revere the Dao and virtue
In Taoism, it is the Tao and virtue that are most revered and spoken of. Taoist scriptures also pay special attention to the exposition of Taoism and morality. The Seven Signs of the Cloud Book takes the “Ministry of Morality” as the first part, the “Pivotal Points of Taoism” takes the “Morality of Righteousness” as the first meaning of the Ming Zong, and the “Treatise on Xuan Zong” takes “morality” as the outline of Taoism.
In fact, the great importance attached to morality in Taoism has been laid down as early as the time of the manifestation of Taishang, and Taishang Laozi is to teach by the two articles on morality. The doctrine of respecting Taoism and valuing morality also originates from the Tao Te Ching, which states that “everything respects Taoism and values morality”.
The reason why Taoism honors the Tao is that the Tao is the main body of Taoist beliefs, and all the beliefs and practices of Taoism are centered on the Tao, which can be summarized in four aspects: First, the Tao is the source of all things in the universe, and the Tao is the source of all things in the world. Firstly, “Tao” is the driving force behind all things in the universe and the root of creation. Secondly, “Tao” is the basis of the gods, from the three elements of the gas into the three Qing, gathered in the form of the Supreme Lord Laojun.
Thirdly, the Tao has the greatest virtues: it takes nothingness as its body, tranquility as its essence, softness as its use, and inaction and non-competition. Fourthly, the Tao is eternal, without birth or extinction, and exists everywhere and at all times in heaven and earth. “The greatness and sanctity of the Tao can be said to be manifested everywhere. Since this has already been described in the previous article, “Synthesis of the Catechism,” I will not go into details. In short, because of the greatness and sanctity of the Tao, Taoism honors the Tao as the highest faith and teaches people to learn, cultivate, practice and propagate the Tao.
Dao’s dignity and greatness, its highest manifestation is “virtue”, the road to create all things by virtue to be stored, the gods can be respected also because there is the most noble virtue. Therefore, Taoism honors Tao and virtue. On the interpretation of Taoism and virtue, “Taoism Yishu? Taoism and Virtue, “Taoism is one, but with two meanings, one but not two, two but not one”. That is to say, Tao and virtue are originally one and the same, for Tao is embodied by virtue, and there is a difference in rationality and righteousness, which can be divided and cannot be divided, but cannot be combined and called Tao. For virtue is not the root of creation or of the gods. However, when people believe in the Way and practice it, they must take “virtue” as the foundation to prove the Way and become the Way.
From the above explanation, we know that a person who has the Way must have noble virtues, and only with noble virtues can he attain the Way. Therefore, the cultivation of the Way should be based on virtue. For the majority of people who believe in the Way, the prerequisite for cultivating the Way is to establish virtue, and to establish virtue is to accumulate merits and virtues in daily life. The key is to improve one’s self-cultivation and to have a good character.
The key is to improve one’s self-cultivation and to have a good moral character. One should strive to follow the laws of the Tao in one’s internal cultivation and in one’s external behavior. Be quiet and uninterested, soft and uncontentious, and tolerant. One does not seek fame, profit, self-exaltation, self-praise, envy, or delusion, and one does not indulge in the color of food and drink. Be happy for the good fortune of others, sound the suffering of others, consider the urgency of others, and save the poor.
Do not ask for repayment for favors, do not kill for self-amusement, help the world and benefit others, be kind to others, and be honest and trustworthy. Being of one mind with the Way. By practicing in this way, one’s foundation will be established by virtue, and when the foundation is established, one can cultivate the Way and become a true person, and become immortal by attaining the Way.
