Thursday

dao division

division
Chinese for "division"




Problems cannot be

Resolved at once.
Slowly untie knots
Divide to conquer.


In order to solve problems, it is helpful to first understand whether they are puzzle, obstacle, or entanglement. A puzzle need only be analyzed carefully: It is like unraveling a ball of yarn and requires patience more than anything else. An obstacle must be overcome: We must use force and perseverance to either destroy or move away from what is blocking us. an entanglement mires us in a maze of limitations: This most dangerous of situations requires that we use all our resources to extricate ourselves as quickly as possible.

No matter what the problem, however, it is important not to take the thing on whole. Break it down into smaller, more easily handled components. Most problematic situations are combinations of puzzles, obstacles, and entanglements. By fracturing them into these more basic elements, they can be managed easily. Even the greatest of difficulties can be resolved when they are slowly reduced. Then the knots of life are untied as easily as if we had a magic charm.


division

365 Tao
daily meditations
Deng Ming-Dao (author)
ISBN 0-06-250223-9

Tibet, Treasures from the Roof of the World
TIBET: TREASURES FROM
THE ROOF OF THE WORLD
Vajrabhairava Mandala
China, Ming dynasty, Yongle Reign, (1403-1424)
Tibet Museum
Photo Courtesy of Bowers Museum

Chinese emperors lavished costly gifts on Tibetan high lamas. This one, made during the Ming dynasty, is fantastic both in its amazing detail, and also in its Buddhist subject. The upper part of the object unfolds, like a lotus blooming, to reveal the wrathful deity Vajrabhairava and his entourage.The figures are arranged to form a mandala, or mystic diagram of the universe, as envisioned by Buddhists. Chinese emperors exchanged gifts with Tibetan lamas to maintain cordial political relations and also to celebrate a shared religion, as many emperors practiced the Tibetan style of Buddhism.

T A O t e C H I N G
hand drawn calligraphy of the word dao
t w e n t y - f o u r

tao 24
She who stands on tiptoe is not steady.
She who strides cannot maintain the pace.
She who makes a show is not enlightened.
She who is self-righteous is not respected.
She who boasts achieves nothing.
She who brags will not endure.
According to followers of the Tao,
"These are extra food and unnecessary luggage."

They do not bring happiness.
therefore followers of the Tao avoid them.
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