Thursday, January 13, 2005

The Glocal Book:"The Book of Tea" by Okakura Kakuzou(Tenshin)-No.32

The Taoism & Zennism in Forein Languages

Hare by Katashi Oyama「It is to be regretted that as yet there appears to be no adequate presenntation of the Taoist and Zen doctrines in any forein language, though we have had several laudable attempts.
Translation is always a treason,and as a Ming author observes, can at its best be only the reverse side of a brocade,- all the threads are there, but not the subtlety of colour or design.
But, after all, what great doctrine is there which is easy to expand?
The ancient sages never put their things in systematic form.
They spoke in paradoxes, for they were afraid of uttering half-truths.
They began by talking like fools and ended by making their heares wise.
Laotse himself, with his quaint humour, says, "If people of inferior intelligence hear of the Tao, they laugh immensely.
It would not be the Tao unless they laugh at it." 」
(From the Book of Tea-Taoism and Zennism, pp.36-37, Charles E. Tuttle Co., Rutland, Vermont- Tokyo, Japan)

Understanding Taoism and Zennism might be most difficut to Western peoples.
First of all, You Western must understand the following concept.

No.1, things are not" yes "or " no".
No.2," One" plus "One" is not "Two".
No.3, You have to realize that "Nothing" is "Everything".

Now a days, to most of the japaneses, I think the situation are almost same.
I am worring about the snoberry understanding of Oriental philosophy.

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Picture: Hare by Katashi Oyama

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