social expectations of Guanxi, it is an unforgivable offense. Jesus taught to forgive. But if you violate the cultural norms of Guanxi in the LC you are never forgiven.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanxi
Guanxi largely originates from the Chinese social philosophy of Confucianism, which stresses the importance of associating oneself with others in a hierarchical manner, in order to maintain social and economic order. Particularly, there is an emphasis on implicit mutual obligations, reciprocity, and trust, which are the foundations of guanxi and guanxi networks.
Third, Witness Lee would never "lose face" to anyone. Anyone who caused him to "lose face" would never be forgiven in the LC. "You are finished", they said.
So this tells me that Witness Lee never overcame his native Chinese culture.