Taoism and its Guiding Principle
Taoism is a religious belief with a Chinese background, which doesn't put its faith in a single creator but instead places its faith in the natural order of the universe (Stephen et al. 2000). The guiding principle for Taoism encourages or emphasizes on creating harmony with nature. This paper will respond to four fundamental questions related to Taoism. The concept of responding to these question will be derived from the Tao Te Ching.
Question one: The value of wu wei based on chapter 37 of Tao Te Ching
One of the essential concepts of Taoism as depicted in the Tao Te Ching is the Wu Wei. The term Wu is defined as not have or without, while Wei is translated or described as a do, serve as, effort, govern or act. Therefore, in full the meaning of Wu Wei can be described as "without action" or in other terms as "effortless doing." Based on this definition, Wu Wei indicates that there are some actions in our life which will remain effortless and will never bear any fruits, and regardless of the efforts to stop or try to build, things will never change. Therefore, this concept helps us to know the right time when an effort is needed and when it is not needed to avoid wasting it (Wu, 2018).
The chapter 37 of Tao Te Ching demonstrates the concept or the value of wu wei. Wu Wei is shown in the first line of chapter 37, in which Tao is described to abide by non-action. This helps us to understand that Tao, which is defined as the natural flow of the universe, which primarily keeps the universe ordered and balanced. This means that regardless of how much we put, we cannot change the status of Tao, hence operating under non-action. The entire chapter indicates that irrespective of the efforts we do on the things which happen naturally, nothing will change and therefore when we embrace the concept of wu wei, we will remain under peace as the last sentence indicates. Thus, based on the analysis of the above chapter, it indicates how peace would be obtained without form, as shown in line 7, and without desire, according to line 8. Therefore, based on this chapter, these things happen naturally, and it is only through non-action in which the natural things can happen, thus depicting the value of wu wei.
Question two: The meaning of the Yin/Yang principle based on Chapter 2 of Tao Te Ching
The concept of Yin/Yang has been denoted as the most documented and known concept which has been used within the Taoism. Basing the argument in chapter 2 of the Tao Te Ching, the concept of Yin/Yang has been demonstrated. Yin/Yang can be described as the two halves which are contrary to one another, but they interrelate and complement one another in the natural world to be complete. The Yin is considered to be the negative or the passive principle whereas the Yang is considered to be the positive or rather the active principle (Izutsu, 2016). Based on chapter two, line one, two aspects denoting the principle of Yin/Yang are shown which include the beauty and ugliness. Although the two are opposed to the other, they need each to form a complete comparison.
Line two also shows the same concept of Yin/Yang, through the aspects of good and evil. This indicates that good cannot happen on its own, and therefore, there is no way one can discuss good, and disregard the presence of the evil, for the comparison to be complete. The same applies to other lines where we see the aspect of having and not having, difficult and easy, long and short, high and low, front and back, rise and fall. This approves the meaning of Yin/Yang, that although two halves are distinct and contradictory to one another, they interrelate to complete wholeness of an idea, and its split will upset the equilibrium of wholeness since the two halves will always work together to seek new balance with each other for wholeness.
Question three: Meaning of the quotation "It is wisdom to know others; it is enlightenment to know one's self." Based on the eight lines in chapter 33, from the Tao Te Ching.
Based on the above quotation, about chapter 33, understanding other people is considered to be a wise thing or wisdom, (Intelligence) but on the contrary, when one understands themselves, it is considered to be enlightenment or in other terms the true wisdom. One of the difficult things in human beings is to understand themselves, how they think and act, but it is easy for them to understand other people. This is the reason as to why many will leave to judge others because they have understood them, but they will never criticize their actions or thought because they rarely understand who they are.
For this reason, this chapter indicates the benefits of both understanding others, but it further places more emphasizes on the importance of self-knowing. This is the reason why in line three and four states that when one master's other people and understands who they are is considered to be a strength, but on the other hand, there is a greater strength known as the true power or the self-strength when one can master himself/herself. This means that there are more critical benefits when people master or take control of themselves as compared to when they master others.
The Line five further indicates that one will only realize they are rich when they know one's self since it is at this point when the individual realizes they have enough. In addition, when you understand yourself, you will never be moved by the situation in life, thus granting them the power and ability to endure. Even when death approaches, they will not perish, because when one understands who they are, they develop a firm stand in life, which can never be shaken by any storm, but they persevere and endure all challenges in life, and that concludes the importance of knowing one’s self, since it enlightens and gives an individual power to take over their lives without fear, because they know who they are (Wu, 2018).
Question four: The concept of Taoism based on Chapter 42 and 44 from the Tao Te Ching
According to the two chapters, the idea of Taoism can be described as the study which teaches people to flow with life without forcing things to happen in life. Therefore the baseline for understanding Taoism is by accepting oneself and flow with that life nature. This will, thus, entail understanding oneself, and if there are challenges, the best thing is to accept such nature rather than straining to find a solution (Stephen et al. 2000). In that case, the two chapters help us to understand Taoism as the process of accepting the nature of your life, following your breath to find peace of mind. This means that regardless of challenges, an individual can smile and move on in accepting the status of their life.
These chapters ask a question, "What do you hold more dearly, between fame and true self? True self and material possession?" Due to the desire to have more material possessions, and failure to accepting and understanding oneself, many have suffered many consequences and filled with worries and fear of theft, or damage of their properties, thus losing peace of mind. For that reason, Taoism is the aspect of self-contentment and having the ability to let all go and embrace the life situation. When one embraces the concept of Taoism, they can master their own life, build confidence and more strength and perseverance to conquer any life challenges. Based on the gain and loss, Taoism help people to make the right choice in life, where those who have mastered themselves, and embraced this concept will also disregard gains since they know it attracts unwanted complexities in life, but loss attracts freedom and life contentment as well as peace of mind (Stephen et al. 2000).
Works Cited
Izutsu, Toshihiko. Sufism and Taoism: A comparative study of fundamental philosophical concepts. Univ of California Press, 2016.
Stephen, et al. Taoism and the Arts of China. Univ of California Press, 2000.
Wu, John CH. Tao te Ching. EDAF, 2018.
