Most people are only familiar with Tao Te Ching By: Lao Tzu Many of which has been lost through translation from its original mystical message. However even with it so mixed, it is absolutely perfect. The Tao Te Ching is expressed in a way that if one was to throw the material on the floor and pick it back up to read it mixed. It is in its absolute perfection. I happen to be lucky to have been drawn by the Universe to read the most ancient copy, just before A.D. 249 Wang Pi commentary of the Tao Te Ching. It is known that his commentary at the time was amongst the oldest and most established versions of the Tao Te Ching.
Tao = "Supreme Reality"
Te = "and its Perfect Expression"
Ching = "Classic Book"
What most people aren't aware of is his oral documentation within the Hua Hu Ching By: Lao Tzu Hua = "To change, to transform "Hu = "Barbarians, outlanders; people foreign to the ancient "Ching = "Classic Book" Lao Tzu focused his teachings on humility and being nameless. A true Master practices Humility.
"The Tao Te Ching is an ancient Chinese text consisting of spiritual teachings, folk wisdom, political instruction, cosmology, observations of nature, anti-Confucian doctrine, and mystical insights. Just as the Chinese language has experienced numerous transformations, the Tao Te Ching has changed and evolved over time. The present form of the Tao Te Ching is an amalgam of the combined wisdom and insights of many Chinese sages, which took form between the seventh and second centuries B.C. Legend, however, gives us a more animated account of the Tao Te Ching's origin. It says that during the time of Confucius (around 500 B.C.) Lao Tsu practiced Tao and Te (the Supreme Way and its Expression) and focused his teachings on humility and being nameless. He was keeper of the royal archives in the state of Chou. After he foresaw that the state would fall into decay, he packed his belongings and decided to leave through the Western gateway. The gatekeeper, Yin-hsi, seeing that this great sage was about to leave the world said, "Master, you are about to renounce this world, please compose a book for me." There-upon the "Old Master" came down from his oxcart, took out his pen and ink, and began to compose a book of two parts, discussing Tao and Te. Several hours later, Lao Tsu handed the finished text of slightly more than five thousand characters to the gatekeeper and then departed toward the West. The popular story, however implausible, holds a symbolic charm that is consistent with the spirit of the Tao Te Ching: The verses were given to a gatekeeper - which represents their power to open the gate of understanding; it also symbolizes a turning point in one's life. The entire book was given at a simple request - which shows the generosity of the sage, and how he poured forth his knowledge at the first opening of a seeker. Lao Tsu wrote the book in a single sitting - which is an example of the sage's one-pointedness and perseverance. The sage came down from his oxcart (a scene often depicted in Chinese art), demonstrating his humility. He also "left toward the West," which symbolizes that the teachings of the Tao Te Ching are universal and meant for all people - a reality that we now see manifest. Tao is the Supreme Reality, the all-pervasive substratum; it is the whole universe and the way the universe operates. Te is the shape and power of Tao; it is the way Tao manifests, it is Tao particularized to a form or a virtue. 'Tao' is the transcendent reality; 'Te' is the immanent reality. 'Ching' means a book or a classic work. Hence, the Tao Te Ching literally means, "The Classic Book of the Supreme Reality (Tao) and its Perfect Manifestation (Te)," "The Book of the Way and Its Power," "The Classic of Tao and Its Virtue."
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