Years of Poems and Spirits

今日通读，读通《道德经》。很有意思。全篇开头最有意思，一言蔽之，“什么事情一旦成了‘奋斗目标’，就会失去它原生的意义”。

Fascinating. Thoughts -

1. Isn’t Chinese/East Asian Buddhism somewhat influenced by Taoism? Suddenly, I have the urge to talk to an Indian Buddhist or a Tibetan one. My guess is their version of Buddhism has a different focus than that of the East Asian version. The one I was exposed to in China is an amalgamated product that may have a localized interpretation of “abstinence from desire”. Or maybe not.

2. How come Taoism didn’t evolve into a brand of philosophical thoughts, instead degenerated into a cult-like sect? Lack of disciples? Apparently, the spark was there but it didn’t sustain a flame. Must be due to the specific context of the cultural-economic reality at that time and space. What was it exactly? Could it have evolved differently?

3. Some of the allegories (if they can be called that) are full of imaginary but lack of logical coherence. Such as the spoke on a wheel or an empty house. What does that have in common with lack of desire?

Now go back to work …