Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-2 Good one

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.


«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
-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 79-4 No favoritism

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.


«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!



☞«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 76-8 Karoshi / Snapped branch

Today's Tao

A strong branch of a tree will surely be snapped. (Ch.76)


Don't work too hard.

Do you know a Japanese expression "Karoshi 過労死"?

It means "death from overwork".

Diligent, industrious, tireless.

All these adjectives once had the status as a national motto in post-war Japan.

The Japanese worked hard, as hard as possible until their lives were suddenly "snapped".

They had worked a lot to buy a Toyota Corolla or a Sony Walkman.

Then, they realized they had got no time to use it.

Some were lucky enough to listen to the music with a Walkman in the train.

Others were too tired to stay awake even while standing there.

Most car owners simply enjoyed washing theirs.

A day trip?

Out of question!

Lao Tzu's «Tao Te Ching» has been one of the "must read" study materials for more than one thousand years in Japan.

Did we really learn what Lao Tzu is saying in the book?

Do you?


«Related Articles»
-Soft life 76-1
-Hard end 76-2
-Fragile life 76-3
-Dry end 76-4
-Mujoseppo = non-living preach / Hard and Strong 76-5
-Soft and weak men 76-6
-Strong army, no win 76-7
-Karoshi / Snapped branch 76-8
-Hossho stays low 76-9
-Hoben gate / Soft and Weak 76-10
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 76


Tao answers your question!



☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (8) / -Dark Depth 玄 [gen]- Let's see how they translate 玄之又玄衆妙之門 in Chapter 1. / "the mystery of mysteries; the door through which have issued, on to the scene of the universe, all of the marvels which it contains." On the left, «Tao-Te-Ching» translated by Derek Bryce and Leon Wieger. / "The secret of secrets, the gate of all mysteries." On the right, «Tao Te Ching: The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained» translated by Stefan Stenudd.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 68-4 Lower than people

Today's Tao

One who uses people well puts himself lower than them. (Ch.68)


"Hai, hai, hai. Yes, yes, yes."

Have you ever seen a Japanese saying "hai, hai, hai" while bowing?

And did you laugh?

All right. You laughed. Totally understandable.

Then, did you think about Lao Tzu and Tao Te Ching?

No?

It's a pity.

You missed a fantastic living example of Dark Depth Female 玄牝 [gen pi].

The Japanese word "hai" does not necessarily mean: "Yes. I agree with you".

It means: "Yes. I understand what you are saying, I am lower than you, and I respect you as a part of sacred nature".

In short, "I accept you and the rest".

"People" here means your hologram.

By lowering yourself and activating Dark Depth Female, you can "use" your hologram.


«Related Articles»
-True samurai 68-1
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-Aikido and Tariki / Other people's power 68-6
-Limit of space and time 68-7
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 68


Tao answers your question!



☞Recently the Japanese have become more and more introversive. Some things change on the superficial level. Other things hardly change. The Japanese might be heading towards the closure of the country as once they did some 400 years ago. You never know. If you want to do some business in Japan, more than ever you need a good preparation with up-to-date materials. Check Paul Norbury's «Japan - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture» and John Alston and Isao Takei's «Japanese Business Culture and Practice: A Guide to Twenty-First Century Japanese Business».

Tao Te Ching Chapter 64-10 Do & Defeat

Today's Tao

If you do something to it, you will defeat it. (Ch.64)


This sentence is identical to the one in Chapter 29. (☞See Defeat it 29-3)

According to Osamu Kanaya, a Japanese Orientalist specialized in Chinese philosophy,

this chapter might be a patchwork of maxims.

It is not logically well constructed.

Some sentences might be original;

others might be added by later hands.

When you read Tao Te Ching, you cannot treat it as if it was written by a modern judge.

Having said that, the message here is quite clear.

Handle your hologram with care.

Or rather, handle your hologram with Love.

Don't act on it directly.

If you do, you will simply block the natural flow of Tao. (☞See Chuang Tzu's teachings 42-8)


«Related Articles»
-Something stable 64-1
-Before materialization 64-2
-While fragile 64-3
-While minute 64-4
-Before existence 64-5
-In order 64-6
-Tree from a hair 64-7
-Nine-story tower 64-8
-A thousand league travel 64-9
-Do and Defeat 64-10
-Stick and Lose 64-11
-Defeat nothing 64-12
-Don't stick 64-13
-Before completed 64-14
-Careful end 64-15
-Desire no desire 64-16
-Rare coins 64-17
-Learn no learn 64-18
-Excess 64-19
-Transformation 64-20
-Don't dare 64-21
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 64


Tao answers your question!



☞Think twice before you pick up a Zen book and take it to the cashier. Ask yourself whether you are not looking for a refuge. Zen Buddhism is not an alternative. They are talking about the same essence of life with a bit more exotic words. You can find exactly the same teachings in what you are familiar with. Look for Hermann Hesse's «Siddhartha» and browse it. Compare the book you have chosen with the poet's masterpiece, and make sure that the book in your hand is easier to understand than «Siddhartha». If you want something more authentic as for Buddha's life and more visually helpful, Osamu Tezuka's cartoon «Buddha» is recommended.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 64-3 While fragile

Today's Tao

It is easy to melt a thing while it is fragile. (Ch.64)


Melt your own ego.


Zen Master Bassui Tokusho 抜隊得勝 (1323-1387) says:

"When you are lost, you are like ice."

迷ふときは氷の如し

[mayou toki ha koori no gotoshi]

(☞See Disintegrating 15-7)

He adds:

"Among all the pieces of ice, there is no ice that does not become water".

氷の中に水とならさる氷なし

[koori no naka ni mizu to narazaru koori nashi]

(«Bassui Kana Hogo» 抜隊仮名法語)


When you are solid as ice, you are lost.

When you are flexible as water, you are Buddha.

The Japanese word for Buddha is "hotoke 仏・ほとけ".

The word puns with "hodoke-ru ほどける", which means "to untangle".

Never mind being "fragile".

Then, you are flexible and untangled.

Don't be hard if you don't want to forget that you are Buddha and Tao.


«Related Articles»
-Something stable 64-1
-Before materialization 64-2
-While fragile 64-3
-While minute 64-4
-Before existence 64-5
-In order 64-6
-Tree from a hair 64-7
-Nine-story tower 64-8
-A thousand league travel 64-9
-Do and Defeat 64-10
-Stick and Lose 64-11
-Defeat nothing 64-12
-Don't stick 64-13
-Before completed 64-14
-Careful end 64-15
-Desire no desire 64-16
-Rare coins 64-17
-Learn no learn 64-18
-Excess 64-19
-Transformation 64-20
-Don't dare 64-21
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 64


Tao answers your question!



☞Don't fight against your destiny. Don't fight against any. The female characters in «The Tale of Genji» accept their destinies. So did its author, Murasaki Shikibu. When did the Japanese start suffering from the problem of Self? When did they start thinking that they could change their own destines, or that their egos were bigger than the force of nature? Typhoons, Tsunami, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes still teach us who we are. Read Lady Murasaki Shikibu's Diary and find out how did she come to terms with her destiny.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-8 Why Taoism?

Today's Tao

Why did they appreciate this Tao in the old days? (Ch.62)


It is a very interesting question, isn't it?

Lao Tzu or the person who inserted this sentence is saying something important.

Once Chinese people had appreciated the original Taoism a lot;

then, at the time of writing, they no longer did so, he lamented.

Why?

Has anyone distorted its teachings?

Well, who knows?

But one thing is historically clear.

In Japanese there are two words, Doka (Doke) 道家 and Dokyo 道教, although they are translated with the same word: Taoism. (cf. 道家 [daojia] and 道教 [daojiao] respectively in Chinese)

The former is the philosophical study of Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu.


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
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-Akunin shoki setsu / Feel safe 62-3
-Adorned words 62-4
-Adorned acts 62-5
-Don't abandon 62-6
-An emperor enthroned 62-7
-Why Taoism? 62-8
-Guilty? 62-9
-Highly appreciated 62-10
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 62


Tao answers your question!



☞There is no doubt about it. The best Japanese actor ever is Toshiro Mifune. Of course, we have some Japanese actors who contributed to the establishment of "Japanese" theaters such as Zeami, the banished founder of Noh, and Izumo no Okuni, the shamanic actress of Kabuki. Nevertheless, who on earth knows these names outside Japan? Along with Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune will remain in the hearts of many people who adore and admire Samurai and their way of living. The life is a floating world, not the one and only objective world. Please watch the Japanese duo's masterpiece «Rashomon» for explanation.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-8 One with Dark Depth

Today's Tao

This is called being one with Dark Depth. (Ch.56)


Dark Depth is 玄 [gen] in Japanese ([hsüan] in Chinese).

Originally it meant the color of reddish black which you got after having put together a few layers of colors.

The color symbolizes something deep and inexplicable.

"Dark Depth" is a synonym for Tao.

Therefore, 玄同 [gen dō], being one with Dark Depth, is the same as being one with Tao.

No matter what you are, whether you are dust or an [excrement] scraper, you are Tao.

In this chapter 56, Lao Tzu gives us some tips to remember the fact.

Don't worry and do nothing.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
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-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞Now the sport is internationally know as Judo. It was not the case at the beginning of its modern development. Contrary to what most of us imagine, the word "Judo" has a relatively brief history. The magical art of man-to-man combat was first called "Yawara", which means being soft. "Yawara no michi". This is the expression that provokes an unequivocal affection towards the sport among the Japanese. A Japanese Judy Garland, Hibari Misora, sang "Yawara" and an industrious Japanese cartoonist, Naoki Urasawa drew "Yawara", which led a real-life girl to start practicing this "Soft Tao / Judo". Having won a few Olympic medals, the girl is now a stateswoman who occupies a seat in Japan's House of Councilors.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 55-3 No attack

Today's Tao

Violent animals don't attack him. (Ch.55)


In your hologram, there is no danger.

Then, why are we fearful of the attack by our enemy or an animal?

Daisetz Suzuki tells us the story of a Japanese samurai swordsman and cats. (The swordsman and the cat, Appendices IV, «Zen and Japanese Culture»)

Let's ask the wisest cat.

"Why do we have the enemy?"

"Because of the self there is the foe; when there is no self there is no foe."

The cat continues:

"You make no choice between right and wrong, like and dislike."

Both your own self and the enemy are part of the same hologram.


Daisetz Suzuki@wiki


«Related Articles»
-Inner attainment 55-1
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-No attack 55-3
-No hitting 55-4
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-Male organ 55-6
-Virility 55-7
-Su Dongpo / No husky voice 55-8
-Peak of harmony 55-9
-Know harmony? 55-10
-Constant enlightenment 55-11
-No increased life 55-12
-Takuan / Mind and Ki 55-13
-Strong = Old 55-14
-Anti-Tao 55-15
-No early end 55-16
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 55


Tao answers your question!



☞«Zen and Japanese Culture» was published in 1959 precisely a quarter of a dicace after the publication of «Manual of Zen» (in 1934 in Kyoto, Japan; in 1950 in London). The former includes the chapters on the story above and «Yama Uba». The latter has «Ten Ox-herding Pictures», which will tell you the ten steps of reaching Satori. Please remember that time is just a parameter. All the ten steps take place simultaneously.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 53-7 Thief's luxury

Today's Tao

This is called a thief's luxury. (Ch.53)


Lao Tzu teaches us that beautiful clothes, gourmet dinners, and excessive money are "a thief's luxury".

So are a Samue 作務衣 Japanese working kimono, a Kaiseki 懐石 zen dinner, and an Ofuse お布施 donation.

Don't be fooled by either material wealth nor oriental exoticism.

Do not judge them, either.

"A thief's luxury" is part of your hologram, which is a manifestation of Tao.

Therefore, every time we see a wealthy monk or a Zen snob, we should say:

"Thank you for stimulating me to emit more Love."


«Related Articles»
-No intelligence 53-1
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-Painted rice cake / Empty granary 53-5
-Too much money 53-6
-Thief's luxury 53-7
-Hologram is not Tao 53-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 53


Tao answers your question!



☞Few Japanese can live without an onsen (traditional natural hot spa resort). The onsens play a vital role in literature. Imagine Yasunari Kawabata's «Snow Country» without Yuzawa Onsen in the mountains or Soseki Natsume's «Botchan / Master Darling» deprived of city-based Dogo Onsen!

Tao Te Ching Chapter 53-2 Flat Tao

Today's Tao

Big Tao is very flat, but people prefer small shortcuts. (Ch.53)


The word "Tao" is sometimes translated as "a way".

When you follow Tao, your big way is flat, and it is easy to advance there.

Following Tao or practicing Zen is easy. Period.

Who says it is difficult!


"Sir, practicing Zen is very difficult, so you have to buy this Japanese kimono. With our kimono, you will reach Satori immediately"

"Madam, following Tao is very difficult, so you have to buy this hi-tech headset. This miraculous headset will give you the same effect as thirty years' meditation."


Don't listen to them.

No shortcuts are better than doing nothing.


«Related Articles»
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-Clean court 53-3
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-Painted rice cake / Empty granary 53-5
-Too much money 53-6
-Thief's luxury 53-7
-Hologram is not Tao 53-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 53


Tao answers your question!



☞Masaru Emoto was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1943. His idea that water has memory is convincing more and more people these days. Then, we can go a step farther and ask ourselves where the water is? Certainly, it is part of our hologram. Along with late Masanobu Fukuoka, he is one of the underrated Japanese giants in his own country. The fact remains no matter how sceptically the Japanese media look at him.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 47-3 Kensho Jobutsu / No Away

Today's Tao

The farther you go away from it, the less of it you know. (Ch.47)


Osamu Kanaya talks about Kensho Jobutsu 見性成仏 of Zen Buddhism in his Japanese translation of this chapter of Tao Te Ching. («Roshi», Kodansha Gakujutsu Bunko, Kodansha, Tokyo)

"See one's nature and become Buddha." (=Kensho Jobutsu 見性成仏)

You are Buddha. You are Tao.

So, it is logical that "The farther you go away from" your own self, the less you learn about Tao and Buddha.

First, you learn that your own self and the rest of the world are part of the hologram. (1)

Then, your hologram will teach you what Tao and Buddha is. (2)


Naoto Matsumoto adds:

This exchange between (1) and (2) is precisely the cycle of Yin and Yang, Tao's cycle,  the prayer wheel, or the wheel of the manifestation (Horin 法輪).

That's why turning the wheel of the manifestation (Tenborin 転法輪) is interpreted as preaching, where the learning and the teaching of (1) and (2) take place simultaneously.

This is synonymous with receiving and sending Love.


«Related Articles»
-No outside 47-1
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-Kensho Jobutsu / No away 47-3
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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 47


Tao answers your question!



☞A man who can speak English cannot talk about Zen as well as this Japanese man does. A man who can talk about Zen cannot speak English as well as the Japanese man does. His name is Daisetz Suzuki. He asks us three questions: "Can we live by Zen?", "Can we live with Zen?", and "Can we live Zen?". His answer is a rhetorical question: "Can we live without Zen?". Whether you live by Zen or not, Zen is you. One cannot live without Zen.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 40-17 No form

Today's Tao

Big's image has no form. (Ch.40)


A: "Master Bonbon, look, I have just bought a super mandala meditation image kit made in China! It's beautiful."

B: "Made in China? You had better buy our super authentic Japanese mandala meditation image kit hand-made by our certified Zen monks during their strict meditation at an isolated temple in Kyoto, through our proper channel of distribution authorized by our organization."


I sincerely hope that you are not trapped there.

By fancy goods and clothes made in an exotic country.


Lao Tzu says it clearly.

Tao's image has no form.

You cannot see Tao.

Period.

But, the world is the manifestation of Tao. You can accept and love Tao through your hologram, which is called the world.

Do you need some fancy products to love it?


«Related Articles»
-High samurai 40-1
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-Laughable Tao 40-3
-If not laughable 40-4
-Chien yen? 40-5
-Evident = Vague 40-6
-Advance = Retreat 40-7
-Smooth = Tangled 40-8
-Highest attainment = Valley 40-9
-Lacking 40-10
-Lazy 40-11
-Changing 40-12
-White = Black 40-13
-Square without corners 40-14
-No completion 40-15
-No voice 40-16
-No form 40-17
-Hidden with no name 40-18
-Generosity 40-19
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 40


Tao answers your question!



-"Kokoro" is a Japanese word without any English equivalent. Sometimes, it is translated as mind. Sometimes, as heart. Often, mind and heart confuse a Japanese when he finds out that the two English words are not the same. It seems to me that the definition of the word "kokoro" covers all but material things. It may sound strange to an English speaker, but logic does not belong to the area of "kokoro". To the Japanese, logic is something "fake" and not sincere. It is part of the material world.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 40-15 No completion

Today's Tao

Big's vessel will never be completed. (Ch.40)


大器晩成 [tai ki ban sei]

This is one of the best known expressions in Tao Te Ching among the Japanese.

It is a pity that modern Japanese have lost its true meaning.

Nowadays, when they use the expression 大器晩成 [tai ki ban sei],

they mean:

"a man of big caliber matures late."


It has nothing to do with Lao Tzu's philosophy.

In Tao, there is neither beginning nor end.

There is no time.

So, everything is forever.

Nothing is completed.

Therefore everything is perfect.


«Related Articles»
-High samurai 40-1
-Samurai in doubt 40-2
-Laughable Tao 40-3
-If not laughable 40-4
-Chien yen? 40-5
-Evident = Vague 40-6
-Advance = Retreat 40-7
-Smooth = Tangled 40-8
-Highest attainment = Valley 40-9
-Lacking 40-10
-Lazy 40-11
-Changing 40-12
-White = Black 40-13
-Square without corners 40-14
-No completion 40-15
-No voice 40-16
-No form 40-17
-Hidden with no name 40-18
-Generosity 40-19
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 40


Tao answers your question!



-An old film maker who never gets old! Shohei Imamura's spirit never gets old. Watch these two movies. Lust is the source of life. We have been thinking so in Japan. And we will keep believing so. Under the mask of social pretence, lust sends us the message of nature. Why do we have to fight to suppress it. Well, you will be excused if you blush when you find out what warm water means, though.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 40-5 Chien yen?

Today's Tao

Therefore, the Chien yen has it. (Ch.40)


According to Osamu Kanaya, Chien yen, 建言 [ken gen] in Japanese, means "saying one's opinion clearly, therefore, it means the maxims that can be a model". (Roshi 老子, [Lao Tzu], p136)

According to Gao Heng 高亨, Chien yen is supposed to be the title of an old book. («Tao: A New Way of Thinking», Chang Chung-yuan)

Unfortunately, there is no genuinely original text of Tao Te Ching.

Comments written by later hands are mixed with the original, and even the specialists are not able to perfectly distinguish Lao Tzu's writings from others'.

Inevitably, the teachings written with pure spirituality were tarnished by academic analyses.

On the other hand, Master Dogen's «Shobogenzo» has not been modified by anyone. That's why I want to use the book as a reliable guide.

The truth must be one. It doesn't matter whether they call it Zen or Tao.


«Related Articles»
-High samurai 40-1
-Samurai in doubt 40-2
-Laughable Tao 40-3
-If not laughable 40-4
-Chien yen? 40-5
-Evident = Vague 40-6
-Advance = Retreat 40-7
-Smooth = Tangled 40-8
-Highest attainment = Valley 40-9
-Lacking 40-10
-Lazy 40-11
-Changing 40-12
-White = Black 40-13
-Square without corners 40-14
-No completion 40-15
-No voice 40-16
-No form 40-17
-Hidden with no name 40-18
-Generosity 40-19
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 40


Tao answers your question!



-I hope that people who are capable of reading both English and Japanese will agree with me. Not all the good books have been translated from one language to the other. On the other hand, it is amazing how many less important books have been translated. To work on this Tao by Matsumoto video blog, I owe a lot to these two authors, Osamu Kanaya and Fumio Masutani. None of their works seem to have been translated into English. At least, their books in Enlish are not available at Amazon. If you can read in Japanese, please check Fumio Masutani's «Shobogenzo». You can imagine how embarrassed the English translators of this important spiritual heritage in Japanese will be if they read it.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 40-4 If not laughable

Today's Tao

If he doesn't laugh, it is not worth being Tao. (Ch.40)


Have you laughed out loud today?

Uh, uh, you have been serious, right?

If you are too serious, you may have to ask yourself whether you are talking about something true.

Lao Tzu says, "If they don't laugh at you, you are not talking about true Tao".

Please don't underestimate the power of laughter.

When the lowest and basest man laughs at you like a Japanese Kyogen actor, you should remember that water stays in a lower place because it is close to Tao.

Then, his nasty laughter may have another signification.

Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Laughter and truth go hand in hand.


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-If not laughable 40-4
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-Evident = Vague 40-6
-Advance = Retreat 40-7
-Smooth = Tangled 40-8
-Highest attainment = Valley 40-9
-Lacking 40-10
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-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 40
-Poor Speech 45-7


Tao answers your question!



-Go and visit Kokuritsu Nogakudo (National Noh Theatre). This is one of the must-see places in Tokyo. Normally Noh performances take place along with Kyogen, a traditional farce. You may have to fight against the temptation of falling asleeep during the Noh play. But, don't worry about Kyogen. It is fairly representational and not too difficult to understand what they are doing on the stage. Even if you don't comprehend it at all, just laugh out loud when the Japanese audience do.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 36-6 Soft Tao

Today's Tao

The soft and weak beat the tough and strong. (Ch.36)


The soft beats the tough.

That was supposed to be the idea of Judo, the soft Tao.

The weak beats the strong.

A Japanese proverb says:

"To lose is to win / 負けるが勝ち [makeru ga kachi]".

The conventional wisdom may agree.

If you are tough, you might be inflexible.

If you are strong, you might be arrogant.

They are contrary to 玄牝 [gen pi], Dark Depth Female attitude.

Being soft and weak is much closer to Tao.


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-Stretch = Shrink 36-1
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-Useful tool 36-8
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 36


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.36 text / Next video


-«Hojoki» means "An account of the Ten Foot Square Hut". It is about the size of four Tatami mats and a half. In fact, the urban living condition in Japan has not changed very much. If you have Internet, some Japanese find it cozy enough to live in without too much hustle of tidy-up.