by Vinaya Ghimire

Created on: November 28, 2011

Tao has esoteric meaning but it also explains about simple things. Tao means to speak or to guide, a principle or a system of logic. In its double meaning, Taoism means a pathway and a method. Taoism is the ultimate principle of the universal Way.

Ancient China was in great disorder and confusion at the time of people like Confucius (551-449 BCE), Lao-tzu, Chuang-tzu, Mo-tzu, and Mencius. These Masters taught and wrote about human values like ethics and morality, and enlightenment. Their teachings were aimed at restoring peace and freedom in the society. The path devised by these saints was called Tao. The roots of Taoism are very old.

There are two classic Chinese books describing the essential philosophy and practice of the Tao, Tao Te Ching and Chuang-tzu. These esoteric books contain practical wisdom, covering wide subjects ranging from culture, politics and economy to psychology and mysticism.

The Tao Te Ching is an anthology of ancient sayings, poems and proverbs, which is said to be compiled by Lao-tzu, "The Old Master." Lao-tzu, regarded as one of the greatest ancestors of Taoism, also talks about preceding Taoist. The Tao Te Ching is commonly believed to have been compiled around 500 B.C. There are 81 chapters in Tao Te Ching.

It is believed, Chuang-tzu was written by a Taoist named Chuang Chou around 300 B.C. Chuang-tzu is a collection of stories and monologues explaining the teachings of the Tao Te Ching. These two main texts on Taoist canon present the philosophical and practical core of classical Taoism. 

Tao or the Way is about simple truth:

Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations (Chapter 1,Tao Te Ching)

Yet, in its subtlety, it explains profound wisdom:

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt. (Chapter 9, Tao Te Ching)

There are 7 chapters in Chuang-tzu, one of two most important books on Taoism. The parables in these chapters are titled: Freedom, On Equalizing Things, Mastery of Nurturing Life, The Human World, Tallying with Fulfilment of Virtue, The Great Teacher of the Source, and Responsive Leadership.

In the first parable, in the chapter titled Freedom, Chuang Chou tells a story of two men Chien Wu and Lien Shu. The spiritual, the Taoist speaks of, represent stabilization of the spirit, resulting in overall improvement of health throughout the physical and social bodies.

Every art and science is called a Tao, or a way. Lao-tzu forbade rigidity. That’s why Tao has many meanings. Tao may mean a passageway, a law, a method, a doctrine or a system of order. Tao may also be interpreted as the matrix, reality of the universe itself and the source of everything.

The literal meaning of Tao is the Way. Taoism emphasize in institutive wisdom and not the rational knowledge. Taoism is the way of liberation from this world. The Taoist liberation means liberation from strict rules of conventions.

The Tao is infinite, eternal.
Why is it eternal?
It was never born;
thus it can never die.
Why is it infinite?
It has no desires for itself;
thus it is present for all beings. (Chapter 7, Tao Te Ching)

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