The doctrine of Taoism in Russia became popular with the onset of the 1990s. Then, in post-perestroika times, many teachers began to come to the largest cities of the former Soviet Union from China, who conducted seminars on various systems of oriental gymnastics, breathing exercises, and meditation. Among the various practices were such as qigong, taijiquan, Tao yin, which are inseparable from the ideas of Taoism and founded by its prominent followers.
A lot of literature was published at that time about oriental worldviews, religions, methods of self-improvement and the like. Then came a thin, paperback book of a small format, which fully set forth the teachings of Lao Tzu - a philosophical doctrine or treatise that became the foundation and canon of Taoism. Since then, plenty of articles and comments by Russian authors have been written on this subject, many translations from Chinese and English have been published, but in our country, interest in Taoist ideas has not subsided until now and flashes periodically with new intensity.
Father of taoism
Traditionally, Huangdi, also known as the Yellow Emperor, is a patriarch of teachings in Chinese sources, a mystical figure and hardly existed in reality. Huang Di is considered the forerunner of the emperors of the Celestial Empire and the ancestor of all Chinese. He is credited with many of the first inventions, such as a mortar and pestle, a boat and oars, a bow and arrows, an ax and other objects. Under his rule, hieroglyphic writing and the first calendar were created. He is considered the author of treatises on medicine, diagnostics, acupuncture and acupuncture, treatment with medicinal plants and cauterization. In addition to medical works, the Yellow Emperor was credited with the authorship of "Infujing", a poetic composition highly respected by the followers of Taoism, as well as the oldest treatise "Su-nujing" about working with sexual energy, a practice that became the basis of Taoist alchemy.
Other founders of the doctrine
Lao Tzu is an ancient Chinese sage, who supposedly lived in the VI century BC. In the Middle Ages, it was reckoned among the Taoist pantheon of deities - the triad of the pure. Scientific and esoteric sources define Lao Tzu as the founder of Taoism, and his Tao Te Ching became the basis on which the doctrine further developed. The treatise is an outstanding monument of Chinese philosophy, it occupies a significant place in the ideology and culture of the country. The discussions of modern historians, philosophers and orientalists on the content of the treatise, the historicity of its author and the ownership of the book directly to Lao Zi never stopped.
Another primary source refers to the doctrine - “Chuang Tzu”, a collection of short stories, parables, texts, which also became fundamental in Taoism. Chuang Tzu, the author of the book, allegedly lived two centuries after Lao Tzu, and his identity is more specifically confirmed.
The story of Lao Tzu
There is one of the parables about the birth of the founder of Taoism. When Lao Tzu was born, he saw how imperfect this world is. Then the wise baby again climbed into the mother’s womb, deciding not to be born at all, and stayed there for several decades. When his mother finally freed herself from the burden, Lao Tzu was born a gray-bearded old man. This legend points to the name of the Taoist philosopher, which can be translated as “wise old man” or “old baby”.
The first and most complete description of the founder of Taoism was in the 1st century BC. e. Sima Qian, a Chinese hereditary historiographer, scientist and writer. He did this according to oral traditions and stories several centuries after the death of Lao Tzu. His teachings and life by that time had become a tradition, for the most part turned into legends. According to the Chinese historian, the surname Lao Tzu is Li, which is very common in China, and the name of the philosopher is Er.
Sima Qian points out that the Taoist sage served at the imperial court as a keeper of archives, in the modern sense of the librarian, archivist. Such a position implied the maintenance of manuscripts in proper order and preservation, their classification, ordering of texts, observance of ceremonies and rituals and, probably, writing comments. All this indicates a high level of education Lao Tzu. According to the generally accepted version, the year of birth of the Great Taoist is 604 BC. e.
The legend of the spread of doctrine
It is not known where and when the sage died. According to legend, noting that the archive he kept was declining, and the state where he lived was degrading, Lao Tzu went wandering west. His ride on a buffalo served as a frequent plot of traditional oriental painting. According to one version, when at some outpost blocking the path, the sage should have paid for the passage, he handed the head of the guard post a scroll with the text of his treatise instead of payment. Thus began the spread of the teachings of Lao Tzu, dubbed in the future the Tao Te Ching.
Treatise history
The number of translations of Tao Te Ching is probably second only to the Bible. The first European translation of labor into Latin was made in England in the 18th century. Since then, only in the West, Lao Tzu's work in various languages has been published at least 250 times. The Sanskrit version of the 7th century is considered to be the most famous, it served as the basis for many translations of the treatise into other languages.
The primary text of the doctrine dates from the 2nd century BC. This copy, written on silk, was found in the early 1970s during excavations in Changsha, China. It has long been considered the only and most ancient. Prior to this find, many modern experts were of the opinion that the original ancient text of Tao Te Ching did not exist, as well as its author.
The teachings of Lao Tzu about Tao contain about 5, 000 characters, the text is divided into 81 Zhangs, each of which can be conditionally called a short chapter, paragraph or verse, especially since they have a kind of rhythm and harmony. The ancient dialect that the doctrine is written is owned by very few Chinese experts. Most of its hieroglyphs have several meanings, in addition, service and connecting words are omitted in the text. All this significantly complicates the interpretation of each Zhang. There has long been a lot of commentary on the Tao Te Ching, since the treatise is written in allegorical form with some contradictions, many conventions and comparisons. And how else to describe the indescribable and convey the indescribable?
Doctrine content
To summarize the teachings of Lao Tzu, three main lines of content should be distinguished:
- Description and meaning of Tao.
- Dae is the law of life, the emanation of Tao and, at the same time, the path that a person follows.
- U-wei - inaction, a kind of passivity, the main way of following de.
The Tao is the source of all things and everything that exists, everything emanates from it and returns to it, it encompasses everything and everyone, but itself has no beginning and end, name, appearance and form, it is limitless and insignificant, inexpressible and indescribable, commands, but not forcing. This is how this all-encompassing power in Tao de jing is described:
Tao is immortal, nameless.
Tao is insignificant, rebellious, elusive.
To master, you need to know the name, shape or color.
But Tao is insignificant.
Tao is insignificant
but if the great ones follow him -
thousands of small ones submitted and calmed down. (Zhang 32)
Tao is everywhere - right and left.
It commands, but does not force.
Owns, but does not claim.
Never dare
because it is insignificant, aimless.
The living and the dead yearn for him, but tao is lonely.
Therefore, I call it great.
Never shows greatness
therefore truly majestic. (Zhang 34)
Tao gives birth to one.
From one born two
Of the two, three will be born.
Three is the cradle of thousands of thousands.
Out of a thousand thousand in each
yin and yang are fighting
chi pulsates. (Zhang 42)
Great Dae is a mode of existence, drafted or prescribed by Tao for all that exists. This is order, cyclicity, infinity. By obeying De, a person goes to perfection, but whether to follow it this way is up to himself.
The law of life, the great Dae -
this is how the Tao appears under the sky. (zhang 21)
Be fearless and humble
like a mountain stream, -
turn into a full stream, the main stream of the Middle Kingdom.
So says the great Dae, law of birth.
Know the holiday, but live the week
become an example for the Middle Kingdom.
So says the great Dae, law of life.
Know the glory, but love oblivion.
The great river does not remember itself
therefore, her glory does not diminish.
So says the great Dae, law of completeness. (zhang 28)
U-wei is a difficult term to understand. It is an act in inaction and inaction in an act. Do not look for reasons and desires for activity, do not pin hopes, do not look for meaning and calculation. The concept of "Wu Wei" in Lao Tzu is the most controversial and commentary. According to one theory, this is compliance with measures in everything.
More effort
the less remains
the farther from Tao.
Far from tao -
far from the start
and close to the end. (zhang 30)
Philosophy of Being by Lao Tzu
The Zhangs of the treatise not only describe Tao, De, and “non-doing, ” they are filled with reasoned reasoning that everything in nature is based on these three pillars, and why a person, ruler or state, following their principles, achieve harmony, peace and balance.
A wave will sweep over the stone.
Ethereal has no barriers.
Because I appreciate peace
I teach without words
commit without effort. (Zhang 43)
There are places where you can notice the similarities in the teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu. Chapters built on contradictions seem paradoxical, but each line is the deepest thought that carries the truth, you only need to think.
Kindness without boundaries is like indifference.
He who sows kindness resembles a reaper.
Pure truth is bitter like a lie.
A real square has no corners.
The best pitcher is sculpted all my life.
High music is beyond hearing.
A great image has no form.
Tao is hidden, nameless.
But only Tao gives the way, light, perfection.
Complete perfection looks like a flaw.
Impossible to fix.
Extreme fullness is like complete emptiness.
Can not be exhausted.
Great directness acts gradually.
The great mind is clothed in simplicity.
Great speech descends like a delusion.
Walk - you will conquer the cold.
Inaction - overcome the heat.
Peace creates harmony in the Middle Kingdom. (Zhang 45)
Deep philosophical and at the same time incredibly poetic discussions about the significance of the earth and sky as essences of the eternal, permanent, unperturbed, distant and close to man admire.
Earth and sky are perfect
therefore indifferent to man.
The wise are indifferent to people - live as you want.
Between heaven and earth -
blacksmith fur void:
the wider the scope
the longer the breath
the more emptiness will be born.
Open your mouth -
you know the measure. (Zhang 5)
Nature is laconic.
A windy morning will be replaced by a quiet afternoon.
Rain will not pour like a bucket day and night.
So the earth and the sky are arranged.
Even earth and sky
cannot create long-lasting
especially a person. (Zhang 23)
Dissimilarity with Confucianism
The teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu should be considered, if not opposite, then at least heterogeneous. Confucianism adheres to a rather strict system of moral standards and political ideology, supported by ethical standards and traditions. The moral duties of man, according to this teaching, should be directed to the benefit of society and others. Righteousness is expressed in philanthropy, humanity, truthfulness, sanity, prudence and prudence. The main idea of Confucianism is a certain set of qualities and relations between the ruler and subjects that will lead to orderliness in the state. This is a completely opposite concept to the ideas of Tao de jing, where the main principles of life are non-doing, non-aspiration, non-interference, self-contemplation, no coercion. One must be supple as water, indifferent as the sky, especially politically.
Thirty spokes sparkle in the wheel
hold the void inside.
Emptiness gives the wheel a sense.
Sculpt a jug
You enclose the void in clay
and the use of the jug is in the void.
Doors and windows break through - their emptiness serves the house.
Emptiness is the measure of the useful. (Zhang 11)
The difference in views on Tao and Dae
The difference in views on Tao and Dae
Tao in the understanding of Confucius is not emptiness and comprehensiveness, like Lao Tzu, but a path, rule and method of achievement, truth and morality, a measure of morality. And De is not the law of birth, life and fullness, a significant reflection of Tao and the path to perfection, as described in Tao de jing, but a kind of good power that personifies humanity, honesty, morality, mercy, which gives spiritual strength and dignity. De acquires in the teachings of Confucius the significance of the path of moral behavior and morality of a social order that a righteous person must follow. These are the main differences between the ideas of Confucius and his followers with the teachings of Lao Tzu. The victories of Mark Crassus are an example of a feat in the name of society, they are fully consistent with the principles of Confucian ideology.
Tao gives birth
Dae - encourages
gives shape and meaning.
Tao is revered.
De - comply.
Because they do not require
compliance and respect.
Tao gives birth
Dae encourages, gives form and meaning, grows, teaches, protects.
Creates - and breaks up, creates and does not seek rewards, governs without commanding -
that's what I call the great Dae. (Zhang 51)
