INTERNATIONAL MEIHUA QUAN FEDERATION
Lao Tzu
Meihua Quan has three thoughts and rules of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, and its compatible and inclusive beliefs from rich connotations. Daoism represents the unity of nature with man, the origin of the universe, 5 Elements, and Yin and Yang theory (dynamic and static, rigid and soft) practice. The medical field attracts the energy of nature by virtue of the Tao of nature. It uses objective environmental factors to stimulate the self-adjustment and repairability of the human body to achieve the highest realm of harmony between nature and man.
Just as at the beginning of all, the Dao was indistinct and immobile. Jiazi begins with the practitioner standing in a state of complete stillness. A movement of the arm from down upwards, as if cutting a sphere in two, the “separation of one into the two fundamental principles, Yin and Yang.”
With an inverse cut, the separation of the sky from the earth originates the principle of contrast between the things “above” and those “below.” Crossing the arms and then opening them in a gesture that mimics both the quadripartition of the earth, thus creating the four cardinal points and the distribution of the stars to form the entire universe. Therefore, life and all that exists will spring from the interaction of the fundamental principles created: Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang.
For successful training, the practitioner must be able, by exercising the Jiazi, to identify deeply with this philosophical model. The Jiazi’s juxtaposition represents an imaginary model with a “plum blossom in full bloom,” where the guidelines on which the basic steps are performed would represent the stems and branches of the plum blossom, and the five positions instead represent the petals. Continuing along the path, it leads us to the trunk through the tree’s roots, reaching a high practice level.
In Chinese culture, the theories of Yin and Yang and the 5 Elements Theory are among the oldest and most typical concepts. Yin and Yang’s theory derives from knowledge about phenomena, while 5 Elements theory is knowledge about categories. They are a manifestation of the deep Chinese cultural heritage.
Lao Tzu was the first philosopher to regard Dao as the highest philosophical category and systematically study it. Dao is a concept related to origin and laws, a way or a path. The Dao concept is found in the “Book of Documents” and the “Book of Changes.” Daoists refer to Dao as the Way of Nature as a whole. Nature teaches us lessons about time and change, gain and loss, what is useful and not. Human life is only a tiny part of the natural path, and the only actions of humans must be in accord with the flow of Nature. Daoists believed that violence reflected the Way of Nature’s ignorance path. Lao Tzu was also dissatisfied with ideas such as wisdom, virtue, benevolence, righteousness, filial piety, weapons, tricks, rules, and treasures. He considered that they were the loss of the Dao. The solution to those problems of how human beings should behave is expressed in the typically Daoist doctrine of Wu-Wei or Non-action. It did not mean doing absolutely anything but doing nothing that was out of keeping with the Dao. Related to the philosophy of non-action was the idea of no desires, which meant that no one should have excessive desires because such desires are bound to cause injury both to oneself and others. Daoists characteristically favored spontaneous and straightforward actions. The original simplicity and wholeness are a natural way.
The best stance for a man to take to show an impression of weakness: “One who is obstinate and strong will suffer catastrophe while one who is gentle and weak will enjoy peace. One who seems strong is in an unfavorable position while one who seems weak is in a favorable position. The law of a sage is to do but not to vie.” – Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu’s outlook on life is based on his life experiences. Daoism does not emphasize life after death but strongly focuses on life in the present. It promotes longevity and immortality, presenting a unique view of life. Daoists want to live long, attain immortality, and reach eternal life. Although this goal may not seem feasible, it has yet been explored by numerous Daoists over the ages. Is it possible for human beings to coexist with the universe? Can people survive after its destruction?
Their key focus is on correctly seeing the universe, the world, and life. Daoists look to find God and understand it as the source and root of everything. If they do not have God, the basis is the same as having no root. So, what are Daoists trying to understand in the end? “The Dao gave birth to one; one gave birth to two; two gave birth to the myriad beings.” Lao Zi’s worldview was Daoist, echoing an ancient Daoist perspective on forming the universe.
“A person who practices the great Dao is a Daoist. Following Dao in body and mind, taking directives from Dao, only acting on behalf of Dao-this is what we call a Daoist.”
The relationship between humanity and Nature is a complicated issue to think about. Modern science has brought great harm to Nature but also benefits. People should work with Nature to develop a good standard of living. To achieve a high material standard of living, Daoists believe that it is crucial to succeeding spiritually and physically.
“There is a heavenly way; there is a human way;
there is an authentic way. There are three levels, heaven, earth, and humanity. Simultaneously, there are three types and yet only two.”
Daoism uses concepts of formless Dao. They include the essential spirit expressed in views on the universe, world, and life to educate people (abstract). It also uses specific principles contained in these concepts and particular methods to teach people, matching an overarching theory and its various ways of verification. In essence, it focuses on how best to behave, how to go through life successfully, answering questions of where we come from, where we go, and how we can be free. It does not primarily teach how to become immortal or attain Dao.
