http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/philosophy/similarities-in-vedanta-and-taoism-as-i-understand
Vedantic thought is the message of universal harmony it is the end part of Vedas and is culmination of knowledge. Taoism is the philosophy
that advocates living in harmony by following “Tao” (Path). Both
Vedanta and Tao are one and the same in thoughts while their approach to
reach the Truth
is different. Vedanta is as old as Vedas and is believed that many
Rishis formulated their Religio-Philosophical vision in verses form.
Laozi is one of the great sages and founder of Taoism.
There are many thoughts in Taoism that are similar to that in Vedanta. Let us look into a few of them here.
On Creation
Vedanta says: From Akshara (un-manifest) to Kshara (manifest).
Tao says: From Yin (un-manifest) to Yang (manifest).
On Action
Vedanta says: Nothing can happen without a cause and the effect is in other words the cause reproduced.
Tao says: Certain action has a certain Consequence.
On Ego
Vedanta says: Ego is the shroud that veils the Self and the seeker has to unveil it through knowledge.
Tao says: Ego is irrelevant to a seeker and by leaving it behind, he can reach the center of Life.
On Awareness
Vedanta says: A seeker can approach the outer sciences with an inner vision.
Tao says: A wise seeker views with the inner eye and not the outer eye.
On Holiness
Vedanta says: The effort of a seeker to be holy is the act of ego and not a spontaneous one which is the off shoot of simplicity and humility.
Tao says: A seeker has to not strive to be holy. Need little and want little is the simple rule to follow to become aware.
On Virtues
Vedanta says: Virtue is inbuilt in Satyam (Truth) which is an expression of prevalence. Events insist on righteous practices which confer to Ritam (Ultimate Truth). Both Ritam and Satyam refer to Truth and have their origin in Param (Supreme). Ritam is truth that originates from inside out and never changes while Satyam is that truth which corresponds to the particular situation.
Tao says: A seeker will know virtue only by knowing the Path and one cannot define the kind of action that conform the Path.
On Individual
Vedanta says: Jeeva (Individual) and Brahman (Absolute) are not different but the same.
Tao says: Every human adopt himself to the earth. Earth adopts itself to Heaven. Heaven adopts itself to the Path. The Path contains everything and is that which eternally is.
On Self-Realization
Vedanta says: For Self Realization one has to have Atma Sakshatkara (vision of Atma). To have that one has to do Self-enquiry.
Tao says: If you know yourself you are wise. If you know others you are intelligent.
On Learning
Vedanta says: There is a lot to know from “Mouna Vyakhyana” (Silent narration) as Lord Dakshinamurthy, the first preceptor taught the Truth in the language of silence.
Tao says: Know the value of teaching that uses no words.
On Destiny
Vedanta says: Events happen as they should and not as one wishes. Thus upholding the theory of “Determinism”.
Tao says: Accept all things as they are. One is born when he is due to be born and has to die when he is due to die.
On Equanimity
Vedanta says: Welcome pain and pleasure with equanimity of mind. If one craves only for success he suffers. To avoid this suffering one must be indifferent to success and failure. Accept destiny with neither resentment nor elation.
Tao says: Birth & death, failure & success, wealth & poverty, honor & disgrace, praise & blame, cold & heat all these come and go according to destiny. Do not allow the destiny to disturb your inner harmony; do not allow it to upset your mind. Keep perfect balance.
There are many thoughts in Taoism that are similar to that in Vedanta. Let us look into a few of them here.
On Creation
Vedanta says: From Akshara (un-manifest) to Kshara (manifest).
Tao says: From Yin (un-manifest) to Yang (manifest).
On Action
Vedanta says: Nothing can happen without a cause and the effect is in other words the cause reproduced.
Tao says: Certain action has a certain Consequence.
On Ego
Vedanta says: Ego is the shroud that veils the Self and the seeker has to unveil it through knowledge.
Tao says: Ego is irrelevant to a seeker and by leaving it behind, he can reach the center of Life.
On Awareness
Vedanta says: A seeker can approach the outer sciences with an inner vision.
Tao says: A wise seeker views with the inner eye and not the outer eye.
On Holiness
Vedanta says: The effort of a seeker to be holy is the act of ego and not a spontaneous one which is the off shoot of simplicity and humility.
Tao says: A seeker has to not strive to be holy. Need little and want little is the simple rule to follow to become aware.
On Virtues
Vedanta says: Virtue is inbuilt in Satyam (Truth) which is an expression of prevalence. Events insist on righteous practices which confer to Ritam (Ultimate Truth). Both Ritam and Satyam refer to Truth and have their origin in Param (Supreme). Ritam is truth that originates from inside out and never changes while Satyam is that truth which corresponds to the particular situation.
Tao says: A seeker will know virtue only by knowing the Path and one cannot define the kind of action that conform the Path.
On Individual
Vedanta says: Jeeva (Individual) and Brahman (Absolute) are not different but the same.
Tao says: Every human adopt himself to the earth. Earth adopts itself to Heaven. Heaven adopts itself to the Path. The Path contains everything and is that which eternally is.
On Self-Realization
Vedanta says: For Self Realization one has to have Atma Sakshatkara (vision of Atma). To have that one has to do Self-enquiry.
Tao says: If you know yourself you are wise. If you know others you are intelligent.
On Learning
Vedanta says: There is a lot to know from “Mouna Vyakhyana” (Silent narration) as Lord Dakshinamurthy, the first preceptor taught the Truth in the language of silence.
Tao says: Know the value of teaching that uses no words.
On Destiny
Vedanta says: Events happen as they should and not as one wishes. Thus upholding the theory of “Determinism”.
Tao says: Accept all things as they are. One is born when he is due to be born and has to die when he is due to die.
On Equanimity
Vedanta says: Welcome pain and pleasure with equanimity of mind. If one craves only for success he suffers. To avoid this suffering one must be indifferent to success and failure. Accept destiny with neither resentment nor elation.
Tao says: Birth & death, failure & success, wealth & poverty, honor & disgrace, praise & blame, cold & heat all these come and go according to destiny. Do not allow the destiny to disturb your inner harmony; do not allow it to upset your mind. Keep perfect balance.
You have done a lot of study Manoj.It is true that Highest philosophical thoughts are always same in any system.it gives us more confidence to continue our path of Truth with more faith.
ReplyDeleteKalavathi ji i do not know if i have studied a lot but as far as from what i have studied i have concluded that if one does not compare but relate to all philosophies he will find them not contradictory at all...... Pranam :):):):):):):)
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