Another Point Of View

Tao Te Ching Chapters 1-12

The Tao is very different to Confucianism. If you compare, they are totally different. Obviously they have some similarities like respect, but in other ways, it differs.

I realized I like more the teachings from Tao. It impacted me just at the beginning. " The Tao that can be told is not an eternal Tao". (1 pg.3)It doesn't show any superiority or such an arrogant way of teaching such as Confucianism. Confucius, thinks he is right ans he will always be right. He also thinks he says the soul truth and knows the meaning of "Goodness". In this case, Tao, is not superficial or arrogant at all. It says that Tao has infinite teachings, but he doesn't, see people in a lower way. " The wise are impartial; the see people as straw dogs".(5 pg.7)

Confucius feel himself superior to everyone, since he was chosen by the heavens. Even so, Tao says "Heaven and earth last forever. Why do heaven and earth last forever? They are unborn. So ever living. The sage stays behind, thus his is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Trough selfless actions, he attains fulfillment".(7 pg.9) He says that sages are good, but not as Confucius who doesn't show any detachment at all. Until now, I think he is nor gallant nor great. I think he is just a show-off who turns out to be that know it all.

In Tao, women is respected. She is even considered important. " Opening and closing the gates of heaven. Can you play the role of woman?". (10 pg.12) Instead, Confucius don't even give her rights. He even compares her to servants! He feels women are especially inferior than him, and they are only able to raise babies. Instead, the female part in Tao is also sacred. " The valley spirit never dies; I is the woman, primal mother. Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth. It is like a veil barely seen. Use it: it will never fail." (6 pg.8)