What Buddhism & Taoism Share

Kalachakra Tantra

“The cosmos arises and dissolves through the endless cycles of time and consciousness.”

Cyclical view of cosmic manifestation

Tao Te Ching 42

“The Tao gave birth to one. One gave birth to two. Two gave birth to three. Three gave birth to the ten thousand things.”

Dhammapada 259

“The bhikkhu who delights in mindfulness, who sees danger in heedlessness, advances like a fire that leaves nothing behind.”

Tao Te Ching 28

“Knowing the masculine, hold to the feminine. Be like an uncarved block. Empty yourself and fill others. This is the way of nature.”

Dhammapada 308

“The contemplative mind, seeing nature as it truly is without grasping, finds the path to peace and enlightenment.”

Zhuangzi, Butterfly Dream

“I dreamed I was a butterfly, fluttering happily. Then I awoke and realized I am Zhuangzi. But now I do not know whether I am Zhuangzi dreaming of being a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming of being Zhuangzi.”

Dhammapada 388-389

“If one could find an intelligent companion... one should wander alone rather than with a fool.”

Silence in meditation

Tao Te Ching 15

“The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, and deep. Because they are so deep and inexpressible, I can only describe their appearance.”

Dhammapada 169

“Follow the path of virtue. Those who live according to dharma live in harmony with the world and its creatures.”

Tao Te Ching 25

“Man follows the earth. Earth follows heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. The Tao follows what is natural.”

Dhammapada 133

“Do not speak harshly to anyone; those who are spoken to will answer you in the same way. Harsh speech is painful; retaliation will touch you.”

Tao Te Ching 81

“Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.”

Dhammapada 15

“Wisdom is the path to the deathless; heedlessness is the path to death; the wise who choose the path reach Nirvana.”

Tao Te Ching 15

“The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, and deep. Because they are so deep and inexpressible, I can only describe their appearance.”