What is Dao?

The closest word that best describes its meaning would be the word ‘Nature’. Literally, it is the Chinese word for ‘way’ or ‘path’. However, to use ‘Nature’ alone as an equivalence of Dao will be extremely limiting to our view and comprehension of it for it is much more then Nature. Dao is the natural flow and balance of everything. It is all that is and the substance that the whole universe is made of, as said in the Daodejing 道德经,

“The Dao gave birth to One, the One gave birth to Two, the Two gave birth to Three,

and from the Three everything was conceived.”

It is omnipresent, omnipotent and the subtle law that all things follow. It is formless yet it exists in all that have forms. It has no beginning and no end. Its very nature is spontaneity and thus does not interfere with the world. But through it everything is created and accomplished. This is why in the beginning line of the Daodejing, it is said that the Dao that can be described is not Dao because the real Dao’s all-pervading nature cannot be captured in mere words. Only through one’s own direct experiences can the Dao be understood and felt.

The word ‘Dao’ was not uncommon before it was mentioned by Lao-zi in his book. However, its meanings were very different back then. Based on studies on the linguistic aspect and analysis of early texts, it is said that the shamans were the ones who started using the term and it was very much referring to the different phases of the lunar movement. To these ancients, the sun appeared constant everyday whereas the moon seemed to be the embodiment of change due to its waning and waxing. Thus the shamans gave equal importance to it in their rituals and beliefs. Under the influence of Confucianism, the Dao changed to imply a moral system that which people are supposed to abide in their daily conduct. It was with Lao-zi’s book that the Dao took on its new meanings as well as regaining back its previous arcane characteristic.

Written by Alvin Chua. All rights reserved. Copyright @. Not for commercial use of any kind.