TAO TE CHING
By LAO TSU.
A new translation by Gia-Fu-Feng and
Jane English.
Into Burmese by Ba Thet Gyi.
Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful,
Shape clay into a vessel;;
It is the space within that makes it useful,
Therefore profit comes from what is there.
Usefulness from what is not there.
Five colors blind the eyes.
Five tones deafen the ears.
The five flavors dull the taste.
Racing and hunting madden the mind.
Precious things lead one stray.
Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.
He lets go of that and chooses this.
Accept disgrace willingly.
Accept misfortune as human condition.
What do you mean by accepting disgrace willingly"
Accept being unimportant.
Do not be concern with gain or loss.
This is called "Accepting disgrace willingly"
What do you mean by "Accepting misfortune as human condition?"
Misfortune comes from having a body.
Without a body, how could there be misfortune?
Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be
trusted to care for a l things.
Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.
Look, it can be seen -- it is beyond form.
Listen, it cannot be heard -- it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held -- it is intangible.
These three are indefinable.
Therefore they are joined together.
From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark;
An unbroken thread id beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
The image of the image-less.
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination.
Stand before it and there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the ancient Tao.
Move with present.
Knowing the ancient beginning in the essence
of Tao.
The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious,
profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable,
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like man crossing a winter stream,
Alert, like man aware of danger,
Courteous, like visiting guests,
Fielding, like ace about to melt,
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Opaque, like muddy pools.
Who can wait quietly whole the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the moment of action?
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment,
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.
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Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind rest in peace.
The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to source.
Returning to the source of stillness, which is the way of nature.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy, the mind is open,
With an open mind, you will be openhearted.
Being openhearted, you will act royally.
Being royal , you will attain the divine.
Being divine, you will be the one with Tao.
Being at one with Tao is eternal.
And though body dies, the Tao will never pass away.
The very highest is barely known by men.
Then comes that which they know and love.
Then that which is feared.
Then that which is despised.
He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.
When action is performed,
Without unnecessary speech,
People say, "We did it "
Give up sainthood,
And it will be a hundred times better for everyone.
Give up kindness, remove morality,
Men will rediscover filial piety and love.
Give up ingenuity, renounce profit,
And bandits and thieves will disappear.
These three are outward forms alone; they are
not sufficient in themselves.
It is more important,
To see the simplicity, To realize one's true nature,
To cast off selfishness,
And temper desire.
Give up learning, and put an end to your trouble.
Is there any different between yes and no?
Is there any different between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense!
Other people are contended, enjoying the sacrificial feast or ox.
In spring some go out to the park, and climb terrace,
But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am,
Like a new born babe before it learns to smile, I am alone, without a place
to go.
Others have more than they need, but I alone
have nothing.
I am a fool.
Oh, Yes! I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright.
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and cleaver.
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.
Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.
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