What is the Pivot of the Tao in Taoism? 什么是道枢
Paul PengWhat is the Pivot of the Tao in Taoism?
It comes from Zhuangzi · The Adjustment of Controversies:
“When neither ‘that’ nor ‘this’ finds its opposite, this is called the Axis of the Dao.”
All things exist in multiplicity in the world.
What is the Pivot of the Tao in Taoism?
What is the Pivot of the Tao in Taoism? From the perspective of things, every being has its opposite side and its corresponding side.
“That” is inseparable from “this”, and “this” is inseparable from “that”.
All things are born and die in the same moment, die and are born in the same moment.
Affirmation is accompanied by negation, negation by affirmation.
Some take “this” as right, others take “that” as right,
thus arising disputes over right and wrong.
Yet “that” has its own right and wrong,
and “this” has its own right and wrong.
If both “that” and “this” are empty,
right and wrong cannot be distinguished,
and all things return to nature —
the Dao is undivided and whole, without distinctions or oppositions.
Abiding in [Heavenly Equality],
letting all things and the self find their proper place,
attaining the state of the Dao where right and wrong are merged and all things are one —
this may be called grasping the essence of the Dao.
