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Posted by PuddinHead
on 2/19/2009, 8:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Why Did Lao Tzu Write the TTC ?"
71.53.81.x
Well, as a PuddinHead, I would have to say the proof in the puddin'. As long as everyone says their pudding is tasty, I guess no one thinks it really matters.
--Previous Message--
: One of the problems is.......
: The answer to your question about whether
: your interpretation is way off base or not -
: really can't be answered.
:
: The scholars who are proficient in the
: ancient Chinese language don't all agree on
: their their different translations. And
: when you get into the area of
: "interpretation", it gets even
: more diverse. You'll find people who are
: Christians claiming it mirrors the words of
: the bible; people who practice Tai Chi will
: say it reflects directly on their practices;
: alchemists claim there are insights into
: spells and potions; those with a political
: bent will say it points to world peace; etc.
:
: So....... Since we can't ask Laozi what he
: actually meant - how could you (or anyone)
: know for sure which interpretation is the
: right one?
:
: Just something to think about.
:
: -Nina
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: A-HA !!!! Now I get it, thanks to you and to
: Ren Ying for elaborating on that story, I
: had no idea.
: Yes, I do think there is plenty of
: reason to discuss what that message really
: is, afterall....If my interpretation was way
: off base, I would surely want to know.
:
: --Previous Message--
: I asked you what you get from reading Laozi
: because it's nice to know how other people
: see the writings. Also, if you want
: arguments to throw back at your friend about
: his opinions, then it would help to know
: what point of view you're coming from. I'm
: sorry if that seemed aloof.
:
: As to Jemimy's answer.......
: One of the legends about Laozi and how he
: came to write the DDJ is that he was trying
: to leave China and ride west on an ox
: because he was so disgusted with the state
: of affairs in China. The gatekeeper told
: him he wouldn't let him leave until he'd
: written down all of his philosophy.
:
: To answer your question......
: I think the writings in the DDJ were put
: down on paper because people thought they
: included some valuable messages. Why is
: anything written down?
: Is there any reason to argue about what that
: "message" really is? As long as
: each of us get delight from our own
: interpretations, why would you want to say
: someone else is wrong?
:
: -NIna
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: I am sorry, but I can't tell if you really
: want to converse or if you are purposely
: trying to seem aloof and unengaged. If you
: don't think Lao Tzu existed, then do you
: have any ideas as to why the book attributed
: to Lao Tzu was written?
:
: --Previous Message--
: You want me to answer the question:
:
: Why did Lao Lzu write the TTC?"
:
: I don't know. I don't know if there even
: was a guy named Lao Tzu.
:
: But I do like Jemimy's answer. :-)
:
: Now will you answer my question?
:
: -NIna
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
:
: What do I get, something different. Would
: you like to try and answer the original
: question, please ?
:
:
: --Previous Message--
:
: I don't understand, I get something
: completely different from reading Lao Tzu.
:
:
: What do you get from reading Laozi,
: Puddinhead?
:
: -NIna
:
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384
"The Tao is basically utterly open. Utter openeness has no substance. It ends in endlessness, begins in beginninglessnes".
-Li Daoqun
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