what is Dao and its relationship to the universe?.?

Answer 1

Interesting question. The Chinese word tao, can mean many things. A book has a tao, which is its plot. A ship has a tao which is its course. It is not, however a noun. So more appropriately it is the plotting of a book, or the coursing on a ship. It is not the path itself, but the pathing. Path is the most common English word associated with tao by the way.

Now I assume what you are asking about is the True Tao. As in, "The tao that can be told of is not the True Tao." This is the Plotting/Moving/Balancing of the whole universe. So, The Tao's relationship to the universe is that of a noun to its verb. The universe is Taoing.

The Chinese Metaphysics are what we in the west call a process metaphysics. You may have heard of the 5 Chinese elements. They are not actually substances. Fire is the act or radiating, Earth is the act of settling, Metal is the act of changing, water is the act of flowing, and wood is the act of growing.

With this in mind. The stuff of the inverses, the substance is inconsequential to the Chinese metaphysics. The universe is the act of universing. So, in short the Tao is the universe in a process metaphysics model.

Answer 2

Its a secret. I will say there is an english equivalent to the word however. Its something we do everyday many times throughout our day. It is also the thing that gives meaning to existence. It is what makes you who you are and what you will be. Lastly, the dao is not supreme, though great yes, it does not stand alone. There are many variables to the equation of life.

Answer 3

Dao is basically balance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao

wikipedia to the rescue again