Interpretations of sacred Daoism

Dao and the Interpretations of the Sacred Daoism

Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more sacred than simply breathing, religious robes no more spiritual than work clothes.

Lao Tzu

Introduction recently saw an excellent movie called Ghost Dog where a young black man lives in a modern city as a type of executioner samurai and who follows the Code of Bushido and the Hagakare doctrines as he single-handedly fights crime in his own humble and honorable manner. Most of us today would not be aware of the fact that this movie and many other martial arts movies like Kung Fu all have deep roots that are based on an ancient script known as the Dao. In fact, many eastern religions also have very similar ties to the Dao. This research-based essay therefore aims to compare and contrast various interpretations of the Dao as found in the religions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. As most are aware, although they have all developed some fundamentally different beliefs and practices, each of these native Chinese religions were all historically founded upon the sacred concepts of the Dao. This report provides insights and attempts to focus on points such as what the specific practices each religion developed to help their followers interpret and understand the Dao as well as how ancient writers described and/or treated the Dao.

The Dao

Most of those who are in the know about the topic at hand believe that an old sage named Lao Tzu was the writer of the original Dao. Of course, this is merely speculation because know is certain of this fact. Lao Tzu was the best choice because he was the keeper of the Imperial Archives in China during the Chou Dynasty over twenty five hundred years ago and was known as someone who could have pulled this off. Because of his frustration with the turbulence and social disorder he opted to forego civilization and migrated to a live out the rest of his life in the mountains contemplating man's unrest. In fact, when we in modern days are talking about the wise many in the mountain, it may be the image of Lao Tzu that we are unknowingly referring to. As the story has it, prior to leaving the city, a gate guardsman begged him to write down all of the wisdom he had attained prior to leaving and the result was the Tao Te Ching or the Book of the Way and its Power. The book only entailed some eighty-one chapters and most were less that a typical short paragraph. However, the wisdom within these chapters is indeed profound and it has been the foundation for many religions throughout the east. The key is that all things that we can hear, feel smell or touch arises from an essentially unexplainable source that the eastern world knows as the absolute - the Tao itself. From our western perspective, most believe that the absolute represents our version of God or a Universal Mind.

Taoism

Taoist's live life by the power of the Tao by the practitioners putting into practice three currents: Philosophical Taoism, vitalizing Taoism and religious Taoism. Philosophical Taoism has its base on the writings of Lao Tzu, Chuang-Tzu, and Lieh-Tzu. Through reflective and meditative contemplation, Taoists utilize and live in the Tao's power as it flows through human beings. Vitalizing Taoism utilizes the concept of the Tao's power in the life force known as chi. which can be enhanced through specific martial movements and certain thought patterns. Acupuncture is one concept that we westerns can relate to for chi because we now understand that the needles are used to revitalize or release certain chi blocking points. Religious Taoism is the third objective of all Taoist followers although it entails a deep commitment into the priesthood. Priests in ancient China were more than just religious leaders -- they were the doctors, lawyers and intellects of the times as well as the individuals who could deal with evil spirits and the occult. Some things that have come from this function are ideas like Feng Shui where the church helped communities become in sync with nature or the absolute.

Confucianism

Confucianism can be considered to be nothing more than a type of humanism. In other words, it is a philosophy that focuses on just that, human beings. By dictating human achievements, interests and social conduct rather than with abstract ideas like god or heaven, Confucius made life simple.

Confucianism entails that man is the center of the universe but he must also share the universe with his fellow man in a sound and peaceful manner. Basically, no man is an island even though each man may have the objective of reaching his own ultimate happiness. Thus, happiness can only be achieved through the concept of peace and harmony. This harmony would be achieved by abolishing war and all appreciating the idea of love for fellow men.

Confucianism is also based on the basis of the Dao. The Dao in fact is the way of Confucianism because the Dao represents the principles of all of life meaning that wisdom and harmony must be achieved by first being in sync with the universe or the absolute. Confucian believes provide a way of doing this in clear ideals. By being good social citizens, one can and will be in sync with the Dao.

Shintoism

Shinto is Japan's version of Taoism and at one time was the entire nation's state run religion. Shintoism involves worshipping nature and/or the absolute. In Japan the absolute is known as kami which are localized gods or spirits. There is no doubt however that although there are many local entities, the ruing of truth in their individialized power all stems from the origins of the Tao. In fact, the word Shinto is a Japanese Kanji word that means shin or God and Tao which means the way. In other words, the word Shinto can be defined as the 'the way of the gods.' The Japanese often used many artistic forms of representation that were mixed with meditation and otherShinto practices and teachings.