Tao Te Ching Chapter 66-3 Physically

Today's Tao

If you want to be before people, be after them physically. (Ch.66)


There are two things I want you to remember.


1. Every time you hear the word "people", please ask yourself where they are.

They are part of the hologram you project.

Often, in Tao Te Ching, the word "people" is a synonym of a hologram.


2. After = Before.

There is neither time nor space in Tao.

They are parameters to reconstruct the world in the mind.

"After you" is "before you".

(☞See also Before and after 2-7)


Let's practice 自未得度先度他 [jimitokudo sendota]:

Though you haven't crossed it yet, let others cross it first.


This is the best way to learn you and non-you are in fact the same.


«Related Articles»
-100 valleys 66-1
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-Harmless 66-5
-Support 66-6
-Don't compete 66-7
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 66


Tao answers your question!



☞If you want to know the mentality of Japanese men transforming themselves from consumers to post-consumers, read Fujiko F. Fujio's «Doraemon: Gadget Cat from the Future». If you want to know the mentality and sufferings of Japanese men transforming themselves from samurai to modern consumers, read Soseki Natsume's «I am a Cat».

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-7 An emperor enthroned

Today's Tao

Therefore, when an emperor is enthroned or three dukes are assigned, instead of holding jadeite disks in both arms in front of four horses, it is better to tell them about Tao, being seated. (Ch.62)


Don't flatter.

Do nothing.

Don't expect anything in return.


I repeat Chuang Tzu's maxim:

"Don't move until you are forced to".


Be still.

That's the way.

Let's talk about Taoism instead of doing something for someone.

But you don't try to convince him.

Enjoy the conversation and be content to give him an opportunity to know about Tao.

Don't worry if you don't know much about Tao.


Zen Buddhists say:

"自未得度先度他

[Ji mi toku do, sen do ta]

Though you haven't crossed it yet, let others cross it first."


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
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-Akunin shoki setsu / Feel safe 62-3
-Adorned words 62-4
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-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!



☞Let's check the years of their births. Lao Tzu in the 6th century BC (although some suspect that Lao Tzu might have been a name for the collection of wisdom in ancient China). Dogen in 1200. Ikkyu in 1394. Takuan in 1573. Takuan Soho was nine years junior to William Shakespeare. If you need ready-to-use practical ideas from Tao Te Ching, Takuan's commentaries on the right (the English translation of «Roshi kowa 老子講話») is useful to you. They are easy to understand and not far-fetched at all to the "modern" mind.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 39-18 Mean = Root

[Notice] Visit our new site Yama Uba the Zen play. Now it is completed!


Today's Tao

This act is making the mean their root, is it not? (Ch.39)


Water stays in the lower place.

That's the idea of the mean = the root.

This is how you can remember that you are one with Tao.

"Though you haven't crossed it yet, let others cross it first."

«[Ji mi toku do, sen do ta] 自未得度先度他».

Let's say "After you." as often as you can.

Then you will see that your own self and others are in fact part of the same hologram.

The most humble way is being like the baby Buddha who said:

"Above heaven, below heaven, I am the only respectable being."

«[Tenjo tenge yuiga doku son] 天上天下唯我独尊»

I hope you will understand this.

This is not haughty at all. He is saying everything is one.


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-Attain One 39-1
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-One = Tao 39-8
-Heaven torn apart 39-9
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-Ruined 39-13
-Lords and Kings = Masters 39-14
-Noble = Mean 39-15
-High = Low 39-16
-Lords and Kings = Less virtue 39-17
-Mean = Root 39-18
-No honor 39-19
-No jade 39-20
-Like stone 39-21
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 39


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.39 text / Next video


-Yama Uba has often been used as a motif in Ukiyo-e. Although Yama Uba was considered grotesque and scary at the beginning, the Japanese started liking her supernatural power. Later on, she was associated with Kintoki, a powerful baby, and regarded as his mother. On the other hand, Zen Master Ikkyu gave her a different interpretation.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 27-6 Jimitokudo

Today's Tao

Therefore, the sage always helps people very well. So, he abandons no people. (Ch.27)


Help others especially when they try to cross their hologram (=the world).

In Zen Buddhism, it is called «Ji mi toku do, sen do ta 自未得度先度他». Though you haven't crossed it yet, let others cross it first.

You don't have to be a super master to help others.

You just help others realize that this world is their hologram projected in their head respectively.

But, please remember there is no difference between you and non-you. Your own self and others are both part of your hologram.

If they have crossed it, you have already crossed it, too.

Don't abandon others, your own self, or your hologram.

Just accept and love them.


«Related Articles»
-No traces 27-1
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-Bars nor bolts 27-4
-Strings nor cords 27-5
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-Things = Prayers 27-7
-Enter enlightenment 27-8
-No good man 27-9
-No bad man 27-10
-Lost completely 27-11
-Profound truth 27-12
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 27


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.27 text / Next video


-Was Yukio Mishima an actor or a novelist? Was he an actor acting the life of a novelist? Or, was he a novelist acting like an actor. His childhood friends may know the answer. His public image deceives us. He tried everything to be what he really was not. Ironically, the image has become his second nature. There could have been a happy ending like a movie if he had been able to convince himself that he had finally become what he was not. His second nature could not allow the first one to exist.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 24-5 Bragging man

Today's Tao

A bragging man is not successful. (Ch.24)


"Master Bonbon, have you reached Satori?"

"Of course, yes. That's why I am a master."

"Master Bonbon, tell me what's wrong with me. I haven't reached Satori yet."

"Meditate for 60 years first. Then, I can show you the secret."


Don't brag.

Don't say you are successful.

Remember «Ji mi toku do, sen do ta 自未得度先度他».

It means:

"Though you haven't crossed it yet, let others cross it first".


Naoto Matsumoto adds:

When you are lost and confused, this Zen expression is a powerful spiritual tool to help you.

Say it to yourself, and you will remember that you are already in the state of Satori.

«Caution!»
Master Dogen asks you not to expect to be a Buddha because of «Ji mi toku do, sen do ta». (Hotsubodaishin 発菩提心, «Shobogenzo»)


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-After Satori 24-9
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 24


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.24 text / Next video


-Some people say that Yasunari Kawabata's novels are like picture cards. Other people say that those of Haruki Murakami are like hamburgers. I don't know if they are criticizing or praising them because I personally find it very nice to receive a picture card from a friend on vacation and I do enjoy hamburgers especially when I need a soul food. Well, «Koto, the old capital» of Kawabata has beautiful images of Kyoto. It is a nice read when you travel to Japan.