Tao Te Ching Chapter 54-12 Bodhidharma from the West / See the country

Today's Tao

See the country through the country. (Ch.54)


See Tao through your own country.


"But I want to learn more about Tao and Zen. I cannot do it in my country. They don't even sell a proper kimono to wear for meditation. I've got to go to Japan or China!"


Is the grass always greener on the other side?

No, it isn't.

The grass is always the same green wherever you go.


Here, we have a famous koan:

"What is the meaning of Daruma / Bodhidharma coming over from the West?

如何是祖師西来意"


Dharma 法 signifies manifestation.

Tao or Zen manifests itself through your hologram.

In other words, Daruma came over to tell us:

"Everything you see is part of one hologram whether you are in the West or in the East".


«Related Articles»
-Well built 54-1
-Embrace 54-2
-Descendants 54-3
-Body 54-4
-Family 54-5
-Village 54-6
-Country 54-7
-World 54-8
-See the body 54-9
-See the family 54-10
-See the village 54-11
-Bodhidharma from the West / See the country 54-12
-Jin juppo kai / See the world 54-13
-Why telepathy? 54-14
-Because of Satori 54-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 54
-A thousand league travel 64-9


Tao answers your question!



☞We have three famous Kitaro. One is Kitaro Nishida. Another is Kitaro the musician. The other is Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro. If you are an intellectual living outside Japan, you may learn these names in this order. If you are a kid in Japan, the other way round. 西田幾多郎、喜多郎、ゲゲゲの鬼太郎。In Kanji / Chinese characters, it is easy to distinguish one from another.

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
-Flat Tao 53-2
-Clean court 53-3
-Wild field 53-4
-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»
-No intelligence 53-1
-Flat Tao 53-2
-Clean court 53-3
-Wild field 53-4
-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.

Tell me how to promote small businesses

If someone knows it, please tell me how one can promote his small business.

Yesterday I sent an email to the owner of Kyoto Craft man House, who desperately wants to expand his business horizons.

He has a cute little Internet site and even a blog in English. I suggested that he should register his sites in English directories, but is it really useful?

He is making beautiful kimonos and, like any other traditional industries in Japan, his craftsmanship is not rewarded with the financial gain that his skill deserves.

Is there any link exchange site for small and traditional businesses?

I think it should, but wonder where I can find it.

Once in a while, we hear success stories of small business owners using Internet. I would like to know how they get their sites recognized.

Well, we need to save whales and help Tibetans. I agree. Then, don't you think wonderful kimono making skills should be preserved as well?

Please tell us where we should look in order to contact people who are interested in old and new small business owners with their skill unique in the world.