The meaning is very complex and difficult to understand. The meaning is too wide, so it is very difficult to be explained by the word clearly.
The simplest meaning of The Tao is "The Way" or can be said too as "The Law", "The Rule" and others.
The Tao is "Something" which exists behind all of process in the universe.
Everything can happen because there is a "Law", because there is a "Rule", because there is a "Way".
The fish swims in the water but they don't realize 'the water'.
The bird flights riding the wind but they don't realize 'the wind'.
The man exists inside The Tao but they don't realize 'The Tao'.
As a Philosophy, Taoism is very famous, the book Dao De Jing ( ) have been translating into many languages.
Dao De Jing ( ) is not only used by Taoist, but there are many peoples which take some advantages being learned it whatever
their faith or religion.
As a religion, may be Taoism is the oldest one, the history began from Huang Di / Yellow Emperor about 5000 years ago, be popularized and
grows by Lao Zi ( ) and be formed as a religion by Zhang Dao Ling.
As a religion, Taoism spreads all over the world brings by Chinese overseas.
Taoism and Chinese culture are like two faces of one coin or can be said that Taoism is Chinese spirit.
This is the nucleus of Taoism. As a spiritual way, Taoism is very different with others because Taoism combines spiritual and worldliness,
combine science and theology.
Learning Taoism means training mental and physical body. It is match with the symbol of The Tao which is called Thay Cik and the concept of
Yin Yang which emphasize harmonious and balances.
Being learned Taoism we will be guided to reveal the secret of life in totality with many methods and practices. Because Taoism is a method
to do the life and not a theory of life.
"Tao can shown the way but can't represent to walk on it".
The Origin of Tao
Author: Wang Yun Hap
Tao ( ) is the oldest religion in the world, comes from the ancient China, approximately 4600 years exist in the world.
This is due to the holiness, wideness, foundation and development of Tao ( ). Therefore, it will never be old fashioned whenever time goes
by.
Religion of Tao is the Religion that based on God (Thian Kung), the Gods and Goddess that are respected are the Supreme God Thai Sang Lao
Jun ( ), Er Lang Shen ( ), Jiu Tian Xuan Nu ( ), Guan Gong ( ), Fu De Zhen Shen (
), etc.
A hero, who had come down to the world, creates and improves Tao ( ). First, he took role as Ban Ku Se (the World Opener), then became
Huang Ti (The King of Hero) and the last one, as Laozi ( ).
The one who makes Tao ( ) as a Religion is one of the Laozi ( ) fellows, that is Zhang Dao Ling [Cang Tao Ling / Cang Thien Se].
Laozi ( ) says: "Tao ( ) that is able to be spoken is not Tao, Tao is unlimited because of its wideness. Tao includes all the natures,
everything and human, that exist because everything comes from Tao and then after those all are gone, they will be back to Tao."
Firstly, it is said that nature is empty, then the positive and negative come, later on it will be said as Thai Chi. This brings to the dualism, it
then lead to the existence of things and human, which spread out over the world.
According to the Einstein's theory (a scientist in physics), from the beginning there are only two elements, those are proton and electron,
after these elements being a union it will be a thing that we call as an atom, then these atoms become together, they are called molecules.
While from those cells, these bring to all the things and human.
The eight things supposed to be done and developed all the time, are as follow:
2. Lots of readings.
There are many books that we are able to read, however, the most important thing is to know what are its' contents and
meanings. By reading very often then consequently we would have a wide perspective. Make reading a good habit.
4. Lots of exercises.
Exercise is a good thing. This has to be maintained and do not give any excuses of not having time or too tired of a full day work,
for not exercising. In facts, if we are exercising diligently, we will eliminate exhaustion and can increase energetic spirits.
5. Much absorbing.
Take an example of a forest that could absorb so much water, so are we; the more we see and listening, the more we could
absorb those perspectives. Therefore, we could increase our perspective of knowledge and become brighter.
6. Do ask questions.
There are many unknown things in life, what we knew are limited. By asking questions would make us knowing more. Use the
opportunity of asking question in discussion or in gathering.
7. Appreciate other's superiority.
Human is not able to be an expert in every field. Some can be done, some can't. So between one's superiority and others, there
are differences. We have to understand it and appreciate other's superiority, and not seeing other's superiority with envious and
hatred.
8. Do a lot of self-corrections.
By self correction through introspection would make one not becoming an arrogant, in fact one will become modest / humble and
even more aware of his conduct so that does not often make mistakes.
In self-discipline, we are trying to improve our condition to be a better one than previously and this needs to be done on and on.
The eight things that have to be reduced when you want to have a better result in practicing Taoism are:
By reducing your bad characters bit by bit, so it will change your attitude from the stage of "There is only me, but no one else" to "I'm the
first one and you are next", until then reach the stage of "You are the first one, I'm the next"