Extensive interpretation of Tao Te Ching (21)
道德經演義（廿一）
The marks of great Character,
follow alone from Tao.
孔德之容，惟道是從。
The thing that is called Tao is elusive,
evasive. Evasive, elusive, yet latent in it are forms.
道之為物，惟恍惟惚，惚兮恍兮，其中有象。
Elusive, evasive, yet latent
in it are objects.
恍兮惚兮，其中有物。
Dark and dim, yet latent in it
is the life-force. The life-force being very true, latent in it are evidences.
窈兮冥兮，其中有精，其精甚真，其中有信。
From the days of old till now,
its Named (manifested forms) have never ceased. By which we may view the Father
of All Things.
自古及今，其名不去，以閱眾甫。
How do I know the shape of
Father of All Things? Through These!
吾何以知眾甫之狀哉，以此。
Utmost Joy(1)
(25-29)((21。1)
莊子演義外篇至樂(一)(25-29)((21。1)
25 In the birth stage of earth, the air was full of poisonous gases, such as
gas of sulfur, carbon monoxide. Temperatures in different places were
different. Therefore, storms show everyday. Under the condition of heavy rain
and hurricane, the sky was varying. The sky was not stable and didn’t become
blue until most gases of sulfur; carbon monoxide and biogas were pressed down,
settled down or transformed to hide in land.
當地球初生之時，空氣中充滿著硫磺、一氧化碳等含毒氣體。大氣溫度的分佈也極不均勻，因此暴風雨無日或停。巨風暴雨下，整個天空充滿了詭譎而多變的色彩。直到有一天，大氣中的硫、一氧化碳、沼氣等大部份被降伏、沉積或轉化並深藏於大地之中。這時天空才逐漸穩定下來，開始透出一片蔚藍之色。
26 The earth was so too. In the youth of earth, the whole earth was like a coal
clod taken from stove. Each place gave out poisonous gas that made people
faint. Hot spring spouted out from underground at times. The earth was heated
and unrest everyday. It didn’t calm down until the lithosphere came to cool
down and high temperature lowered.
大地也是這樣。在地球年輕時，整個地球像是一塊剛從火爐取出的煤塊。各地都冒著令人昏眩的毒瓦斯。赤熱的泉水不時自地底噴出。大地熱滾滾的，不得一刻安寧。只有當地球溫度逐漸降低，地殼慢慢冷卻，高溫退去後，大地才算安靜了下來。
27 When peaceful environment with blue sky and cool land came into being,
creatures started to have a suitable space to live. The vigorous world possibly
came into being.
當天空展現蔚藍，大地逐漸退燒，寧靜的環境出現後，生物才真正地獲得生長的空間。生氣蓬勃的世界才成為可能。
28 In the other viewpoint, we may say that creatures were gestated in chaos.
When chaos calmed down, life came out one after another.
從另外一個角度上看，也可以說萬物是在渾沌中開始孕育的。當渾沌沉靜下來時，生命就逐一的誕生了。
請嘗試言之：天無為以之清，地無為以之寧。故兩無為相合，萬物皆化生。芒乎芴乎，而無從出乎！芴乎芒乎，而無有象乎！
29 Therefore, when heaven and earth calmed down, all things came into being. Is
our human enlightened from this phenomenon?
所以當天地寧靜下來時，萬物也就形成了。而我們人類，是否也可以從這樣的現象中得到一點啟示呢？
萬物職職，皆從無為殖。故曰：「天地無為也而無不為也。」人也孰能得無為哉！
Xianchi’s interpretation and remark(21。1)
咸池評述(21。1)
1 Everything and
all creatures are derived from seed in a certain environment. Seed can’t grow
up without reason. It has its source and process of gestation.
萬事萬物的產生，皆是由種子在一定的環境中孕育而誕生的。而種子本身並不會平白無故的跳出來，因為它也是具有其來源及孕育的過程的。
2 Chuang Tzu thought that seed comes into being in ecological
chaos, depending on opportunity and complying with the rule of survival of the
fittest.
莊子說，種子是在渾沌的生態中，靠機率以及適者生存等條件而形成的。
3 After seed
comes into being, it must go with a certain environment, so it is possible to
germinate a new life. This environment includes temperature, humidity, sunshine,
air and peaceful place etc.
種子在形成了以後，必須配合一定的環境才有可能發芽，生出新的生命; 這個環境包括:溫度、溼度、陽光、空氣的組成成份以及一個平穩安靜的環境等。
4 In the light of
Chuang Tzu’s view, peaceful and stable environment
means all, which seems reasonable, because too high or too low of the
temperature and humidity cause environment unstable; if we beat pregnant lady’s
belly hard, asking her to jump and leap, it is impossible for the embryo to
grow.
依照莊子的看法，安靜而又穩定的環境，就已經象徵了一切。這一點似乎也說得通。因為無論溫度、濕度太高或太低，都會影響到其周圍的環境。而假如我們故意猛敲孕婦的肚子，帶著她又蹦又跳的，那麼，胎兒肯定是很難順利發育完成的。
5 Chuang Tzu
asked if human could be enlightened from the phenomenon of when heaven and
earth calmed down, all things came into being? As far as practice is concerned,
they are surely sitting in Zen and meditation. Under the condition of
tranquility of body and mind, wisdom arises to take man of practice to nirvana,
which is the greatest enlightenment.
莊子問，我們人是否能從這樣的現象中得到一些啟示。我想以修行而言，當然是禪坐、默想的過程。在這種身心俱靜的情況下，當智慧昇起，帶領著修行人走向涅槃之道時，也就是修行人最大的啟示了。
6 Other enlightenment is that never make any decision if we are in the state of
angry or excitement.
其他如遇事沉著。在氣憤不平或興奮不已的狀態之下，不要倉促的作出任何的決定等，也是我們所必須留意的。
The
Great Supreme (1) (59-64) (21。2)
莊子演義內篇大宗師(一) (59-64) (21。2)
59 It is very real that Tao
exists. We can get the evidence from the operation of Nature whereas we can’t
understand clearly its operation and can’t see its forming.
道的存在是千真萬確的，自然法則的運作足以證明這一點。然而我們無法明確地感覺祂的動作，也不能由肉眼看見祂的形成。
夫道，有情有信，無為無形﹔可傳而不可受，可得而不可見﹔
60 Tao keeps sending signals and issuing orders. It can’t be heard clear like
the sound but we can’t disobey its will. We can’t see it but we follow its
steps in accordance with its direction.
道不斷地放出訊息，發出指令。雖然祂不像聲音那樣清楚的由耳朵接收，可是我們無法違背其意志。雖然我們看不見祂，但是我們跟著道的腳步走，在大方向上是與祂一致的。
61 Tao depends on nothing. It not likes our life which depends on the food,
air, water and sun.
道是不假外求的，不像我們生存要靠食物、空氣、水、陽光等來支持這個軀體。
62 Tao is self-supported and exists before the universe.
道是自給自足，在沒有天地之前祂就存在。
63 It is immortal, without the beginning and the end. It stays eternally. The
powers of god and ghost are from his authorization and the heaven and the earth
are its production.
祂沒有所謂生，也無所謂死。祂是永遠存在的。鬼神的法力也來自祂的授權，天地更是祂的產物。
64 As far as Tao is concerned, nothing is more senior than it while nothing is
more junior than it. It exists before the birth of cosmos. Therefore there is
nothing elder than it.
對道而言，沒有任何東西比祂更高，也沒有任何東西比祂更低。天地誕生之前祂就存在。因此，也沒有任何東西比祂更老。
自本自根，未有天地，自古以固存﹔神鬼神帝，生天生地﹔在太極之先而不為高，在六極之下而不為深，先天地生而不為久，長於上古而不為老。
Let Be and Let Alone (4) (12-15)(21。3)
莊子演義外篇在宥 (四)(12-15)(21。3)
12 Yellow
Emperor reverently kowtowed twice and said, “I heard that you are deeply aware
of the perfect Tao. Could I consult about how to maintain health to prolong
life?”
黃帝恭恭敬敬地磕了兩個頭。然後說：「據聞先生深知完美的道，我是否可以請教，人要如何保養身體，才能得享高壽。」
廣成子南首而臥，黃帝順下風膝行而進，再拜稽首而問曰：「聞吾子達於至道，敢問，治身奈何而可以長久？」
13 Hearing this question, Chengzi beamed in his eyes.
He remarked, “Good question. Come. Let me tell you what the perfect Tao is.
廣成子聽到這樣的問題立刻站起來，眼睛一亮。他說：「好問題，好問題，來，讓我告訴你什麼是完美的道。
廣成子蹶然而起，曰：「善哉問乎！來，吾語女至道。
14 The essence of Tao is subtle. What it contains is dim. It is rather
difficult to understand it.
道的精髓是很詭密的，祂所含蓋的一切也灰暗不明，是真的不太容易理解;
15 Close your eyes. Just hear, never react to outward sound. Stay still and
think nothing by your consciousness. Do so like a fool, your body can adjust
itself to keep healthy.
你只要閉起你的眼睛，聽止於耳，不要對外界的聲音做任何反應。靜靜地，不要用你的意識去思考任何問題。這樣傻傻地呆在那兒，你的身體它就會自動調整，身強體健。
至道之精，窈窈冥冥；至道之極，昏昏默默。無視無聽，抱神以靜，形將自正。
Xianchi’s interpretation and remark(21。2)(21。3)
咸池評述(21。2)(21。3)
1 Christianism declares that God is
everywhere. In Chinese culture, God includes Tao, ghost and celestial
men.
基督教認為上帝是無處不在，處處都在的。而在我們中國傳統文化裡，上帝應該就是道、鬼、神等的統稱了。
2 If Tao and God
keep issuing orders, as Chuang Tzu said, and all
creatures are puppet that controlled by them behind the curtain, all creature’s
most deeds in their life are completed according to their orders.
如果道或上帝，果真如莊子所說的，一直不斷地發出訊息指令，以致所有的生物都是其幕後操作的玩偶; 而生物一生中絕大多數的行動、舉止、作為，也全都是依照祂的指令而逐一完成的。
3 If above
judgment is correct, then Albert Einstein is right, we should not take
responsibility for our deeds. If we act on screenplay, and the leading role,
supporting role, hero and villain are arranged by the director and playwright,
then, the man acts villain should not be punished. If villain was punished, it
was arranged according to the screenplay. The villain in actually world, after
he has felt panic for being chased by police, being sanctioned by judge,
wearing the strips, which are all the punishments, he should have. Forget the
heaven and the hell after death. It takes it too far that he is gone behind
after drama.
假如這個判斷是正確無誤的，那麼愛因斯坦的見解也同樣是錯不了的。愛氏的看法是，我們不需要為自己的行為負責。因為，我們都是照著劇本來演戲，主角、配角、好人、壞人等都是編劇、導演所指派及指揮我們去做的; 因此，扮演壞蛋的演員，我們是難以治他們什麼罪的。如果真的有罪，那也是劇本之中所安排好了的。而壞蛋們在經過了一番內心的折磨與不安、在歷經被員警追逐、被法官判刑，被發監坐牢等處罰之後，該付出的代價也已經付出了; 那麼，上天堂抑或下地獄是否也應該就此免了呢? 下了戲台還追究劇情，這是否有點矯枉過正了?
4 An invisible hand controls the
operation of all things in universe, which a lot of facts can prove.
宇宙萬物之中的運作，全賴一隻看不見的手在後面掌控。這一點確實是可以從事物所呈現出的各種現象中去深深領會的。
5 Let’s take an
example of the proportion of baby. According to the statistics, in area that is
big enough and in duration, a month or a year, the proportion of boy baby to
girl baby are similar everywhere.
就以男、女嬰兒的比例來說。根據統計，在一定夠大的區域裡，在一定時期內--比如一個月或一年--在該地區所出生的男、女嬰兒的比率，與世界上其他地區相較起來，都顯得差不多，就是一個例子。
6 Sex, pregnancy
and birth in family are done respectively. They never have a meeting of birth.
They never discuss on quota of body and girl. Each one does by himself and
herself. Couples have sex at home, with no need to register.
每一對夫婦，他們由性行為到受孕以至生子都是各自進行的。他們沒有開辦什麼生育大會，大家平均分配，你生男的，我生女的; 或我生男的，你生女的; 將配額定好了，然後大家努力爭取。他們都是夫妻倆躲在家中翻雲覆雨，也沒有誰會跟什麼人去登記註冊的。
7 So, the
proportion of birth has a single explanation: Tao, he uses the method of
probability or other methods to manipulate the rate of giving a birth of boy or
girl. If we understand that Tao masters all, don’t we feel calm?
所以，能得出這樣的比率，只有一個解釋，有一個叫道的，祂運用或然率或其他什麼方法在那兒分發配額，指揮生男生女才有可能。在明白了道操控一切的道理之後，我們是不是該就此坦然些呢？
8 Surely, calmness doesn’t mean indulging
and doing as you want. If you think that you need not be responsible for your
deeds; you will not go hell due to bad deed you has done. For this
consideration, you rob bank; then you will face immediately the panic feeling
of being chased by police and being thrown into jail. Actually, the current
punishment is not an easy one; everybody should always keep in mind.
當然，坦然並不等於放縱或胡作非為。你如果覺得自己可以不用為自己的行為負責，亦不會因胡作非為而下地獄，因而你就去搶劫銀行; 那麼你就要體會到被警察追捕，以及被關在大牢中的滋味; 現世報其實也並不是那麼好受的。
9 Tao arranges us
to come to this world and to enjoy its feast. There are stinking, sourness,
bitterness, sweetness, spiciness, rawness and all kinds of dishes on the table
of the feast. You are welcome to take what you like or what fits you, and enjoy
them as you can.
道，祂安排了我們來到這個世間，讓我們享受祂所主辦的盛宴。餐桌上百味俱呈，腥、酸、苦、甜、辣、生的、熟的無所不包。你自己喜歡吃什麼、適合吃什麼，就只管選擇你所喜歡，所適合的東西，盡情的享受。
10 The north
people don’t eat spicy food. You may eat less spicy foods. If you don’t feel
well on your stomach, don’t eat sticky rice. There is no bad thing, only the
thing that fits you or not.
北方人既然不吃辣，那麼你們就少吃帶辣的食物；胃不好的話就不要吃糯米做的東西。東西沒有好壞，只有適不適合。
11 Controlled by
Tao, the space it offers us is very wide in fact. We are lucky to be invited to
join the travel of “way of life”. Enjoying it, don’t woolgather and waste the
beautiful time. Tao Yuanming’s ever said it like
this: I live in universe of change; I never feel scared and pleased; deal with
them when necessary; never worry about anything.
在道主導一切的情況下，道所派送給我們的空間，其實也是非常寬廣的。我們好幸運才被安排了這趟 “生之旅”，就讓我們快快樂樂的享用這美味的一餐吧！別胡思亂想，白白糟蹋了這一段美好的時光。陶淵明說的，縱浪大化中，不喜亦不懼。應盡便須盡，無復獨多慮。
Xianchi’s
interpretation and remark of Tao Te Ching(21) a。21
咸池評述道德經演義（廿一）a。21
1 Laotse said that Tao is evasive, elusive, yet latent in it
are forms; elusive, evasive, yet latent in it are objects. Buddha told us in
his sutra that form, feeling, perception, impulse and consciousness are varying
and empty.
老子說惚兮恍兮，其中有象。恍兮惚兮，其中有物。佛經裡世尊則告訴我們，色、受、想、行、識皆是空，皆是虛幻。
2 In the long term, all things are changeable, and can’t keep its’ form and
object. Of course, as far as the current world is concerned, what we can see,
all are forms and objects, which we can’t deny.
站在較長遠的角度以觀察萬物，證明萬物確實都是無常的，都是無法長期保持其為物為象的常態的。當然，就當下的世界而言，在我們觸目所及，無一不是象、無一不是物，這一切也都是無可否認的事實。
3 Laotse said Tao is evasive, elusive, yet latent in
it are forms; elusive, evasive, yet latent in it are objects. Laotse told us the form and object are come from the
evasive and elusive Tao, in other words, they are empty in substance and
ungraspable. Buddha said that five skandhas are
empty. He wanted to tell us not to persist in these forms, make less effort on
seeking, preserving and lusting after these forms.
老子說惚兮恍兮，其中有象。恍兮惚兮，其中有物，主要是為了告訴我們，物象是來自虛幻的道; 本質上牠們都是虛幻的，不可捉摸的。而世尊說五蘊皆空，其目的也不外是為了要求我們，對這些來自虛幻的物象不要過於執著，不要花費太多的心思在這些物象的追求、持有及貪求上，以免迷失了自己。