Showing posts with label talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label talk. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tao Te Ching Chapter 81-3 Not knowledgeable


Today's Tao

One who knows is not knowledgeable.

A knowledgeable one doesn't know. (Ch.81)


In Chapter 1, Lao Tzu says:

"If you can talk about Tao, that Tao is not Tao itself."

(☞See Words are not good enough 1-1)


Talking, words, and knowledge.

Lao Tzu asks you to reduce them.

Knowledge, thoughts, feelings, and even the act of talking are part of a hologram.

They do not belong to you.

They just come from somewhere, stimulate Tao, and leave.


In Zen Buddhism, they express it as:

"是什麼物恁麼来

[ze inmo butsu inmo rai]

Where on earth did this «what on earth» thing come from?"

(☞See By itself 51-7)


We are a radio receiver.

Knowledge is a song transmitted via radio waves. (☞See Radio and knowing 71-2)

Don't be attached to knowledge and other parts of a hologram.

But don't despise them, either, because it is a precious manifestation of Tao, which is true You.


«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
-No intellectuals 3-1
-Don't learn 19-7
-Reduce 48-1
-Reduce and reduce 48-2
-No intelligence 53-1
-Learn no learn 64-18
-Ignorant 65-1
-Learn knowing nothing 71-1
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 48 Reduce and reduce.


Lao Tzu answers your question!



«Recommended Books 13» There are some black and white movies one should see at least once in his life time. No matter what is your nationality, whether you like films or not, you should see Akira Kurosawa's «Seven Samurai» 黒澤明「七人の侍」. But if you are a connoisseur of films or interested in Japanese traditional arts, you must not miss Kenji Mizoguchi's «Ugetsu» 溝口健二「雨月物語」. The letter "u 雨", which is also pronounced as "amé" means rain. The letter "getsu 月", also "tsuki", means the moon. The book on the left «Tales of moonlight and Rain» is the original of «Ugetsu». The book was written by Ueda Akinari 上田秋成 in the Samurai period. The title in Japanese is «Ugetsu Monogatari 雨月物語». In terms of the art of short-story-writing in Japanese, Akinari's tales are close to perfection. In one of the tales, «Aozukin 青頭巾 / A Blue Hood», a Buddhist monk falls in love with a young boy. Because of love, he eats his body.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

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".

Friday, January 21, 2011

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.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 45-7 Poor speech


Today's Tao

Big's speech seems poor. (Ch.45)


A: "Master Bonbon, why are you so serious all the time? "

B: "I am talking something sacred. I have to be serious. Otherwise, people will not believe it."


No, Master Bonbon, if you are talking about true Tao, people have to laugh at you.


Lao Tzu says in Chapter 40:

"When a low man hears about Tao, he laughs out loud.

If he doesn't laugh, it is not worth being Tao."

(Laughable Tao 40-3 and If not laughable 40-4, respectively)


When you talk about Tao, don't try to convince others because your speech must sound very poor.


«Related Articles»
-Completion 45-1
-Never tired 45-2
-Full = Empty 45-3
-No exhaustion 45-4
-Straight = Winging 45-5
-Capable = Incapable 45-6
-Poor speech 45-7
-Tozan Ryokai / Cold 45-8
-Heat 45-9
-Clear and Still 45-10
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 45


Tao answers your question!



☞Making a speech is not exactly part of Japanese tradition. The more you talk, the less important you are. Ishin denshin 以心伝心: by your heart you can transmit your heart, is our traditional way. You can watch the two good Japanese films in the post-Kurosawa era concerning the departure of one's beloved, and see how Japanese handle the situation with the minimum of speech. Silence is still golden in the modern Jipangu which Marco Polo thought was rich in gold.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

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.


«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
-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.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 40-3 Laughable Tao


Today's Tao

When a low man hears about Tao, he laughs out loud. (Ch.40)


This is encouraging, isn't it?

Even more than 2500 years ago, people were not so innocent.

Certainly, when Lao Tzu talked about Tao, some of them laughed at him.

He called them "low". His little ego might have been hurt.

But, when people laugh at us, we know a better way to handle the situation, right?

We say "Thank you for laughing".

People laughing at you are your holograms testing if you truly believe in Tao. We can interpret it this way.

Or, as Lao Tzu will tell us in tomorrow's episode, if they don't laugh, you are not talking about true Tao.

Something or someone lower is much closer to Tao.

Truth must be funny.


«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
-Poor Speech 45-7


Tao answers your question!



-Don't underestimate them. Although this dog and that cat live in the world of cartoons, they can tell us about life. A laughable Tao is the true Tao. You still prefer serious analyses of Tao Te Ching? If so, Snoopy and Doraemon the gadget cat will laugh at you.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 21-8 Tao's name


Today's Tao

From now to the olden days, Tao's name does not go away. (Ch.21)


"Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."

The word "Tao" is definitely worse because it never goes away.

But "from now to the olden days"?

Isn't it supposed be "from the olden days to nowadays"?

Never mind.

Time doesn't exist in Tao.

It is a concept we create in our mind.

We use the concept of time in order to reconstruct the world in a comprehensible way.

In Zen Buddhism, they say that past, present, and future are being created simultaneously.

Plus, the function of Tao had existed even before Lao Tzu or someone invented the word "Tao".


«Related Articles»
-Tao only 21-1
-Object 21-2
-Formed objects 21-3
-Images 21-4
-Essence 21-5
-Genuine 21-6
-Sure thing 21-7
-Tao's name 21-8
-Tao supervises all 21-9
-By Tao's name 21-10
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 21


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.21 text / Next video


-He initiated a land reform in Japan. Some rich got poorer. Some poor got richer. Other rich stayed the same. Other poor stayed the same. The Japanese middle class enjoyed Hello Kitty and Mario Brothers some decades later.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 21-7 Sure thing


Today's Tao

There is something sure inside it. (Ch.21)


Some are afraid of believing.

"There are plenty of traps, religious or financial," they might say.

Others are afraid of doubting.

You've got to believe what you believe no matter what its name is.

Whatever the name is, we are talking about the same thing.

It is about the fundamental energy which constitutes everything.

Are you afraid of admitting that true You are the energy, which I happen to call Tao?

Don't worry.

It is a sure bet.

I guarantee you.


«Related Articles»
-Tao only 21-1
-Object 21-2
-Formed objects 21-3
-Images 21-4
-Essence 21-5
-Genuine 21-6
-Sure thing 21-7
-Tao's name 21-8
-Tao supervises all 21-9
-By Tao's name 21-10
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 21


Tao answers your question!



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-Sure thing in a different sense, but could be as good as any.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 20-17 High wind I


Today's Tao

Hissing like high wind never being stopped. (Ch.20)


Tao is like high wind, hissing all night long.

We feel like a child who thinks the storm will never end.

It is a beautiful way to say that Tao is energy constantly in motion.

But, like yesterday, we should stop the comparison here.

The word "energy" can be misleading as Lao Tzu thinks that any word is inappropriate to describe Tao.

This is the true key to understand Tao.

It is what Zen monks call Kanreisu 関捩子 (a bar/spring).

So, please, I beseech you, picture energy without time and space.

Can you?


«Related Articles»
-"Yes" and "year" 20-1
-Good = Evil 20-2
-Let'em fear 20-3
-Blur 20-4
-Fun or depression 20-5
-Signs 20-6
-Baby's smile 20-7
-Tired 20-8
-Secret of abundance 20-9
-Buddha alone 20-10
-Fool 20-11
-Mundane people 20-12
-Dark 20-13
-Investigation 20-14
-Not clear 20-15
-Sea 20-16
-High wind I 20-17
-Purpose 20-18
-Incompetence 20-19
-I'm different 20-20
-Eat mother 20-21
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 20


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.20 text / Next video


Three cheers for Taschen's great job! An excellent publisher.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Tao Te Ching Chapter 20-11 Fool


Today's Tao

I am the heart of a fool! Chaotic! (Ch.20)


Like water and a baby, a fool is close to Tao.

Chaos is a harmony beyond our comprehension.

We don't need Shakespearean fools to tell us the truth.

We look like fools when we tell the truth.

Especially when you talk about Tao the most honestly and precisely, we sound like fools.

That's why Lao Tzu says:

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

Stop trying to be accepted.

Start saying:

"Do you laughing at me?

"Do you laughing at me?

"Thank you.

"Thank you very much".


«Related Articles»
-"Yes" and "year" 20-1
-Good = Evil 20-2
-Let'em fear 20-3
-Blur 20-4
-Fun or depression 20-5
-Signs 20-6
-Baby's smile 20-7
-Tired 20-8
-Secret of abundance 20-9
-Buddha alone 20-10
-Fool 20-11
-Mundane people 20-12
-Dark 20-13
-Investigation 20-14
-Not clear 20-15
-Sea 20-16
-High wind I 20-17
-Purpose 20-18
-Incompetence 20-19
-I'm different 20-20
-Eat mother 20-21
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 20


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.20 text / Next video


Who is the bigger fool, Shakespeare or Lao Tzu?
Shakespeare Tissue Box Cover

Friday, January 23, 2009

Tao Te Ching Chapter 23-1 Say no words


Today's Tao

Saying no words makes things come about by themselves. (Ch.23)


You don't have to express yourself in order to make a thing come about.

You had better not act on it directly.

For the occidental minds and oriental Cartesians, this may be one of the most difficult concepts of Lao Tzu's.

By doing nothing, you can put Dark Depth in action.

It is called Dark Depth Female.


«Related Articles»
-Say no words 23-1
-High wind II 23-2
-Downpour 23-3
-Heaven's responsibility 23-4
-Man's responsibility 23-5
-According to Tao 23-6
-Satori = Attainment 23-7
-Attainment loss 23-8
-Bonno soku bodai 23-9
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 23
-One who says 56-2


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.23 text / Next video

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-2 One who says


Today's Tao

One who says does not know. (Ch.56)


These days, people talk too much.

Once silence was golden, but now it is something negative.

We don't need any decoding for this maxim.

Too much analysis will lead us to complications.

Lao Tzu doesn't talk much.

Dogen does.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-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 by Matsumoto / Nikko's 3 monkeys
-Tao by Matsumoto / Be like Dust
-Tao by Matsumoto / Dark Depth
-Tao by Matsumoto / 10 points to be One with Tao
-Say no words 23-1


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.56 text / Next video


☞«Drama and Desire: Japanese painting from the Floating World» is a beautiful collection of Japanese painting, which includes Hokusai and Utamaro. Desire is sacred in the country of the rising sun. Nevertheless, sometimes desire, which the Japanese word "iro (=color)" expresses, can be prohibited. Yukio Mishima plays with the word "Kinjiki", which originally means the colors which common people were not allowed to wear in the old days. The word can be interpreted as forbidden desire.