[HWPL Peace Education Textbook 7-3] Practice of Sacrifice

[HWPL Peace Education Textbook 7 A Sacrifice Without Compensation]

[7-3] Practice of Sacrifice

 

◆ Learning Objectives

1. Understand that sacrifice is the foundation for achieving peace.

2. Recognize the value of sacrifice through various examples and develop a mindset to practice it.

◆ Sacrifice Starts with Small Acts in Daily Life

 What are the obstacles to sacrifice?

Even if we understand the true value of sacrifice, practicing it can be difficult if we cannot overcome our selfish desires. When we focus only on our own wants, we may harm others, leading to conflicts and disputes. Selfishness drives us to seek personal gain at the expense of the community, threatening coexistence and diminishing the spirit of sacrifice. To truly value sacrifice, we must strive to overcome selfishness.

 

Selfishness Drives Personal Gain

In the late 1990s, a pharmaceutical company in the United States expanded the range of patients who could receive opioid painkillers through lobbying. This led to widespread addiction, even among those with mild pain, and resulted in numerous deaths from overdose.

Recognizing the crisis, Ohio sued the pharmaceutical company, leading to the cessation of sales and the development of treatment drugs. Ironically, one of the companies that created the treatment drugs was also responsible for the addictive painkillers, profiting both from addiction and its treatment. This example shows how selfishness can harm human rights and dignity for personal profit.

Image from Pixabay

In contrast, Confucianism teaches leaders to prioritize public interest over private gain (先公後私 滅私奉公). The Hippocratic Oath, taken by doctors, similarly commits to using medical knowledge for the benefit of humanity, not personal gain. This ethical foundation has led to countless doctors dedicating themselves to the service of humanity throughout history.

Image from Pixabay 

The Importance of Practicing Sacrifice in Daily Life

While there are grand acts of sacrifice, we can also practice small sacrifices in our everyday lives. Jean-Paul Sartre said, "Promises are not just words but actions." Similarly, it is essential to act on our intention to sacrifice, no matter how small the act.

Great individuals often walked paths filled with hardships and sacrifice. They were not born great; they became great through their sacrifices. Sacrifice does not require high status or vast wealth. It starts with a commitment to care about others' suffering.

There are countless ways to practice small sacrifices. You can donate a small amount to a charity, clean up litter in your community, join relief efforts in disaster-affected areas, or volunteer to teach underprivileged children. If more people practice small acts of sacrifice and love, our homes, schools, and societies will be filled with peace.

Selfishness cannot achieve world peace. Seeking only personal gain leads to disputes and conflicts. Sacrifice without expecting anything in return is necessary for world peace. The reward for small sacrifices in daily life is not money or fame, but a peaceful world.

Image from Pixabay 

◆Reflection

1. Find ways to practice small sacrifices in your daily life.

2. Discuss how you feel before and after making a sacrifice.

 

<Chapter 7 Conclusion: A Sacrifice Without Compensation >

Higher animals, especially humans, require significant parental care during their early years. No one can live happily without the sacrifices of parents who give birth and nurture them. Furthermore, humanity relies on nature for all its resources.

Like the tree in "The Giving Tree," nature generously provides resources and a living environment for humanity. Sacrifice cannot be forced; it must be voluntary. Forced sacrifice is another form of violence. True sacrifice is voluntary and stems from understanding its meaning and value.

Sacrifice is essential for peaceful coexistence. Focusing only on personal gain disrupts peace and causes conflicts. Selfishness pursues personal interests, harms public welfare, and can hurt others. We must seek ways to yield and coexist, both at home and globally.

If all people and nations make small sacrifices for each other, we can create the greatest legacy: world peace. The sacrifices we make today may not yield immediate rewards, but they will be an invaluable legacy of a peaceful world for future generations.