In this
particular day, I shall be discussing about the “Way” or the “Tao” that is
emphasized in the Confucian teachings concerning the education of the “noble
man”. This is presumed to be the
solution to the problems caused by the absence of social harmony and the
incorrect use of names.
Firstly, let
us look at the ideogram of the term “Tao”, in order for us to understand more
the concept of the “Way”. Tao is written
as follows:
1
It is said that the symbols which composes “Tao” represents two
things: the “road” and the “individual”. The line that is seen at the left is
represented as the “road” or “path”. The other sign located at the right is
interpreted as a “head”. This can be seen as the “person” who is involved in
the “journey” (as depicted by the road).
Scrutinizing the symbol of the “head,” it is further divided into three symbols: the
two strokes that is located at the top represent the number eight, which can be
representative of the eight directions: north, south, east, west, and the other
four diagonal directions. This is seen to be the open perspective of the
leader; that is, he looks at all possible sides of an event or idea.
Its other interpretation is the
plumes that are seen in a general’s helmet. The two lines after the strokes
represent “man”, and the last symbol at the bottom is represented as the “eye”.
2 These symbols that comprise the second symbol can be seen as an ideogram
for a “leader”.
Combining the two major symbols, we can form the following concept: a
“journey” that is being led by a “leader” that is able to see things in
different angles. Relating it to the
concept of “Tao”, it can be clearly seen that this concept of the ideogram
complies with this. This is because the “Tao”, in the Confucian sense, is the
journey towards self-cultivation. The “leader” in this “journey” is the moral
principle of how one should live his life.
What Confucius means by the Tao (Way) is the “way” that a person is
expected to act. This “way” is more inclined in morals or ethics. This action of doing what is moral is what
Confucius treats as “Nature”. In other words, it is an action which is
“natural”. When one speaks of a thing or action being “natural”, it only means
that it is not apart from its true essence. And being connected or unified from
one’s true essence represents unity and harmony. Since it is “natural”, the
Confucian thought believes that this is close to the perfection of one’s
character that can greatly aid him in his self-cultivation.
The Tao has fundamental characteristics. I will show this using the ten points that
Confucius laid down when he speaks of the Tao. It is stated as follows:
‘ Tao covers and supports all things. How overflowingly great! The ruler should cast
away his [selfish] mind. To act without taking [unnatural] action means Nature.
To speak without any action means virtue. To love people and benefit all things
means humanity (jen). To identify with all without losing his own identity
means greatness. To behave without purposely showing any superiority means
broadness. To possess an infinite variety means richness. Therefore to adhere
to virtue means discipline. To realize virtue means strength. To be in accord
with Tao means completeness. And not to yield with material things is called
perfection. If a superior man understands these ten points, he surely makes up
his mind and all the world will come to him like rushing water. 3‘
As observed from the ten points, the characteristics of Tao revolve
around the moral principle. These characteristics of the Tao can be reduced to
these concepts. First, the Tao is the
natural way. Second, the Tao is perfection of character. The first concept
emphasized the fact that the Tao is the original essence of things; what they
are ought to be. All words or things found in this world have original essences
or meanings. It is only the humans who warp these meanings according to their
selfish desires.
Relating these to values, doing
moral deeds makes one realize his true essence. It makes him realize his
effectiveness. An employee realizes his skill in his job if he adheres to the
true objective of the company that he is working for. This analogy applies even
for the application of the moral principle. Lastly, the concept of the Tao as
perfection of character talks about the improvement of one’s self. This
improvement is more inclined in one’s actions towards life and others. Relating
it to the first concept, when one realizes his true essence, then he has the
idea of how he will refine himself as he makes his journey towards growth and
change.
There are also expressions of the Tao. It can be represented by the
concept of “water” and “hermit” 4.
Water, as understood in the Chinese sense, is believed to be a sign for
intellect or calmness. It is also seen as a sign for innovation. Relating it to
the concept of Tao, we can say that the Way is the sign of intellect. Relating
it to the interpretation of the ideogram of the “leader” before, it is the sign
of intellect because it makes one see the bigger picture. This makes decisions
appropriate and judgments about situations clear. This attitude can be traced
from the characteristics of intellect.
In terms of the expression of calmness, the Tao also represents this.
When one is inclined to morals, this practice becomes natural as a habit. As a
result, he will develop a type of inner calmness. Relating this to the concept
of “water”, the calmness is rooted from the disposition that is developed by
the “intellect”. Since he sees the bigger picture, he is calm, for he has the
full grasp of the situation at hand.
The expression of “hermit” also represents the concept of Tao,
although not in a literal sense. The concept of “hermit” represents the
metaphor for a person without worldly preoccupations. The moral principle makes
one move away from the materialism and worldly desires that can go in the way
of attaining perfection in character. Relating it to the concepts given by
“water”, since the individual is now guided, he sees the bigger picture and is
calm about the events going on with his life. It is because of these that he
gains the realization that he has to take a step back from selfish desires. Like
what Confucius said in the previous paragraph: “Tao covers and supports all
things. How overflowingly great! The
ruler should cast away his [selfish] mind.” 5
Finally, the Tao is presumed to be the solution about the problems of
social disorder and incorrect use of names. Why is this so? This is because if
one follows the moral principle, which in inclined in the truth and in the true
meanings or essences of things, then people would not think of any ill-will
towards others. If people do not think of any sinister motive, then the
institutions that they make up in the society will function as it is and become
efficient in doing what it is supposed to be done. It is in this sense that the Tao resolves the problems
of the absence of social harmony and the incorrect use of names.
The Tao plays a fundamental role in the philosophy of Confucius. It serves as the “guide”
that Confucius gives to us in the inherent messages of his teachings. The Tao
is the principle which makes one active in the journey towards
self-cultivation.
Sources:
3. Chan, Wing Tsit. "Tao
As Transformation and One." In A
Source Book In Chinese Philosophy.
4. Zhe Xue. Accessed November
18, 2014.http://adduphilo321.blogspot.com/2013/02/expressions-of-tao.html
5. Chan, Wing Tsit. "Tao
As Transformation and One." In A
Source Book In Chinese Philosophy.
When you write your essays, you do not clearly distinguish between what you have borrowed and what you did not borrow: this is still plagiarism. While you cite sources, this is not enough. It is the way you present the ideas and words you borrowed that often leads to the lack of clarity in distinction. This essay is a good example of how your style of writing can easily be accused of plagiarism (especially paragraphs 2 and 3). There are linguistic cues and techniques one should learn to avoid such accusations.
ReplyDeleteThere is also a proper format for citation of sources, which you have not gotten perfectly yet. A good reference is the Online Writing Lab of Purdue University: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/