Sword, Division and Not Peace: Taoism/Buddhism

  As I was reading the article in Encarta encyclopedia about principles and words of the Buddha, I just could not help to see, the shallow perception and passive countenance in perceiving life.  I quote the message of Buddha to the Monks:   “And this, O monks, is the Truth of the Arising of Suffering. It is just thirst or craving [tanhā] which gives rise to repeated existence, which is bound up with impassioned appetite, and which seeks fresh pleasure now here and now there, namely, thirst for sensual pleasures, thirst for existence, thirst for non-existence ("From The Buddha."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001).

  On the other hand, here is what I have to say:  There is more to life than suppressing the natural tendencies of man to want and need, especially if it is necessary for survival, convenience, happiness, and overall growth of the entirety of the physical self.  What the Buddha insinuates, though, and tries to inculcate in its subjects is to establish tolerance and reprieve, from what is natural.  But as much as man has control of all the earth (Genesis 1:28), with, of course, contriteness and spiritual uprightness, men must go beyond passiveness and self-suppression.  Timidity in every tongue or language is always dull, if not unproductive.

  On the other hand, absolute acceptance could be derived from the quoted passage of the Buddha, hence peace in the midst of strife is practiced.  Unlike religions that acknowledge and meditate on the Holy Scripture, Taoism/Buddhism conveys ignorant reluctance of what man can do to avert loneliness or unhappiness. 

  The word tao, means, “man,” in Filipino language-my native language.  I have somehow associated its principles, to that which purely evolve in human affairs (as the name means-man) which, if let alone by itself, without the truthfulness in the spirit, of the one and only true God-man only could provide just so much learning, knowledge, and contribution.   Good thing the world community opposed Confucianism to be a religion, as it is shallow and it just evolves about how pain and suffering as a natural tendency, which is unending and inescapable.  What a horrible way to view life, don’t you think so?

  Though, however, like all “ancient” religion,  Taoism is known for its disciplined views about life.  People around the world appreciate and enjoys the physical meditation and other spiritual exercises which are fascinatingly artistic, yet seem to have mystical qualities.  People/Man/Tao derive beneficial attributes of your grace.  

Your Strength:        Discipline in life’s struggle.

Your Weakness:    Complacency in life’s struggle.