cycles
        Chinese for "cycles"

another view of the roof, see below for detailed text



Dawn is a shimmering of the horizon.
Dusk is a settling of the sky.



Dawn and dusk together represent the measure of a day. When the sun rises, the moon sets. When the moon rises, the sun sets. This represents the cycle of existence, for without such alternation, the power of the universe could not be generated. When the sun reaches its zenith, it will inevitably begin its descent toward its nadir. All events—including our own plans and activities—follow the same pattern.

It is wisdom to know the cycles of life and where any particular circumstance that we are involved in stands on the curve. If we want to perpetuate something, we should join it to new growth to compound our progress. If we want to  destroy something, we need only lead it to its extreme, for all things decline after their zenith.

All too often, people express uncertainty about where they stand in life. It’s important to examine both the short-range and the long-range. If you want to go far in a decade, you have to go far each year. If you want to go far each year, you have to make sure that you do something significant each day. Use the cycles of life to establish a measure to your life, and then arrange your plans according to the units that you have chosen. Then there will be no fear of not knowing your own progress.
 cycles
365 Tao
daily meditations
Deng Ming-Dao (author)
ISBN 0-06-250223-9

duckdaotsu.org
duckdaotsu blogsubscribe to duckdaotsu feed
new blog! duckdaotsu RT
support
sustain
email to friend


dao cycles     
blog site

Tibet, Treasures from the Roof of the World    
TIBET:
TREASURES FROM
 THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

The rooftop of the Jokhang Temple

The rooftop of the Jokhang Temple, one of the most famous and sacred shrines in Tibet. The design and craftsman of the roofs leave spectators in awe. The pillars on top of the roof represents the sun, moon and earth.

T  A  O    t e   C  H  I  N  G 
hand drawn calligraphy of the word dao
t  h  i  r  t  y  -  f  i  v  e  
tao 35
All men will come to him who keeps to the one,
For there lie rest and happiness and peace.
Passersby may stop for music and good food,

But a description of the Tao
Seems without substance or flavor.
It cannot be seen, it cannot be heard,
And yet it cannot be exhausted.
— translation by GIA-FU FENG           

She who is centered in the Tao
can go where she wishes, without danger.
She perceives the universal harmony,
even amid great pain,
because she has found peace in her heart.

Music or the smell of good cooking
may make people stop and enjoy.
But words that point to the Tao
seem monotonous and without flavor.
When you look for it, there is nothing to see.
When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear.
When you use it, it is inexhaustible.
— translation by  STEVEN MITCHELL          

To him who holds in his hands the Great Image
(of the invisible Tao),
the whole world repairs. Men resort to him,
and receive no hurt, but (find) rest,
peace, and the feeling of ease.

Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop
(for a time).

But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth,
seems insipid and has no flavour,
though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to,
the use of it is inexhaustible.

— translation by JAMES LEGGE            

Great Guiding Signs?

Grasp great signs.
The social world moves.
If it move and does not harm,
the comfort and balance is supreme.
Concerts and feasts bring passing guests to a halt.
Guidance coming out of the mouth.
Isn't it bland? It lacks flavor.
Looking at it, it is not visible.
Listen to it, it is not audible.
Use it, it is not applicable.
— translation by  C. HANSEN               


a reading list of books and interpretations of the
Daodejing is available at  http://wwww.duckdaotsu.org/dao_books.html
(duckdaotsu receives a small donation
if you purchase books from this source, thanks!)

THE BENEVOLENT HOST

The wise man acts at one with the Tao,
for he knows it is here that peace is found.
It is for this reason that he is sought.

Whilst guests enjoy good music and food,
as these are supplied by a benevolent host,
a description of Tao seems without form,
for it cannot be heard and cannot be seen.
But when the music and food are all ended,
the taste of the Tao still remains.

— translation by S. ROSENTHAL

She who follows the way of the Tao
will draw the world to her steps.
She can go without fear of being injured,
because she has found peace and tranquility in her heart.

Where there is music and good food,
people will stop to enjoy it.
But words spoken of the Tao
seem to them boring and stale.
When looked at, there is nothing for them to see.
When listen for, there is nothing for them to hear.
Yet if they put it to use, it would never be exhausted.

— translation by J. McDONALD


The world will follow, without fear of evil,
serene, peaceful, secure,
one who follows the great symbol of Yin-Yang.

Music and good food will stop
the passing stranger.
But Tao, offered by the spoken word,
seems unappealing, tasteless.

Looked for, it cannot be seen;
listened for, it cannot be heard;
applied, it cannot be exhausted.

— translation by C. GANSON


The Inexhaustible Way

Hold to the great form and all the world follows,
following without meeting harm, in health, peace, and happiness.
Music and delicacies to eat induce travelers to stay.
But the Way is mild to the taste.
Looked at, it is invisible.
Listened to, it is inaudible.
Applied, it is inexhaustible.

— translation by  S. BECK

if you cannot see the pictures and colors on this page, contact me and I can help you set your mail program to HTML!
for a meditation sent to your email address each day,
please write ’subscribe tao’ in the subject line and sent to lisbeth at duckdaotsu