why carpe diem was not a chinese thought

this weekend seemed to bring up questions about whether eastern philosophy could be reconciled with christianity and a reflection on how eastern cosmology tended to be concerned with how things were kept in balance and in harmony. in a simplistic and dumbed-down version, taoism, buddhism, hinduism advocate the continued existence of two opposing forces of good and evil. The two must coexist for the other to be defined.

that brings us to what the issue of death means in a western and eastern context.

in the car, on the way home, a girl i had just met talks about her trip to mexico. her most memorable experience was participating in the 'day of the dead' festival before all saints day. no ghouls and tales from the crypt here but what she marvelled was how people there celebrated death while over here we get all hung up and petrified at the thought of dying.

while this isn't a startling revelation, carpe diem nor memento mori are not heavyweight concepts in eastern philosophy. The concept of karma and reincarnation negate the 'once-and-for-all' full-stop on life. And if life continues (just possibly in different forms), then carpe diem is not something that (theoreticaly at least) figures strongly in the eastern mind. if there is always going to be some retribution or future consequence, then life must be lived in consideration of the long-term effects of our actions. this could and probably would entail a greater awareness of the individual's actions on his community. meaning and choice must therefore play out in the greater social context.

this then is possibly how i would reconcile eastern cosmology with christianity. it is certainly a speculation in all parts. but i appreciate the long-range view provided by the concept of continued existence.

that said, i have no intention to worry about being born a cockroach in my next life.




(and now, i must, absolutely have to return to my thesis and stop finding ways to waste more time)