The Tao Te Ching is an ancient Chinese philosophical and
moral text written by Lao-Tzu or "the old master". The verse
is fiendishly difficult to understand; many people have
spent their entire lives dedicated to the study of the Tao
Te Ching to no avail, but some have succeeded in forming
basic theories. With a few pointers, you may be able to gain
a basic understanding of one of the world's most difficult
masterpieces. Here is how to begin.
!! Steps !!
* Start by researching China during the time of Lao-Tzu.
Unfortunately, little is known about Lao-Tzu – even the years in
which he lived are debated – but we do know he lived around the
6th to 4th centuries BCE.[1] At this time, China was torn apart by
the six warring states. In your quest for understanding Lao-Tzu's
times, research the six warring states and the effects this
constant warring had on Chinese society. Many Chinese elders
believed morals had fallen at this time, which may be a reason why
the warring arose.
* Research Confucianism. Confucianism is a moral philosophy and
religion that focuses on society as a whole, hierarchy, and
obedience to superiors. Some people believe Taoism arose as a
reaction to Confucianism. By understanding the reasons behind the
ascent of Confucianism and the beliefs of Confucianism, you'll
be in a good position to compare and contrast the elements of
each.
Mozi founder of Mohism, an opponent to Taoism Research Legalism and
Mohism. Both these Chinese philosophies arose at the time of Taoism.
Each advocated philosophies opposed to Taoism. Research both of these
philosophies in order to understand some of the hidden meanings in
Taoism, which are often attacks on certain tenets of these
philosophies, in similar vein to making a joke about Qin Shi Huang Di
and not knowing who he is. (Qin Shi Huang Di was the first emperor
who gave China its name and beat the other five family clans.)
* Research ancestral worship and local religions, particularly those
in the region where Lao-Tzu lived in or travelled through.
Ancestral worship was very important in China in this time and was
seen as something forgotten by the people of the day. Lao-Tzu and
the Tao Te Ching might have been influenced by ancestral worship
and local gods and goddesses.
* Research Chinese culture. Taoism is completely against culture and
civilization, instead believing people should cultivate a simple,
ascetic lifestyle in tune with nature and the universe, which is
naturally harmonious, perhaps working to a goal. To understand why
the Tao Te Ching is anti-civilization, one must know what Chinese
civilization was like at the time, particularly the immorality of
certain sections like the elite, and worst of all, tax-collectors,
who are definite signs of civilization.
Build a library's worth of books Build up a library's
worth of books on: Taoism, Confucianism, Legalism,
Mohism, Absolutism, Chinese civilization, Chinese
culture, Ancestral worship and local gods, the six
warring kingdoms and finally on Lao-Tzu himself. Make
sure you have a variety of books on each topic, ensuring
that you have access to well-rounded opinions and many
different angles.
* It is best if the books are written by reputable people, such as
professors of Chinese religions or renowned historians. However,
make sure you buy books from both Chinese and foreign professors
of these subjects, (for example, British or German professors), as
doing so will give you both an insider's opinion and an
outsider's.
* It is preferable that most of your books are not written by
Chinese professors, only some, as the Chinese government have
tried to suppress Taoism. Professors from China may be under
pressure to write defamatory things on Taoism, which is often seen
as too sexually liberal, even by Western standards.
* Learn from others who have been inspired by the Tao Te Ching. Many
artists, poets, authors, calligraphers, and gardeners have been
inspired by it.[2] Their interpretations might inform your own
understanding.
Spend time reading the Tao Te Ching. As you read it, make notes in
a journal about your questions, thoughts, and impressions. Come
back to your notes regularly to keep trying to work through your
own ideas of the meanings in the text.
* Be aware that the style of the Tao Te Ching is poetic and the
ideas are singular; the Tao Te Ching purposefully encourages
contradictory interpretations through use of vague and ambiguous
words.[3]
* Your interpretations and understandings of the Tao Te Ching may
change over time. There is no one right way of interpreting it and
no single reader can claim to have the upper hand in understanding
its "real essence". Perhaps its ambiguity is its real beauty,
allowing you to reassess yourself, through varying stages of life.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* You can tell if a book is from a Chinese professor or non-Chinese
by reading the back of the book or the inside cover, which will
usually give the name (a dead give away) and the university it's
from (another give away).
* The Tao Te Ching is also anglicized as Dao De Jing.
The themes in the Tao Te Ching are:[4]
* Ineffability
* The Mysterious Female
* Eternal Return
* Emptiness
* Knowledge and humility.
* You may also like to explore the links between Taoism and
Buddhism.
!! Warnings !!
* If you do not understand the Tao Te Ching, be humble about your
lack of understanding and persevere with your reading and
research. As Lao-Tzu said: "To realize that you do not understand
is a virtue; not to realize that you do not understand is a
defect."
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Research materials
* Library access or your own library of books
* Internet for research
* Tao Te Ching - read different versions as the translations vary
* Journal or notebook
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Read the Tao Te Ching
* How to Become a Taoist
* How to Apply Taoism at Work
* How to Describe Taoism
* How to Learn About Confucianism
!! Sources And Citations !!
Online English translations of the Tao Te Ching:
* Multiple English Translations, http://www.duhtao.com
* James Legge, http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htm
* Frederic H. Balfour, http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/ttx/ttx02.htm
* Aleister Crowley, http://www.sacred-texts.com/oto/lib157.htm
* Charles Muller, Daode Jing,
http://www.acmuller.net/con-dao/daodejing.html
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
0 comments:
Post a Comment