Similarity vetween Taoism and Advaita.

[prasad1]

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Taoism (or Daoism) is a philosophical, ethical or religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source of, and the force behind, everything that exists. The "way" becomes clear when one is in constant meditation with all thoughts being subconsciously regulated outside the state of mental stillness, although emotions will drive thoughts they remain an absolute choice.

The TaoAlthough there are many definitions of Tao, this one word communicates an entire philosophy, an outlook on the fundamental nature of life and the universe.
The word Tao is nothing less than an expression of the profound unity of the universe and of the path human beings must take to join, rather than disturb, that unity.
What is this path, and how do we find it? The path begins with an understanding of the origin of the universe. "Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of the way," stated the ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching.
Known in English as The Book of the Way, this poetic masterpiece was written approximately 2,500 years ago. As well as being a matchless work of literature, it takes its place in history as the first written record of Taoist philosophy.

http://genius.com/Lao-tzu-tao-te-ching-annotated/

Every being in the universe
Is an expression of the Tao.
It springs into existence,
Unconscious, perfect, free,
Takes on a physical body,
Lets circumstances complete it.
That is why every being
Spontaneously honors the Tao.

The Tao gives birth to all beings,
Nourishes them, maintains them,
Cares for them, comforts them, protects them,
Takes them back to itself,
Creating without possessing,
Acting without expecting,
Guiding without interfering.
That is why love of the Tao
Is in the very nature of things.


I did not know anything about Taoism till yesterday.
The recurring theme is the non-duality.
This is very close to Advaita Philosophy.

 

[yesmohan]

Great men alike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sangom]

Taoism (or Daoism) is a philosophical, ethical or religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source of, and the force behind, everything that exists. The "way" becomes clear when one is in constant meditation with all thoughts being subconsciously regulated outside the state of mental stillness, although emotions will drive thoughts they remain an absolute choice.

The TaoAlthough there are many definitions of Tao, this one word communicates an entire philosophy, an outlook on the fundamental nature of life and the universe.
The word Tao is nothing less than an expression of the profound unity of the universe and of the path human beings must take to join, rather than disturb, that unity.
What is this path, and how do we find it? The path begins with an understanding of the origin of the universe. "Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of the way," stated the ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching.
Known in English as The Book of the Way, this poetic masterpiece was written approximately 2,500 years ago. As well as being a matchless work of literature, it takes its place in history as the first written record of Taoist philosophy.

http://genius.com/Lao-tzu-tao-te-ching-annotated/

Every being in the universe
Is an expression of the Tao.
It springs into existence,
Unconscious, perfect, free,
Takes on a physical body,
Lets circumstances complete it.
That is why every being
Spontaneously honors the Tao.

The Tao gives birth to all beings,
Nourishes them, maintains them,
Cares for them, comforts them, protects them,
Takes them back to itself,
Creating without possessing,
Acting without expecting,
Guiding without interfering.
That is why love of the Tao
Is in the very nature of things.


I did not know anything about Taoism till yesterday.
The recurring theme is the non-duality.
This is very close to Advaita Philosophy.

If one is prepared to accept that there is a certain Universal Force which is the cause of the phenomenon we call Life, and if one accepts also that it is this Universal Force which makes him or her to behave as a living being, well knowing that the physical body with which s/he goes around is perishable in no time, the moment this Universal Force ebbs out of this body, both Tao and Advaita will appear true and in the same light.

Only when we are unable to leave our ego which clings to individuality based upon the physical body, are we compelled to believe that there is / there must be an individual AtmA (with its own unique Bar Code or AdhAr number!) corresponding to each individual person we see here. This kind of a basically erroneous notion leads to the concepts of a jīva, a God or Iswara separate from that jīva, mokṣa (salavation for that individualized jīva, etc.

Tao and Advaita go beyond this erroneous, misleading step and try to tell the True Path (which seems to be the word meaning of Tao as well). Once the above Universal Life Force principle is understood and accepted, the abhedaśruti statements like tattvamasi (śvetaketo), aham brahmāsmi (brahmaivāhamasmi) ayam ātmā brahma, prajñānam brahma etc., will fall into place. Rituals will then become optional because these rituals have been designed as a code for social behaviour and no more.