Laozi
The most senior ancient philosopher of ancient China is Laozi as he legendarily taught Confucius.
Laozi was a philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of philosophical Taoism (pronounced as "Daoism")....
The earliest reliable reference (circa 100 BCE) to Laozi is found in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) by Chinese historian Sima Qian (ca. 145–86 BCE), which combines a number of stories.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laozi
Laozi taught in the following way:
"If a way can be explained why it is the way of man, it cannot be a way."
"Those who have mastered the way of man would guide people without saying anything and doing anything."
"If a political leader does not appoint a clever or smart man to a higher position, people would not be driven by ambition to fight among themselves."
"You have to hide your talent and merit, if any, and behave like ordinary people."
"To live an ideal life, live like water."
"If you have distinguished yourself, you have to retire, which is a right way."
"If you create something, you should not possess it. If you foster something, you should not control it. This is an act of profound and exquisite virtue."
It is often pointed to that teaching of Laozi is close to Zen, a school of Buddhism which was originated in China of the 6th century. Zen was imported to Japan around the 12th century and the Japanese version of Zen was established and flourished in a sense.
Some teachings of Zen are as follows:
"There is the only one moon in the sky, but its reflections can be found everywhere on the surface of water. The teaching of the Buddha has prevailed in this way."
"Without mire, no beautiful flowers grow."
"Seated mediation is not a way to become the Buddha. One himself is the Buddha originally and essentially. Find the Buddha in yourself."
"Do not judge and assess a man. But see directly his mind. The mind is a mirror."
"Being of a man is of a temporary nature. It will disappear someday."
"If you want to understand the essence of Zen, you have to wash and clean a bowl
after you eat a meal with it."
"It is neither that a flag is moving nor that the wind is moving, but your mind is moving."
A Zen temple around Tokyo...
(to be continued...)
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Mar 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Mar 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
Mar 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
Mar 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mar 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.