Aaron

I think that Lao Tzu was not perfect and capable of making mistakes. I think when we begin to believe someone is incapable of error, then we stop questioning what is being taught and that is a dangerous road to walk down. Aaron

Hello Scotty, I can understand what VMarco is getting at, but perhaps he's not explaining it quite as well as it could be. I will try, in my limited understanding of Buddhism to explain what I feel is meant by compassion, in the sense that he's describing. There is compassion as we know it, the idea that one has empathy for another and desires to ease that empathy. This form of compassion is driven by our own emotions, love, sympathy, etc. As a result it is bound by these emotions and required by these emotions to exist, and as a result this form of compassion cannot be relied upon because it is dependent on one's own opinions and views regarding compassion. So if one has no love or sympathy for the person suffering they may not want or desire to ease that person's suffering. Compassion in a universal sense is not bound by empathy or sympathy, or any emotion for that matter, but rather by a deep and abiding understanding of the cause of suffering. As a result the "need" to ease one's suffering is not propelled by ones ideas about that person, but rather by an understanding of the nature of suffering itself. When one understands this nature then they are immediately drawn to compassionate action because of it. What I think has happened over the years is that many Buddhists see compassion as an intellectual concept rather than an action, so they are not as prone to act out compassion because they feel the knowledge of compassion and the expression of that compassion in an attempt to liberate others is enough. In my personal view and experience, it isn't. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path were set down in a sense so that people practiced what was being preached. One followed the precepts of right action, right thought, right speech, etc. so that they would, as Taocow has eleqouently expressed it, water the seeds of their Buddha nature. It is through practicing these precepts that one opens oneself up to enlightenment and real understanding of the nature of compassion. At first one may just go through motions and perform these actions out of duty, but as one is filled with deeper insight, they will begin to understand that these precepts are not merely requirements of duty, but rather the natural actions of one who has reached awareness. At least that's how I view it. I'm sure the Buddhist scholars will be able to shed more light on this. I'm not a Buddhist mind you, but I see the virtue of the Eightfold Path and I can understand the reasoning behind the Four Noble Truths, even if I believe them to be somewhat flawed (the Truths, not the path). Another thing to keep in mind is that the three hindrances to enlightenment (imo) are selfishness, anger, and fear, and until one has been able to come to an understanding of the nature of these emotions, one cannot fully understand compassion as it exists within all men. That's the other thing, as Cowtao pointed out, compassion, the highest form of compassion, exists within everyone and everything. I call it Love, you can call it whatever you want, but in my own experience, when I have had these brief flashes of true compassion it is never reliant on my feelings about another, but rather it arises because of a deep felt desire or need to ease the suffering of another. Now that is really, (imo), the result of empathy, understanding the underlying nature of everyone and being able to see everyone as being deserving of compassion. Aaron

Hello Samantha, I'm sorry to hear about your abuse. From my own experience, the past does come out, it does so when you least expect it, when life is going well and things could rarely be better. I still don't remember much of my early childhood, but perhaps one day I will. I think our mind has a way of letting those things out when it's the right time. I do hope that if it does happen to you, that it's as painless as possible. Thank you for your kind words and best wishes. Aaron

I know... I've always had questions about that first and last section too. I chose not to revise them because again, when I translated it, it seemed like it was the correct translation, even if it was a bit different from what other people had translated. Aaron

Hello Marble, Again this is one of those chapters where I couldn't see it as other people did. Perhaps I'm missing something. When I translated these chapters I didn't look at anyone else's translation, because I wanted to get my own honest interpretation. This, however, has a few problems. First I miss some of the social and cultural context and second I tend to drift away from the common consensus, which isn't always a good thing. Aaron

Actually I like this translation, even if it may be off the mark. Something rings true for me. Anyways, I kind of get the feeling sometimes that a lot of translators translate based on what other translators have come up with, rather than the actual text. When I read this particular chapter from the Guodian slips, I can't figure out how other people translated it the way they did. Aaron

HAH! I corrected that. Aaron

Here's my translation of chapter 19... Put an end to wisdom, Discard the judgement of humanity and the people will benefit a hundredfold. Put an end to cleverness, discard what you value and the robbers will dissapear. Put an end to your hypocrisy, discard your concerns with humanity, and the people will again be like a newborn child. One of these three should not hold a higher place than another, They are not enough by themselves. Look for the plain, protect the ordinary and your private ends will be be diminished and lessen your own desires.

Here's my translation of chapter 15... What has been handed down is good. One who wishes to become a scholar must see through the mysterious, but they cannot by will alone inquire into what is right by nature, should not one act with respect, be hesitant? Shouldn't they approach the mysterious as if they were deciding to cross a stream in winter? As if they were considering the stern warning of their neighbor? Are they not merely travelers ready to leave? Shoud they not consider it is natural for the ice to be melting? Should they be like the simple and confused? Those whose minds are murky, those who can become murky, are those who can become still. One who is murky can slowly become clear, they can be peaceful and change others positions, they can slowly live and grow, keep safe the Way, and never desire to be full.

My translation of chapter 46... I remember my choice of the word guilty caused a bit of discussion... here goes. I'm not sure why it ended up so different from other translations... perhaps something got lost... hahahaha... well I thought it was funny. There are too many guilty, their desires offend others, they are at fault and blame others, but feel no sorrow. When one desires what others have, one obtains nothing, but instead brings a great calamity upon themselves. Be content with what you have, know when it is enough. To be content with what you have is to always have enough, this will bring lasting satisfaction.

Here's my translation of Chapter 35 Hold to the great way and all under heaven will follow. Though they come, they do no harm, only contentment, serenity, and well-being follow. Music and tasty food will cause a stranger to pause, but the Dao is bland and leaves the mouth without flavor. Look for it and there is little to see, Listen to it and there is not much to hear, But use it and little is consumed.

Another translation I did awhile back... chapter one this time. If one can call it Dao, it is not the eternal Dao. If one can name it, it is not the eternal Name. There is no name for the origin of heaven and earth, All things that can be named are from the Mother. Those who look to the beginning want to understand its mystery, But if one looks to the world around them they can see what it looks like. Though Nothing and Everything have different names they have the same origin. Call both of them mysterious, Mysterious and even more mysterious, They are the gateway to all mysteries.

I came across my old translations, so I thought I might share the less strange ones... here's chapter 2. When everyone under heaven knows beautiful only as they see beautiful, that is an ugly end. When everyone believes their actions alone are good, then that is a bad end. Everything we have will be gone, it is only what we share that will live and grow. When we work together, we can transform the most difficult times into a blessing. Long and short give each other measure. What is above and below gives each other space. A single note can harmonize with many, so that each is in harmony with the other, whether one comes before or after, they will always follow each other. When a wise man does what is right, he will leave the place he resides and nothing he will do will be done, yet no work he attends to will be unfinished, and all will know his work by his accomplishments. All living things come into being but are not willing to begin alone, they act, yet they will not trust those actions alone, they accomplish much, yet they will not accomplish it alone.

My translation of chapter 40 One who returns to the Way will change their position. One who is weak, One who's Way is put to use everwhere under the heavens, his is a living thing. To have life is to live and grow even when it vanishes.

Here's my translation of the Guodian Chapter 30. For the person who assists a ruler in the Way is one who does not desire to use the sword to gain strength in the world. For one who is good at harvesting fruit does not harvest fruit by plucking it too soon, He does not cut down a tree because it has no fruit, he is not willing to be proud of the fruit he grows, nor is he willing to boast of the fruit he harvests, and when he speaks, he speaks of what is by nature right and correct. And when he is finished, his harvest is bountiful, the trees he grows last and bear fruit from what is good and loved.

Hello folks, I think the line that is curious for me is the one that goes "Having known the Mother, We may proceed to know her children." If only because Henricks uses a very different word to talk about this process, "attain". So my question is, do we "know" the mother or "attain" the mother? And if so, what is the difference? Aaron

Well thanks GIH. I appreciate that. Aaron

Hello Steve, I think the important thing to remember, for each of us, is that no matter how hard things might have been, there is always someone who has suffered more. This knowledge alone can help us to place our own experiences in perspective. In my years of personal counseling and helping others in the "program" I've heard things that chill my bones. In the end oftentimes, the only thing we can do is listen, but if the opportunity arises to help another, I think it's well worth the effort. I also don't like to think of myself as special, because I know I'm not. As I said others have suffered as well. My honest belief is that if we don't share these things, then what good are they? Part of being human is allowing ourselves to be a part of the human race, to understand our innate connection to each other, to love each other and desire the best for each other, regardless of what's happened. Sharing our darkest experiences, those things that are "taboo" is really the only way to bring these things to light and hopefully provide others with hope as well. I was reading a news story today about a man in Texas who is scheduled for execution. The man shot several people and one of his victims survived. This victim, a muslim, is petitioning the court to stay the man's execution because he believes in forgiveness. This guy is blind in one eye because of this man and he still forgave him enough to fight to keep the man alive. That's really powerful stuff and I think most of us pass up this idea, think of it as idealistic, when in fact it's one of the most liberating experiences one can have. Anyways, thanks for your kind words. I do appreciate what you have to say. I think your honesty and compassion are well expressed on this forum. Aaron

Thanks Dawg... hehehe. I appreciate that. I'm happy you're back here as well. Don't be a stranger. Aaron

Hello Mythmaker, I say have it out. It's not hurting my feelings. I appreciated his honest reflection on the notion of unconditional love and I don't think any harm will come from discussing it, so again, feel free to "fight it out". Aaron P.S. I appreciate your encouragement. I don't think I'm ready to write a book, but if the time comes when I am, I most certainly will.

Hello Vmarco, Where were you when we had our discussion on the nature of compassion? Anyways, I think you're right about some things, but I honestly feel that without experiencing the true nature of reality, one cannot understand the nature of High Compassion and Love. For me Higher Compassion and Love are natural expressions that come from being in harmony with the world around us, but this doesn't mean that it is devoid of motivation or sentiment, only that the sentiment and emotion are pure, not ascribed to good or bad, but rather to a desire for the well being of another. Aaron

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I agree Suninmyeyes. I think in order for one to reach this point, they must first wish to be free of suffering, then they can begin to realize the root of their suffering, the chief among them being anger. Aaron

Thanks for the kind words. You're a good man Otis. Aaron

Hello GIH, Hmm... I'm not sure how to respond. It's all true. In fact this is the first time I mentioned seeing myself as a child to anyone, other than my psychiatrist (who wanted to put me on drugs for hallucinations). It's cathartic though, letting go of secrets, even if I haven't had that experience in awhile, just knowing it's not something that needs to be hidden is nice. In fact my emotional and mental health have never been better, at least that's how I feel. I honestly credit it with "The Book" by Alan Watts. It was instrumental in my understanding of the world and coming to a truer understanding of compassion and love. Thank you for your kind words. I think we've all had mind blowing experiences and if we haven't then maybe we're not living. Aaron