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I am curious to branch out from the Buddhist thought into the Taoist thought. Could anyone offer me an analysis of the two as compared to each other?
On forums we often seem to be talking about Buddhism, why isn't Taoism as frequent topic as well? From what I gather, Taoists do not look at life as suffering, instead they take joyously it all in. Why wouldn't this philosophy be more commonly practiced?
I am curious to branch out from the Buddhist thought into the Taoist thought. Could anyone offer me an analysis of the two as compared to each other?
On forums we often seem to be talking about Buddhism, why isn't Taoism as frequent topic as well? From what I gather, Taoists do not look at life as suffering, instead they take joyously it all in. Why wouldn't this philosophy be more commonly practiced?
Oh no! ...
an attempt to discuss the Tao ...
and here of all places.
groan.
"Let's not and say we did."
I hate to be un-original but here .... Tao Te Ching
As you practice being in the Tao and as you grok it, you may realize (you hopefully will realize) that to discuss it is a ridiculous thing to do ... although the mind can't refrain from doing it anyway.
Taoism was rather ruthlessly oppressed by the Chinese Communist. The other problem is that much of "popular Taoism" had become very enmeshed with attempts at earthly immortality or necromancy.
They influenced each other in China, but in origin Taoism and Buddhism are not connected or not very connected. Buddhism's origin is the Indian subcontinent, Taoism's is China. So Hindu/Dharmic concepts like karma or reincarnation are not inherently part of Taoism. In fact some insist that Taoism really has nothing to say on the afterlife whatsoever.
I'm not well-versed enough in it to really explain it. A good part of it is very "live and let live." Taoists tended to value reflection, inaction (not in the sense of simple laziness), nature, harmony, and humility. Balance is a big issue as I recall. On the humility/nature perspective some Taoist painters would do landscapes of mountains or streams with humans only as tiny figures. Sort-of symbolic of our smallness, but I suppose also of being part of things if a small part. (Humans could have simply been absent) An element that is slightly uncomfortable is that much of Taoist history seems skeptical of Western medicine and slightly sexist. Although the sexism might simply be due to the overarching patriarchical culture of ancient China.
Taoism was rather ruthlessly oppressed by the Chinese Communist. The other problem is that much of "popular Taoism" had become very enmeshed with attempts at earthly immortality or necromancy.
They influenced each other in China, but in origin Taoism and Buddhism are not connected or not very connected. Buddhism's origin is the Indian subcontinent, Taoism's is China. So Hindu/Dharmic concepts like karma or reincarnation are not inherently part of Taoism. In fact some insist that Taoism really has nothing to say on the afterlife whatsoever.
I'm not well-versed enough in it to really explain it. A good part of it is very "live and let live." Taoists tended to value reflection, inaction (not in the sense of simple laziness), nature, harmony, and humility. Balance is a big issue as I recall. On the humility/nature perspective some Taoist painters would do landscapes of mountains or streams with humans only as tiny figures. Sort-of symbolic of our smallness, but I suppose also of being part of things if a small part. (Humans could have simply been absent) An element that is slightly uncomfortable is that much of Taoist history seems skeptical of Western medicine and slightly sexist. Although the sexism might simply be due to the overarching patriarchical culture of ancient China.
That's a really good reply imo.
You've clarified (or helpfully highlighted) some things for me regarding cultural and historical context and also made a helpful distinction that i never formed ... that i never articulated mentally/verbally.
Thanks, but I know I'm no authority on the matter. I haven't read the Tao Te Ching in awhile and heck I haven't read the Zhuangzi at all, except in parts, and it's pretty important in Taoist history. The following might help some.
In the West you might see Taoism in connection with Chinese martial arts, martial art films, and some works by Ursula K. Le Guin. Although some elements of the Star Wars trilogy strike me as having a Taoist influence and Henson's The Dark Crystal struck me even more that way.
Last edited by Thomas R.; 09-29-2009 at 01:30 AM..
i was being kinda snooty / flip in my first reply to this thread.
to discuss the culture and the fruits that issued from that culture is different than speaking about the Tao.
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