Heshang Gong Chapter 11 – 無用 (Being Useless)

Heshang Gong Chapter 11 – 無用 (Being Useless)

Paul Peng

Heshang Gong Chapter 11 – 無用 (Being Useless)

老子河上公章句 · 第11章 · Heshang Gong's Commentary on Laozi

📖 Taoist Scripture🖋 Heshang Gong (河上公)🔢 Chapter 11 of 81🌐 English & Chinese

Heshang Gong Chapter 11 - Being Useless - Chinese ink painting

Section 1 — 第1节

Original Chinese三十輺共一轂,古者車三十輺,法月數也。共一轂者,轂中有孔,故眾輺共湊之。治身者當除情去欲,使五臟空虛,神乃歸之。治國者寡能,摘眾弱共使強也。當其無,有車之用。無,謂空虛。轂中空虛,輪得轉行,輿中空虛,人得載其上也。埴埴以為器,埴,和也。埴,土也。和土以為飲食之器。當其無,有器之用。器中空虛,故得有所盛受。鳿戶牗以為室,謂作屋室。當其無有室之用。言戶牗空虛,人得以出入觀視;室中空虛,人得以居處,是其用。故有之以為利,利,物也,利於形用。器中有物,室中有人,恐其屋破壞,腹中有神,畏其形亡也。無之以為用。言虛空者乃可用盛受萬物,故曰虛無能制有形。道者空也。

Thirty spokes share one hub — in ancient times, a cart had thirty spokes, symbolizing the number of months. Sharing one hub means there is a hole in the center, so many spokes converge toward it. Those who cultivate themselves should eliminate emotions and desires, making the five internal organs empty and void so the spirit will return to them. Those who govern a country should have few abilities, unifying many weak individuals into strength. It is precisely because of the emptiness within that the function of the cart exists — the hub is hollow so the wheel can rotate; the carriage body is hollow so people can ride in it. Knead clay to make vessels — Shan means to mix; Zhi means earth or soil. Mix the clay to make vessels for food and drink. It is precisely because there is emptiness that a vessel can be used — because the interior is empty, it can hold and receive things. Chisel doors and windows to make a room — meaning building a house or dwelling. It is precisely because of emptiness that the function of a room exists: doors and windows are empty, allowing people to enter and exit; the interior is empty, so people can live there. Therefore, "having" provides benefit — benefit refers to objects useful in form and function. When there is something inside a vessel or people within a room, one fears the structure being damaged; when the abdomen contains spirit, one fears losing its form. It is "emptiness" that allows for use — it is precisely the void that allows one to hold and receive all things. Therefore, the formless can control the tangible. The Dao is emptiness.


Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

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