The Meaning of Tao

Tao have many meaning, there are:

I. Tao as Tao it self, or in English is called "The Tao".

The Tao is formless.

The Tao exists since the beginning.

The Tao have no beginning and ending.

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.

Why does the earth encircle the sun?

Why does the earth have gravity force?
Why do Oxygen and Hydrogen can make chemical combination become water?
Why does the water become gas on 100C and freeze on 0C?

Everything can happen because there is a "Law", because there is a "Rule", because there is a "Way".

Everything can happen because of "The Tao".

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'.

II. Tao as a Philosophy (Taoism).

As a Philosophy, Taoism is very famous, the book Dao De Jing ( ) have been translating into many languages.

Lao Zi ( ), one of Taoist Grand Prophet, created this book.

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.

Most of westerner that learns Taoism is learn it from this side.

III. Tao as a Religion (Taoism).

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.

IV. Tao as a Spiritualism Way (Taoism).

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.

"There is no star if there is no sky".

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.

Is that meant to be old fashioned? No!

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.

The Founder of Tao

Author: Wang Yun Hap

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].

Tao and Science Are The Same Thing

Author: Wang Yun Hap

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 Need To Be Developed

Author: The Sie Bien & Lie Ming Sen
Translated by: D. Wijaya

The eight things supposed to be done and developed all the time, are as follow:

1. Lots of listening to the lectures or attending to the seminars about Taoism.

Among all of the unwritten Tao's teachings that have been given to us, how much can we get? It is not only a matter of listening
but we ought to comprehend the meaning as well, so that we are in one step ahead. Further more, by a lot of doing so then our
steps will be move faster ahead.

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.

3. Held a lot of discussions.

The more we get knowledge either from reading or listening, we are also recommended to held discussion. By doing so we would
have a broader point of views onto what we have already got. In discussions we are always asked for an objectively attitude; in
terms of explaining our opinions and by having discussion, it often yields new ideas or new things.

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 Need To Be Reduced

Author: The Sie Bien & Lie Ming Sen
Translated by: D. Wijaya

The eight things that have to be reduced when you want to have a better result in practicing Taoism are:

1. Lessen envious / jealousy.

Envy is a burden for oneself and usually would lead to a destructive conduct. This character has to be eliminated.

2. Lessen criticizing others.

Lots of people does not like to be criticized, moreover, the critics are said in front of the public in attacking manners. Hold down
and find a wiser way out is a way to compensate those criticizing.

3. Not to show off.

Showing off will lead to arrogant. It seems like "only I who exist, but you aren't".

4. Reduced revenge action.

Revenge is also a burden towards oneself. Especially when it is applied to small matters. We will be exiled from our community,
not having any friends and destroy ourselves.

5. Lessen the action of taking anything into account.

In our conduct, if we always calculate on benefits and losses up to small matters, then how are we going to learn and practice
Taoism? Learning and practicing Taoism needs an open mind, simplicity of attitudes and conducts / behaviors in life, but still have
principles.

6. Not to make any trouble, not being a nuisance or annoying others.

Those are often become a disaster, which caused a broken friendship and inharmonious life.

7. Reducing the desire of winning over.

Generally, one is still tight to wealth and fame. If he always wants to win, this means seeking for fame and as if he is the best,
actually, he is still at beginner-level of learning Taoism, that is "There is only me, but no one else".

8. Reducing the feeling of being right.

Usually if considering oneself being the most righteous, meaning he is the cleverest and others are wrong and stupid. A person
that feels being the most righteous or the cleverest, really is the most stupid person, or in other words; that is his stupidity by
showing off being the most cleverest. This person is still at the stage of "There is only me, but no one else".

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"