Taoism as Explained by Hutson Smith

By Admin

Date → Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Tags → Chinese traditions , Hutson Smith , Inter Faith , Lao Tzu , Taoism

Sukihotu.

We have heard of Taoism. But what is it actually. What does Taoism teach. Let's find out.

Here is the summary of Taoism taken from the book The World's Religion written by Hutson Smith.

-         unlike Buddhism orConfucianism, very little is known about the man behind the Tao

-         his name was Lao Tzu (orso we think)

-         he was also called...

·         theold boy (or fellow)

·         theGrand Master

-         LoaTzu translates as “The old boy,” so these titles were probably all honorific

-         manyscholars doubt that the man even really existed

-         thereare many tales about his history, but they range

·         thefantastic

-        immaculateconception by a shooting star

-        motherbore him in her wound for 82 years and he was born an old man

·         theplausible

-        liveda simple and undemanding life as a keeper of archives

-        fromwhat we can gather, Lao Tzu was born around 604 BC

-        somescholars place his time of birth up to three centuries later

-        hewas visited by Confucius who described him as indescribable (the dragon)

-        heis said to have become upset at man’s refusal to cultivate goodness

·         inreaction, he packed his bags, and set off for the border on a water buffalo

·         stoppedby a guard at the Hankas Pass and asked to leave a record of his beliefs

·         inthree days, he emerged with the Tao Te Ching (The Way and its Power)

·         inmassive contrast to Buddha and Confucius, he was so little concerned about thesuccess of his teaching that he didn’t even stick around to answer questions orsee how it was received


See the rest here


Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
7th Sep 2011