Tao Te Ching

The Power of Goodness, the Wisdom Beyond Words
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Three Kingdoms 三國時代 (220 – 280 CE)

During the Three Kingdoms era—one of the most violent periods of history—the Chinese population decreased from 56.5 million people to only 900 thousand, going back to 16.2 million by 280. After the Han dynasty ended, China divided into 3 separate states based on geographical barriers: the Wei, Shu, and Wu each claiming rule over the whole. During the early years of this time, infighting between warlords created chaos almost everywhere. Later, the three states solidified power, created some stability, but continued fighting between themselves. The Wei conquered the Shu and later the Jin conquered the other two ushering in a new dynasty. Although lasting only 60 years, this period generated some of China’s most famous legends, stories, plays, poems and characters that are still used today in books, films, cartoon, anime, and music. And not only popular in China, these stories are well known, in Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and increasingly in the west.

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Sages (6)

Āryadeva འཕགས་པ་ལྷ། (Kannadeva)
3rd C. CE

(4 quotes)

Born a king, Aryadeva became teacher to 1000 monks, a Mahasiddha, abbot of Nalanda University, disciple/teacher of Nagarjuna, 15th patriarch of Chan Buddhism, medicine doctor monk, and cofounder of the Mahayana school. One of “the six great commentators on the Buddha's teachings,” he wrote many important texts, exemplified in his path the progressive loss of a belief in a separate self, and remains a shining example of direct and complete realization.

Guan Yu 关羽 (Guan Gong, Guān Yǔ)
160 – 270 CE


Considered a Bodhisattva and protector of Dharma in the Chinese Buddhist tradition, the ”Saintly Emperor Guan" and “subduer of demons” in Taoism, Guan Yu is also revered today by families, businesses, Chinese secret societies and Triads, by the criminal underworld as well as policemen. One of the best known Chinese historical figures throughout East Asia, he represents the epitome of loyalty and righteousness. Revered for his bravery and virtue, he has also become a popular figure in historical fiction, Chinese opera, movies, manga and even video games.

Nagabodhi ནཱ་ག་བོ་དྷི། (The Red-Horned Thief)
c. 180-265

(1 quotes)


Nagabodhi—a Brahmin turned thief—decided to rob the mahasiddha, Nagarjuna. Before he could do anything though, a golden chalice flew out a door and landed in his hands. He returned and something similar happened with a golden plate. At his third return, all of Nagarjuna’s wealth came to him as well as an invitation to eat and talk with the famous sage. Nagarjuna taught Nagabodhi meditation and gave him a houseful of precious treasures. Nagabodhi’s attachment and fixation on these however manifested as a large and painful horn growing out of the top of his head. Further instruction and practice enabled him to finally see through his delusion to the extent that he became Nagarguna’s successor. Mahasiddha #76

Nagarjuna नागर्जुन
c. 150-250 CE

(11 quotes)

Considered the most important Buddhist philosopher after the historical Buddha, Nāgārjuna founded the “middle way” Madhyamaka school, developed the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras, the concept of śūnyatā, or "emptiness," the ultimate and relative “Two Truths.” He also served as the head of Nālandā University and as the "father of iatrochemistry" practiced Ayurveda medicine. An important factor in Buddhism’s spread to Tibet, China, Japan and other Asian countries, his teachings represent the pinnacle of philosophical insight and wisdom.

Plotinus
204 – 249 CE

(15 quotes)

The founder of Neoplatonism and inspiration for mystics of many traditions - Gnostic, Islamic, Polytheistic, Christian, Jewish - Plotinus was taken as an inspiration and guide by such diverse thinkers as Bertrand Russell and Ralph Waldo Emerson, Radhakrishnan and Coomaraswamy, Coleridge and Yeats, the Sunni and Ismaili Shia in Islam, emperor Julian and St. Augustine. He emphasized contemplation as a powerful, transforming practice and how mind shapes perception, rather than passively receiving something “objective.” His experience and teaching of the “union with the One” translates as an early Western version of the Eastern concept of “Enlightenment.”

Wang Bi 王弼
226 – 534 CE

(24 quotes)

Although he only lived 23 years, for more than 1,700 years most Chinese scholars have considered Wang Bi the most important interpreter of the Tao Te Ching and his edition of this has been used for almost every translation into a Western language. A political theorist who challenged the prevailing Confucian orthodoxy, he interpreted Lao Tzu in a way consistent with Confucius and compatible with both indigenous Chinese beliefs and the introduction of Indian Buddhism. Interesting and inspiring how one so young can understand so deeply and influence the course of history so much.

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