Tao Te Ching, Ch 50

The Door of all Wonders:

The Commentary on the Tao Te Ching

by Nirguna, Chor-kok Lam 

Chapter 50

When going one way means life and going the other means death,

three in ten will be comrades of life, 

three in ten will be comrades of death.

Those who should have lived longer but move into the realm of death,

these are also three in ten.

Why is this so?

It is because they are over caring their lives.

I have heard that the one who excels in safe-guarding his own life,

does not meet with rhinoceros or tigers when travelling on land,

nor is he touched by weapons when charging into an army.

There is nowhere for the rhinoceros to pitch its horn.

There is nowhere for the tiger to clasp its claws.

There is nowhere for the weapon to lodge its blade.

Why is this so?

It is because he will never enter the realm of death.

Review

    

This world is like a gigantic forest residing wild beasts, tigers, rhinoceros as well as endangering armies full of harming weapons. If people do not know how to protect themselves from this forest, they will be easily eaten up and finished their lives in misery and calamities. Once we were born in this world, we need to choose our way of life, how we deal with our life.

 

Here Lao Tzu tells us that there are three types of possibilities of our life: to lead a healthy living life, to lead an unhealthy dying life, and to be dead before the life expectancy. They are all “three in ten” in proportions. Lao Tzu says:

 

“When going one way means life and going the other means death,

three in ten will be comrades of life, three in ten will be comrades of death.

Those who should have lived longer but move into the realm of death,

these are also three in ten.”

 

The people who are seeking the Truth earnestly are different from the people who do not want to seek the Truth at all. Those who do not seek the Truth are fond of this world with all kinds of sensual enjoyments. They want to make their life comfortable and luxurious. Their ideal life is materialistic only. Materially they want to enjoy more and more, but they neglect their spiritual life, while the people abiding in the Truth turn into the opposite way. They enjoy their spiritual life far more than entertaining life with material pleasure; thus, Lao Tzu says:

 

“The multitudes are joyous, as if enjoying a great feast,

as if going up to a terrace in spring.

I alone am quiet and reveal no signs, as innocent as an infant not yet smiling,

so idle, as if without motives.”

(Chapter 20)

 

The people abiding in the Truth do not have any motives about this material world. They do not bother to look smart and sharp, while the worldly people tend to look smart and alert for material belongings and livelihood. To have a good material life is nothing wrong. Lao Tzu also tells us that we should all live in an ample life without lacking. However, to be over-indulged in material care without knowing the value of spiritual life is the main problem. Nowadays, although people can feed very well with very nourishing, heavy and delicious meals, they turn to be unhealthy with chronic diseases such as all kinds of cancers. Our material affluence cannot bring us healthier physically, mentally and spiritually. Obesity becomes very common among many people. Most people eat too much, sleep too much, enjoy entertainment too much without physical exercises and spiritual seeking. This material monster eats up people’s life slowly and gradually. Several thousand years ago Lao Tzu told us the reason why people could not stay healthy with longevity:

 

“Why is this so?

It is because they are over caring their lives.”

 

Nowadays with more advanced scientific knowledge, people begin to realize to be over-materialistic is the harmful way of life. All the harmful stuff embraces worldly people making them neglect their real spiritual needs. Mental illnesses will come forth accompanied with physical illnesses, as the consequence of too comforting life feeding with too much yummy food with lots of varieties and resting our body too much in entertaining. Lao Tzu then tells us how we can keep ourselves safe in this gigantic dense forest where only people with the Truth can do so. They know how to safeguard their life:

 

“I have heard that the one who excels in safe-guarding his own life,

does not meet with rhinoceros or tigers when travelling on land,

nor is he touched by weapons when charging into an army.

There is nowhere for the rhinoceros to pitch its horn.

There is nowhere for the tiger to clasp its claws.

There is nowhere for the weapon to lodge its blade.”

 

Then, Lao Tzu asks:

 

“Why is this so?”

 

How can the sages safeguard their life to prevent from all harmful situations? Do they need to be stronger and well-equipped with powerful weapons as the warriors? Do they need to be braver and more severe than the tigers, rhinoceros and heavily armed soldiers when fighting the wars in forests? There is no need. For Lao Tzu, the solution is clear and simple that everyone can follow:

 

“It is because he will never enter the realm of death.”

 

This is the simple life teaching: to avoid calamities before happening. Stop whenever in need and turn to the safe realm. Never stay at the death zone.