The Tao-Teh Canon.
(Part 2)
Edited
by Steven Ericsson Zenith
This is part two of a three part rendition of the Tao Te Ching. Based
on the Spring Equinox. 1924 edition of The Shrine Of Wisdom.
TAO-TEH CHING
(TAO)
"The
Origin of Form."
The
spirit in the Void never dies. It is called the Mother-Deep.
The
openings of the Mother-Deep are called the Root of The Universe and
Our World.
Ceaselessly,
ceaselessly, It nourishes and preserves: Inexhaustible, without effort.
"
Self-Manifestation through Contraries."
In
the manifested world all people, by knowing the splendor of beauty,
know also ugliness. When beauty is absent: by knowing the excellence
of goodness, they recognize also that which is not good. Therefore,
contraries give rise to the idea of each other:- existence implies
non-existence; That which is difficult implies that which is easy
to achieve; that which is long implies that which is short in measurement;
that which is high implies that which is low in elevation; that which
is shrill implies that which is bass in musical tone; that which is
before implies that which is behind in priority.
Therefore,
the self-controlled person dwells in the balance that is beyond the
action of contraries; they teach without words; they inspire to action,
but appear not to act; they produce but do not possess; they work
without regard to the fruit of labor; they bring their work to perfection
but do not claim reward.
Holding
nothing as their own, their own can never pass away.
"The
Purpose of the Void."
The
Universe and Our World are impartial, and for their dispensations,
they use all things without distinction.
A
very wise person is impartial; they act without deliberation and regard
all beings as sacred and alike.
The
Void between The Universe and Our World is like a bellows. It is empty,
yet not to be exhausted. It moves and produces more and more.
It
does not take long before many words lead to exhaustion: do not be
like that, walk the middle way.
"The
Hidden Radiance."
The
Universe is eternal: Our World is perpetual.
They
live not for themselves, so they are able to endure.
A
very wise person places their presence behind, yet it is found in
the foremost place. They live not for themselves, yet their person
is preserved. Being the most unselfish of all, they endure and fulfill
their prime purpose.
"Compensation's
Secret."
If
there is contraction, then before there was expansion.
If
there is weakness, then before there was strength. If there is strength,
then before there was weakness.
If
you aspire to exalted places, then first learn what lowly stations
to take.
If
you would receive, then first learn how to give.
This
is called "Compensation's Secret," where the soft overcomes
the hard, the weak prevails against the strong.
As
a fish out of water is in danger, so to a nation is in peril when
its weapons of strife are paraded.
"
Returning to the Root."
The
void is to be filled, the tranquil essence steadfastly guarded.
All
things arise into existence, yet pass on again to their source. They
blossom into perfect form and return again to their root.
Returning
to the Root is called Tranquillity, by which the Void is filled.
Those
who fill the void, knows the nature of Eternity. Realizing the Eternal
is called Illumination.
Not
knowing the Eternal is the cause of misery and error.
Knowing
the Eternal leads to the Integral.
Those
who are Integral are just.
Those
who are just are like the Universe.
Those
who are of The Universe are close to TAO.
And
those who are of TAO endure forever: though their body vanishes they
do not perish.
"Tracing
the Origin."
From
the past there are those possessing Unity.
The
Universe, possessing Unity, is bright and pure. Our World, possessing
Unity, is stable and secure. The Spirit, possessing Unity, is beyond
all bodily form. Space, in possessing Unity, is made full. All creatures,
in possessing Unity, are endowed with life. Rulers and Leaders, possessing
Unity, are models of the world.
The
Unity of all these is identical essence. The Universe, without purity,
would be divided. Our world, without stability, would disintegrate.
The
Spirit, with bodily form, would be subject to corruption. Space, without
its fullness, would soon be fathomed and exhausted. All creatures,
without life, would vanish from existence. Governors and Leaders,
without dignity, would lose their influence.
The
root of dignity is in humility: the foundation of the exalted is in
lowliness.
Therefore,
Governors and Leaders speak of themselves in lowly terms, as "alone,"
"rejected," "unworthy," do they not acknowledge
by this the root of their Unity is in humility?
The
several parts of a vehicle do not produce its Unity, and those who
find Unity neither wish to be isolated like a single gem, nor lost
in the medley of common pebbles.
"Aspects
of TAO."
(Part).
That which people dislike is called "alone," "rejected,"
and "unworthy," yet these are the names taken by Governors
and Leaders.
So
it is that some are increased by being diminished, and some are diminished
by being increased.
That
which people teach by their actions, I make use of to instruct.
So,
those who are violent and headstrong do not reach their normal end.
This
is the foundation of my Doctrine.
"The
Use of Non-Existence."
Thirty
spokes unite in the hub of a wheel; but the usefulness of the wheel
depends on the empty inner center. Molded clay is fashioned into a
vessel, but the usefulness of the vessel depends on the empty inner
center. Doors and windows are cut to make a dwelling-place, but the
usefulness of the house depends on its empty inner space.
The
value of existent things comes from the use of non-existence.
"Emptiness
and Nothingness."
(Part)
Moderate your speech and attain spontaneity.
A
gust of wind does not outlast the morning; a squall of rain does not
outlast the day.
To
what power are these things due?
The
inner-relations of The Universe and Our World.
Even
The Universe and Our World do not persist in the same action; so,
how much can people?
"Practicing
Serenity."
It
is better to withhold than to fill to overflowing: it is better to
refrain than to push to the extreme.
Continual
excess wears away the keenest instrument.
You
may fill your house with gold and precious stones, but who can guard
them with security? Wealth and glory lead to vanity, to cares that
spoil your peace.
To
accomplish great deeds, to merit honor, and then to retire into oneself-
this is the way of The Universe.
"Reverting
to Simplicity."
Those
who knows paternal strength but still retain maternal greatness becomes
a universal channel of Everlasting Grace.
As
a universal channel, this Grace will never leave; so they regain the
innocence of pure childhood.
Those
who know the Light of The Universe but still remain obscure in Our
World becomes a universal model.
As
a universal model, Eternal Grace will never fail them; they thus regain
pristine freedom.
Those
who know their inner glory, but still keeps their lowliness, become
a universal chalice.
As
a universal chalice, the Eternal Grace will fill them; they regains
their simple essence.
By
the spreading of their simple essence, the very wise person makes
a useful vessel, that with wise administration bless all beings impartially.
"Going
back to the Cause."
In
manifesting the world, TAO becomes the Universal Mother.
In
the knowledge of the mother is the knowledge of her children.
And
this childhood being known, there is access to the Mother.
So
life is unaffected though body fades away.
Those
who close their lips and shut the doors of their senses, all their
life are free from turmoil.
Those
who open their mouth and spend their breath in vain pursuits, all
their life cannot be kept safe.
In
the perception of the smallest is the secret of clear vision; in the
guarding of the weakest is the secret of all strength.
Those
who neglect the Inner Light are lost in body's darkness.
Those
who follow the light of The Universe forever reflect its radiance.
This
is called the Eternal Heritage.
"Holding
on to TAO."
In
the regulation of people and in the serving of The Universe, there
is nothing that surpasses Moderation.
In
this economy of action is the secret of foresight.
From
the following of this foresight comes continual storing of merits.
From
this abundance of inner Grace comes the power that none can conquer.
If
the inner power cannot be conquered, then its limits are unknown.
To
have the power that knows no limits is to gain the leadership of nations.
He
who, by moderation, has gained the root of sovereignty, will surely
endure.
This
it is deep rooted and has a firm foundation in the lasting life and
the vision of the Everlasting TAO.
"The
Virtue of Humility."
A
great nation is like a downward-flowing river in which all the streams
in the Universe converge.
This
is the feminine or passive attribute of the nation.
The
feminine overcomes the masculine by stillness; but must be submissive
in order to be still.
So,
a great nation that is humble before smaller states may gain them
for its own.
While,
if a little nation that is humble before greater states, may gain
their alliance.
So,
the one overcomes by being humble, while the other is humble and overcomes.
A
great nation desires only to unite and nourish people.
A
little nation desires only to enter in and serve people.
Both
attain the object of their desires, - the greater must be lowly.
"Practical
TAO."
TAO
is the hidden refuge of all creatures of the world.
It
is the treasure of the kind person; yet supports those who have lost
kindness.
Beautiful
words, through TAO are fraught with potency.
Noble
deeds, through TAO, are wrought with never failing efficacy.
And
even those who are without kindness are not forsaken by TAO.
The
Servant of TAO sits enthroned, with three appointed ministers.
One
bears before them a symbol of rank.
One
escorts the mounted retinue.
But
the one who is most valued, humbly presents themself to TAO.
Why
is the TAO so prized by people? Because the Seeker finds in it the
object of their quest, and the wrong doer finds in it forgiveness.
Therefore,
TAO is honored by all.
"
Freedom of Action."
Courage
carried to one extreme is the boldness that leads to death.
Courage
carried to the other extreme preserves life by self-restraint.
Of
these two one benefits, the other harms, yet both are rejected by
The Universe.
Who
can discern the reason?
Even
the very wise person must chose their line of action.
Universal
TAO strives in neither direction, but is sure in all its action. It
utters no sounds, but is sure in its response.
It
does not call, but all come to It by themselves.
It
does not plan, but is certain in all its works.
The
net of the Universe is vast and widely meshed, yet nothing is ever
lost from it.
"
Imitating The Universe."
A
good warrior is not warlike.
A
good fighter is not wrathful.
A
good conqueror is not grasping.
A
good leader is not overbearing.
This
is called the Virtue of non-striving.
This
is the capacity of leading people.
This
is being the equal companion of The Universe - the highest ideal of
all the ages.
"
Avoiding a Fall."
Avoid
glory as you avoid shame.
Regard
great trouble as you regard your body.
What
is meant by: "Avoid glory as you avoid shame"?
The
one connotes the other.
Obtain
glory and you fear the loss of it.
Lose
it and you fear the shame.
Fear
is thus inseparable both from glory and from shame.
What
is meant by: "Regard great trouble as you regard your body"?
We
meet trouble because we have a body; if we had no body, how would
trouble reach us?
So,
those who love the nation as they care for their own body, may be
trusted with the nation.
"Learning to be Still."
Which
is more dear to you, your good name or your body?
Which
do you treasure more, your body or your wealth?
Which
makes you more unhappy, to profit or to lose?
We
must sacrifice much to gain great love. We must suffer great loss
to obtain much treasure.
To
know contentment is to fear no shame.
To
know how to be still is to avoid destruction.
So
doing, we long endure.
"The
Danger of Strength."
A
person at birth is soft and tender; but is rigid and hard at death.
It
is the same with everything.
In
growth, trees and plants are pliant and tender; but in death they
are withered and tough.
So
the hard and the strong have affinity with death; but the soft and
tender are companions of life.
Therefore
those who rely solely on strength will not conquer; a powerful tree
invites the ax.
The
place of great strength is below, but gentle softness dwells above.
"The
Value Set on Life."
People
come forth into life; people return with death.
Three
out of ten follow the way of life; three out of ten follow the way
of death. While again, there are three out of ten who live as people
but pass on to the place of death.
And
why is this so?
Because
they strive too much to perpetuate life.
What
a very wise person are they, therefore, who take hold of the Inner
Life and know the secret of its hidden springs.
In
journeying, they fear no danger.
In
strife, they fears no weapon of war.
No
power can strike the Inner Life; no power can hold it; no power can
penetrate.
What
a very wise person are they, therefore, who into the realms of death
can bring the Inner Life.
"The
Manifestation of Simplicity."
True
words may not be pleasant; pleasant words may not be true.
The
man of TAO does not dispute; they who dispute are not of TAO.
Those
who know TAO are not " learned." Those who are "learned"
do not know TAO.
The
wise person does not lay up treasure; their riches are within.
The
more they spend resources for others, the more they increase their
own store.
The
more they give to others, the more they have of their own.
The
TAO of The Universe is all-pervading, but is hurtful to no one. This
is the way of the very wise person, who acts but does not strive.
"
Placing Oneself Last."
The
Great River and Sea, because they hold a lower place, are lords of
a hundred streams.
This
is the reason of their lordship.
This
is why the very wise person, when wishing to elevate people, places
their position below them.
So,
though they dwell above, the people follow them with ease; though
they are placed before them, they do not bar their progress.
Therefore,
people exalt them with gladness, and never tire in their service.
And
because they do not strive, no one in the world can strive against
them.