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[TTC Study] Chapter 14 of the Tao Teh Ching

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Getting back to the chapter study... here is my first attempt at a translation sticking to the MWD versions as much as possible:

 

 

1. To look and not see it, this is [why Dao is] styled hidden.

2. To listen and not hear it, this is [why Dao is] styled silent.

3. To grasp and not obtain it, this is [why Dao is] is styled even and level.

4. These three are beyond measure

5. Yet they form a Unity

6. This Unity:

7. Above it, there is nothing within reach

8. Below it, there is nothing to regard

9. Breath-taking! IT cannot be named

10. It restores the [ten thousand to the] original state of Wu-realm.

11. This is called [uniting] the Formless [to its] Form; [uniting] the Wu-realm [to its] appearance.

12. This is called suddenly viewing at a distance [the Unity].

13. To fall away from it, there is nothing next to see [about it]

14. To welcome it, there is nothing before to see [about it]

15. To grasp Dao today is to govern what exists today

16. This is to know the [Way of the] ancient beginnings

17. [All] This is called, The passage of Dao.

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Do we want to hear the positive side all the time....??? Let's hear some negatives....!!! Let's see what is in everybody's mind.

 

 

PS....

Please don't bring the MODs yet....!!!

Okay. Okay! I'll shut up (for now). Hehehe.

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dawei, very nice. And thanks for bring us back on topic. (-:

 

***

11. This is called [uniting] the Formless [to its] Form; [uniting] the Wu-realm [to its] appearance.

 

Well, whadda know. There's that 'Both' thingy again. (-:

 

warm regards

 

 

 

Getting back to the chapter study... here is my first attempt at a translation sticking to the MWD versions as much as possible:

 

 

1. To look and not see it, this is [why Dao is] styled hidden.

2. To listen and not hear it, this is [why Dao is] styled silent.

3. To grasp and not obtain it, this is [why Dao is] is styled even and level.

4. These three are beyond measure

5. Yet they form a Unity

6. This Unity:

7. Above it, there is nothing within reach

8. Below it, there is nothing to regard

9. Breath-taking! IT cannot be named

10. It restores the [ten thousand to the] original state of Wu-realm.

11. This is called [uniting] the Formless [to its] Form; [uniting] the Wu-realm [to its] appearance.

12. This is called suddenly viewing at a distance [the Unity].

13. To fall away from it, there is nothing next to see [about it]

14. To welcome it, there is nothing before to see [about it]

15. To grasp Dao today is to govern what exists today

16. This is to know the [Way of the] ancient beginnings

17. [All] This is called, The passage of Dao.

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Getting back to the chapter study... here is my first attempt at a translation sticking to the MWD versions as much as possible:

Nice Dawei. I wish lines 7 & 8 were more descriptive but that's just me.

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11. This is called [uniting] the Formless [to its] Form; [uniting] the Wu-realm [to its] appearance.

 

Well, whadda know. There's that 'Both' thingy again. (-:

I thought you would appreciate that ;)

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Nice Dawei. I wish lines 7 & 8 were more descriptive but that's just me.

That's alright. Thanks for the comment.

 

The holdout lines were 7,8, and 13,14... I am hoping for a better inspiration in another draft.

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How is it known without the 5 senses?


We see it but it has no shape or color,


it's soundlessness is heard without ears loud and clear,


we hold it and are held by it, but it has no form.


This senselessly sensing is called irrational by convention


Above it there are no stars,


below it there is no space.


Always becoming, that much is known,


Never being as is, it can never be labeled,


and so it is observed to be without, or as not.


Mysteriously with out image, it can't be referenced.


Approach it from in front and its gone.


Chase it and it disappears from sight.


Use this path of the beginning,


to bring the order of creation


to the chaos of today


One can know the ancient beginning of all things;


emptiness is called the height of the top,


within the bottomless underneath.

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