Island of Freedom

Bend and be straight. -- Lao-tzu

Home

Theologians

Philosophers

The Tao

PLACES:

Taoism Information Page
Daoism Depot
Taoism and the Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan

ONLINE EDITIONS:

Tao Te Ching Translations
Tao Te Ching

The Daode Jing (Tao Te Ching), written by Lao-tzu, is the single most important text of Chinese Taoism. Laced with richly poetic imagery, it counsels balance, restraint, simplicity, and the avoidance of activity and desire as the means of achieving harmony with the natural currents of the Tao, or universal way. In ancient China, Lao-tzu's thoughts rivaled those of Confucius in popularity; hundreds of commentaries and translations exist.

The formulation of Taoist philosophy is also attributed to Zhuangzi (Chuang-tzu) (c.369-c.286 BC) as well as the Lie Xi (Lieh-tzu) (compiled during the Han dynasty, 202 BC-AD 220). Whereas Confucianism urged the individual to conform to the standards of an ideal social system, Taoism maintained that the individual should ignore the dictates of society and seek only to conform with the underlying pattern of the universe, the Tao ("way"), which can neither be described in words nor conceived in thought. Tao is nonbeing (wu), the creative-destructive force that brings everything into being and dissolves everything into nonbeing; return (fu) is the destiny of everything--that is, everything, after completing its cycle, returns to nonbeing; and nonaction (wu wei), or action in harmony with nature, is the best way of life. Zhuangzi taught that, from a purely objective viewpoint, all oppositions are merely the creations of conceptual thought and imply no judgments of intrinsic value (one pole is no more preferable than its opposite). Through spontaneous compliance with the impulses of one's own essential nature and by emptying oneself of all doctrines and knowledge, one achieves unity with the Tao and derives from it a mystical power (Tô). The Lie Xi said that the cultivation of Tao would enable a person to live for several hundred years. Taoism teaches the devotee to lead a long and tranquil life through the elimination of one's desires and aggressive impulses.

Unsuited to the development of an explicit political theory, Taoism exerted its greatest influence on Chinese aesthetics, hygiene, and religion. Alongside the philosophical and mystical Taoism discussed above, Taoism also developed on a popular level as a cult in which immortality was sought through magic and the use of various elixirs. Experimentation in alchemy gave way to the development, between the 3rd and 6th centuries, of various hygiene cults that sought to prolong life. These developed into a general hygiene system, still practiced, that stresses regular breathing and concentration to prevent disease and promote longevity.

About the 2nd century AD, popular Taoist religious organizations concerned with faith healing began to appear. Subsequently, under the influence of Buddhism, Taoist religious groups adopted institutional monasticism and a concern for spiritual afterlife rather than bodily immortality. The basic organization of these groups was the local parish, which supported a Taoist priest with its contributions. Taoism was recognized as the official religion of China for several brief periods. Various Taoist sects eventually developed, and in 1019 the leader of one of these was given an extensive tract of land in Jiangxi (Kiangsi) Province. The successors of this patriarch maintained control over this tract and nominal supremacy over local Taoist clergy until 1927, when they were ousted by the Chinese Communists. In contemporary China, religious Taoism has tended to merge with popular Buddhism and other religions.

Excerpts from Tao Te Ching

3
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not collecting treasures prevents stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart...
If nothing is done, then all will be well.

4
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.

5
The space between heaven and Earth is like a bellows.
The shape changes but not the form;
The more it moves, the more it yields.
More words count less.
Hold fast to the center.

9
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.

14
Look, it cannot be seen - it is beyond form.
Listen, it cannot be heard - it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held - it is intangible.
These three are indefinable;
Therefore they are joined in one.

16
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy, the mind is open.
With an open mind, you will be openhearted.

18
When the great Tao is forgotten,
Kindness and morality arise.
When wisdom and intelligence are born,
The great pretense begins.

19
Give up kindness, renounce morality,
And men will rediscover filial piety and love.

20
Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.

22
Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain; Have much and be confused.

23
He who does not trust enough
Will not be trusted.

24
He who stands on tiptoe is not steady.
He who strides cannot maintain the pace.

29
The universe is sacred.
You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it.

References:
1996 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Copyright 1996 Grolier Interactive, Inc.
Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia, Copyright 1993-1997 Microsoft Corporation.

The Tao

Excerpts from Tao Te Ching