“One” by Tao Te Ching alludes to the theme of divinity by describing Tao as a supreme being. The poet describes the eternal Tao as the “beginning of heaven and Earth” and the “mother of the ten thousand things” to demonstrate its power as the creator of the universe. Similar to Christians, believers in Tao credit their supreme being with the creation of the universe. The poet explains when one is “ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one sees the manifestations.” The mystery of Tao disappears when one places their faith in Tao and lets go of their selfish desires. However, if one is motivated by their desires they cannot see Tao’s true self as a supreme being and creator of the universe. Tao’s external manifestations and internal self are intertwined, since “these two spring from the same source but differ in name,” and adds to the mystery that is divinity.
Tao- “One”
February 2, 2017 Written by j.morreale | 1 Comment
Categories: Uncategorized
1 response so far ↓
j.azcue // Feb 2nd 2017 at 11:51 am
I completely agree with what my classmate wrote. I think he said the perfect word, “Divinity” as the Tao is mentioned as something that can not be defined and if mentioned then it is not “the eternal Tao”. The mystery mentioned in the poem is not something that does not have to be understood but accepted, it is a matter of faith. I would add that the poem is constantly referring to the Tao in different but undefined ways because the Tao is something so big that words cannot describe. That is why if it “can be told is not the eternal Tao” and if it “can be named is not the eternal Tao”. All in all the Tao is something so divine, infinite and powerful that words cannot describe and thoughts cannot understand. That is why believing is the only road to the eternal Tao.
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