2007-02-09 13:27:33 · 4 answers · asked by Steve 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No difference
2007-02-09 13:46:43 · answer #1 · answered by wb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taoists view deities as incarnations of aspects of the Tao. The Tao is much larger and less well-defined.
The tao that can be told
Is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named
Is not the eternal Name.
Naming is the origin
Of all particular things.
(The Tao is very abstract and undefined. Defining things pulls them out of the Tao and makes them particular. The Tao is all-encompassing and not particular.)
The Tao is like a well;
Used but never used up.
It has no desires for itself,
Thus it is present for all things.
It does not know its greatness,
Therefore it is truly great.
(that speaks for itself)
It acts without expecting,
Guides without interfering,
Takes all back into itself.
That is why love of the Tao
Is in the very nature of things.
(It is the source of all things, and does not judge or interfere.)
The Tao does not take sides.
It gives birth to both good and evil...
(whereas the Christian deity can't stand anything but 'pure good' whatever that means. But the Tao symbol has both light and dark, yin and yang, and each has within it the seed of the other)
2007-02-09 21:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many similarities. The major difference which makes them distinct (characteristically) is that Tao implies no personality, which makes it non-theistic.
2007-02-09 21:42:19 · answer #3 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The true essence of both are said to be aspectless, formless and yet in total harmony
2007-02-09 21:31:09 · answer #4 · answered by Tenzin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋