Saturday, September 26, 2009

Tales from the Tao

Very late last night after posting here, I picked up a new book for a few minutes reading before lights out. I was quickly engrossed and read it start to finish. Tao_SolalaTowler

About the Tao is an interesting  website which explains the background to the book better than I can:

In ancient China, there was a very wise man named Lao Tzu who was the keeper of the imperial library. Lao Tzu saw the growing corruption of the government and decided to leave the city for a simpler life in the country. On his way, the guard at the city gates asked Lao Tzu to write out the essence of his understanding to benefit future generations. Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, then left the city and was never heard of again.

The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, is one of the most influential books in history. It is the source of famous Chinese sayings such as;

“Those who know do not speak, those who speak, do not know”.

This book above is put together by Solala Towler and comprises about 30 of Lao Tzu’s tales. The stories introduce Taoist principles about many of the most basic human experiences – birth, death, loss, dignity.

The Tao was more a philosophy than a religion though when Buddhism came to China in the 5th century it became mixed up with the native Taoist traditions and became a unique form of Buddhism, called Chan, which later on travelled to Japan where it was taken up by the Samurai class, who laid it over their own bushido philosophy and named it Zen.

It’s a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.

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“Even a 1,000 mile journey starts with a single step” The Tao

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've got some serious thinking to do and that you have taken your first step.

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  2. I've been reading about Taoism, Zen, and similar philosophies pretty heavily for the last two years or so. The concepts and viewpoints they offer have enriched my life in many, many ways.

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  3. Wow, Lou! I can barely get thru reading how long to cook the Mac & Cheese! I'm suitably impressed!

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  4. We'll see Lori though I'm not really in the market for a religion right now

    That's cool Bard - it sure is thought provoking stuff, I'm still feeling the calm.

    Wow - a visit from our new superstar! It's great that you're remembering us simple folk Kathryn :-)

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  5. I try and fail miserably to live my live by the Tao Te Ching. The only religion type of thing that makes any sense to me

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  6. Wow hi uamada haven't seen @ The Quiet Life in quite a while. Nice to see you.

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  7. I have read several books about the Tao and even wrote several papers on it in college. It really is quite thoughtful and simple, when it gets boiled down.
    Much like everything else in life.

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  9. Gee thanks bear. Do give the book a try - it's a good read.

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