Om Sri Sai Ram
Dear Reader,
My daughter, Bala, and I were well on the way to finishing the revision of the Sarva Dharma books when a dear friend asked about the ancient Chinese religion of Tao or Dao. I thought I Knew very little about it, until I looked it up on the Internet. “The I Ching, Book of Changes” is from the Daoist path, and I have used the coins for fortune readings, in the past. Also, I’ve known people who do Tai Chi, which is a meditative exercise. This is also based solely on the Dao or Tao. I realized how much many of us have had our daily lives influenced by this philosophy. Swami tells us pleasure always follows pain and to use detachment from both. This is also a Daoist teaching, and it is symbolized by the black and white circle. As a result of my friend’s question, I went to the Internet and found the “Daoist Depot,” which seems to have a wonderful simple explanation for their philosophy, as well as the history of the religion. The following section is not long, and I have no sweet stories for you written by Frankie. Swami used my pen to write a few Taoist songs, which I have included. Oh, and before I did anything else, I e-mailed and received permission to use the material. We are all learning these rules and regulations as we go along.
Sri Mati Lalitha
DAO Quote of the Moment
When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.
Do not intrude in their homes.
Do not harass them at work.
If you do not interface, they will not weary of you.
Therefore the sage knows himself but makes no show,
Has self-respect but is not arrogant.
He lets go of that and chooses this.
Dao De Jing - Chapter 72
Introduction to Daoism
Get a quick understanding of Daoism
Founder: Lao Zi [Lao Tzu]
Location: China
Date: ~500 BCE
Primary Scripture: Dao De Jing [Tao Te Ching]
(around 5000 Chinese characters)
Main Goal: Follow the Way.
Philosophical Daoism: Main Figures
Lao Zi [Lao Tzu]
o Other names:
Li Er [Li Erh] (Birth Name)
Lao Dan [Lao Tan] (Mentioned in
Zhuang Zi inner chapters)
o Contribution: Founder of Daoism, wrote the Dao
De Jing
o Occupation: Zhou imperial court archives
librarian
Zhuang Zi
o Contribution: Wrote inner chapters of the
Zhuang Zi [Chuang Tzu]
Religious Daoism: Daoist Deities
Jade Emperor (Yu Huang [Yu-huang])
o High God of Daoists
