Texas Taoist Network
Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World
The three jewels of Taoism are simplicity, compassion, and humility. Lao Tsu a name which means old master, is credited with compiling Taoist doctrine into scriptures around 500 B.C.E. Lao Tsu was a chief records keeper in ancient China, where he had access to many ancient documents and oral traditions which no longer survive today.
Lao Tsu observed the decay and eventual demise of a highly advanced Chinese society that was on par with the Roman Empire. Having access to ancient records he saw common failures in earlier systems that led to their demise. Lau Tsu recorded in his scriptures entitled Tao Te Ching (The Way and Power) ways to avoid future calamity.
The Tao Te Ching contains 81 chapters. Originally the Tao Te Ching was divided into two distinct parts, part one, "The Way", describes how individuals should act and behave to preserve their health and society. Part two, "The Power", focuses on government officials and procedures.
Example chapter from part one "The Way": Chapter 12
The five colors blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind. Precious things lead one astray.
Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees. He lets go of that and chooses this.
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What does this chapter mean? Excess leads to misfortune, desire blinds common sense.
Example chapter from part two "The Power": Chapter 33
Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Tao, counsel him not to use force to conquer the universe. For this would only cause resistance. Thorn bushes spring up wherever the army passed. Lean years follow in the wake of a great war. Just do what needs to be done. Never take advantage of power.
Achieve results, but never glory in them. Achieve results, but never boast. Achieve results, but never be proud. Achieve results, because this is the natural way. Achieve results, but not through violence. Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of Tao. That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.
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What does this chapter mean? Lao Tsu felt that the universe had some kind of balancing mechanism that when too much of anything was done the universe would right itself to return to balance. Is this karma or retribution from a higher power? For the educated person one only has to review the past few hundred years to see the wisdom of Lao Tsu. Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolph Hitler serve as good examples of over use of power.
Does this mean a follower of Tao never fights? In chapter 31 we find an answer;
Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools. He uses them only when he has no choice.
This chapter gave rise to a specialized school of Taoist thought, the martial arts. For more on this one must read the works of Taoist Master Sun Tsu the Art of War.