What is the Meaning of Tao? Simply put, Tao (澭) - also spelled Dao - translates "way" or "path". It is also known as the Great power that gave birth to the universe. The meaning of the word "tao" differs depending on the context in which we place it.Thus, for Taoists, "tao" is the very source and creator of all things in the universe and, in the same time, a model for the
sage's conduct. Meaning of Tao in Tao-te ching Tao-te ching (the Book about Tao and its Characteristics) maintains that the "tao" concept is obscure and difficult to describe. It seems it is about something that exists since the beginning of the Universe, the root of Heaven
and Earth, and the Mother of everything (the so called ten-thousand). (-> See also chapter 1 of Tao-te ching).Related to the Tao is Te Te means the power of the Tao and also its modus operandi, that is, its specific work.
Taoists are interested in Tao as well as Te. Tao for Confucius
For Confucius and his school, mainly interested in politics, Tao refers to the art of ruling the state of the ancient emperors like King Wen and Duke of Chou, famous characters in the history of ancient China. Thus it points to a "way" or "method" of ruling taken as a model by the Confucians.
Tao & Common People Chinese people admired gifted persons such as archers, cook, doctors etc. They were invited at the sovereign's court, put to the test and rewarded properly when they proved their skill. Nowadays one could also find successful businessmen, gifted artists, writers, sportsmen acclaimed by the people, talented
politicians etc. All of them have their own tao, and this means a specific aptitude or talent. Quotes about What is Tao Max Kaltenmark
Tao with sometimes a slight variation in the script means "to direct", "to guide", or "establish communication". A person directs another by telling him the way to follow, so Tao also means "to say" or "to tell" And insofar as saying or telling is the same as informing and teaching, Tao has the further meaning "doctrine". (From Lao Tzu and Taoism, Stanford University Press, 1969, p. 22) Alan Watts
(...) It must be clear from the start that Tao cannot be understood as "God" in the sense of a ruler, monarch, commander, architect, and maker of the universe. The image of the military and political overlord, or of a creator external to nature, has no place in the idea of Tao (...) Yet the Tao is most certainly the ultimate reality and energy of the universe, the Ground of being and nonbeing. (From
Tao: the Water Course Way, Pantheon Books, New York, 1975, p. 40) Let's conclude that Tao is a concept related to the birth of the universe, the way of governing and even the specific skills of certain people. |
