Distance between surface and nature forever puzzling human being. So that all human science , art and religion all target at one thing- that is nature.
Religion, for my own understanding, is social science, education and solution on social problems.
Taoism is about
evolvement of nature , knowledge for one to choose wise stand and handle on each single stage . However , as it's about the principle of
evolvement behind things, it has never provided a detailed solution on definite situation but a wise principle is being taught that is suit to the same phenomena.
Teaching on Taoism- the future science for human, there's one prerequisite: the capability to see the nature. But as most people are not able to even get close to, it's very difficult to understand evolvement of stages of nature in consequences then to handle further wisely with knowledge.
So the traditional magic of Taoism does use some supernatural ceremony to show the exact "
phenomenon". However, even so, the answer could be largely limited and twisted by the interpretation of the "fortune teller". As even so, to understand these texts, not only one need language, but most important how real world functions in practical way.
Yet, practising Taoism and
Zhou Yi, is easy for one to have a developing view on everything. That is to say, not only one is to see the very nature at one stage, but where it from and where it goes to and what's better way of handle - all these information may come in naturally in short time as habitual
conscience. However these massive information is very hard to explain in details as teaching to everyone in short time. So that people may have lots question. However the basic thing they need to study first is to access the nature as the basis of a building.
All these attributes of
Taoism decides that, although it provides ultimate principle that suits thousands same phenomenon in eternal universe, a bridge for most people in the world is in larger demand, and that is " Buddhism".
Yet, religions are used for problems in reality. And sometimes the problems are so pressing to many beings in such short time so that the first response to use
Taoism to solve the problems, most
effectively, is to directly study and translate them into actual practical guides, for many people to have definite ideas to follow. While we do find lots people still have problem in practice and following instruction when trying to understand it as principle- and the problem is substantially in their understanding especially when their knowledge and handle are limited by weakness from themselves- the basis . And true realisation of the world is just Buddhism trying to resolve at first place.
And with regarding to solve pressing problem in short time, although I do encourage people to try to understand each solution I have set there rather than follow blindly, people in
management level often find strictly
disciplined people can be used much more effectively even without full understanding, suppose clear and wise guide has been given. Then at least, the pressing problem may get immediately relief on social level when millions involved.Then at least quick social solution can be reached.
When I think of these problems , I then understand, why human religions come in these different forms. And most of them with detailed disciplines- these are all teaching targeting at very specific problems , while most people unable to understand and solve by themselves.- Then they become religious follower- and it worked at the specific time and the location.
In the other hand, for these people whose understanding hasn't been fully built up, as time goes by, such rigid following will be less adaptive to changing circumstances and will cause problems.
Buddhism is the methodology that helps people to break the traps of surface so as to reach the nature. These are often from ourselves, ego, self interest, desires, moods and experiences . With my understanding , so said Buddhism is to escape from any senses to reach so called peace or emptiness is a twist. It's to avoid the twists from all senses so as to reach the Nature. And it should not abandon these senses itself, but to sharpen them. So Buddhism is bridge toward Taoism. And many sects of Buddhism are simply the study with different methods. The study of difference between surface and nature in the core of Buddhism.
For many people who still struggling on the truth , the first method recommend is to sharpen their senses and manage their senses, so that these senses would help them to deepen their knowledge instead of twisting. Eyes and ears are also what The Holy Bible mentioned as general weakness among human being in New Testament.
It seemed that no other religion value peace and harmony as much as Christianity. The Holy Bible was recorded in historical form, for people to study and to understand as history, although the capability of understanding has always been the limitation. And when many of them trying to simply achieve personal peace, we found, it may not definitely mean peace of the world. Sometimes even deepen the conflicts and suffering.
We may also find not everyone need Buddhism for its first usage, if they do have such ability to see the cores with naturally purified selves.
Gautama, at the age of 35, meditated under a sacred fig tree -called Bod hi or peepal tree and found the ultimate solution for the whole human being from cycling suffering. So the tree has become symbol of enlightenment.
In ancient China, there're two monks using Buddhism poem to depict their understanding to Buddhism. One poem is :
The body is peepal tree, and the heart is bright mirror stand.
Always be diligent in cleaning , and allow no dust to land.
And another is
There's no tree named "peepal", and the bright mirror is also not a stand
Originally there's no a single thing, where the dust would land on?
The author of the later is Hui Neng, the six Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, and the former from a senior apprentice named Sheng Xiu under the fifth patriarch Hong Ren. And Hui Neng founded the "sudden enlightenment" as compare to " gradual enlightenment".
Now practically, it's not necessary to detail the difference on the methodology. But in my own case, I never find Buddhism was very beneficial , and often felt drowsy on the words. Yet after a long walk, I can understand everything . That is, when a human is free from all the twists of own weakness, then the ability to nature is for everyone. So the biggest enemy of people are themselves.
And the reason Buddhism has become the ultimate solution for human being, is that it arouses the capability and wisdom from every heart , in order to achieve peace in a world level.
Buddhism has just become nurture to myself at the latest stage, after studied Taoism . Taoism is the structure, and Buddhism , apart from the earliest stage access to the truth, as a methodology when developed, would be in practical use based on fundamental knowledge about form and core. And such understanding enrich the tool to achievement, so as to reach unlimited capability with the knowledge of evolvement of nature.
However, although many people would be happy for it, their practice always twisted and would be limited largely as a result. And the fundamental reason is they are still unable to differentiate clearly between form and core. And they have too much efforts working on "changing forms" which distracts them from pressing core handling. Some others messed up form and cores, and when they thought they were working on forms, they DO harm the basic function in cores. And some others, still limited by their conscience, as many are self interested. So they do not realise such principle of "forms", and it would be hard to manage on social level especially in face of pressing issues.
In the other hand, when many people just discovered the "shape shifting" capability, and pleased at it, don't forget many have been experts at it. However, these people themselves are not able to reach such freedom on mastering the things in universe because of their insufficient knowledge on nature that they have to walk a long way to find out on their limitation, despite their skills is enough to put them on a high status in human society. And the question is still the nature being trapped by their skills.
As all of the distraction and misdirects mostly from the first steps, all I suggest is for people to go back to strengthen on their first step about realisation on difference between forms and nature by developing and mastering their senses. When they've gain the access to the basics, then try the solutions I have structured, then try to understand them. As I believe the capability to handle the issues decide the limitation of one's freedom and decide the capability. If one has too much fear then compromise is very easy , and result would be largely limited on social level. And with Taoism, the reason we study danger is to get out from it. Then for the convenience, instead of deliberately showing this or that form, I suggest the opposite- that is to eliminate the shows. And communication would simply valid as it's clear enough to receiver. When we simplify the efforts on "shows", we can avoid unnecessary trouble, then focus more on the basis. For the understanding of learning cycle, it's not possible to build further without solid basis. And we need to bring such simplicity in learning, with my experience such building, for the long run, would be faster, than messed up at first places with all distractions and then have to correct. And I can be sure, especially on a society level to confronting and pressing issues, it would be much more effective.Then only when very necessary, elaborate on "forms". Then we would have access to natural refinement of methods, to let all methods serve directly the goal, instead of trapping it.
In fact, Islam is such religion that build up one's ability to truth with very strict will power and religious discipline. Apparently this is another way of the god's lab for the basis. Especially at the early stage of human history, when there's not enough for people to study and compare so as to understand any principle of method. Yet, simply the ability and value to truth, and will power to conquer one's own weakness is enough to reach social effectiveness in short time, - when under wise guide. However just as I stated earlier, there's time problem also for such rigid disciplinary obedience without understanding. So on basics ,Muslims may become the first to practice Taoism more easily, however they need to increase their understanding of history and methods , so that they may become more capable and adaptive. Although skipping the necessity for the first practice of Buddhism, they do need to understand the difference between form and core, so as to use more adaptively and let the understanding to enrich their methods. With such space for development - No wonder in The Holy Koran , you can see lots very detailed disciplinary guide, while you may as well get a feeling that this book has never been finished and completed. -This is cot for the early human.
Historical study and understanding on phenomena and consequences of handles are almost not possible when history wasn't available abundantly. And a very important way to understand much deeper is through comparison- not only to difference, but also to similarity. And I believe that's the reason of different practices of religion. And there's a necessity for people to question the existence of differences. As knowledge comes from ignorance. And when people don't feel them lack of knowledge, it's not possible to accept more. Then there's no advancement of human being.- This is Taoism the ultimate function of universe.
So that then there would be much less conflicts between culture and religions. So I do believe the ultimate solution of mankind does exist in Buddhism, as it provide method of enlightenment to everyone. People with natural ability to Taoism is very limited and that's not enough for world peace. And larger scale of people need methods. Then Buddhda or god , or enlightment will be in every corner.
