Heshang Gong Chapter 48 – 忘知 (Forgetting Knowledge)

Heshang Gong Chapter 48 – 忘知 (Forgetting Knowledge)

Paul Peng

Heshang Gong Chapter 48 – 忘知 (Forgetting Knowledge)

老子河上公章句 · 第48章 · Heshang Gong's Commentary on Laozi

📖 Taoist Scripture🖋 Heshang Gong (河上公)🔢 Chapter 48 of 81🌐 English & Chinese

Heshang Gong Chapter 48 - Forgetting Knowledge - Chinese ink painting

Section 1 — 第1节

Original Chinese

為學日益,學謂政教禮樂之學也。日益者,情欲文飾日以益多。為道日損。道謂之自然之道也。日損者,情欲文飾日以消損。損之又損,損情欲也。又損之,所以漸去。以至於無為,當淡淡如嬰兒,無所造為也。無為而無不為。情欲斷絕,德於道合,則無所不施,無所不為也。取天下常以無事,取,治也。治天下當以無事,不當以勞煩也。及其有事,不足以取天下。及其好有事,則政教煩,民不安,故不足以治天下也。

To pursue learning is to increase day by day. Learning refers to the study of political instruction, rites, and music. Increasing day by day means that desires and embellishments grow more each day. To pursue the Dao is to diminish day by day. The Dao refers to the natural way of things. Diminishing day by day means that desires and adornments gradually fade away. To diminish again and again, to eliminate desires, and to diminish further, so as to gradually remove them, until one reaches non-action, when one is tranquil and indifferent like an infant, doing nothing of one's own accord. Non-action yet there is nothing that remains undone. When desires are severed and virtue unites with the Dao, then nothing will be withheld, and there will be no action left undone. To govern the world is always to do so without unnecessary actions. "Qu" means "to govern." Governing the world should be done through inaction and not through laborious or burdensome measures. When there are affairs to attend to, it is insufficient for governing the world. When one becomes fond of managing affairs, governance and instruction become burdensome, and the people will not find peace; thus, it is insufficient to govern the world.


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.

Read his full story →
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