| Ah Heng's Daoism Page |
| Aims: The aim of this page is NOT to promote Daoism. Rather it is to promote an understanding of the Truth (reality). Truth is itself elusive because we are now saturated with too many knowledge that are reified and decaying. Hence true Wisdom is lost. Daoism merely points a direction towards the Truth (just like Buddhism). I have made this website with pointing to the Truth in mind. Misconceptions: Daoism is NOT a religion. If I were to accord it a name, I can roughly call it a 'Philosophy'. Philosophy affects the way we experience and think about our Reality and the cosmos, so it has far reaching consequences to our life. Without Philosophy, humanity doesn't exist. Philosophy is life itself. Everyone subscribes to their own personal philosophies as they apply it to their perceptive worldviews. In my opinion, religion is merely a part of Philosophy. Quest for Truth: Daoism is not the only path towards realization of the Truth. Buddhism (and certain aspects of Western Philosophy) do point towards such realization. Buddhism is the most documented and inherently contains 'progressive methodologies' towards obtaining the Truth (Mahayana, Zen, Tantra, etc). To obtain reach the Truth and touch it is to gain Enlightenment. With Enlightenment, one can transcend time and dimensions, fly through the air and be able to transverse the Five Elements. The man of Dao is invincible. Buddhism though accessible to the masses, is still a little reified (in my opinion) in differing methodological pursuit. Daoism offers the shortest possible path to Enlightenment. Although a little difficult to understand because it is very abstract, Buddhism and Daoism still lead to the same place. There is no Buddha and no Dao. There is only Enlightenment. Translation: I try to translate and comment on the Dao De Jing in my own words. The Dao De Jing has been translated many times but current translations are still too rigid and does not capture its true essence accurately. On the other hand, I don't purely 'translate' but refer to the true meanings behind the words. I solely refer to the ancient Chinese texts alone as authenticity and do not refer to secondary or tertiary sources (I have a Chinese book with me as I translate). If I do refer, they act only as outside references and aids. I also make comments in the texts. Those that belong to my thoughts will be used with a round bracket: ( ). Those that are present in the original texts will be used with a square bracket: [ ]. Reading: No words are enough to capture the Truth. Hence I beseech readers not to read the words as 'words' but rather try capturing the all-important meanings behind the words. It is only through understanding and experiencing the Dao that one can grasp its true essence. It is never an easy task, but I still want to wish all readers good luck in your search for the Truth. (DO NOT read all Chapters in one shot. Come back again.) Chinese Version: For those who understand Chinese, you can compare my translation with the Chinese texts I cut and paste from other websites. I have tried to retrieve the meanings behind the characters and interpret in a Western philosophical discourse. Nevertheless the translation is a very 'Ah Heng' one. Please seek out your own understanding without being restricted by any kind of word forms. Lao Zi would be pleased. (Note that the Chinese texts I used on this webpage is NOT the authentic version used by mainstream Dao De Jing classic. They have already been modified where some words are missing and some characters have been changed too. For the truly enthusiastic, please find other versions which are truer to the original classic.) |
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| Note: There are NO copyright rules. Feel free to use any part of the translations as you deem fit, but I would appreciate if you could cite my website address on works that you use them. |