|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:43 pm
i think that tao means just accept nature and go with it whatever happens happens kinda deal go with the flow work in a way that best suits your individual figure out the way you like to do things
i think mostly its about knowing yourself and accepting nature and the balance of the universe
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 7:13 pm
Tao started my interest in buddhism, actually. Some passages from the Stephen Mitchell version (which I greatly recommend, having read several translations- his grasp of english is beautiful):
1.The tao that can be told
is not the eternal tao.
The name that can be named
is not the eternal name.
The unnamable is the eternally real;
naming is the origin
of all particular things.
Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
Yet mystery and manifestations
arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding.
8.
The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus, it is like the tao.
In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don't try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
When you are content to be simply yourself
and don't compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.
14.
Look, and it can't be seen.
Listen, and it can't be heard.
Reach, and it can't be grasped.
Above, it isn't bright.
Below, it isn't dark.
Seamless, unnamable,
it returns to the realm of nothing.
Form that includes all forms,
image without an image,
subtle, beyond all conception.
Approach it and there is no beginning;
follow it and there is no end.
You can't know it, but you can be it,
at ease in your own life.
Just realize where you came from:
this is the essence of wisdom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
|
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 9:24 pm
That's the best English language translation that exists at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:27 pm
The Tao can be named is not the Eternal Tao. I think we can look to Hinduism to provide the perfect concept of the Tao. Hindus say of Brahma, that it is "neti-neti." Neither this, nor that. It is not what you think it is, nor is it otherwise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 11:08 pm
I fell in love with the Tao Te Ching long ago and It's been like a companion to me all the way. I love the teachings and how Lao Tzu presents them, although some translations i've read are way off. To me, the Tao and the concept of the Sage is like the perfect freind; not judging or competing, and wise yet not boring or snobbish. My favourite chapter is 33.
Who understands the world is learned;
Who understands the self is enlightened.
Who conquers the world has strength;
Who conquers the self has harmony.
Who is determined has purpose;
Who is contented has wealth.
Who defends his home may long endure;
Who surrenders his home may long survive it.
There's another translation of chapter 33 that I really like, it goes like this:
Knowing others takes intellect
Knowing oneself takes widsom.
Overcoming others takes strengh
Overcoming yourself takes greatness.
Contentment is wealth.
Boldly pushing forward takes resolution
Staying put keeps you in position.
To live till you die
Is to live long enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 6:50 am
The last line in that second translation makes it for me. I really like the Stephen Mitchell version, but that's a much better translation, it conveys the "Tao" better. wink
|
|
|
|
|
|
Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:11 am
Akanishi Makoto The last line in that second translation makes it for me. I really like the Stephen Mitchell version, but that's a much better translation, it conveys the "Tao" better. wink Indeed. "To Live till you die is to live long enough" sums up the tao completely. Such small a sentence explains perfectly the taoist way of thought, and of how "The Sage" wants and desires only what is needed; no more, no less.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:06 am
I like the dao so much, that I throw "it" (Tao is "it" blaugh ) into all of my RP's.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:14 pm
I took Eastern Religions as a class last semester. I got an A in the class and an A on the tests when it came to Taoism and Buddhism. Hinduism I got a C on the test but that was because I didn't study that much xp . Some of the basics of it have been covered by other people on this thread. If anyone wants me to post a more in depth explaination about the Tao, just post in here or PM me about it. If you guys want it I will post it on this thread. The only reason I am not posting it now is because it would be a kinda long write, so if you want more in depth you know what to do 3nodding .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
