Lao Tzu & Tao World

History Of

Taoism

                  

The Taoist Ying Yang symbol:                                                                                           

Tao (pronounced "Dow") can be roughly translated into English as path, or the way. It is basically indefinable. It has to be experienced. It "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. -Embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female.)" 2 

-The founder of Taoism is believed by many religious historians to be Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE*), whose life overlapped that of Confucius (551-479 BCE). - However other historians suggest that he is a synthesis of a number of

historical figures. - -Others suggest that he was a mythical figure. Still others suggest that

he lived in the 4th century BCE.

-He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime. The result was his book: Tao-te-Ching (a.k.a. Daodejing). Others believe that he is a mythical character. 

BCE – before common era

-Started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a religious faith in 440 CE when it was adopted as a state religion.--At that time Lao-Tse became popularly venerated as a deity. Taoism, along with Buddhism and Confucianism, became one of the three great religions of China. -With the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty in 1911, state support for Taoism ended. Much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed during the next period of warlordism. -After the Communist victory in 1949, religious freedom was severely restricted. "The new government put monks to manual labor, confiscated temples, and plundered treasures. Several million monks were reduced to fewer than 50,000" by 1960. 3

-During the cultural revolution in China from 1966 to 1976, much of the remaining Taoist heritage was destroyed. -Some religious tolerance has been restored under Deng Xiao-ping from 1982 to the present time. 

-Taoism currently has about 20 million followers, and is primarily centered in Taiwan. About 30,000 Taoists live in North America; 1,720 in Canada (1991 census).

Taoism – Outside Of

China

  

Time is cyclical, not linear as in Western thinking.  

  Taoists strongly promote health and vitality.

  -Five main organs and orifices of the body correspond to the five parts of the sky: water, fire, wood, metal and earth.

-Each person must nurture the Ch'i (air, breath) that has been given to them.

-Development of virtue is one's chief task. The Three Jewels to be sought are compassion, moderation and humility.

-Taoists follow the art of "wu wei," which is to let nature take its course. For example, one should allow a river to flow towards the sea unimpeded; do not erect a dam which would interfere with its natural flow.

 

 

 

 

1. Dao is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life.

2. Goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. [“The butterfly or the

man?” story.]

3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.”

--> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!”

4. Man is unhappy because he lives acc. to

man-made laws, customs, & traditions that

are contrary to the ways of nature.

1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning.

2. Relying on the senses and instincts.

3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe.

4. Ignoring political and social laws.

To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by:

* Text of Daoism -

The Classic in the Way and Its Power.

* “Those who speak know nothing: Those who know are silent.”

These words, I am told, Were spoken by Laozi.

If we are to believe that Laozi, Was himself one who knew, How is it that he wrote a book,

Of five thousand words?

* Masculine

* Active

* Light

* Warmth

* Strong

* Heaven; Sun

* Feminine

* Passive

* Darkness

* Cold

* Weak

* Earth; Moon

How is a person to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity??

Confucianism --> Moral order in society.

Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid

uniformity and conformity.

* Lao Tzu and his buffalo

* His name means “Old Master”

* Was he Confucius’ teacher?

Full name 老子 , Romanized as Laozi

BornUnknown, 6th–3th centuries BC

DiedUnknown, 6th–3th centuries BC

Era Ancient philosophy

Region Eastern philosophy

School Taoism

Notable ideas Wuwei

Lao Tzu Trivia • The specific date of birth of Lao Tzu is unknown. Legends

vary, but scholars place his birth between 600 and 300 B.C.E. during the Warring States Period.

• Lao Tzu is attributed with the writing of the “Tao-Te Ching,” (tao—meaning the way of all life, te—meaning the fit use of life by men, and ching—meaning text or classic). Lao

Tzu was not his real name, but an honorific given the sage, meaning “Old Master.”

• His nickname was The ‘madman of Ch‘u’, the first of the ‘irresponsible hermits’

• His name at birth was Li Erh Tan.

• His first job was a keeper of the royal archives at Loyang, few details are known of his life. Lao-tzu was ‘a hidden

wise man’, reluctant to found a school and gather a following.

• Lao Tzu worked most of his life in the public service, and retired later to the West, without leaving any trace. He is

the archetype of the Taoist Sage.

Lao Tzu (Old Master)Chinese Taoist Philosopher, c. 600

B.C.E.

Lao Tzu Trivia (Con’t) • His preaching insisted on keeping a low profile and

practicing non doing and emptiness. Lao Tzu is an exciting character even today - mostly because his wisdom which

is both obscure and penetrating.

• Lao Tzu believed that human life, like everything else in the universe, is constantly influenced by outside forces. He

believed “simplicity” to be the key to truth and freedom. Lao Tzu encouraged his followers to observe, and seek to

understand the laws of nature; to develop intuition and build up personal power; and to use that power to lead life

with love, and without force.

• Having washed his hair and left it hanging down his back to dry, Lao-tzu looked like a lifeless body on the arrival of

Confucius. When the latter asked how it was that this impression arose, Lao-tzu replied that he ‘was wandering in the unborn’. When asked what was to be got by such wandering, he informed Confucius that the result was

‘perfect goodness and perfect happiness’.

The dragon's ascent into heaven on the

wind and the clouds is something which is

beyond my knowledge. Today I have seen Lao-tzu, and he is a dragon!

Confucius

“

”

Lao Tzu met with Confucius

• According to legend, Lao-tzu simply decided to leave society. He would

have vanished without trace had not the customs official on the border asked him to write a book before he retired

from the world. So the sage wrote about ‘the proper way to live’. Then he went

on.

• The result was the eighty-one sayings of the “Tao-Te Ching.” This ancient

Chinese text is the world’s most translated classic next to the Bible.

• After finishing his writing, Lao Tzu got on his ox and rode off never to be seen

again. No one knows where he died.

Lao Tzu Trivia (Con’t)

Statue of Lao Tzu (Laozi) in Quanzhou, China

One of the most famous books of Chinese spirituality is the Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tzu about 2500 years ago. It's a book of philosophy for individuals and rulers in relation to what is termed 'The Way",

the book divided into 81 small sections.

Another source divides the work into various books;

Book 1, The Character of Tao, consists of sections 1 to 6;

Book 2, The Lessons of Tao, of sections 7 to 13; Book 3, The Limitation of Tao, of sections 14 to 25; Book 4, The Source of Power, of sections 26 to 40; Book 5, The Conduct of Life, of sections 41 to 56;

Book 6, The Theory of Government, of sections 57 to 75; Book 7, The Aphorisms, of sections 76 to 81.

Tao Te Ching

10 most favorite chapters7 From Tao Section (1-37)

Chapter 1 : What is the Tao?Chapter 2 : Making things ugly

Chapter 3 : Making ThievesChapter 4 : Blunt the Sharp Edges

Chapter 5 : Talk is TiringChapter 15 : What kind of people were

the great Taoist sages?Chapter 33 : Self-Knowledge, Self-mastery

3 From Te Section (38-81)Chapter 46 : The value of a modest heartChapter 69 : Winning a fight by giving inChapter 76 : Rigid behavior will kill you

#1What is the Tao?

The "Tao" is too great to be described by the name "Tao".If it could be named so simply, it would not be the eternal Tao.

Heaven and Earth began from the nameless (Tao),but the multitudes of things around us were created by names.

We desire to understand the world by giving names to the things we see,but these things are only the effects of something subtle.

When we see beyond the desire to use names,we can sense the nameless cause of these effects.

The cause and the effects are aspects of the same, one thing.They are both mysterious and profound.At their most mysterious and profound point lies the "Gate of the Great Truth".

#2 Making things ugly

When people see beauty, they think, "that's beautiful".Thinking of something as beautiful makes you think other things are ugly.

Calling something "good" forces you to call some other things "evil."

The ideas "difficult" and "easy" support each other."Long" and "short" define each other.

"High" creates "low""Tone" creates "noise""Before" creates "after"

"Have" creates "don't have"

This is why the Sage acts without effort and teaches without words.New things are created and the Sage just accepts them.

Things fade away and the Sage accepts that too.

A Sage can have things without feeling they "own" them.The Sage does things without putting an emotional stake into the outcome.

The task is accomplished, but the Sage doesn't seek credit or take pride in the accomplishment.Because the Sage is not attached to the accomplishment, the accomplishment lasts forever.

#3 Making thieves

When you praise worthy people, you make other people envious and quarrelsome.When you value rare things highly, you turn honest people into thieves.

If you show people exciting things, you will make them covetous and greedy.The wise rule by keeping the peoples' hearts empty (of desire) and their bellies full.

Making their bones strong and their ambitions weak.

Since the people are free of avarice and desire,even the most cunning grifter has no opportunity to corrupt them.

By using the "act without action" principle,everything just falls into place.

#4 Blunt the sharp edges

The Tao is so empty,So hollow.Yet somehow its usefulness is inexhaustibleIt is so very deepSo very profound.Like the source of everything.

It blunts the sharpest edgesUnties the knotsSoftens the glare

It is so very deepSo tranquilIt seems to barely exist at all.Its origin is unknownIt preceded the Gods themselves.

#5 Talk is tiring

Heaven and Earth don't play favoritesThey treat everything with equal detachment.

Sages don't play favoritesThey treat good people and bad with equal detachment.

Heaven and earth are like a set of bellows.Although empty, they are endlessly productive.

The more you work them, the more they produce.The mouth, on the other hand, becomes exhausted if you talk too much.

Better to keep your thoughts inside you.

#15 What kind of people were the Taoist sages?

In ancient times there were great Taoist Sages.Their way of living was so deep, so subtle, it cannot be directly explained.

Instead, here is how they looked:Cautious, as if crossing the ford of a stream in Winter

Alert, as if surrounded by dangerPolite, as if they were always a guest

Yielding, like ice that is on the verge of meltingSincere, like an uncut block of wood

Receptive, like a valleyOpaque, like muddy water

(Q:)Who can wait quietly for muddy water to slowly settle and become clear?

Who can continue to calmly live, and so experience nature's constant, slow growth?

(A:)People who follow the Tao do not desire excess to be full.

People who do not desire excess have unseen energy that constantly invigorates.

#33 Self knowledge &

Self mastery

Intelligent people know others.Enlightened people know themselves.

You can conquer others with power,But it takes true strength to conquer yourself.

Ambitious people force their will on others,But content people are already wealthy.

Prudent people will abide.People unconquered by the idea of death will live long.

People who live according to their means last long.

#46 The value of

a modest heart

When the world follows the Tao,Even fast horses are used to fertilize the fields.

When the world rejects the Tao,Farmland is used to breed warhorses.

No disaster is worse than being discontented.No omen (for your future) worse than being greedy.Yet, if you can find (true) contentment, it will last forever.

#69 Winning a fight by giving

inMilitary strategists have a saying:

"Rather than act like the lord of the manor,I would rather behave like a guest.

Rather than advance an inch,I would rather retreat a foot."

The point of the saying is that you should:Advance upon them without going forward

Seize their property without even bearing arms.Attack where there is no enemy.

Prevail upon them without weapons.

There is no greater disaster than to underestimate your enemy.If I did that, I would lose my 3 treasures (benevolence, frugality, never trying to be number one)

In combat, the most reticent side will win.

#76 Rigid behavior

will kill youWhen alive, the body is supple, yielding.

In death, the body becomes hard, unyielding.

Living plants are flexible,In death, they become dry and brittle.

Therefore, stubborn people are disciples of death, butFlexible people are disciples of life.

In the same way,Inflexible soldiers cannot win (a victory).

And the hardest trees are readiest for an axe to chop them downTough guys sink to the bottom, while

Flexible people rise to the top.

The Tao of Learning

Quotes From Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu On Politics

1. The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.

2. The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.

3. When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

4. When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of

disorder.

5. Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere

shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder. “

”

Lao Tzu On Leadership

1. A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

2. To lead people walk behind them.

3. A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

4. Be the chief but never the lord.

5. One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.

6. The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people

say, 'We did it ourselves.'

Lao Tzu On Nature & Life

1. All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

2. Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. 3. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

4. Nature is not human hearted. 5. Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.

6. Silence is a source of great strength.7. The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.8. Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.

9. Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever

way they like.

“Nothing is softer ormore flexible than water,yet nothing can resist it.”

- Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu On Love

1. Because of a great love, one is courageous

2. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

3. From caring comes courage.

4. From wonder into wonder existence opens.

5. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

6. Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.

7. One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.

Lao Tzu On Love

8. The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to

act but not to compete.

9. The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.

10. To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking

creates profoundness. Kindness in giving

creates love.

“

”

Lao Tzu On Work

1. A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.

2. An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.

3. Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

4. By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.

5. Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single

step. Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.

Lao Tzu On Work

6. Great acts are made up of small deeds.

7. Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.

8. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

9. It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own

nature reveals it, never sins.

10. Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the

foundation of all actions.

Lao Tzu On Work

11. People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

12. Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

13. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

14. The career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, Like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest.

15. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

“ People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one

remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.”

Lao Tzu On Self & Wisdom

1. At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.

2. Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

3. Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

4. He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

5. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

Lao Tzu On Self & Wisdom

6. He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted. 7. He who is contented is rich.

8. He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.9. He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

10.He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know. 11.He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.

12.He who talks more is sooner exhausted.

Lao Tzu On Self & Wisdom

13. Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. 14. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.

15. How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men? 16. I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I

serve any.

17. I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.

18. If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one

another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.

“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is

mightier still.”

Lao Tzu On Self & Wisdom

19. If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

20. If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence. 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.

21. In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.

Lao Tzu On Self & Wisdom

22. Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.

23. Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

24. Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

25. The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in

honours.

26. The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

27. The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.

Lao Tzu On Self & Wisdom

28. The words of truth are always paradoxical.29. Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.

30. To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.

31. To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.

32. To see things in the seed, that is genius.

33. To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

34. Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also

honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

Lao Tzu On Self & Wisdom

35. Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

36. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.

37. When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

38. When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

39. Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The

less one knows.

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you

will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

Thank You Very MuchSompong Yusoontorn

THANK YOU