Daoism

[Joel]

Anybody want to learn a quick lesson????? I know JerryLove is one, and I want to do thid for him so people can atleast Know what eh believes.

[swim2112]

I think that there is another thread about this...

I will try to find it for you :)

But if you are really interested... I can suggest a book for you... it is a 'light read'.

The Tao of Pooh

The Te of Piglet is also a good book. not quite as good as the Tao of Pooh... but good... :D

[swim2112]

HAHAHAHAHA!!! The other one that I was thinking of was on another board...

and as I was looking... I found your Taoism thread :D You really are interested in this aren't you! :)

Well, I suggest those books... you can get both of them and a nifty holder for $20.00 at Barnes and Noble...

If you have anymore questions after reading the books, you might PM or email JerryLove. He is a Daoist, and knows a lot about Daoism (Ovbiously he does).

[JerryLove]

I think part of Rock's idea was to prevent me from receiving so many PMs on the same subject. Swim is correct, Mr.Hoff (author ot "The Tao of Pooh") does a much better job explaining than I could. And it's a cheap book, and a fun read.

[Benny Hicks]

Jerry,
I have three questions:
1) Whats your opinion on the myths of Lao-Tse and the writing of the Tao-te-Ching?
2) Do you believe that "Tao" has always existed?
3) It seems to me that the concepts of "ying" and "yang" are very similar to the communistic concept of dialectial materialism (the evolutionary cycle of thesis, antithesis, synthesis). What do you think?

I'm very interested in this but am just now trying to find out more about it so excuse me if I ask dumb or weird questions.

Ben

[Benny Hicks]

dialectial materialism
Pardon me, I meant to type "dialectical materialism".

[JerryLove]

1) I'm not sure which "myths of Lou-Tse" you are referring to. I generally agree with the Dao De Ching (been a long time since I read it) though I do have some differing opinions. I find Benjamen Hoff even more in line with my beliefs.

2) I think the Tao (Dao) is a concept. It neither "exists" nor fails to exist. It's kind of like if you asked if addition always existed. Things have a nature (a road, a Dao) to them.

3) I cannot claim a terrible familarity with that aspect of Marx's writings. A quick look does appear similar (certainly, Daoism is not unique in it's belief in dualistic forces); but I lack enough understanding of Marx's idea to comment intelligently at this point.

[Benny Hicks]

I'm not sure which "myths of Lou-Tse" you are referring to.
I'm sorry, from the research I've done I was under the impression that the Tao Te Ching was the "holy book" of Lou-Tse and the foundation of Toaism. I'm referring to the belief that Lou-Tse wrote the Tao Te Ching after trying to escape his country. A guard on the border recognized him and, knowing he was a great teacher, wouldn't allow him to leave until he wrote out his teachings. What he wrote was allegedly the Tao Te Ching.

So, is there any textual foundation to Taoism (ancient writings, any types of "holy books", etc.) or is it all philosophically founded and varies from person to person?

Ben

[JerryLove]

Ahh. You through me off. I was thinking of "myths *about* Lau Tsu" and was wondering if you were referring to thinks like his confrontation with Confucious or the story of how the Dao De Ching got written (lacking any mystical elements, these are usually referred to as "stories" rather than "myths").

So you are referring to the Dao De Ching itself... To call it a "holy book" would be inappropriate. It's neither "about god" nor "worthy of complete divotion". It is a book written by a man, that describes a belief in the nature of reality. I think it's generally a good one and has some excellent ideas. I think it's a bit chaotic (pehaps if I read Chinese...) and I disagree on many of the details, but I share the underlying principles (the Dao, the interaction of opposites, the uncarved block, the bendin reed, etc).