Nature is #1 (mystic, verse, Articles, taoism)

Master Vigil · #1 02-21-2005, 03:35 PM

For a taoist, nature is the way the Tao works. And humans are simply a part of that nature. A taoist temple is built around trees, within caves, etc... Why do some humans feel the need to classify themselves as above, or separate from nature?

Jaymes · #2 02-21-2005, 03:53 PM

I wasn't aware there were taoist temples, Master Vigil. (Heh, goes to show my ignorance on taoism, I suppose) The temples being in caves and around trees sounds very beautiful. Do you know of any pictures that show good examples of taoist temples?

Master Vigil · #3 02-21-2005, 04:06 PM

here are a few.

The hanging monastery: http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200306/13243p.html

A nice picture of a part of Wudang Mountain: http://www.china.com.cn/english/travel/60866.htm

Some other nice pictures of Wudang: http://www.damo-qigong.net/wudang_1.htm

Just do some searches for Ancient Taoist Temples, or Wudang Mountain. There are many many beautiful temples in china.

Scuba Pete · #4 02-21-2005, 04:07 PM

What is the "tao"???

Master Vigil · #5 02-21-2005, 07:19 PM

The tao is the first cause and the last cause of everything, at every time, at every moment. It is the mystical force behind the whole universe, and the basic framework of the universe. It is also the perfect balance between extremes, where neither extreme are noticeable. Basically take god, make "him" an it. Make it neither good, or evil. And take away all human characteristics, and you have tao. It is much more complicated than that. But that is perhaps a basic start.

Seyorni · #6 02-21-2005, 07:28 PM

Doesn't "Tao" translate to [the] "Way" MV?

Master Vigil · #7 02-21-2005, 07:33 PM

Indeed it does Seyorni. The chinese character consists of two parts, one meaning walking or moving, and the other meaning right, or correct. So literally it means correct walking. Or the right way. It has come to be known as "Way, or Path." But thats just what the word Tao means. Not exactly what it is.

Natural Submission · #8 02-27-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

The tao is the first cause and the last cause of everything, at every time, at every moment. It is the mystical force behind the whole universe, and the basic framework of the universe. It is also the perfect balance between extremes, where neither extreme are noticeable. Basically take god, make "him" an it. Make it neither good, or evil. And take away all human characteristics, and you have tao. It is much more complicated than that. But that is perhaps a basic start.

With that understanding "Eloah" is actually only one letter short of being "Allah" since Semitic languages only have consonantal letters (Alef is considered a consonant in both Arabic and Hebrew). If "Allah" were spelled in Hebrew it would be "אללה" yet "Eloah" is simply "אלה," or “אלוה.” To say "Allah" is the same as if one said "Gott" in German, or in French "dieu," in Italian "dio," in Spanish "Dios," in Portuguese "Deus," in Farsi "Khuda," in Hebrew "Eloah," in Aramaic "Alah”

Whatever title we wish to call God or the Tao, it is all the SAME force of energy that gives life to this planet and all that exists. YHWH, Allah, Tao is not a man or woman with human characteristics. There is nothing that resembles it.

The common misunderstanding of God being a being that is physically stronger than all the rest is mythology. God is not separate from It's creation. God is not above us on a throne with a big beard. This is the image of Zeus. Wheresoever we turn, God is, Tao is.

There is only one Tao, one God. This is the same source all true Prophets and Messengers have come from. Whether they be Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Confucious and so on.

Master Vigil · #9 02-27-2005, 01:26 PM

The Tao that can be talked about, is not the Eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the Eternal name.

The first two lines of the Tao Teh Ching.

Tao is always nameless.
Small as it is in its primal simplicity,
It is inferior to nothing in the world.
If only a ruler could cling to it,
Everything would render homage to him.
Heaven and Earth will be harmonized,
and send down sweet dew.
Peace and order will reign among the people
without any command from above.
When once the Primal simplicity diversified,
Different names appeared.
Are there not enough names now?

Chapter 32 Tao Teh Ching

The words are not important. They are only man made. Let us not focus on the finger pointing at the moon. Let us focus on the moon.