Gaelicrock Posted August 14, 2010 Hmm, I've been looking at the forums here for a while now. I've checked a lot of the "How do I start?" posts, and most people say that Taoism is the pursuit of wisdom. Maybe not most, but a lot.  Here's some verses from the Tao de Ching that made me think:  When the Way is forgotten Duty and justice appear; Then knowledge and wisdom appear Along with hypocrisy  and  If we could abolish knowledge and wisdom Then people would profit a hundred fold;  These verses, number 18 and 19, are longer, but these are the parts that caught my attention. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TaoIsFlowing Posted August 14, 2010 Hmm, I've been looking at the forums here for a while now. I've checked a lot of the "How do I start?" posts, and most people say that Taoism is the pursuit of wisdom. Maybe not most, but a lot.  Here's some verses from the Tao de Ching that made me think:  When the Way is forgotten Duty and justice appear; Then knowledge and wisdom appear Along with hypocrisy   Hi I am new here too.  Yet ironically a 'Real Person 真人' is one that completely abolish every idea of Tao. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted August 14, 2010 Hmm, I've been looking at the forums here for a while now. I've checked a lot of the "How do I start?" posts, and most people say that Taoism is the pursuit of wisdom. Maybe not most, but a lot. Â There really is a pretty big difference between the knowledge spoken to by Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu that they suggest should be abolished and the wisdon they suggest we should attain. Â This subject is rather complex and requires much discussion but hopefully there will be good participation from the members so that the subject can be analyzed a bit. Â But I will say this right now: the knowledge Lao and Chuang referred to mostly is that knowledge that changes man's original nature. Â Let's see how this goes. Â Peace & Love! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tao99 Posted August 14, 2010 (edited) Nice topic. Â However, what might be this pursuit? "The pursuit of learning is to increase day after day. The pursuit of Tao is to decrease day after day." (chap. 48, tr. W.T. Chan) Edited August 15, 2010 by Tao99 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted August 15, 2010 Ha! Sounds like a paradox, doesn't it? Â Well, it's not, really. Â Nice topic. Â However, what might be this pursuit? "The pursuit of learning is to increase day after day. Â Learn the ways of Nature and man and all things in your environment so that you can increase your potential for a full and meaningful life. Â The pursuit of Tao is to decrease day after day." (chap. 48, tr. W.T. Chan) Â Decrease your desires and ego and you will have fewer things in your life to concern yourself with thereby having a better chance at finding peace & contentment. Â Peace & Love! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3bob Posted August 15, 2010 There really is a pretty big difference between the knowledge spoken to by Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu that they suggest should be abolished and the wisdon they suggest we should attain. Â This subject is rather complex and requires much discussion but hopefully there will be good participation from the members so that the subject can be analyzed a bit. Â But I will say this right now: the knowledge Lao and Chuang referred to mostly is that knowledge that changes man's original nature. Â Let's see how this goes. Â Peace & Love! Â Â "But I will say this right now: the knowledge Lao and Chuang referred to mostly is that knowledge that changes man's original nature". From MH Â - The original nature is Tao - "man" is one of its forms, that form has the potential to sychronize to the realization and knowledge of Tao, which does not change. Â Om Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted August 15, 2010 I won't say anything else at the moment because I would just lead this off topic and I think the main concept (knowledge vs wisdom) deserves more attention. Â Peace & Love! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted August 16, 2010 Okay. Someone wants to hear more. Â I'll say this: Knowledge is learned facts (whether they are true or not) but wisdom is intuitive 'knowing'. Â (That's why I have to be careful when arguing with VJ. Hehehe.) Â Peace & Love! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites