Preaching the Tao (gospel, beliefs, eternal, faith, Christians)

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Accurate Translation of the Tao Te Ching

You gave it a name.

Gosh, that always happens when people discuss Tao with keyboards!

[Somkid]

The firs thing you have to understand about the Tao is that there are 2 groups the religious (Tao Jiao) and the philosophical.

Chapter 72 says:

When they lose their sense of awe,
people turn to religion.
When they no longer trust themselves,
they begin to depend upon authority.

Therefore the Master steps back
so that people won't be confused.
He teaches without a teaching,
so that people will have nothing to learn.

I understand that to mean do not preach the Tao

I would suggest giving it a good read and understand it was never intended to be a religion which is what annoyed Lao Tzu so much and the reason why he left China. Is there truth in the Tao, yes very much so from a Buddhist prospective. Many Chan Buddhists monks are required to be able to read it in Traditional Chinese as it is considered to be one of the most beautiful wittings in Chinese and very much so the principals apply to most aspects of Chan Buddhism.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Somkid

The firs thing you have to understand about the Tao is that there are 2 groups the religious (Tao Jiao) and the philosophical.

Check. And religious Taoism (daojiao or tao chiao) focuses on human longevity, even immortality. Philosophical Taoism (daojia or tao chia) holds that the very anxiousness arising from such a search would actually shorten human lifespan. And there is a tendency by people who know nothing about Taoism to assume it is some kind of new age religion. On the contrary, some of Master Je Tzu's teachings in the gospels are in accord with Tao. At any rate, the sage doesn't give a flying rat's behind what people think!

[Somkid]

Originally Posted by Francine

Check. And religious Taoism (daojiao or tao chiao) focuses on human longevity, even immortality. Philosophical Taoism (daojia or tao chia) holds that the very anxiousness arising from such a search would actually shorten human lifespan. And there is a tendency by people who know nothing about Taoism to assume it is some kind of new age religion. On the contrary, some of Master Je Tzu's teachings in the gospels are in accord with Tao. At any rate, the sage doesn't give a flying rat's behind what people think!

YES, VERY WELL SAID