Secular Sangha: A Secular Buddhist Group discussion

Use this thread to discuss Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu.

While this is technically not a Buddhist book (it is a Taoist book), it arguably influenced Buddhist thought in China and elsewhere (particularly Zen Buddhism). As such, I think that it can help supplement the study of Buddhist philosophy.

That said, I think that the book stands alone as a good read by itself.

I found this video"s interpretation of the book interesting:

"EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - Lao Tzu"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFb7H...

I liked the following parts from the book using the properties of water as allegory for how one should conduct themselves (copy and pasted from https://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taot... ). I think that they speak to the value of humility, flexibility, patience, and other similar traits that could be interpreted as forms of "weakness."

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8
"The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence
of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying,
without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men
dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.

The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place;
that of the mind is in abysmal stillness; that of associations is in
their being with the virtuous; that of government is in its securing
good order; that of (the conduct of) affairs is in its ability; and
that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness.

And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him."


66
"That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage
and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower
than they;--it is thus that they are the kings of them all. So it is
that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his
words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.

In this way though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them.

Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of
him. Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive
with him."


78
"There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water,
and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it;--for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed.

Every one in the world knows that the soft overcomes the hard, and the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice.

Therefore a sage has said,
'He who accepts his state's reproach,
Is hailed therefore its altars' lord;
To him who bears men's direful woes
They all the name of King accord.'

Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical."

Videos that compliment the book's content:

"EASTERN PHILOSOPHY: Wu Wei" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvZi7...

"EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - The Love of Rocks" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kaKY...