LRJ #2: Tao-Te Ching

Sarita Beekie
Ms. Peifer
10 IB - Hour 5
13 April 2009

LRJ #2: Tao-Te Ching

I - This excerpt briefly explains the foundation Taoism. A cornerstone of the Taoist theology is that anything that is tangible, is also temporary. This is apparent in the verse, "The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way; the name that can be named is not the constant name" (Lau, I, 1-4). Another key aspect of Taoist belief the is also mentioned is the "mystical force" that created the earth and everything in the earth. This force is referenced in the lines, "The nameless was the beginning of the heaven and earth; the named was the mother of the myriad creatures" (Lau, I, 5-6). It can also be inferred that this force is "mystical" because it is "nameless". The excerpt also instructs people to not strive to understand the force, but to instead understand the natural products of the world, which is visible in the verse, "Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its [the force's] secrets; but always allow yourself to observe its manifestations" (Lau, I, 7-8). This is because the force can take many forms, which includes the creations of the earth (because the earth was created by the force) and they are all a part of the intricate mystery of the universe, which is shown in the stanza, "These two [creations of the world and the force] are the same but diverge in name as they issue forth. Being the same they are called mysteries, mystery upon mystery--the gateway of the manifold secrets" (Lau, I, 9-12).

III - "Not to honor men of worth will keep the people from contention" (Lau, III, 1) is another way of saying, "idolizing honorable people will not make a person honorable them self". "Not to value goods which are hard to come by will keep them from theft" (Lau, III, 2) means that placing value on worldly objects will not keep someone from being greedy. This excerpt then continues to how certain, seemingly positive actions will result in negative consequences. That is why it advises, "Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail" (Lau, III, 19) which ties in with the Taoist belief that people by nature are good.

IX - The verse, "There may be gold and jade to fill a hall but there is none who can keep them" (Lau, IX, 3) draws the focus of the excerpt to the fleeting nature of worldly possessions. "To be overbearing when one has wealth and position is to bring calamity upon oneself" (Lau, IX, 4) states that indulgence is vulgar and self-destructive. However, it is right to live in accordance with moderation, as stated in the last line of the excerpt, "To retire when the task is accomplished is the way of heaven" (Lau, IX, 5).

XLIII - This excerpt uses the analogy, "The most submissive thing in the world can ride the roughshod over the hardest in the world--that which is without substance entering that which has no crevices" (Lau, XLIII, 1-4) in order to teach, "the benefit of resorting to no action", which is an important Taoist belief, along with, "the teaching that uses no words" (Lau, XLIII, 6).

The key difference between Confucianism and Taoism can be seen in the way the two schools of thought view the natural order of the world. Confucians believe that it is most important to be humble and good. As far as goodness is concerned, the Master himself said, "If out of the three hundred Songs I had to take one phrase to cover all my teachings, I would say, 'Let there be no evil in your thoughts'." (Waley 5) and as far as humility is concerned, the Master also said, "the good man does not grieve that other people do not recognize his merits. His only anxiety is lest he should fail to recognize theirs" (Waley 3). Taoists do focus on the manner in which they live and act, (however, in their case, it would be the manner in which they DON'T act), but their focus is more on understanding the manifestations of the "force", which is what governs everything known to man (according to Taoist beliefs). This is instructed in the verse, "always allow yourself to have desires in order to observe its [the force's] manifestations" (Lau, I, 8) and the importance of NOT acting is instructed in, "Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail" (Lau, III, 19).