| There are many legends about Lao Tze and till now it | | | | see what one is pursuing. These two come out from |
| is still a mystery about his birth and name. The legend | | | | the same source but with different names. They are |
| said that his mother was pregnant for 81 years and | | | | both mysterious. It is the mystery of mysteries. It is the |
| delivered a grey-haired boy around 571 B.C. "Lao" | | | | gate of all mysteries." |
| means old and "Tze" means child and that is why we | | | | Another version of translation of the First Chapter is: |
| called him Lao Tze meaning Old Child. | | | | "Tao that can be spoken of is not the Constant Tao. |
| "Tao" means the source of all, the roots of universe, | | | | The name that can be named is not a Constant |
| the Truth or the Way. Lao Tze defined Tao as | | | | Name. Nameless, is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the |
| non-descriptive truth. It has no form or substance, yet it | | | | named is the Mother of all things. Thus, the constant |
| creates and cultivates Heaven and Earth. It has no | | | | void enables one to observe the true essence. The |
| favors, thus it governs the law and order of the | | | | constant being enables one to see the outward |
| cosmos. It has no name, but it gives life to and | | | | manifestations. These two come paired from the |
| nourishes all beings. It is so mystical and powerful, there | | | | same origin. But when the essence is manifested, it |
| is no proper word to represent it. | | | | has a different name. This same origin is called 'The |
| "Te" means if "Tao" is the truth or the root of a tree, | | | | Profound Mystery.' As profound the mystery as it can |
| then "Te" is similar to the branch and leaves. Without | | | | be, it is the Gate to the essence of all life." |
| Tao, Te cannot exist at all. When we put Tao Te | | | | The original writing in Chinese cannot be accurately |
| together, it means morals. Morals come from our inner | | | | translated and different translators have different |
| source or heart. If our inner source is polluted, then we | | | | understanding of Tao Te Ching. Let us just take a |
| have no morals and if our inner source is pure, then | | | | closer look at the first sentence of the first chapter, |
| we are full of morals. | | | | "Tao that can be spoken of is not the Constant Tao." |
| "Ching" means the path or what we experienced. | | | | It is worthy of our strong attention because both |
| When we combine the three words together, "Tao Te | | | | translators described the same meaning. |
| Ching," it actually means what we experienced from | | | | Lao Tze tried to say: |
| Tao and Te or what we are going to experience from | | | | "Tao is not in talking, whatever can be described is not |
| Tao and Te. "Ching" is not a theory or a talking but a | | | | the real Tao. This is the same as we said that the |
| real thing to be experienced with unlimited actions. Tao | | | | dishes in cookbook are not real dishes and are not |
| Te Ching was simplified into 5,000 words without | | | | edible, only pictures and descriptions. We have to cook |
| explanations and there are eighty-one chapters and | | | | according to the recipe described so that we can eat |
| some are quite hard to understand. For example, | | | | the real food. The important point is cooking instead of |
| "Favor and disgrace both seem startling." | | | | just having the recipe. Therefore, the main point of Lao |
| Lao Tze said both are very startling, very scaring! | | | | Tze is to act according to Tao instead of talking about |
| Why are we to be favored? Maybe he is going to | | | | it. Without any action, it is not the constant Tao." |
| take advantage of us or something? Why are we to | | | | Tao is therefore in the action and not merely talking. |
| be insulted? Maybe some troubles or disasters are | | | | My Heavenly Teacher JiGong emphasized the action |
| coming soon? From this point of view, both seem to | | | | of Tao as follows: |
| be startling. To understand Lao Tze's wisdom is the | | | | "Spread Tao and cultivate Tao with your heart and |
| first step, the real goal of reading a book especially | | | | soul. Fear not difficulties and hardships. Play the role of |
| Tao Te Ching is to develop our wisdom and let's see | | | | your life well and struggle through life and death with |
| the two versions in translation of Chapter One. | | | | your best effort. Grip your teeth and jaws and step |
| This is the first chapter of Tao Te Ching translated by | | | | through. How many winters and summers in life can |
| a spiritual master of Tao: | | | | we be busy spreading Tao? Although there would be |
| "The Tao that can be described is not the constant | | | | temporal loneliness and solitude, those who can bear |
| Tao. The name that can be named is not the Constant | | | | and endure will never fall into an unending sorrow of |
| Name. The nameless is the creator of Heaven and | | | | ten-thousand ages. Disciples, do bear the temporal |
| Earth. The named is the mother of million things. | | | | loneliness now and win the joy and freedom of the |
| Therefore, always be of no desire and one will see | | | | ten-thousand years to come!" |
| the mystery. Always be filled with desire and one will | | | | Author: T. |