Learn from Lei Feng? Yes. But how?

Robert A. Deters

International Faculty Center Director at New Oriental Education & Technology Group

Of course we should do good things. I see people doing good things every day. Today I saw someone help a young lady carry her suitcase down the stairs. I saw someone give their seat to an old man. I heard someone give directions to a stranger. I see this type of kindness in China every day and it lets me know the spirit of Lei Feng is still inside the heart of the people. People smile and say hello to me. It is many little things but the cumulative effect is that I view Chinese society as being very pleasant and welcoming. What would I suggest we do to make society a better place? I see kindness and smiles every day but I also see everyone rushing to get somewhere. We should slow down and take some time to notice and appreciate all these little gestures of kindness.

In honor of Lei Feng, we should keep a low profile when we do something good. We should however take the time to show appreciation to others when we see them doing something kind. Being good and doing the right thing should be intrinsically rewarding. I feel good when I have helped someone because it lets me know that my actions follow my heart.

Expecting a reward diminishes the goodness inherent in the act. If we only help others in order to get some benefit then we are really helping ourselves. If we demand some compensation then we are not doing a good deed, we are bartering for work done. It must be selfless. The real test is if we will continue to do something good if we suffer or get punished for doing it. Someone stopped me on the street one day and asked for my help. My friend told me not to get involved. He said it was a scam and called me stupid for helping them. I still helped them. We all should try to help. The real spirit of Lei Feng was that he sacrificed himself to help others. While it is not practical for everyone to commit perpetual self-sacrifice and some are not sure if Lei Feng is real or imagined, we should all keep the ideals and spirit of Lei Feng inside us every day. It is the right thing to do.