Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-10 Highly appreciated

Today's Tao

Therefore, it's appreciated by the world under the sky. (Ch.62)


What is the treasure?

It is Tao.

What is "the world under the sky"?

The world is your hologram.

Therefore, the last sentence of Chapter 62 Treasure is interpreted:

"Tao is appreciated by your hologram".

Your hologram includes your own self, other people, all the material beings, and even thoughts and feelings.

Here we have a precious key, or Kanreisu (a bar / spring).

Everything exists in order to appreciate, love, and accept Tao through other beings and non-beings.

It means that no elements in the hologram interfere with each other.

What?

That's right.

There is no cause and effect inside the hologram no matter how much it appears otherwise.

The sole cause and effect takes place between you and Tao.


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



Previous video / Ch.62 text / Next video


☞Origami is a treasure of joy. Read Jun Maekawa's «Genuine Origami» to discover the magic. Then, use Japanese paper to reconstruct the magic by your own hands. «Washi» means Japanese paper. «Chiyogami» means paper of one thousand generations. The magic of origami deserves good paper.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-9 Guilty?

Today's Tao

Didn't they say: "You get what you want. Even when you are guilty, you can get away"? (Ch.62)


If you believe in Tao, you can get what you want.

You don't believe me, do you?

Then I rephrase it.

If you believe in Tao, you are aware that you are the one who is projecting all.

How about this?

Now you believe me.

Hhh, modern people are too complicated.

It wasn't like that in Lao Tzu's days.

If you believe in Tao, no one is guilty, right?

Why?

Because you don't judge.

Everyone gets away and you are happy for that.


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



☞More than ever in the history of Japan! Now Osamu Dazai's «No Longer Human» is closer to the comportment of the Japanese youngsters than ever. At least, Dazai had a relatively strong capability in carnal conquest, and fathered two well-know daughters / writers from two different women. These days Japanese boys are no longer libidinous. Well, not zero, yet, but not as much as the excellent novelist. Check what is written on the T-shirt from Japan and think what it really means.

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
-Treasure 62-2
-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 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
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



☞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 62-6 Don't abandon

Today's Tao

How can you abandon someone because he is no good. (Ch.62)


A: "Master Bonbon, I am sorry. I cannot contribute donation this month. It's horrible. Stock prices don't go up. You don't abandon me, do you?"

B: "I am afraid I have to abandon you. Love lasts as long as money endures."


Don't worry.

Nobody can abandon you, nor can you abandon anyone.

Though someone seems to have abandoned you at the level of your hologram, he didn't in reality.

Because he is an extended part of your own self.

The extended part of your own self, or yourself beyond your control, is called 他己 [tako] in Zen Buddhism.

This 他己 [tako] and 自己 [jiko], yourself under your control, are part of the same hologram. (☞See also Tao by Matsumoto / Chapter 7 / No self)

Therefore, it is useless to judge.

Therefore, there is neither "good" nor "no good".


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



☞Jiko / yourself under your control and Tako / yourself beyond your control are useful concepts used in Zen Buddhism. You can find these expressions in Genjo Koan Chapter of Dogen's «Shobogenzo», for example. If you find it too absurd, it might be worth checking Kitaro Nishida's «An Inquiry into Good». Although Nishida was a close friend of Daisetz Suzuki, he was rather a philosopher than a Zen priest. Nishida is another bridge between the East and the West. In the book, Part II Chapter 10 The Sole Reality and Part III Chapter 27 Perfect Good Conduct are interesting and helpful as preparatory reading material.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-5 Adorned acts

Today's Tao

Adorned acts can place a man above others. (Ch.62)


Not only "Adorned acts" but any act may seem to work.

"I have been helping poor animals all my life."

"I have been fighting against corruption."

"Let's save our planet."

All right, all right.

Uhhh, would you like to be a better person than others?

(Listen)

All right, all right.

The sole treasure is Tao.

It is hidden in your eye storage 眼蔵 [genzo], which is the hologram, the world.

Please think which is more important, the treasure or the storage box?

Don't act on your storage box.

Just love the treasure inside.


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



☞Most of us know who our biggest enemy is. It is ourselves. Keeping this in your mind, how can you fight in a battle? The word "battle" can be interpreted several ways. Modern businessmen look for the answers to the problems in economic battles. Here are some references. The book on the left is Yagyu, Munenori's «The Way of the Living Sword». Yagyu was an excellent swordsman, who was a close friend of Zen Master Takuan, the author of «The Unfettered Mind». The one on the right is Sun Tzu's «The Art of War» written probably in the 6th century BC. Researchers find some similarities between the book and Tao Te Ching. Master Takuan studied the latter and left a lecture book on it.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-4 Adorned words

Today's Tao

Adorned words can buy high rank. (Ch.62)


A: "Master Bonbon, you are beautiful. You are the best-looking guru I have ever seen in my life."

B: "Thank you, miss. Now you are promoted one rank higher. Soon you will be chosen to be saved."


Master Bonbon, you are shaming yourself.

The girl is just flattering you.

Don't be fooled by "adorned words".

Although these words seem to work, don't fool others with them, either.

Who are the others, anyway?

They are the extended part of your own self.

Is it worth fooling your own self?

Let's make it clear.

There is no rank or any sort in Tao.

One cannot be better than the others.

Everyone is equal; everything is the same.

Because everything is one; all of us are Tao.

Do you still want to be "chosen"?


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



☞Some Samurai fight; some don't. On the right, you find the famous banner of Takeda, Shingen: Fu 風, Rin 林, Ka 火, Zan 山, which means Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain, respectively. Be swift like a wind. Be silent like forest. Be fierce like fire. Be stable like a mountain. On the left, Shusaku Endo portrays the contradiction of being a Christian Samurai under the prohibition of Christianity. A remarkable literary achievement by the Japanese Christian novelist.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-3 Akunin shoki setsu / Feel safe

Today's Tao

It's the place where not so good people feel safe. (Ch.62)


Tao is the place where everyone feels safe, even a not-so-good person.

Why?


Shinran 親鸞 answered:

「善人なおもて往生をとぐ、いはんや悪人をや」

[zennin naomote ojo o togu, iwan-ya akunin o ya]

"Even good people will become Buddha, not to mention evil people".

(«Tannisho 歎異抄», Chapter 3)


This summarizes the idea of Shinran and Honen's Akunin shoki setsu 悪人正機説: the Doctrine of Evil Persons as the Object of Salvation.

It sounds like bad people have a better chance of salvation, doesn't it?

Some people have thought so.

But, please remember there is neither good nor evil in Tao.

Don't impose judgment on Tao.

Besides, salvation is "right here right now".

True You are Tao, so you are the one who saves all by sustaining the circulation of Tao's energy.


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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
-State filth 78-8 That's why the sage says, "Those who accept the filth of the country are called the master of the state". «Akunin shoki setsu 悪人正機説: the Doctrine of Evil Persons as the Object of Salvation» is also discussed here.

-Shinran@wiki
-Honen@wiki


Tao answers your question!



☞Let's review Dogen and Shinran roughly and vulgarly.
✒Japanese Soto Zen Buddhism - Dogen - «Shobogenzo» - Jiriki / Self-power.
✒Jodo Shin Buddhism - Shinran - «Tannisho» by Yuien - Tariki / Other-power.
☞You can find Shinran's Akunin shoki setzu in «Tannisho», which is not so abstract as Dogen's «Shobogenzo». If you still need some modern help, Hiroyuki Itsuki's «Tariki» will be handy.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-2 Treasure

Today's Tao

It's the treasure of good people. (Ch.62)


Very often I quote Zen Master Dogen's «Shobogenzo 正法眼蔵».

"Shobo 正法" means authentic manifestation (=right teachings); "gen 眼", an eye; "zo 蔵", a storage.

This eye storage should be interpreted as a hologram.

Then, what kind of treasure do we store in the hologram, which is the world in front of you.

Of course, it is Tao (=Love, =Zen, =Buddha).

If you believe it, your belief is Tao's manifestation.

If you doubt it, your doubt is Tao's manifestation, too.

Don't worry.


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



☞What makes Master Dogen so different from other Japanese Buddhists? Among other extraordinary capacities, his ability in speaking and understanding Chinese is worth mentioning. That's why I ask you to read «Shobogenzo» in Japanese. He often quotes a Chinese text and uses its syntax to make the meaning clear. How can you express this bilingual style in one Indo-European language? Nevertheless, I am aware that I am asking you too much. I cannot ask you to learn Japanese first before you set off for your adventure in the world of Zen Buddhism. So, please take Dogen's writing style into account when you choose an English translation. If it is too clear and flawless, think twice before you take it to the checkout counter.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 62-1 Hidden Tao

Today's Tao

Something called Tao is hidden at the bottom of everything. (Ch.62)


Everything is your hologram, that is to say, an illusion.

Having said that, this does not mean at all that the hologram is ignorable.

On the contrary, it has to be cherished.

Everything in your world, which is your hologram, contains the fundamental energy Tao.

Whether it is qualified as good or bad, at the very bottom of anything, Tao hides itself, waiting to be received.

Be nice to Tao.

Be nice to the world in front of you.

Be nice to your own self.


«Related Articles»
-Hidden Tao 62-1
-Treasure 62-2
-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!



☞While Genshin and Honen worshipped the pictures and statues of Amida, the objects of Shinran's worship were written characters. There were three sets: 南無阿弥陀仏 [namu amida butsu], 南無不可思議光如来 [namu fukashigi ko nyurai], 帰命尽十方無碍光如来 [kimei jinjippokai muge ko nyorai]. The last of the three contains the word "muge 無碍 ko 光", which means "Infinite light", "undisturbed light", and "the light that lights up everything". Rennyo is the second founder of Jodo Shin shu / Pure Land Shin school. Daisetz Suzuki was not only a Zen specialist, but wrote about Shin Buddhism and Amida Butsu / Amitabha Buddha.