As we approach the end of the week, I am constantly in the process of putting a conscious effort to embrace every aspect of the sites we are getting to see, the people we are meeting, and the experiences we are having all together.
With this in mind, we headed out to our first lecture at the office of a textile technology company called Shanghai Jarros New Material co. that embraced a very different philosophy than expected. Once we arrived, the first thing that we were taken to was a shrine dedicated to honor Buddha. The shrine was available to those of the company to send up prayers to Buddha if they chose to. This was very congruent with the principles they held as a company, of which I found the most intriguing to learn. They held a company motto that while isn’t explicitly geared to emphasize on a technical aspiration of the company, it was to “be appreciative and return what you receive,” which gives much direction as to how they treat their customers, employees, and the overall quality of work they produce. They also emphasized a list of 10 principles for everyone that works for them, which are: 1. Respect everyone; 2.Praise good deeds; 3. Correct your mistakes; 4.Be happy for someone else, enjoy other’s success; 5. Help others reach their goals; 6. Spread Good teaching to others; 7. Follow the teaching; 8. (Somehow I I missed it…); 9. Respect others wishes; 10. Give back with thanks to everyone. They are the only company within their industry that has emphasis on principles such as these. While they are derived from the philosophies of Buddhism, the employees don’t have to be practicing the religion themselves.
I believe that a major reason this company has reached the prominent level in the textile production industry as the largest company in the country for producing their certain textile, is partly due to their insightful and mindful company philosophy and approach. The executive of the company that we spoke with also gave us a very insightful note that I really connected with. He mentioned that “everything is causal, or conditioned to exist. Everything was empty, but various conditions create things to happen. Emptiness means there is the opportunity for something to happen.” I felt this went very well with the attitude that I mentioned at the beginning of the post that I have be actively working to maintain. This attitude being that everyone on this trip has been brought here to this city to accomplish a specific, treasured goal. While it may not be clear in itself, I think it is most easily realized once you take heed of every circumstance that is placed in front of you.
