Dao

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Composition 1: 道 (dào) is 首 (shǒu) 'head' and 辶 (辵 chuò) 'go' (Source: Wenlin)

Pinyin: Dào

Wade-Giles: Tao

Japanese: Dō, (tō), michi

Korean: 도 (To)

Vietnamese: Đạo

Tao or Dao (道, Pinyin: Dào, Cantonese: Dou) is a Chinese character often translated as ‘Way’ or 'Path'. Though often seen as a linguistic monad (especially by Westerners), the character dao was actually somewhat more flexible, as it could be modified by other nouns. Three such compounds gained special currency in Classical Chinese philosophy. 天道 Tian dao (sky or natural dao—usually translated religiously as "heaven's Dao") 大道 Da Dao (Great dao—the actual course of all history—everything that has happened or will happen) and 人道 Ren dao (human dao, the normative orders constructed by human (social) practices). The natural dao corresponds roughly to the order expressed in the totality of natural (physical) laws. The relations of these three were the subject of the discourses of Laozi and Confucius.

From the earliest recorded religio-philosophical texts onward, Tian Dao is explained using the concepts of yin and yang. The resulting cosmology became a distinctive feature of Chinese philosophy, one which was particularly expounded upon by members of the Daoist school. The early thinkers, Laozi and Zhuangzi, expressed the view that human dao was embedded in natural dao. If human lives are lived in accord with the natural order of reality, then human beings can truly fulfill their innate potentialities.

Etymology

The Dao character

The composition of 道 (dào) is 首 (shǒu) meaning "head" and 辶 (辵 chuò) "go." The decomposition etymology for the character 首 is distinguished by the tufts at the top, representing the distinctive hairstyle of the warrior class (a "bun"). The character 首 itself is used to refer to concepts related to the head, such as leadership and rulership. The character 辶 (辵 chuò) 'go' in its reduced form, 廴 resembles a foot, and is meant to be evocative of its meaning "to walk," and "to go," as well as the generic radix for "the way of." This reduced radical 廴 is a component in other radicals and characters. As such, the combined characters signify directed, forward movement (and perhaps even "process" in a Whiteheadian sense).

Understanding Dao

Taijitu

Even a cursory look at life on Earth or the universe as a whole reveals a high level of complex order, creativity and organization. The beauty of the unspoiled regions of the world; the harmonious complexity of natural ecosystems, have a ‘just-so’ quality, an integrated wholeness that the ancient Chinese called Dao. Dao is the way of heaven, a way of natural harmony; of Truth, Beauty and Justice.

Laozi, the legendary author of the Dao De Jing, was the first to provide a comprehensive treatment of the Dao. The religion based on the concept of Dao - Dao Jiao - is known in English as Daoism. Laozi taught that, "He who follows the Dao is one with the Dao," and "Being at one with the Dao is eternal, though the body dies, the Dao will never pass away.’ (Verses 23 & 16)

A common theme in Daoist literature is that fulfilment in life cannot be attained by forcing one's own destiny; instead, one must be receptive to the path laid for them by nature and circumstance, which will themselves provide what is necessary. Laozi taught that the wisest approach was a way of ‘non-action’ ("wu-wei") – not inaction but rather a harmonization of one’s personal will with the natural harmony and justice of Nature. ‘The World is ruled by letting things take their natural course. It cannot be ruled by going against nature or arrogance.’ (Dao De Jing; Verse 48). It also means that the individual should do things natural to him and appropriate to do in his circumstances, thus serving as an instrument of the Law rather than doing the things as individuals. That is why no one should take any credit for things done. Nature is stabilized by order, and humans along with all other natural phenomena exist within nature. Attempting to force one's own path is arrogant, futile and self-destructive.

It should be noted that in Daoism the complementary part of "non-action" (wu-wei) is that nothing necessary is left undone ("wu bu wei"). Thus, Daoism should be viewed as advocating the harmonization of "passivity" and "activity/creativity" instead of just being passive. In other words through stillness and receptivity natural intuition guides us in knowing when to act and when not to act.

Laozi contrasts the Great Way of the Dao with the way of human beings:

The Dao of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who do not have enough. Man’s way is different. He takes from those who do not have enough to give to those who already have too much. (verse 77. Tr. Gia Fu Feng)

Laozi characterizes the Way of Man as one in which force is applied without the attainment of desired results:

Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Dao, counsel him not to use force to conquer the universe. For this would only cause resistance. Thorn bushes spring up wherever the army has passed. Lean years follow in the wake of war. Just do what needs to be done. Never take advantage of power…Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of Dao. That which goes against the Dao comes to an early end. (verse 30. tr. Gia Fu Feng)

All mankind’s troubles on the Earth are caused by his having forgotten the Great Way. Remembering the Great Way is a spiritual awareness of one’s deep connection with the entirety of creation. This involves the adoption of a mode of ‘non-action’ that is not inaction but rather a harmonization of one’s personal will – otherwise tending towards egotism – with the natural harmony and justice of Dao.

Dao abides in non-action yet nothing is left undone. If kings and lords observed this, the ten thousand things would develop naturally. If they still desired to act they would return to the simplicity of formless substance. Without form there is no desire. Without desire there is tranquility. And in this way all things would be at peace. (verse 37. tr. Gia Fu Feng)

The greatest virtue is to follow Dao and Dao alone. The Dao is elusive and intangible. Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image. Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form. Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is essence. This essence is very real, and therein lies faith. From the very beginning til now its name has never been forgotten. Thus I perceive the creation. How do I know the ways of creation? Because of this. (verse 21. tr. Gia Fu Feng)

Today, scientists call the creative principle at work in the universe the ‘principle of self-organization’ from the observed fact that naturally occurring phenomena organize themselves into complex interdependent systems each system a ‘whole’ in itself. At the heart of this remarkable self-organizing principle is a somewhat mysterious entity that is unconditioned yet gives rise to everything. Understanding what the nature of this generative and organizational principle is that has given rise to diverse living beings, the stars and the planets had been the subject of much inquiry and reflection by ancient Man. The epoch in which the Dao De Jing was written, the Axial Age, saw the emergence of numerous philosophies that sought to establish first principles in the understanding of Nature. India produced the Upanishads and Greece the bold hypotheses of the Ionian and Eleatic philosophers. Laozi also sought to account for the origins of the ‘ten thousand things’ and their manner of growth and development.

All things arise from Dao. They are nourished by Virtue. They are formed from matter. They are shaped by environment. Thus the ten thousand things all respect Dao and honor Virtue. Respect of Dao and honor of Virtue are not demanded. But they are in the nature of things. Therefore all things arise from Dao. By Virtue they are nourished, developed, cared for, sheltered, comforted, grown and protected. Creating without claiming; doing without taking credit; guiding without interfering - this is Primal Virtue. (verse 51. tr. ibid )

The great Dao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right. The ten thousand things depend upon it; it holds nothing back. It fulfills its purpose silently and makes no claim. It nourishes the ten thousand things. And yet is not their lord. It has no aim; it is very small. The ten thousand things return to it, yet it is not their lord. It is very great. It does not show its greatness, And is therefore truly great. (verse 34. tr. ibid)

Yield and overcome; bend and be straight; empty and be full; wear out and be new; have little and gain; have much and be confused. Therefore wise men embrace the one and set an example to all. Not putting on a display, they shine forth. Not justifying themselves, they are distinguished. Not boasting, they receive recognition. Not bragging, they never falter. They do not quarrel so no one quarrels with them. Therefore the ancients say, “Yield and overcome.” Is that an empty saying? Be really whole and all things will come to you. (verse 22. tr. Gia Fu Feng)

Some Characteristics of Dao

The primal flow of nature, the process by which all thing naturally become themselves is called Dao. It manifests itself through change of seasons, cycle of life, shifts of power, and passage of time. This naturalistic connection has been commented on at length by both Laozi and Zhuangzi, not to mention later philosophers such as Liezi, Ge Hong and Wang Bi.

The concept of Dao is based upon the understanding that the only constant in the universe is change (see I Jing, the "Book of Changes") and that we must understand and be in harmony with this change. The change is a constant flow from non-being into being, potential into actual, yin into yang, female into male. The symbol of the Dao, called the Taijitu, represents the yin (darkness) and yang (brightness) mutually generating and interpenetrating, in an endless cycle.

The Dao is the main theme discussed in the Dao De Jing, an ancient Chinese scripture attributed to Laozi. This book does not specifically define what the Dao is; it affirms that in the first sentence, "The Dao that can be told of is not an Unvarying Dao" (tr. Waley, modified). Instead, it points to some characteristics of what could be understood as being the Dao. Below are some excerpts from the book.

• Dao as the origin of things: "Dao begets one; One begets two; Two begets three; Three begets the myriad creatures." (TTC 42, tr. Lau, modified)
• Dao as an inexhaustible nothingness: "The Way is like an empty vessel / That yet may be drawn from / Without ever needing to be filled." (TTC 4, tr. Waley)
• Dao is omnipotent and infallible: "What Dao plants cannot be plucked, what Dao clasps, cannot slip." (TTC 54, tr. Waley)

In the Yi Jing, a sentence closely relates Dao to Yin-Yang or Taiji, asserting that "one (phase of) Yin, one (phase of) Yang, is what is called the Dao." Being thus placed at the conjunction of the alternation of yin and yang, the Dao can be understood as the continuity principle that underlies the constant evolution of the world.

Most debates between proponents of one of the Hundred Schools of Thought could be summarized in the simple question: who is closer to the Dao, or, in other words, whose "Dao" is the most powerful? Then as now, Dao has a wide range of usages and meanings.

Dao in the Dao De Jing

Dao is referred to in many ways in the Dao De Jing. There are different shades of meanings in the various translations of this great work, which, with over 100 translations, is perhaps the most translated Chinese text in the English language. Here is one translation of the first stanza, describing Dao:

The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao;

The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.

The named is the mother of ten thousand things.

Ever desire less, one can see the mystery.

Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.

These two spring from the same source but differ in name;

this appears as darkness.

Darkness within darkness.

The gate to all mystery.

—(Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English, 1972).

Translation

The first part of the verse reads thus:

Dao k'o Dao fei ch'ang Dao

ming k'o ming fei ch'ang ming

wu ming t'ian ti chih shih

yu ming wan wu chih mu

Of this, the first two lines are often translated by many as:

The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao;

The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

The Mawang Dui text clearly shows that the original form of line 1 was in fact "fei heng Dao" instead of "fei ch'ang Dao." The change in the character occurred when "heng" became the name of an emperor.

"Ch'ang" may be accurately translated as "constant" or "unchanging," "unvarying," etc. It was deemed a close equivalent to "heng," which may be accurately translated as "eternal."

Some scholars speculate that the ancient Chinese did not have a concept for eternity. In reality, it is quite clear from the I Ching that the ancient Chinese had this concept from at least 5,000 years ago, 25 centuries before the birth of Laozi.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Capra, Fritjof. The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of the Parallels between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism. Boston: Shambhala, 2000. ISBN 1570625190.
• Chang, Dr. Stephen T. The Great Tao. Tao Publishing, imprint of Tao Longevity LLC. 1985. ISBN 0-942196-01-5.
• Graham, A.C. Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China. La Salle, IL: Open Court, 1993. ISBN 0-8126-9087-7.
• Lao Tsu/Tao Te Ching. Translated by Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English. New York: Vintage Books, 1972. ISBN 0679776192.
• Lao Tzu; Lau, D.C. (translator); Sarah Allan (editor). Tao Te Ching: Translation of the Ma Wang Tui Manuscripts, Everyman's Library, 1994. ISBN 0679433163.
• Lao Tzu; Chuang Tzu; Legge, James (translator), The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Taoism, Dover Publications, Inc., 1962.
• Quong, Rose Chinese Characters: Their Wit and Wisdom. With Illustrations by Dr. Kinn Wei Shaw. Ram Press, 1944.
• Wei Wu Wei, "Why Lazarus Laughed: The Essential Doctrine Zen-Advaita-Tantra". London: Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd., 1960. ISBN 1591810116.

External links

All web sources accessed August 24, 2007

• [http://www.tao-te-king.org/index.html Dao De Jing translations (Dr.Hilmar KLAUS)
• alt.philosophy.taoism FAQ, original Taoism Internet FAQ
• Taoism Directory, directory of sites with content related to Taoism and Taoist issues.
• About the Tao, Taoism Texts, explanations, software, images and video
• Center for Daoist Studies, web-based resource for the study and practice of Daoism
• The Way and Its Power, English, French, and German translations of the Dao De Jing
• Taoism Info Philosophical Taoism

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