Tao Te Ching

Tao Te Ching and the Analects are teachings that guide the way to live our lives. After just reading 1-12, I felt the emptiness of the Ten Commandments. Ten seems like a very small number to teach the way life should be lived. What amazes me even more is that the Tao Te Ching around the 6th century BC, and almost every sentence can apply to modern life. Not only what is said impresses me, but how it is said marked me even more.

Before reading a text as important as the Tao Te Ching, I did some background research to understand what I was reading. The Tao Te Ching just like the Analects; was written in China by a philosopher, this time Lao Tzu. There are many terms that have the same name as in the Analects, but the Tao Te Ching and the Analects differ. First of all, they have a different author, which means different ideas. Even though they have different ideas, their ideals are very similar. Both talk highly about working hard for nothing in return, and respect for elders and family.

Both the Analects and the small part of the Tao Te Ching are books that guide religion in Asia. For many people, the Ten Commandments would be their guide. After reading these books, ten seems like a very small number. Every sentence written in the Tao Te Ching is like a commandment for me. The philosophers go deeper with each "commandment." The Tao Te Ching and the Analects may be shorter than the Bible, but every sentence is about a page long. I had to reread the entire text many times to get the complete understanding of what was said. I also had my useful friend, the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary.

Another aspect of the Tao Te Ching that I would like to write about, is how it fits to modern life. The book is thousands of years old, but everything can apply to modern life.
"In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don't try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present."

Everything said by the Master is true. I think that the Tao Te Ching and the Analects should be read by many people. I'm not telling people to convert their religion, but people from all races and religions should read these books for knowledge.