Tao by MATSUMOTO

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-8 Sage's Tao

2011-08-17T21:10:00.001+02:00

Today's Tao

The sage's Tao acts and doesn't compete. (Ch.81)

Who is the sage?

Of course, you are the one.

Then, who are you?

"Eh, excuse me, sir, which are you talking about, 'true You' or 'your own self'? Self doesn't exist, right?"

That's right.

Self, life, world. They are names given to some groups of information.

They are not independent entities.

"I see. Eh, excuse me, sir. What is 'true I'?"

True You are Tao.

Tao is always "acting without competing", that is to say, projecting a hologram without directly interfering with it.

Tao, Love, Buddha, and Zen among others are names given to the fundamental energy.

"Eh, sir, it is also called nothingness 無 [mu], right?"

Exactly.

Please picture the circulation of an energy with neither time nor space.

What else can you call it but nothingness.

Time and space are parameters used to reconstruct information in the mind.

In other words, they are names.

"If you can talk about Tao, that Tao is not Tao itself."

This very first line of Tao Te Ching is not saying that it is impossible to understand Taoism logically. No!

It is possible to comprehend Taoism logically.

It is saying that the comprehension itself is part of your hologram.

«Related Articles»
-Beautiful words 81-1
-Good one 81-2
-Not knowledgeable 81-3
-Accumulate not 81-4
-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 18» The most important function of a Japanese is making love. It doesn't matter if he is the poorest dropout living in the forests or the most revered priest of Shintoism living in the castle. He or she has got to make love. This could be a hidden heritage from our Polynesian ancestors or a genetic mission imprinted in the deepest recess of our chromosomes. Whatever it is the reason, the Japanese love to make love not only for the reproduction of the people but for pleasure. In spite of all the moral prohibitions by Confucianism and by jealous parents, Japanese girls have been successfully finding a way to enjoy making love. We used to have an institution called Geisha girls. Though it changes names and appearances, the institution never die out. A nice gift of a Gucci bag is an excuse good enough to make love with an aged stranger. Why? Because making love is sacred. Carnal desire is a manifestation of divinity. We, all the human beings, are divine. That's why we make love for pleasure. The gadgets for pleasure are offerings to the deity of joy. Please read «Kojiki», one of the oldest written records in Japanese, and «Love Songs from the Man'yoshu: Selections from a Japanese Classic», one of the oldest anthologies of Waka poems, which is a precursor of Haiku. You will see why love and desire are officially important.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-7 Tao in Heaven

2011-08-16T23:30:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Heaven's Tao gives benefits and does not damage any. (Ch.81)

"Heaven" signifies "this world right here right now", which is your hologram.

Therefore, "Heaven's Tao" means Tao in a hologram, that is to say, Tao manifested as a hologram.

This manifestation is called Hossho 法性 in Buddhism.

Your life is Hossho.

Don't worry about how you live and how others live.

All the lives are more or less the same.

Your life that manifests itself right here right now is the most important.

Don't worry about someone else's criteria to judge a man's life.

When you see them in a book or on TV, just say "thanks" and ignore them.

Gratitude is an act of sending Love (=Tao).

All the acts take place in a hologram.

So, an act of sending Love takes place in a hologram, which is the life right here right now.

That's why you must not despise this world.

You receive "Tao's Love" and all the hologram it projects.

Zen Master Dogen says:

"You must not look at anywhere but this world in order to meet Buddha".

いわゆる世界は十方みな仏世界なり

(Kobutsushin 古仏心, «Shobogenzo»)

Meeting Buddha is receiving Love.

It takes place on your face. (☞See Face Transmission / Menju / Beauty 80-8)

That's why Dogen asks you to wash your face and body well. (Senjo 洗浄, «Shobogenzo»; Senmen 洗面, «Shobogenzo»)

The world is an extension of your body.

Keep your face clean.

It is one easy and practical way to accept this world.

«Related Articles»
-Beautiful words 81-1
-Good one 81-2
-Not knowledgeable 81-3
-Accumulate not 81-4
-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 17» Zen Master Ikkyu was a good friend of Konparu Zenchiku, a dancer/actor of Noh theatre. This eccentric duo wrote and performed «Yama Uba» in a village in medieval Japan. You can study Zen Buddhism, but studying something is not necessarily living it. Rather, you can learn Zen without analyzing Sutras and Mantras. Meditation will certainly help you find out what Zen is, but if you think squatting a la Japonaise will teach it better than theatre does, you will never learn what it is. You can even learn Zen while frying French fries at a diner. Peter Brook's «Empty Space» inevitably makes a Japanese think about "Ma 間", spacial or sonic emptiness. The Japanese have been considering it as the rich source of creativity. If you find the concept of Everything = Nothing a bit too hard to grasp, why don't you look to this theatrical genius for advice? You don't have to go straight to the gate of Tao or Zen. Anne Bogart will show you some backstage door to get in there. Read her «Viewpoint», and you will see why theatre is a good friend of Zen Buddhism.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-6 Richer detachment

2011-08-15T22:23:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Although he gives everything to others, he is richer. (Ch.81)

What is being rich?

The richest man is the one who can detach himself from all.

Don't be attached to wealth or prestige.

Don't be attached to an object or an idea.

Don't be attached to your life.

Don't be attached to individuality or your own self.

Mu ga 無我. Self doesn't exist. Or, nothingness is your true "self". (☞See Tao Te Ching / Chapter 7 / No Self)

Since the so-called "self" is part of a hologram, there is neither before-life nor after-life. (☞See Man's self 77-7 and After life / Task successfully accomplished 77-11 ☞As for "former life", see End of life 74-1)

An individual and independent soul does not exist. (☞See Out-Tao (Heresy) Seniya / Gedo Senni / Settled 80-9)

If you believe it does, you are too attached to the concept of individuality.

Don't think that your soul will go back to Tao after your life.

You have never left Tao in the first place.

You are always one with Tao. (☞See Tao by Matsumoto / One with Tao)

No life. No end of life. 不生不滅 [fusho fumetsu]. (☞See Live eternally 59-8)

«Related Articles»
-Beautiful words 81-1
-Good one 81-2
-Not knowledgeable 81-3
-Accumulate not 81-4
-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 16» "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." The more difficult to pronounce the mantra is, the more sacred. One can laugh at exoticism, but is he able to show you the way? The way how you can overcome the fancy costumes? If the seemingly greener grass fascinates you, the only solution might be going over the fence into the other side and discovering that the grass has the same color. If a Japanese boy believes that Major League Baseball (or Premier League football) is definitely "greener" than the baseball (or football) his countrymen play, he's gotta go there and beat some hitting records (or play better than George Best). Until then, the kid will be trapped in a strange mixture of complacency and self-negation, saying to his fellow citizens: "You don't know what it really is. What we have is false. Look over there. They have got something authentic". Kafu Nagai needed to go to America to make enough money to see France. The money he had earned was barely enough to let the spoiled Japanese twenty-something hang around in France for just ten months. Did he find that the grass was the same green wherever one went? It seems that in his mind the grass still remained greener somewhere but he was not able to be there. To fill the gap between what he had and what he wished to have, he created his "strange" but adorable world in the life of a woman who practiced a libidinous profession illegally on the other side of the River Sumida.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-5 Act for others

2011-08-12T23:11:00.003+02:00

Today's Tao

Although he does everything for others, he has more. (Ch.81)

First, who are "the others"?

The others are you.

All the other beings are an extended part of your own self.

The self under your control, Jiko 自己, and the self beyond your control, Tako 他己. (☞See Moonlight and Dewdrops / Dogs and Roosters 80-12)

They are the same hologram.

Therefore, Jiriki 自力/ Self-power, and Tariki 他力/ Other-power are the same. (☞See «Related Articles» below)

These concepts are useful tools to reduce resistance.

Second, what is the act of doing everything for others?

It is that of doing nothing.

Doing nothing is sending love (=Tao) by accepting all.

This is the true Za-zen 坐禅. This is the true sitting.

You receive Tao's energy through a hologram (=the world, =your life) without resistance by accepting all.

Then, you emit the energy while projecting a hologram.

Everything exists to maintain this cycle.

You live for this cycle. (☞See Eternal cycle 58-5)

Therefore, the most religious act of all is living.

Living is a catalyst, so there is neither better living nor worse living as long as you are emitting love.

What is happening in your hologram doesn't have the slightest importance.

You are doing nothing no matter what you are doing.

In other words, you are sending love no matter what you are doing.

«Related Articles»
-Beautiful words 81-1
-Good one 81-2
-Not knowledgeable 81-3
-Accumulate not 81-4
-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81
-Your body = World 13-12
-Learn Self 33-2
-Tariki / faithful 49-6
-Aikido and Tariki / Other people's power 68-6

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 15» What does fight teach you? It teaches you who you are. The way of Samurai is not an object sitting quietly in a museum. It is still alive. I is still evolving. Miyamoto Musashi's «The Book of Five Rings» was written in the seventeenth century. Please compare this classic with Tatsuo Kimura's «Transparent Power», which was written by a Japanese Mathematician working at Tsukuba University in 2008. Aikido and the quest of "the power / Ki" will never cease to impress us. Aikido 合気道 literally means "Tao of synchronized energy".

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-4 Accumulate not

2011-08-11T20:47:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

The sage doesn't accumulate. (Ch.81)

In Chapter 48, Lao Tzu says:

"When you study, you accumulate your knowledge everyday.

When you do Tao, you reduce everything every day." (☞See Reduce 48-1)

There are two important ways to look at reducing.

First, reduce your resistance. (☞See Tao Te Ching / Chapter 78 / Resistance)

Our raison d'être is to maximize the circulation of Tao's energy.

Accept everything as it is.

Be like water. (☞See Tao Te Ching / Chapter 8 / Be like water)

Use Dark Depth Female, 玄牝 [genpi].

Second, reducing is increasing.

This is what Yin Yang circle is telling you.

In Chapter 36, Lao Tzu shows us some examples.

Stretch = Shrink

Weak = Strong

Decline = Prosperity

Give = Take

Why don't you use Reverse Thinking?

This is a good way to activate Dark Depth Female.

How?

The easiest example may be:

"Instead of thanking Tao for letting you live, live to thank Tao".

«Related Articles»
-Beautiful words 81-1
-Good one 81-2
-Not knowledgeable 81-3
-Accumulate not 81-4
-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81
-Reduce and reduce 48-2
-No increased life 55-12

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 14» Laday Murasaki (Murasaki Shikibu)'s «The Tale of Genji» is strongly recommended. No Japanese has ever written a better novel. Many aspiring writers, medieval or modern, tried hard to create a better one, but in vain. The public domain e-book on the left has some selections from «The Tale of Genji». It is about a man who adored his mother, seduced his mother-in-law who looked exactly like his mother, and found a little girl who looked like his mother, raised and made her an ideal woman, and married her. The novel was written about 1000 A.D.. The e-book on the right is a full-length version translated by Royall Tyler. There is another version translated by Edward G. Seidensticker.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-3 Not knowledgeable

2011-08-10T22:08:00.004+02:00

Today's Tao

One who knows is not knowledgeable.

A knowledgeable one doesn't know. (Ch.81)

In Chapter 1, Lao Tzu says:

"If you can talk about Tao, that Tao is not Tao itself."

(☞See Words are not good enough 1-1)

Talking, words, and knowledge.

Lao Tzu asks you to reduce them.

Knowledge, thoughts, feelings, and even the act of talking are part of a hologram.

They do not belong to you.

They just come from somewhere, stimulate Tao, and leave.

In Zen Buddhism, they express it as:

"是什麼物恁麼来

[ze inmo butsu inmo rai]

Where on earth did this «what on earth» thing come from?"

(☞See By itself 51-7)

We are a radio receiver.

Knowledge is a song transmitted via radio waves. (☞See Radio and knowing 71-2)

Don't be attached to knowledge and other parts of a hologram.

But don't despise them, either, because it is a precious manifestation of Tao, which is true You.

«Related Articles»
-Beautiful words 81-1
-Good one 81-2
-Not knowledgeable 81-3
-Accumulate not 81-4
-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81
-No intellectuals 3-1
-Don't learn 19-7
-Reduce 48-1
-Reduce and reduce 48-2
-No intelligence 53-1
-Learn no learn 64-18
-Ignorant 65-1
-Learn knowing nothing 71-1
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 48 Reduce and reduce.

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 13» There are some black and white movies one should see at least once in his life time. No matter what is your nationality, whether you like films or not, you should see Akira Kurosawa's «Seven Samurai» 黒澤明「七人の侍」. But if you are a connoisseur of films or interested in Japanese traditional arts, you must not miss Kenji Mizoguchi's «Ugetsu» 溝口健二「雨月物語」. The letter "u 雨", which is also pronounced as "amé" means rain. The letter "getsu 月", also "tsuki", means the moon. The book on the left «Tales of moonlight and Rain» is the original of «Ugetsu». The book was written by Ueda Akinari 上田秋成 in the Samurai period. The title in Japanese is «Ugetsu Monogatari 雨月物語». In terms of the art of short-story-writing in Japanese, Akinari's tales are close to perfection. In one of the tales, «Aozukin 青頭巾 / A Blue Hood», a Buddhist monk falls in love with a young boy. Because of love, he eats his body.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-2 Good one

2011-08-09T21:55:00.001+02:00

Today's Tao

A good one doesn't talk. One who talks is not good. (Ch.81)

The good one is Tao.

Tao doesn't talk because conversations only take place in a hologram.

Tao is not a hologram.

A hologram is a manifestation of Tao.

What is "good", and what is "evil"?

Jodo / Pure Land Buddhists Honen 法然 and Shinran 親鸞 told us «The Doctrine of Evil Persons as the Object of Salvation / Akunin shoki setsu 悪人正機説».

In Buddhism, Shoki 正機 signifies "the people qualified for salvation".

Sho 正, like the Sho of «Shobogenzo 正法眼蔵», means "authentic".

This Ki 機 here is not the same as Ki 気 of energy.

This Ki 機 means "a mechanism".

The two masters were telling us:

"Evil people are part of the authentic mechanism".

This mechanism is Shin 心, the Tao/hologram mechanism that stimulates us to emit more Love (=Tao).

There is neither good nor evil in Tao.

As Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida explains in his «A Study of Good», being good is learning that true You are Tao. (☞See No favoritism 79-4)

You don't need to judge any.

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-Beautiful words 81-1
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-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81
-Non-good 49-4
-Goodness 49-5

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 12» Kitaro Nishida and Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki were good friends. They were friends from high school. They met each other at Ishikawa-ken Senmon Gakko. The school later changed its name to Dai 4 Koto Gakko, which literally means "the forth high school". It was one of the most prestige high schools in Japan before WW2. The school was closed in 1950. Its tradition was spiritually inherited by Kanazawa University. Nishida was part of the founding members of Koa Kogyo University, now called Chiba Institute of Technology. «An Inquiry into the good» on the left is the same book as «A Study of Good». The book shines as the beacon of modern Japanese philosophy. Kitaro Nishida was an excellent thinker and black sheep where many people say "A good one doesn't 'think'. One who 'thinks' is not good".

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-1 Beautiful words

2011-08-08T22:49:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Trustworthy words are not beautiful. Beautiful words are not trustworthy. (Ch.81)

If you don't have time, please just check this chapter.

As Lao Tzu says, reading words is not very important.

The important thing is living.

Living is the most religious act of all.

There are three basic points.

1. The so-called world is a hologram and catalyst to keep Tao's energy circulating.

2. "Self" doesn't exist. "Self" is just a word given to one part of a hologram. (☞See also Tao Te Ching / Chapter 7 / No Self)

3. Words, including knowledge and thoughts, are part of a hologram.

What is living?

Living is turning the prayer wheel.

It is called Tenborin 転法輪 in Zen Buddhism. (☞See Tao's flower 38-14 and Kensho Jobutsu / No away 47-3)

It is receiving Tao's energy through a hologram and emitting Tao's energy while projecting a hologram.

On your face, it takes place.

It is called Menju 面授, Face transmission. (☞See Face Transmission / Menju / Beauty 80-8)

Beautiful words, such as logic, analysis, judgment, and justice among others, are obstacles that increase your resistance.

«Related Articles»
-Beautiful words 81-1
-Good one 81-2
-Not knowledgeable 81-3
-Accumulate not 81-4
-Act of others 81-5
-Richer detachment 81-6
-Tao in Heaven 81-7
-Sage's Tao 81-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 81
-Words are not good enough 1-1
-Empty words 22-13
-Say no words 23-1
-Without words 43-4
-Adorned words 62-4

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 11» I am glad you are the one who is reading this recommendation. I am sure that I can count on you. Next time you meet one of your friends who are interested in Japan's literature, please mention the name of Osamu Dazai. "Who's that Dazai guy? I know Mishima and Banana, but I have never heard of him", he might reply. Osamu Dazai is probably the most underrated Japanese novelist outside the country. So, the artist needs your help. When the situation is the most desperate, you just feel like laughing. Why? Because laughter has magic. It transforms a tragedy into a comedy within a second. «No Longer Human» and «The Setting Sun» are tragically funny. Both are considered masterpieces in Japan. Smile guaranteed.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-13 Life without intervention

2011-08-05T20:29:00.003+02:00

Today's Tao

But they get old and end their life without coming and going between their countries. (Ch.80)

"Without coming and going" is a key (=Kanreisu) to understand how holograms work.

It suggests "no intervention", "no interference".

Why is Lao Tzu against the interference to a hologram?

A dewdrop reflecting the moonlight. (☞See Dogs and Roosters 80-12)

This is a beautiful metaphor of the Tao/hologram mechanism, Shin 心.

The moonlight is Tao, which is true You.

The whole world is a dewdrop reflecting the moonlight, which is a hologram.

Without the modern concept of a hologram, Zen Buddhists needed to invent the expression "Eye storage / 眼蔵 [genzo]".

In terms of our interpretation of space, there is only one hologram, which includes all the beings, objects and intangible information such as thoughts alike.

In terms of our interpretation of time, there are a myriad of holograms, which are being created simultaneously.

"Life" is a name given to one group of them. (☞See Out-Tao (Heresy) Seniya / Gedo Senni / Settled 80-9)

"Life without coming and going" implies that there is no causation between holograms or dewdrops.

No causation, therefore no intervention. It is no use.

The unique causation is 複 [fuku] / return, which is to keep Tao's energy cycling and recycling.

A hologram stimulates Tao.

Tao gives birth to a hologram.

In conclusion, there is only the receiving and giving of Love, which is also called Tao.

This receiving and giving of Tao's energy takes place on your face. (☞See Face Transmission / Menju / Beauty 80-8)

That's why we don't have our face in the hologram.

Have you ever seen your face directly?

«Related Articles»
-Small country 80-1
-"110 vessels" 80-2
-Don't travel 80-3
-Boats and Cars 80-4
-Armor and Arms 80-5
-Tie the rope 80-6
-Hunger and Food 80-7
-Face transmission / Menju / Beauty 80-8
-Out-Tao (Heresy) Seniya / Gedo Senni / Settled 80-9
-Enjoy your customs 80-10
-Neighbors 80-11
-Moonlight and Dewdrops / Dogs and Roosters 80-12
-Life without intervention 80-13
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 10» Which is more dangerous, nature or human beings? To many Japanese, the question doesn't make sense because they think human beings are part of nature. The word "artificial" is not an antonym of "natural". The outside world is filled with plenty of Kami, gods, which may help and protect us, but sometimes in a whimsical way destroy us, destroy us completely. Please read Masuji Ibuse's short story «Salamander» first. The work is considered a masterpiece in Japan, and many students read it at school. Into a cave under the stream, a frog was swept. The salamander blocked the entrance of the cave with his body. The salamander had been captured there because his body was too big to get away. Now he had a "friend". If you have some time, before you go straight to «Black Rain», please read his «Castaways». It is about a young fisherman cast away by a typhoon and rescued by an American boat when it was illegal to leave Japan. Their docile acceptance of what it is and what it is happening will certainly give you another flavor when you read «Black Rain». Although Shohei Imamura's film is excellent, the end of the story is not precisely the same. It is worth reading the novel. Which after-taste do you prefer?

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-12 Moonlight & Dewdrops / Dogs & Roosters

2011-08-04T17:20:00.013+02:00

Today's Tao

People in one country can hear the voices of dogs and roosters in another country. (Ch.80)

What is the relation between your hologram and those of other people?

How do yours and theirs interact?

Today's Tao sentence is the answer to the question.

"People in one country" signifies your hologram.

"The voices of dogs and cocks in another country" suggests another hologram.

Firstly, you think that others exist independently, but they are part of your hologram.

They are 他己 [tako], your own self beyond your control, that is to say, the extended part of yourself (=non-you).

Secondly, you think that your own self exists, but it is also part of your hologram.

The self doesn't exist. It is a name given to some collective information. (☞See Tao Te Ching / Chapter 33 / Self and Tao Te Ching / Chapter 7 / No Self)

Then, a question arises.

Who in the world is projecting the hologram?

Tao is.

It is true You.

Zen Buddhists cherish the beautiful metaphor of the dewdrops reflecting the moonlight.

The moonlight is Tao.

The image of the moon on the dewdrops is your hologram.

The light is called 無碍光 [mugeko], the light without obstacles.

How many dewdrops or holograms are there in the world?

The answer is one.

You and non-you are the same manifestation of Tao.

Let's overcome the trap of individuality.

«Related Articles»
-Small country 80-1
-"110 vessels" 80-2
-Don't travel 80-3
-Boats and Cars 80-4
-Armor and Arms 80-5
-Tie the rope 80-6
-Hunger and Food 80-7
-Face transmission / Menju / Beauty 80-8
-Out-Tao (Heresy) Seniya / Gedo Senni / Settled 80-9
-Enjoy your customs 80-10
-Neighbors 80-11
-Moonlight and Dewdrops / Dogs and Roosters 80-12
-Life without intervention 80-13
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 9» "Which country do you like the most?" USA? Mexico? Spain? China? France? Argentin? Or Japan? The answer is: "Snow country". «Snow Country» is unarguably the best novel written by Yasunari Kawabata. Probably, the most popular Japanese novel in the last one hundred years. "Be like Komako" is the novelist's answer to Lao Tzu's "Be like water". When you face a difficult situation and don't know what to do, check «Snow Country» and make decisions as if you were Komako the Geisha. Water is a little too abstract. Komako is a woman and artist of life. If you are interested in Kawabata's literature but do not have enough time to read all his works, «Palm-of-the-Hand Stories» are strongly recommended. They are shorter than most ordinary short stories. There are plenty of them in the book. Therefore, it is ideal to read the book in the bed before you fall asleep.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-11 Neighbors

2011-08-03T21:10:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Neighbouring countries can see each other. (Ch.80)

What are "neighboring countries"?

They are you and the others, not just the other people, but all the other beings, both living and non-living.

You and the others "can see each other".

It means that you project the others and the others define you.

In a way, the others are a reflection of who you are.

You hear an echo of what you think.

What is "you"?

It is your holographic "self" under your control, 自己 [jiko].

What is "the others"?

It is your holographic "self" beyond your control, 他己 [tako].

But, remember true You are Tao.

The so-called "self" is just a part of information you project.

In other words, the "self" doesn't exist.

That's why they say "無我 [mu ga] / No Self" in Zen Buddhism.

無 [mu] - nothing.

我 [ga] - self.

Nothingness is your true Self.

«Related Articles»
-Small country 80-1
-"110 vessels" 80-2
-Don't travel 80-3
-Boats and Cars 80-4
-Armor and Arms 80-5
-Tie the rope 80-6
-Hunger and Food 80-7
-Face transmission / Menju / Beauty 80-8
-Out-Tao (Heresy) Seniya / Gedo Senni / Settled 80-9
-Enjoy your customs 80-10
-Neighbors 80-11
-Moonlight and Dewdrops / Dogs and Roosters 80-12
-Life without intervention 80-13
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 8» In modern Occidental literature, you have Hermann Hesse and Fyodor Dostoyevsky among others to rely on when you are lost in the wilderness of Oriental spirituality. How about local guides who can show you the way in a language and an approach that you can comprehend? The first Japanese guide is Hiroyuki Itsuki. His «Tariki» is an ideal guidebook of Jodo Pure Land Buddhism to those who prefer teachings based on historical references. The word «Ta 他» of «Tariki 他力 / Other-power» is the same «Ta 他» of «Tako 他己 / Other-self» above. Hiroyuki Itsuki asks himself why Buddha (=Other-power) made him, as a child, go through the atrocities during World War 2. The second guide is Shusaku Endo. His «Deep River» stands at the crossroads between Christianity and Oriental religions. This Japanese Catholic novelist kept on asking one question: "why God doesn't help me when I need his help?". The author doesn't mention either the word Zen nor Tao, but his concept of Deep River that goes through everything is fit nicely into Taoism and Buddhism.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-10 Enjoy your customs

2011-08-02T19:42:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Make them enjoy their customs. (Ch.80)

The grass is always greener on the other side.

The fancy costumes are fancier in someone else's religion.

The mantras seem more precious if you don't understand what you are saying.

Are you sure you would read «Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching» if the title were «an old man's prayer of morals»?

There is nothing wrong with being a bit exotic.

These days Japanese princesses get married in a white wedding dress at a Christian church in Tokyo even though they have no idea who the heck St. Mary Magdalene is.

Their eyes can be greener when they wear colored contact lenses, but there is no guarantee that they can see things more clearly.

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-Face transmission / Menju / Beauty 80-8
-Out-Tao (Heresy) Seniya / Gedo Senni / Settled 80-9
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-Moonlight and Dewdrops / Dogs and Roosters 80-12
-Life without intervention 80-13
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 7» しばふ, shibafu, gazon, grass, hierva, 芝生, 草. / みどり, midori, vert, green, verde, 緑. / となり, tonari, voisin, neighbor, vecino, 隣. The grass is not necessarily greener on the other side. A Tao and Zen discussion can be very profound and rewarding in a Christian and Occidental context. In Fyodor Dostoyevsky's «The Brothers Karamazov», the conversations between the elder Zossima and Alexey Karamazov teach us a lot about the Tao / hologram mechanism. It is worth rereading the book while decoding Christian and Occidental terms into Taoist and Zen Buddhist ones. Besides, although his appearance is brief, the elder Varsonofy leaves an unforgettable impression on Taoists and Zen Buddhists. In W. Somerset Maugham's «The Razor's Edge», the life of an American, who went as far as India to find out what life is, is portrayed along with other Americans who also found out the same thing without going to the East. Let's go East (or West), and we will discover that the grass has different names but does have the same color.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-9 Out-Tao (Heresy) Seniya / Gedo Senni / Settled

2011-08-01T19:44:00.003+02:00

Today's Tao

Make them settle in their dwellings. (Ch.80)

No life. No end of life.

不生不滅 [fusho fumetsu].

In Zen Buddhism, they say so.

Then, what happens after you die?

Nothing happens since there is no life in the first place.

There is no after-life.

Since Tao doesn't have time, there is neither before nor after.

"Life" is a name given to a sequence of holograms, which are being created simultaneously.

In his «Shobogenzo», Zen Master Dogen repeatedly denies the concept of Out-Tao, or non-Buddhist, Gedo Senni 外道先尼.

Some call him Heresy Seniya.

Out-Tao Seniya thinks that, after one dies, his soul goes back to "the sea of nature".

(Sokushinzebutsu 即心是仏, «Shobogenzo»)

Please let me make sure that we do not go anywhere after our life.

It's impossible since there is no "self" in the first place.

"Self" is a name given to an interpretation of some parts of a hologram.

Watch out!

Please do NOT think that you go back to Tao after your life.

You are permanently settled in Tao.

[Note]
You are Tao itself. Therefore, you don't have to go beck to Tao. Or rather, you cannot go back because you are already one with Tao. The word "return / go back 復 [fuku]" in Tao Te Ching suggests recycling Tao's energy. Remembering that true You are Tao is one way to do it.

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-Neighbors 80-11
-Moonlight and Dewdrops / Dogs and Roosters 80-12
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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 6» "This is the end / Beautiful friend / This is the end / My only friend, the end", sang James Douglas "Jim" Morrison of Doors. Zen Master Dogen repeatedly denied the concept of "the end". Japanese novelist Yukio Mishima tackled it. Where do we go after we say "good-bye" to life? How do we reincarnate ourselves in another body? Does reincarnation really exist? Mishima asked us the question in the beginning of «Spring Snow», which is the first book of the tetralogy «The Sea of Fertility». Then, at the very end of «The Decay of the Angel», which is the fourth of the tetralogy and the last of all the works of Yukio Mishima, he had an old Buddhist nun answer the question with another question: "Does life really exist?" If life doesn't exist, what is reincarnation? The answer is simple: the constant emission of a hologram is reincarnation. "Don't worry, my old friend Jim. There is no end", the Zen master would say to the rock poet.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-8 Face transmission / Menju / Beauty

2011-07-29T19:11:00.005+02:00

Today's Tao

Make them appreciate the beauty of their clothes. (Ch.80)

The face is the place where the contact between Tao and a hologram takes place.

Zen Master Dogen puts it this way:

"Face-giving [Menju 面授/ Face (to face) transmission] is receiving and giving at the face."

面授は面処の受授なり

(Menju 面授, «Shobogenzo 正法眼蔵»)

Your face is the interface between Tao and a hologram.

That's why you cannot see the face.

You can see only an interpretation of it, such as your reflection on the mirror or the reputation.

Since it is the important interface, let's keep it clean.

Therefore, Dogen painstakingly explains how to wash the face and other body parts. (Senjo 洗浄, Senmen 洗面; «Shobogenzo 正法眼蔵»)

Your body is a manifestation of Tao (=Love, =Buddha).

By washing it, you can emit Love (=Tao, =Buddha).

That's one basic way to keep Tao's energy circulating.

Your clothes are an extension of your face.

Forget someone else's criteria.

Please appreciate your beautiful clothes, your beautiful body, and your beautiful face.

[Note]
The titles of the two chapters in Shobogenzo above, that is to say, Japanese words "Senjo 洗浄" and "Senmen 洗面", signify "wash" and "washing the face" respectively.

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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 5» When you travel in an unknown territory, you might be happy to have a guide. If he is good, your journey will be safe and fun. The best Japanese guide to Zen in English is, without question, Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. It is a pity that this learned scholar did not translate Dogen's «Shobogenzo» into English. He may have had thousands of reasons not to do it, and his decision was wise. Still, many Zen learners in the non-Japanese speaking world cannot help imagining how enormous his contribution to the humanity would be if he had done it. This excellent guide with a hearty sense of humor wrote a summary of Zen Master Ikkyu's play «Yama Uba» in his «Zen and Japanese Culture». Ikkyu, who would be a cynic poet dressed in a John Galliano dress if he lived now, wrote the play in order to tell how Zen functions. (☞Read its modern adaptation «Yama Uba the Zen play» by Naoto Matsumoto)

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-7 Hunger & Food

2011-07-28T17:56:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Make them appreciate the taste of their food. (Ch.80)

When one is hungry, he doesn't think about the Global Warming, not even banking crises.

His primary concern is how he can fill his stomach, we naturally think.

What is hunger?

What is the stomach, really?

Probably, you might not want to hear the answer, not to mention accept it.

Hunger and the stomach are part of the hologram you project.

Please remember the story of Jesus and the multiplied bread.

Zen Master Dogen gives us a clue to understand this biblical anecdote.

He writes:

"If it is not a painted rice-cake, it must not be a remedy to satisfy hunger."

画餅にあらざれば充飢の薬なし

(Gabyo 画餅, «Shobogenzo»)

It means that, since our stomach is part of the hologram, nothing but holographic food can fill up the holographic stomach. (☞See below for the list of the articles related to "Gabyo 画餅/ a painted rice-cake")

All the miracles have every right to take place because anything can be projected in your hologram.

Appreciate today's food because it is the miracle.

«The list of the articles related to "Gabyo / a painted rice-cake"» ⎯ Life = miracle = hologram = catalyst
-Painted rice-cake / Empty granary 53-5
-Miracle Attainment 65-7
-Don't waste holograms 67-7
-Tax and Starve 75-1
-King and Zen Master Dogen 75-2
-Plenty of life? 75-3
-Value life? 75-4

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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 4» You might have read them when you were younger. You might have been impressed. Then, you might have forgotten them. Later, you might have tried not to mention the names of the books because you had read some criticism ridiculing them. Nevertheless, the names of some old books deserve to be mentioned. For there are always new comers to the field: Some young ones who were not even born when the books were published, or some less young ones who were not able to read the books because their English was not good enough at that time and the translations in their mother tongue were not available. Lao Tzu says that, when you talk about Tao, people have to laugh at you. Here, «Tao by Matsumoto» proudly recommends Gary Zukav's «Dancing Wu Li Masters» and Fritjof Capra's «The Tao of Physics». They are worth re-reading, too.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-6 Tie the rope

2011-07-27T17:35:00.001+02:00

Today's Tao

Make the people tie their rope again and use it. (Ch.80)

A long, long time ago, even before the days of Lao Tzu, people used to "tie their rope" and make knots to record things.

It was a prehistoric counterpart to our contract.

They didn't need alphabets or characters to write contracts.

The tied ropes were good enough to even govern a state.

They were innocent enough to believe that all the promises woud be granted and honest enough to respect them.

Lao Tzu asks us to return to those days.

To the days when they did not segregate the self from the non-self, the self under the control from the self beyond the control.

Remember?

A person who makes a promise is an extended part of your own self.

We don't even need a rope to tie, in fact.

We should trust all without doubt because everything is you.

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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Tao answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 3» Please do not try to understand Tao and Zen scientifically. In science, you are still obliged to believe that there is the one and only objective world. It is no use trying to interpret Tao according to the scientific rules. Nevertheless, as everything is a catalyst or a teacher, science can stimulate and teach us a lot. Particularly, quantum physics and Karl Pribram's holonomic brain model are worth knowing. You can find plenty of information on them in Lynne McTaggart's «The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe». To understand the Tao/Hologram mechanism - Shin 心, Swiss economist Rene Egli's «The LOL2A-Principle, or The Perfectness of the World» can be a good preparatory read although the author does not use the word Shin 心. The mechanism of energy and resistance is clearly explained in terms of economy. At the beginning of each chapter, he quotes a corresponding passage from Hermann Hesse's «Siddhartha».

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-5 Armor & Arms

2011-07-26T17:39:00.001+02:00

Today's Tao

Though there are armor and arms, there is nowhere to show them off. (Ch.80)

We still have some gentlemen who happily exhibit their armor and arms in the living room.

Do you want to show off something?

I hope not.

When vanity takes control over you, it is worth asking yourself a question:

"To whom do I show off?".

Remember?

You and non-you are part of the same hologram.

I hope you still remember that in Zen Buddhism they are called Jiko 自己 and Tako 他己, the self under your control and the self beyond your control.

The concept of Self seems to be one of the biggest obstacles in many civilizations, industrialized and non-industrialized alike.

Don't look to a ritual or a pharmaceutical stimulant to get out of "Self".

Why don't we say once and for all:

"Self doesn't exist, Mu ga 無我 (=No Self)."?

You don't have to suppress your vanity if you cannot help showing off.

Like Self, vanity is part of the holographic catalyst.

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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 2» Here it is. This is the «Tao Te Ching» translation «Tao by Matsumoto» truly recommends. Unfortunately it seems that you have to be fairly lucky to purchase a copy in good condition. Chuang Chung-yuan's «Tao, a new way of thinking: A translation of the Tao te ching, with an introduction and commentaries (Harper colophon books ; CN 356)» was published in 1977. Ironically, the new copies of its Japanese translation are still available at the moment of writing. 老子の思想 (講談社学術文庫)/張鐘元 (著) 上野浩道 (翻訳) Roshi no Shiso (Kodansha Gakujutsu Bunko) / Chuang Chung-yuan (author), Hiromichi Ueno (translator), published in 1987.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-4 Boats & Cars

2011-07-25T18:18:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Though there are boats and cars, there is nowhere to ride them. (Ch.80)

"You have boats and cars", that is to say, you have a vehicle to go across to the other bank of the river (=pāramitā / Higan 彼岸, =nirvāṇa / nirvana / Nehan 涅槃).

The vehicle can be either big or small.

It can be anything: conceptual and philosophical ideas or meditational exercises.

Lao Tzu emphasizes:

"There is nowhere to ride (the vehicle)".

Why?

We don't need it because we are already there, on the other bank of the river.

Or, I should say:

"There is neither here nor there, neither this side nor the other side".

Your life right here right now is perfect.

There is "nowhere" to go across.

Please don't fool around to find this "nowhere".

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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Recommended Books 1» «Tao by Matsumoto» sincerely recommends these books to those who feel "a bit uncomfortable" with Zen Buddhism and Taoism. If you think they are "a little too exotic", the books will help you fill the gap between the East and the West. Besides, to a person who is well accustomed to the oriental philosophies, they will show that the grass is not necessarily greener in someone else's front yard. You don't need fancy costumes or enigmatic mantras. You have got an excellent poet who can initiate you into the world of the Eastern philosophies in a language you are familiar with. On the left, «Siddhartha» was written in 1922. If the book is still too "oriental", «Demian» by the same poet can be read as preparatory reading. Hermann Hesse wrote it three years before he completed «Siddhartha», his insurmountable contribution to humanity.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-3 Don't travel

2011-07-22T17:33:00.003+02:00

Today's Tao

Make the people respect life, and don't let them travel far. (Ch.80)

Don't try to experience a so-called "altered state".

Don't try to reach Satori the enlightenment.

Don't "travel" for it.

Respect your life.

It is a precious hologram, which is the question and the answer at the same time.

It is Koan and Satori simultaneously.

Though the hologram is an illusion, it is the only "tangible" medium through which you can receive Tao's energy.

Your own self is part of the hologram.

So is the world.

The hologram receives the energy through itself.

This is the Tao/hologram mechanism, Shin 心.

Your nirvana / nirvāṇa / Nehan 涅槃 is right here right now.

Don't try to look for it somewhere else.

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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (34) / - Dark Depth Female [genpi / xuan pin / hsuan pin] 玄牝 - 玄 [gen / xuan / hsuan] means Dark Depth. 牝 [pi (hin) / pin], Female. This is one of the most important words in Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Mr Michael P. Garofalo has done an excellent research and comparison of the various translations. (http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/vstccs2.htm) Thanks to him, we can see easily how they translate 谷神不死, 是謂玄牝 in Chapter 6 / Valley God. / "Like a riverbed, the heart is never filled It is an ineffable female (Whose entrance is the source of the World;)" On the left, «The Dude De Ching» written by The Church of the Latter-Day Dude with a translation by Peter Merel and an introduction by Rev. Dwayne Eutsey. / "The spirit of the valley never dies. This is called the mysterious female." On the right, «Tao Te Ching [Penguin Classics]» translated with an introduction by D. C. Lau.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-2 "110 vessels"

2011-07-21T17:00:00.053+02:00

Today's Tao

Have them possess one hundred ten vessels, but don't let them use them. (Ch.80)

The Kanji / Chinese character 器 [ki / utsuwa / qì] has various meanings: a vessel, a tool, and the capacity of a person among others.

Attention!

It is a homonym of 気 [ki / qi] energy, but not the same character.

Ki the energy is not a hologram.

Ki the vessel symbolizes a hologram. (☞See Vessels 28-13)

You project your hologram.

You give it a concrete image: a vessel.

Your own self is part of the vessel.

Don't let a part of the vessel "use" another part.

In other words, you should not "use" or try to control your hologram because you cannot.

Just accept the projected image, the holographic vessel, or Life as it is.

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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 29 / A god's vessel.
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 11 / 30 spokes 1 hub. There, the character "vessel 器 [ki]" is translated as "cup".
-Cup 11-4.

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (33) / - Dark Depth Female [genpi / xuan pin / hsuan pin] 玄牝 - 玄 [gen / xuan / hsuan] means Dark Depth. 牝 [pi (hin) / pin], Female. This is one of the most important words in Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Mr Michael P. Garofalo has done an excellent research and comparison of the various translations. (http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/vstccs2.htm) Thanks to him, we can see easily how they translate 谷神不死, 是謂玄牝 in Chapter 6 / Valley God. / "The valley spirit is not dead: They say it is the mystic female." On the left, «THE WAY OF LIFE Lao Tzu Wisdom of Ancient China Tao Te Ching: A New Translation by R. B. Blakney» with an introduction by William Hung. / "The heart of Tao is immortal the mysterious fertile mother of us all." On the right, «The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu» translated by Brian Browne Walker.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 80-1 Small country

2011-07-20T17:00:00.046+02:00

Today's Tao

Be a small country and have few people. (Ch.80)

Look around.

You see just a small space, right?

"Small" is wonderful.

Can you really see a "big" country with your own eyes?

You can "see" it on TV, or something.

Do you have many people around you?

No?

That's excellent.

Don't be fooled by numbers, especially the numbers of people reported in a newspaper or on Internet. (☞See Tao by Matsumoto / No numbers)

Please remember that the words "country" and "people" signify your hologram.

Love your "small country".

Cherish people around you.

The beings closer to you appear in your hologram more often than the rest of the world.

Instead of worrying about the miseries brought to us by the media, why don't we begin with accepting the people and things in front of us as they are?

Be small and have few because "small" is bigger than "big" and "few" is more than "plenty". (☞See Small = Big 63-4)

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-Neighbors 80-11
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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 80

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (32) / - Dark Depth Female [genpi / xuan pin / hsuan pin] 玄牝 - 玄 [gen / xuan / hsuan] means Dark Depth. 牝 [pi (hin) / pin], Female. This is one of the most important words in Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Mr Michael P. Garofalo has done an excellent research and comparison of the various translations. (http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/vstccs2.htm) Thanks to him, we can see easily how they translate 谷神不死, 是謂玄牝 in Chapter 6 / Valley God. / "The valley spirit never dies. It is the unknown first mother," On the right, «The Tao: The Sacred Way» translated by Tolbert McCarroll. / "The mystery of the valley is immortal; It is known as the Subtle Female." On the left, «The Tao of Power: Lao Tzu's Classic Guide to Leadership, Influence, and Excellence [A new translation of the Tao Te Ching]» translated by R. L. Wing.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 79-4 No favoritism

2011-07-19T18:40:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

Heaven's Tao has no favoritism. It is always on the side of a good person. (Ch.79)

"Heaven" means your hologram as the word "sky" does.

So, Heaven's Tao signifies Tao's energy inside all the beings in the hologram.

In other words, it is Hossho 法性, the nature of manifestation. (☞See Hossho stays low 76-9)

Tao does not judge.

It seems that the limited capacity of human beings judge.

Tao's energy inside your hologram has no favoritism.

There is neither good nor bad in Tao.

Then, what does "a good person" mean?

"A good person" means you.

True You are Tao.

Therefore, only you can sustain the Tao/hologram mechanism, Shin 心.

Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida 西田幾多郎 (1870 - 1945) says:

"Practically speaking, we have only one true Good, which is to find out the true Self. That's all."

(translated by Naoto Matsumoto; Book III, Chapter 13, The Perfect Good Action, «A Study of the Good 善の研究» ☞See A study of the Good 49-3 and Goodness 49-5)

[Note]
What is the true Self?
"It is the true body of the cosmos", Nishida answers. (Ditto)
The true body of the cosmos is the Tao/hologram mechanism, Shin 心.

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-Contract without payment 79-3
-No favoritism 79-4
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 79

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«An Inquiry into the Good» and «A Study of the Good» are the same book. Kitaro Nishida 西田幾多郎 first wrote this book in order to teach his high school students. The Japanese title is «Zen no Kenkyu 善の研究». Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki 鈴木大拙, the author of many important books on Zen in English, was Nishida's close friend. They met each other at a high school in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. High school education is no longer available exclusively for the elite these days while its level is not so academically "high" as the name declares.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 79-3 Contract without payment

2011-07-18T17:50:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

That's why the sage takes the contract, but doesn't ask the person to pay. (Ch.79)

In Today's Tao sentence, "the contract" symbolizes the feelings and thoughts, particularly desire, in a hologram.

"The payment", the fulfillment of them.

Let's make a few things clear.

1. Your feelings and thoughts do not belong to you.

2. They are attached to the hologram.

3. You project the hologram, but don't control it. (☞See Inmo and No mind 49-10)

Now, we are ready to discuss desire.

Desire doesn't belong to you, so you don't have to feel ashamed whatever your desire is.

You should not judge.

Nevertheless, acting directly to fulfill the desire is another thing.

It is worse if you lament the failure of the fulfillment or hold a grudge.

It creates the mental short circuit and blocks the natural flow of Tao. (☞See Brambles 30-3)

«Related Articles»
-Remaining grudge 79-1
-Good grudge 79-2
-Contract without payment 79-3
-No favoritism 79-4
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 79

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (31) / - Dark Depth Female [genpi / xuan pin / hsuan pin] 玄牝 - 玄 [gen / xuan / hsuan] means Dark Depth. 牝 [pi (hin) / pin], Female. This is one of the most important words in Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Mr Michael P. Garofalo has done an excellent research and comparison of the various translations. (http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/vstccs2.htm) Thanks to him, we can see easily how they translate 谷神不死, 是謂玄牝 in Chapter 6 / Valley God. / "The Spirit of the perennial spring is said to be immortal, she is called the Mysterious One." On the left, «Tao Te Ching» translated by Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel. / "The Spirit of the Depths is immortal; it is called the Azure Heaven and the Mother Earth." by Frederic Balfour. On the right, «TAO TE CHING TAOISM ULTIMATE COLLECTION - 5 Expert Translations PLUS EXPLANATIONS for BEGINNERS and EVERYONE - For YOU to get EASY UNDERSTANDING of the Tao (also named Dao De Jing, Teh King, New Way)». The book on Kindle includes the translation by Frederic Balfour.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 79-2 Good grudge

2011-07-15T17:00:00.025+02:00

Today's Tao

How can you call it good? (Ch.79)

You have successfully suppressed your "big grudge".

You are happy about the power of your will.

Then, you notice that a tiny "remaining grudge" is creeping into your heart.

"How can you call it good?"

Lao Tzu describes the situation with a rhetorical question.

He is saying that, if you are bothered because of the fact that you are not able to erase your "remaining grudge", it is not good.

Since your own self does not belong to you, your own feelings do not belong to you, either.

Your grudge is like the clouds in the sky.

The best attitude to face any bitter feelings like a grudge is to accept them while saying:

"Welcome, my grudge. Enjoy staying with me."

«Related Articles»
-Remaining grudge 79-1
-Good grudge 79-2
-Contract without payment 79-3
-No favoritism 79-4
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 79

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (30) / - Dark Depth Female [genpi / xuan pin / hsuan pin] 玄牝 - 玄 [gen / xuan / hsuan] means Dark Depth. 牝 [pi (hin) / pin], Female. This is one of the most important words in Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Mr Michael P. Garofalo has done an excellent research and comparison of the various translations. (http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/vstccs2.htm) Thanks to him, we can see easily how they translate 谷神不死, 是謂玄牝 in Chapter 6 / Valley God. / "The valley spirit never dies; It is the woman, primal mother." On the left, «Tao Te Ching, 25th-Anniversary Edition (English and Mandarin Chinese Edition)» translated by Jane English and Gia-Fu Feng. / "The spirit of emptiness is immortal. It is called the Great Mother" On the right, «Tao Te Ching: Book of the Way» translated by J. H. McDonald.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 79-1 Remaining grudge

2011-07-14T17:58:00.002+02:00

Today's Tao

When you pacify a big grudge, there is always a remaining grudge. (Ch.79)

When someone does you harm, what do you think?

"A grudge? Of course, not. I am a perfect Taoist. How can I possibly hold a grudge?"

Well, if it is the case, fine. No problem.

But if you hold a grudge, do you have to feel guilty about it?

No. Of course, not.

It is not ideal to hold a big grudge.

You should try to "pacify" it.

But if you cannot get rid of it completely, don't worry.

Just be content with the "remaining grudge".

That's what Lao Tzu is teaching us here.

Feelings do not belong to us.

Whether it is a grudge or something else, our feelings are part of the hologram, which is waiting to be accepted.

«Related Articles»
-Remaining grudge 79-1
-Good grudge 79-2
-Contract without payment 79-3
-No favoritism 79-4
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 79

Lao Tzu answers your question!

☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (29) / - Dark Depth Female [genpi / xuan pin / hsuan pin] 玄牝 - 玄 [gen / xuan / hsuan] means Dark Depth. 牝 [pi (hin) / pin], Female. This is one of the most important words in Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Mr Michael P. Garofalo has done an excellent research and comparison of the various translations. (http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/vstccs2.htm) Thanks to him, we can see easily how they translate 谷神不死, 是謂玄牝 in Chapter 6 / Valley God. / "The life-force of the valley never dies-- This is called the dark female." On the left, «Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation» translated by Roger T. Ames and David L. Hall. / "The valley sprit not expires, Mysterious woman 'tis called by the sires." On the right, «Lao-Tze's Tao-Teh-King» translated by Paul Carus.