Vision for Society Written by: Julia Hardy The Taode jing
proposed a utopian vision of society based on the notion of a
wise and noble ruler whose strength of moral character (de)
inspired moral behavior throughout the country. Additionally,
one of the final chapters of the Taode jing (Ch. 80) described
the ideal country as one which was small, with a small
population that avoided technological advances in preference for
simple living, and was self-contained, uninterested in other
small countries nearby. The Confucian Zhouli, Rites of the
(State of) Zhou, also described a utopian society, in this case
one that would be brought about by strict organization and
regulation. Unlike the rebellious Yellow Turbans who were their
contemporaries, the Way of the Celestial Masters did not
advocate overthrowing the current government, but both shared a
utopian view of what society should be. According to the
Celestial Masters texts, there should above all be peace and
harmonious living among the people, and the ruler sho