We are simple - 我们是简单的

[beancurdturtle]

Many people, including the Chinese I know, say you can't apply the Dao de Jing to modern life. It's too profound, or maybe it's quaint and no longer valid.

 

I say - people have not become more complicated or sophisticated than they were a few thousand years ago when the Dao de Jing was written. True, we have more toys and distractions from science, technology, "civilization," and society.

 

Compared to 5,000 years ago, the distractions are more plentiful, more appealing, and can be found in an instant. But that does not change the simple meaning of the Dao de Jing, for example the 12th chapter:

老子:「道德经」:第十二章

五色令人目盲﹔五音令人耳聋﹔五味令人口爽﹔

驰骋畋猎，令人心发狂﹔难得之货，令人行妨。是以圣人为腹不为目，故去彼取此。

For English speakers, here is my favorite translation of the 12th chapter:

Laozi (Dao de Jing): 12th Chapter

Too much colour blinds the eye,

Too much music deafens the ear,

Too much taste dulls the palate,

Too much play maddens the mind,

Too much desire tears the heart.

 

In this manner the sage cares for people:

He provides for the belly, not for the senses;

He ignores abstraction and holds fast to substance.

Take the simple philosophy and move it from the challenging ancient words to the context of current society and there is no confusion about the meaning. The difficult part (as 5,000 years ago) is the implementation. The first thing everyone will say, "but I can't give up my television."

 

I think Chinese scholars try too hard to understand some profound deep meaning in the Dao de Jing. On the other extreme, see religious Daoists put all their energy into memorizing the words, and they miss the meaning. Again, the middle path is not seen by many.

 

The Dao de Jing should be read as if it is a different language because it comes from world so long ago. Because the context of our environment has changed - it must be read, and understood in current context. It should be interpreted as a framework for perception, values, principles, and action - not as an exact set of rules.

 

Let me give an example; if you translate Chinese to English you do not translate it exactly as that would drive the listener crazy. When you "translate" thousands of years old philosophy to current philosophy you have to do a similar process as Chinese to English. The meaning has to be interpreted in a different context. If you try to apply the Dao de Jing exactly as written (assuming you could find an exact translation) it will make you crazy too.

 

Maybe the trouble for Chinese is; Chinese have basically two base versions of the Dao de Jing, both in Chinese. I am lucky (and unlucky) that I have always been reading English translations; by Buddhists, by Shinto Japanese, by religious Daoists, by Christians, by Atheists. Every translation is flavored by the thoughts of the translator. So I can see the flexibility of the fabric, and read 2 or 3 translations to understand it in the way best suited to my philosophy and current life situation.

 

I am lucky (and unlucky) to have to read different versions to find one simple meaning. It forces me to ignore the abstraction and look for the substance in the words.

 

Know what I mean?

 

Peace,

Edited June 14, 2007 by beancurdturtle

[lotusbud]

if you translate Chinese to English you do not translate it exactly as that would drive the listener crazy

 

Too much google hurts the noodle: Here's Google's Chinese to English BETA:

 

Chapter 12

 

colorsAlthough offenses;

Wuyin cause deafness;

Nowhere in the population generally;

Sail to hunt hunting, heart mad;

's rare goods, is OK nuisance.

 

Sage is not for the purpose of abdominal,

He passed away from this.

Edited June 14, 2007 by lotusbud

[beancurdturtle]

Here's Google's Chinese to English BETA:

So profound!

 

When I can understand that, I'd bet I will be able to levitate.

[fatherpaul]

So profound!

 

When I can understand that, I'd bet I will be able to levitate.

HAHAHAHAHA

 

I will fly with you my friend

 

HAHAHAHA

[Yen Hui]

Many people, including the Chinese I know, say you can't apply the Dao de Jing to modern life. It's too

profound, or maybe it's quaint and no longer valid.

 

Or maybe they're just lookin' for an excuse. They all experience the Tao everyday, without exception! They

simply have chosen not to awaken to that reality. Awakening to reality is purely a matter of will or choice!

A real awakening is always followed by conscious application of the Tao in the continuous flow of time and

space. And true application of the Great Way is always balanced and harmonious, easy and simple; never

forced or a struggle!

[beancurdturtle]

Or maybe they're just lookin' for an excuse. They all experience the Tao everyday, without exception! They

simply have chosen not to awaken to that reality. Awakening to reality is purely a matter of will or choice!

A real awakening is always followed by conscious application of the Tao in the continuous flow of time and

space. And true application of the Great Way is always balanced and harmonious, easy and simple; never

forced or a struggle!

Right you are my friend.

 

The difficult part is the un-learning that needs to be done to get to the place you are talking about.

 

[林愛偉]

The Daoists i have met that are of the old tradition, with ceremony and cultivaiton, whom have taught the now generations to fully cultivate be it recitation, memorization of texts and ceremonies, shengong, etc.. are not definitely well cultivated.

Maybe the reference to Daoists religious cultivators memorizing the words, are probably those in seen as commercialism for the martial arts.

There are lay people who are too intellectual and miss the whole point, and there are Daoist cultivators who just don't speak to anyone about cultivation. It is hard to say which cultivator is wisest. hahaha Unlrss one has the wisdom to recognize another's wisdom.

 

Daoism is of the whole thing of what is seen as religion.. but it wreally isn't religion.

 

Peace,

Aiwei