weak and uncontroversial
Softness and non-competition are the Taoist teachings of self-cultivation and life in the world. From his observation and analysis of the natural world, Laozi profoundly expounded the principles of “softness overcomes hardness, and weakness overcomes strength” and “a man’s life is also soft and weak, but his death is also strong”. Therefore, it is very necessary for Taoists to believe in Taoism and learn Taoism, and to regulate and cultivate themselves with the teachings and thoughts of softness.
The word “softness” literally seems to express the fragility and lack of spirit, but in Taoist doctrinal thought it is not only the literal meaning of the word, but its spiritual essence is mainly reflected in two aspects.
Firstly, weakness is the spiritual essence of the existence and continuity of life. All kinds of creatures in the natural world, because there is life to show their different flexibility, life is even more so, without the life of people and things to show is the rigidity of rigidity. That is why the Tao Te Ching says: “People are born soft and weak, but they die strong. Taoism teaches people to cultivate Taoism and maintain the flexibility of life in order to live long and prosper.
Taoism, in inheriting and carrying forward this doctrine, requires people to emphasize the cultivation of softness, and always hold the practice of “specializing in qi to achieve softness”. Do breathe in harmony, smooth and subtle. They should act to keep the body and spirit calm and quiet, and keep their qi weak and nourish the body and spirit.
Secondly, weakness contains a positive philosophy of life. Taoism uses weakness for its purpose, and advocates that all behavior should not be too strong, for the strong are easily destroyed first, and the strong are easily bent first. To cultivate Taoism is to wait for movement with quietness, to guard the softness and not to move rashly, so as to broaden the bosom of self-accommodation. Learning from the spirit of water, which is soft and weak but can attack the strong, and with a positive attitude towards life, we should deal with the world and maintain our body and spirit.
The Taoist doctrine of “non-competition” is interrelated with the idea of “softness”. The Tao Te Ching says, “The way of heaven is to benefit but not to harm. The Way of the Sage is to do good but not to strive for it. That is, the operation of all things in heaven and earth and human behavior should be in accordance with nature and cannot be forced, which is very similar to the idea of the doctrine of natural inaction. Therefore, there is also the saying of “doing nothing but not contending”.
The Tao Te Ching makes a profound clarification of the idea of “non-competition” through the discussion of “water”. The Tao Te Ching says: “The goodness of water is like that of water, and water is good to all things but does not strive for them. Water with its characteristic soft and non-competitive character, where the low flow to where, with the square on the square, with the round on the round, selflessly watering everything, for people to utilize, Fuyu people and the growth of all things. There is no self-possession, self-righteousness, ego, or self-respecting behavior. Can be described as the most good and perfect.
For this reason, Zu Tianshi Zhang Daoling especially advocated the doctrine of Taishang Undisputed at the beginning of the establishment of the religion, and made undisputedness an important practice guideline for monks and nuns. Laozi want to Er Note: “the sages do not compete with the ordinary people, there is competition, to avoid the death of the high”. Cultivation for longevity, should also be “not to seek wealth to support the body, not to rob the king without merit to take the salary in order to honor the body, do not eat five flavors to wantonly, clothing, clothing, not with the ordinary competition”.
Subsequent generations of Taoist high true, avoid the world of honor and glory, willing to hide in the mountains, frugal and simple cultivation, and send goodwill to help the world and benefit others, is the “non-competition” doctrine is embodied. Therefore, for a true Taoist practitioner, one should practice the doctrine of weakness and non-competition, cultivate oneself with weakness and non-competition, do not compete with others for fame and glory, be contented, be aware of stopping, and have little desire, do not rely on oneself, do not see oneself, do not be self-righteous, do not cut oneself down, and do not be proud of oneself. For the good self-appreciation, and always have the heart to help the world and benefit others. Thus, they can overcome themselves and perfect themselves for the peace and development of society.
