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四海為家 
everywhere is my home |
Daoism
(Taoism) | 一視同仁 
everyone is my brother and sister | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gold 金
wood 木
earth 土
water 水
fire 火
Daoism, like a religion, written by Lao-tse(zi) 老子, a Chinese philosopher in Henan province 河南省 in the 6th century B.C., Zhou Dynasty 周朝 . Daoism teaches conformity by unassertive action, simplicity, and purity; and the creative principles of the orderly universe. Daoism taught us: we came to the world with nothing; we will leave the world with nothing. Daoism's three major concerns in our life are: 福祿壽(安) long-life longevity, maintaining good health throughout life, everlasting prosperity of all around WELL-BEING (social, economic, financial, moral ethics, peace and tranquility). According to ancient legend, Lao-tzu lived to old age of ?? saw the society morality in its decline, departed without a trace to ??? -- sick at heart at men's ??? (provocative, bizarre, weird 奇怪魔鬼) behavior or and (extravagent lavish 豪華生活) life-style. He was persuaded by his followers to write down his teachings for future generations. Daoism has been the essence of the major underlying influences in Chinese thoughts and culture for over 25+ centuries. (reference 2)
The basic Daoism's teachings for daily living are: "simplicity, purity, and sincerity", "be contented, be satisfied, and be thankful!", and "to find peace of mind, to seek tranquility, and to bring happiness in life" throughout life. ( even today's China president HuJinTao 胡錦濤has re-emphasized Lao-Tzu's teaching in his BaRong BaChi八榮八恥 moral standards: 以鞎苦奮鬥為榮﹔以驕奢淫逸為恥。Live plainly, struggle hard; do not wallow in luxuries and pleasures.)
As I re-study what is in his teachings,
the recently discovered ancient Chinese writing on Taoism's 81 (9 x 9) verses 老子德道經.(reference 1)
I came away with the impression that his teachings are all common sense, very obvious, and very convincing.
The only difficulty was the interpretations of
his ancient Chinese writing. His messages came across to me were crystal clear.
He divided eternal LIFE in 3, one before birth, one after death, and one in between -- that is our real LIFE today that he was concerned.
He did not address anything before birth and after death. He taught us the meanings of life of LIFE. We human is just one of 10,000 species existed
in the universe being in harmony with nature natural order.
We all live under the same laws of nature. For example, the water flows in the rivers from high to low, eventually returns to
the lowest place -- the mother sea of water. On the opposite, a man's dreams and goals in life is like climbing the mountain to the highest point - pinnacle of life 人望上走。水望低流。
epochtimes.com:
[The Chinese pay a lot attention to the "Dao 道" also known as "the Way." In ancient times a brutal emperor would be called "a witless ruler that lacks the Dao." Any behavior not conforming to the standard of the "dao and virtue" was called "not following the way." Even revolting farmers put out banners proclaiming "achieve the Way on behalf of heaven." Lao Zi said, "There is something mysterious and whole, which existed before heaven and earth. Silent, formless, complete, and never changing. Living eternally everywhere in perfection, it is the mother of all things. I do not know its name; I call it the Way." This suggests that the world is formed from "Dao."
"Man follows the earth, the earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows what is natural." In ancient China people believed in complying with, harmonizing and co-existing with nature. Mankind merges into nature and relies on nature. The Dao of the universe does not change. The universe runs according to the Dao in an orderly manner. The Earth follows the changes of nature, so it has four seasons. By following the order of the universe and the earth, mankind will enjoy a harmonious life of gratitude and blessings.
This is why the Chinese value "the right time, advantageous location, and harmony with people." For them, everything -- astronomy, geography, the calendar system, medicine, literature, and even social structures -- follows this concept.] (source: epochtimes.com)
atimes.com:
As it has been said: "There is no life without death. no goodness without evil ad no happiness without tragedy. light shines only in darkness. We only know something has been forgotten after we remember it,
There is no modernity without tradition. Behind this dualistic illusion, a unifying primary principle of life endures. It is call Dao 道 ( logic and reasoning 道理). Further by observing the flow of water, the essence of life, WATER,
that fluid substance with no shape of it own, is capable of assuming the most intricate shapes of its containers. Any substance with rigid form becomes prisoner to that form, unable to adopt
to changing surroundings. Humans, whose lives are subject to infinite constraints, should attempt to adopt the flexibility of water to accommodate the intricate dimensions of containers of life.
Water, always taking the path of least resistence and most natural flow, seeking rest at the lowest point, preserving a level surface over irregular bottoms, overcoming stubborn obstacles, smoothing rough
surfaces and round edges of hard materials, proving a Daoist model for an enlightened man's approach to life's imperfections. In modern amounts, water is life-giving substance. In excessive amounts,
it can be cataclysmic and it can drown life. Like water, life reacts violently and becomes destructive when forced. It can be peaceful and good when guided gently." (
Reference 3.)
Power of Nature
AllPosters
| In his mind, the beginning of the universe 太 空 was vacuum-emptiness, soundless-quietness, lightless-darkness. This marvelous beginning of the universe was nameless. He called it "DAO 道" (Dao is not a name, dao has a profund meaning - Virtue ane the Way it is - in chinese characters) (modern theory called it "Universe expansion and contraction" "Black Holes" "Big Band" and Dark "Energy: E=mc^2"). He believed: DAO is the center of universe; universe is full of energy. everything began with the DAO (energy converts into mass) and will eventually return to the DAO.(mass converts back to energy) 天地迴還。 |
Birth of a Star Allposters |
As I see it, today's human nature, emotions, feelings, temptations and instincts are no different from the past and will be no different in tomorrow. Daoism has been around more than 2500 years and will undoubtedly continue to influence today's and tomorrow's thinking: HOW we should live our LIFE throughout life as we are living in an ever increasing complex world.
 | Moon Mirrored 二泉映月 |
the theme song here is a well known Chinese traditional music collections, "the Moon Mirrored in a twin Water Ponds." It expressed the composer's feeling of sadness and sorrow profoundly how he struggled to survive again fate in a Daoism society. The music was composed on a chilly autumn night nearly a moon shine-crystal water twin ponds. The composer known as the blind man Ah-Bing (1893-1950), had suffered untold hardships anf tribulations in life. |
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