TAO

In Harmony Buddhism, the word ‘Tao’ is one of the most important concepts which can be understood from different perspectives.

Tao is primarily known as the universal principle by which the physical and mental world operates. If the cosmos and the living being conform to its rule, they continue to exist and develop, otherwise they will be punished or destroyed. In English, It can be translated into the “Way”, in a figurative sense which, in the Mandarin pinyin, ‘道’, that is, eternal law, route, path, road, orbit (軌道), morality (道德), the Tao practicer (Tao Shi: 道士), etc.

In a purely moral sense, it means the guide to setting personal and social behavior standards, a set of overall principles of social organization, and a specific body of beliefs, to such an extent that they may become precepts and tenets. If these are used to apply in a particular social and political context, they may become norms and laws. With the passage of time, the Tao-derived beliefs are part of the culture of a social group, as political and social parameters.

From a historical experience, revolutionaries often formulated their policies based on what they believed morally right and wrong, taking for granted what their dominant culture dictates. If the Tao became the tenet of a social movement, it did not necessarily become a rigid doctrine for it. Whereas political activities focus on changing the way a society should go, Tao does not specify who should rule and who should be ruled but the principles by which the rule should be conducted.

From a moral perspective, the Tao as a moral principle serves as an imperative to urge people abide by their moral standards and to fulfill their human obligations as it is considered the most rational of all: It is neutral and impartial.  It is equivalent to the Middle Way,  the law of balance between the two extremes.  In behavioral terms, Middle Way helps maintain neutrality and impartiality as preconditions for social justice.

It will never be an ideology which, throughout history, is normally bent or used to instigate hatred and enduce so many human calamities as happened in the last century. Thus, the sublime mission of the Tao is to promote mutual respect, tolerance, nobility, freedom of one not at the expense of the other, cooperation while living side by side, while not overlooking the support for the socially disadvantaged. It goes beyond the didactic boundaries of a religion. It does include and is not limited to a moral conviction. It is always open to anyone who may pursue their happiness by attuning their practice to the Tao. The Tao is deemed the essence of phenomena, therefore it is not changeable but serves as the core of any change.

At a metaphysical level, it is deterministic as nothing physical and moral happens beyond its control. From a holistic perspective, it is just and fair in terms of maintaining an eventual balance between any cause and its effect. Even though there is no similar concept to a Christian God in Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian scriptures, there may be such an ample analogy to the personifiable Natural Justice which exists to re-establish the equilibrium of the universe after each cycle of the latter. Therefore, the event is called ‘Judgment Day’ on which all the acts of humans and semi-gods ought finally to be adjudicated. The Cao Daists and Hoa Hao Buddhists call this the Dragon and Flower Gathering (Hội Long-Hoa) where the ‘Jade Emperor’ and ‘Buddha’ shall preside.

In the Master’s preachings, Đạo, in Vietnamese, has diverse meanings: path, obligation, verity (substance), ultimate truth, also called dharma or true nature. Đức means kindness, the expression of the wholesome root. A moral act is the manifestion of a good intent in conformity with dharma.

“Morally, I resolve to pay off my country debts”.

(Awaken the Worldling: Tỉnh Bạn Trần Gian)

Đạo Lý: The reason of Đạo, what is acceptable to anyone as it is based on a factual evidence, just and fair. It has the third meaning: its mystical depth is undescribable and beyond the word as it is invisible and transcendental. Thus, the practicer needs his Master to guide them.“

I.