ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
"Why is the sea king of a hundred streams?
Sun, September 23, 2007 - 11:46 AM
Therefore it is the king of a hundred streams.
If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility.
If he would lead them, he must follow behind.
In this way the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed.
When he stands before them they will not be harmed.
The whole world will support him and will not tire of him.
Because he does not compete,
He does not meet competition.
66
Tao Te Ching : Lao Tsu
******
I wonder...
Why is the Earth queen of a hundred kings?
Sun, September 23, 2007 - 11:46 AM -
permalink -
4 Comments
4 Comments |
add a comment |
|
Unsu...
|
Sun, September 23, 2007 - 1:27 PM
Well spoken beauty...the answer to your last question is because the woman is capable of giving birth to new life...this is a power no King can ever truly own...
|
|
Sun, September 23, 2007 - 2:07 PM
from red pine's translation of the dao de jing:
The reason the sea can govern a hundred rivers is because it has mastered being lower thus it can govern a hundred rivers thus if the sage would be above the people he should speak as if he were below them (note: my understanding is that in chinese there's only one singular pronoun...women are also called 'he') if he would be before them he should act as if he were behind them thus when the sage is above the people are not burdened when he is in front the people are not hindered the world never wearies of pushing him forward because he doesn't struggle no one can struggle against him the commentaries: Yen Tsun: "rivers don't flow toward the sea because of its reputation or its power, but because it does nothing and seeks nothing": Te-Ch'ing: "all rivers flow toward the sea, regardless of whether they are muddy or clear. and the sea is able to contain them all because it is adept at staying below them. this is a metaphor for the sage. the world turns to him because he is selfless." Ho-Shang Kung: "the people never grow tired of him because he doesn't struggle against them. everyone struggles against something. but no one struggles against a person who doesn't struggle against anything." as sheila chandra put it; "the ocean refuses no river." the female principle is large and all encompassing, it even encompasses the 'he' within 'she' ;-) |
|
Sun, September 23, 2007 - 2:25 PM
Indeed, dear Sister...
Indeed.
I enjoyed the more in depth translations (and commentary) you have shared, thank you :) |
|
Sun, September 23, 2007 - 7:12 PM
redpine's translation of the daodejing is a worthwhile addition to the library of anyone interested in the DDJ, daoism, or chinese history. He did an excellent job, and has the original chinese in the book as well (for those who can read chinese).
|