Galactic Traveler

Taijitu and the TTC

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The Taijitu, and more specifically, just the YinYang is mentioned I think only twice in the TTC.

 

Why do you all think that LaoZi only spoke of YinYang twice in this volume of work?  

 

 

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Laozi followed the concept of Yin-yang(陰陽) from Yijing(易經) as the guide to his Wu Wei(無為) philosophy. From then on, he spent most of the time introducing what Wu Wei is all about in the TTC.

Edited by Mango

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4 hours ago, Galactic Traveler said:

The Taijitu, and more specifically, just the YinYang is mentioned I think only twice in the TTC. …

 

There is no Tajitu in the DDJ,.

That’s from the Song Dynasty, approximately 10th century AD.
 

There is no YinYang in the oldest copies of the DDJ.  

The first known DDJ copy with YinYang in it, is the Wang Pi (3rd. century AD).

It and all later copies have only 1 mention of YinYang, which is in Ch 42. 2

 

Quote

Why do you all think that LaoZi only spoke of YinYang twice in this volume of work?  

 

Laozi lived 6th or 4th century BC. And it was only during the Han (starting 2nd century BC) that YinYang first became a major element in Chinese thought. 1

 

~~~

1 page 191 Sources of Chinese Traditions vol. 1; Wm. Theodore de Bary, Editor; Columbia University Press:

Though the concept of the two primal forces or modes of creation, the yin and the yang, dates from very early times, it was during the Han that it first became a major element in Chinese thought.


2  https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/53840-yinyang-陰陽-ch-42/?do=findComment&comment=987785

 

Edited by Cobie
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On 06/10/2022 at 6:47 PM, Galactic Traveler said:

… Why do you all think that LaoZi only spoke of YinYang twice in this volume of work?  


@Galactic Traveler Why do you think that LaoZi only spoke of YinYang once?  

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1 hour ago, Cobie said:


@Galactic Traveler Why do you think that LaoZi only spoke of YinYang once?  


It is because yin/yang was explained in the Yijing. Thus Laozi only cited for reference.

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18 hours ago, Mango said:

... Laozi only cited for reference.

 

This is possible.

 

The one use of YinYang in the Laozi is a form of ‘sunny & shady side of the hill’.

This meaning is in the 詩經 shi1 jing1 , at the latest from approximately the 7th centuries BCE. 

 

https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/53840-yinyang/?do=findComment&comment=991383 

 

 

Edited by Cobie

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On 06/10/2022 at 7:57 PM, Mango said:

Laozi followed the concept of Yin-yang(陰陽) … as the guide to his Wu Wei(無為) philosophy.  …


This seems unlikely. 
 

There’s only 1 mention. That’s in Ch 42, halfway the book.
Seems far too late in the book for it to be a guide to something else that’s pivotal to the whole book (Wu Wei).

 

What’s the connection between YinYang and WuWei?

 

 

Edited by Cobie

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On 10/8/2022 at 1:15 PM, Cobie said:

@Mango What’s the connection between YinYang and WuWei?

 

 


The two symbols yin and yang integrated are known as Taiji and cannot be separated. They work together by spinning to generate all things with no interruption. Thus nothing can interfere with its free action. Wu Wei is the philosophy of not interfering with nature and letting it take its course.

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11 hours ago, Mango said:

... Taiji …

 

Laozi cannot have been referring to TaiJi.

 

Laozi lived approximately 6th or 4th century BC. 

That was approximately 1500 years before the invention of WuJi and TaiJi. 
 

https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/53840-yinyang/?do=findComment&comment=991382 


https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/53840-yinyang/?do=findComment&comment=991500Lll 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Cobie

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17 hours ago, Mango said:


The two symbols yin and yang integrated are known as Taiji and cannot be separated. They work together by spinning to generate all things with no interruption. Thus nothing can interfere with its free action. Wu Wei is the philosophy of not interfering with nature and letting it take its course.

This resonates with my experience.

 

yinyang are not seperate.

yinyang reveals itself lately as the varying expression of one fluid process.

akin to the concept of the co-arising aggregates.

 

One process, perpetually  co=unfolding and interrelating, uninterruptible and effortlessly expressing the myriad.

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On 10/10/2022 at 1:34 AM, Cobie said:

 

Laozi cannot have been referring to TaiJi.

 

Laozi lived approximately 6th or 4th century BC. 

That was approximately 1500 years before the invention of WuJi and TaiJi. 
 

https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/53840-yinyang/?do=findComment&comment=991382 


https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/53840-yinyang/?do=findComment&comment=991500Lll 

 

 

 

 

 

You don't honestly believe TaiChi was invented around that time do you?

 

I believe it is as ancient as the Yiching.   It just wasn't transmitted in writing.

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55 minutes ago, Galactic Traveler said:

I believe … 


Everyone is free to believe whatever they want, knock yourself out! Just keep in mind that what you believe is not necessarily reality. :)

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