Taoism vs. Buddhism: Four big differences

(Flowing Void): 4 differences that actually matter

COMMENTARY

Wisdom Quarterly

• All those who quote Lao Tzu and speak of the "Tao" are not teaching the historical Buddha's message of liberation from suffering and samsara
• Anyone who says "nirvana is samsara" speaks ill of the Buddha's message of liberation in this very life, in this body, in this world
• Syncretism (blending traditions) is beautiful, but it will not likely produce the result of either path. If the Tao is the "way," then the Eightfold Way (magga) the Buddha talked about is a very different use of the word
• If the true Tao is everything, then there is no sense in talking about it
• The Buddha defined the problem, defined the cause, assured is there is a solution, and pointed out the path, the Middle Way, to that solution: dukkha, samudaya, nirodha, magga
  
• The problem is disappointment (suffering)
• The cause is ignorance bound up with craving and aversion
• The extinction of suffering is the extinction of ignorance
• The path leading to this extinction has eight parts
• Buddhism and Taoism may blend beautifully like milk and water, but they are not the same

The Ten Stages of Zen Enlightenment

The way to sudden awakening is abduction by ETs then gurgling on TV: Disclosure Day

The Ten Bulls (created with Dream by WOMBO feat. music by Infraction) : r/AIArtwork

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The 10 Stages of Zen Enlightenment: A Map to Buddha-Nature

Bongeunsa paintings of ox herding, the Ten Bulls (wiki)

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Ten to Zen Bulls

(Buddha's Wisdom) 🔍 The ancient [Taoist] Zen map that reveals we've been seeking what we already have: The 10 stages of Zen enlightenment, known as The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures, are Zen Buddhism’s 1,000-year-old roadmap to awakening and self-discovery.

• What does Zen consider "enlightenment"? There are two words used. The first is satori (from Japanese satoru, to know, to see, understand a gestalt) or "sudden realization." Any insight or epiphany might do. But there's another word, kenshō, that means suddenly seeing our "true face," our "nature," our intrinsic "Buddha-nature." Certainly, our "true nature," which is the true nature of all things, has three marks. Penetrating this is necessary to letting go of all clinging.
• None of these accords with what the historical Buddha taught as enlightenment (bodhi, "awakening"), but seeing "emptiness" (suññatā) -- how all things are impersonal -- is necessary for the first stage of awakening called "stream entry."
• The Ten Bulls or the "Ten Ox Herding Pictures" (Chinese shíniú 十牛, Japanese jūgyūzu 十牛図, Korean sipwoo 십우)

Created by 12th-century Chinese Chan Master Kuòān Shīyuǎn, these images explain the stages of enlightenment—from desperate seeking to the realization that the ox we’ve been chasing has been the "Buddha-nature" we already possess and have always possessed.

This isn’t just ancient art. It’s a mirror showing where we truly are on the path to awakening right now.

This video explores The 10 Stages of Zen Enlightenment: A Map to Buddha-Nature, decoding the Zen Buddhist path to awakening through Zen’s most iconic teaching story.

Learn how Kuòān Shīyuǎn’s Ten Ox-Herding Pictures became a timeless visual guide to mindfulness, meditation, and non-duality in Chinese Chan and Zen Buddhism.

DISCOVER

• The 10 ancient Zen stages explained step-by-step
• How 12th century Master Kuòān Shīyuǎn transformed Taoist symbols into Zen training tools
• The mystery behind the final picture—why enlightenment ends in a noisy marketplace
• How the Heart Sutra and Zen Master Dōgen’s teachings appear inside these images
• Why these ancient pictures still describe the modern search for meaning and peace
• [Hasbara propaganda works as 'Disclosure Day' invades globe with $93M worldwide opening
• Box Office: 'Disclosure Day' opening to $44 mil in U.S.
• 'Disclosure Day' nears $100 mil, 'Michael' eyes $950 mil]

Are ETs into Zen? (Disclosure Day)

🙏 Are you somewhere between Picture 1 and Picture 4, searching, struggling, or starting to see glimpses? That's exactly where you need to be. Subscribe to continue the Path to Enlightenment series as we explore Theravāda's Four Stages and Mahāyāna's Bodhisattva Path.

 ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Intro – “You’ve lost something”
• 01:09 Chp 1 – The finger pointing at the moon
• 03:11 Chp 2 – When you first spot what you’ve lost 
• 07:52 Chp 3 – The years of wrestling your own mind
• 12:06 Chp 4 – The death of everything you think you are
• 17:57 Chp 5 – Why enlightenment [Zen's version of the awakened state] looks like a drunk in the market
• 21:45 Chp 6 – The ox you’re already riding

Ox herding pictures, No. 7 (Ten Bulls)

#buddhism #zen #enlightenment #oxherding #buddhanature #dogen #mindfulness #meditation, #buddhaswisdom #ZenBuddhism #ZenEnlightenment #OxHerding #BuddhaNature #SpiritualAwakening #PathToEnlightenment #ZenMaster

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📚 SOURCES AND FURTHER READING

Primary texts:

"Ten Ox-Herding Pictures" by Kuòān Shīyuǎn (Kakuan) - 12th century Chan Buddhism classic "The Platform Sutra" - Teachings of Huìnéng, Sixth Patriarch "The Diamond Sutra" (Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra) "The Heart Sutra" (Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya) "Shōbōgenzō" by Dōgen Zenji - 13th century Zen master "The Gateless Gate" (Wúménguān) - Classic Zen kōan collection featuring Zhàozhōu

Modern scholarship:

"Zen and Japanese Culture" by D.T. Suzuki "The Three Pillars of Zen" by Philip Kapleau (commentary on ox-herding) "Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin" translated by Norman Waddell "The Zen Teaching of Rinzai" translated by Irmgard Schloegl Historical Context: Earlier buffalo-herding sets from Chinese Chan tradition Evolution from earlier versions to Kakuan's refined ten-stage cycle Song Dynasty Buddhist art and philosophy

• Buddha's Wisdom, Nov. 2, 2025; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Tao of Not Trying: Alan Watts, Lao Tzu, B Wen

(After Skool) Taoism Founder Lao Tzu on Art of Not Trying

Care about what they all think, prisoner?

Wu wei (Chinese 無為, simplified Chinese 无为, Pinyin wúwéi) is a concept [popular in Zen Buddhism] from ancient Chinese philosophy that literally means "not-acting" or "non-doing," variously interpreted and translated as actionlessness, inaction, or effortless action [1, 2].

• Is it the "flow state" in Western psychology?

If I were Zen, would I thereby be a Taoist, too?

In Taoism, it denotes the nature of Tao, meaning that while the Tao (the way, path, or flow of nature) is the source of all existence and manifestation of all phenomena, its intrinsic formless essence is that it acts or moves in a silent, invisible, ineffable, often-unnoticed manner that may even seem motionless and effortless [3, 4, 5, 6, 7].

Accordingly, Taoists aspire to live their lives in alignment with such a harmonious state of free flowing and unforced activity.

In a political context, it also refers to an ideal form or principle of spontaneous and non-aggressive governance [8]. More

The Path of Least Resistance

(Benebell Wen) Ziran (The Taoist Path of Least Resistance)

Let nature reign and all will be well?

Ziran (Romanized tzu-jan) is a key concept in Taoism and East Asian Buddhism. It literally means "of its own" or "by itself" and therefore "naturally; natural; spontaneously; freely; in the course of events; of course; doubtlessly" [1, 2].

ETYMOLOGY: This Chinese word is a two-character compound of zì (自, "self," "oneself," "from," "since") and rán (然, "right," "correct," "so," "yes"), which is used as a -ran suffix marking adjectives or adverbs (roughly corresponding to English -ly).

What is the most intelligent response? Flow

According to the Shuo Wen lexicon, the character 自 zi means "nose" [one's nose, oneself when not interfered with by outside influences.] In Chinese culture, the nose (or zi) is a common metaphor for a person's own point of view [3]. More

Alan Watts, what's the Philosophy of the Tao?

Alan Watts – Philosophy of the Tao, Pt.1 | Flow, Balance, and the Course of Nature (full talk)

• Pantheon of Taoist Gods (Tao.org)

A decolonized intro to Taoism

(Benebell Wen) Taoism: A Decolonized Introduction

Vesak Day celebrations, Berkeley (5/9)

Come join us in celebrating the Buddha's birthday, enlightenment, and final nirvana. Chanting, food, tea, and blessings, everyone is welcome. On Saturday, May 9, 2026, we celebrate Vesak, a day to commemorate the Buddha's birth, mahabodhi, and parinirvana. Hopefully we will become more aware of the fact that we are intrinsically the same as all buddhas and thus will be inspired to use the Buddha’s teachings, his Dharma (Doctrine), to help ourselves and others.

• Location: Universal Chan (445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707)
• PHOTOS: Vesak Day: Buddha's Birthday Celebration Tickets, Saturday, May 9  •  9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

Zen's Bodhidharma on the ONE method

The ONE practice that contains every spiritual method | Bodhidharma's breakthrough sermon

(ECHOES OF LOST KNOWLEDGE) April 17, 2026: What if one single practice contained every other spiritual method within it?

In this final chapter of the series, the First Zen Patriarch Bodhidharma [from India] reveals the most essential teaching of his entire lineage — and it begins with beholding the mind.

 

This video is a direct transmission of Buddhist Wisdom that cuts through centuries of misunderstanding about what spiritual practice truly means.

Discover why temples, rituals, chanting, and good deeds alone cannot free us — and what actually can.

In this sermon, Bodhidharma teaches

→ The single method that contains all other methods

→ The three hidden poisons (greed, anger, delusion) — and how they silently run our life

→ The six "thieves" operating through our own senses, robbing us of peace every day

→ Why "three asankhya kalpas [aeons of indeterminate length]" of hardship is not what most people think

→ The true meaning of the six perfections (paramitas), the three sets of precepts, and invoking the Buddha

→ How to behold our own mind and free ourselves from suffering — in this very lifetime.

This is not a lecture. This is Buddhist Wisdom spoken directly — clear, unfiltered, and as alive today as it was 1,500 years ago.

📌 THIS SERIES

• Chapter 1 — Blood Stream Sermon (watch first)
• Chapter 2 — Wake-Up Sermon
• Chapter 3 — Breakthrough Sermon (you are here)

🔍 TOPICS COVERED

• Bodhidharma teachings | Breakthrough Sermon | Beholding the mind | Three Poisons in Buddhism | Six Perfections (paramitas) explained | Buddha Nature | Zen Buddhism | Buddhist Wisdom for modern life | First Zen Patriarch | Liberation from suffering | Three sets of precepts | Six thieves of the mind | Enlightenment teachings
• Bodhidharma: between myth and reality (Penglai Martial Arts)

Every week, this channel brings rare Buddhist Wisdom drawn from the original [Mahayana] teachings of the great masters — Bodhidharma, Bankei, Linji Yixuan, and the earliest Zen patriarchs. If the ancient path to liberation is what one are looking for [that person might try Theravada, a back-to-basics Buddhist movement that holds the teachings of the historical Buddha in the highest esteem over subsequent Mahayana interpretations and apocryphal inclusions, distortions, and additions], subscribe and turn on notifications to never miss a teaching.

This video is best experienced in a quiet space, and with full attention. #BuddhistWisdom #Bodhidharma #ZenBuddhism. How this was made: auto-dubbed and audio tracks for some languages were automatically generated.

Do all Teachers realize the same thing?

(Finding Meaning Project) They all discovered the same thing?

Hidden Birth of Zen (as Taoism)

Bodhidharma: Nothing you do... - Are you crazy, then why do anything? - Be. Go with the Tao

What are you doing, Zen Master? - I'm going with the Tao. - You're not doing anything. - Yes.

(Buddha's Wisdom) When Buddhism met Taoism: The Hidden Birth of "Zen"

• So much of what people call "Zen" (capitalized as opposed to zen or jhana/dhyana) sounds more like Taoism (with a stiff dose of Confucianism) than Buddhism, and here's why. It was all picked up in translation. So what was lost? Those may be beautiful spiritual/temporal traditions with which to blend, but what is obscured is the historical Buddha's message until it is almost completely lost and replaced by Hinduism (with its Tantra, yoga, and magic that gave rise to another branch Vajrayana/Shingon attached) to a new religion that came to be called Mahayana, far from the Buddha's Dhamma.

Everything Zen

We silly Westerners have no idea! We think we know

"Zen" is a silly word, carrying so much meaning in American English. Goodness knows what it means in Japan or China nowadays, a dying religious sect taking sides in the jiriki versus tariki battle?

We aim to find out on Thursdays in Los Angeles at the Pasadena Zen Sangha. There is a path. What is it? If one were to ask the average American Zen practitioner, then everything likely to be heard in response would be some derivation of Taoism, not Buddhism or any relation to relation to the Doctrine of the historical Buddha.

Shikantaza: just do it because it's just sitting.

Lao Tzu (Laozi) was not a Buddhist. He was possibly a celestial (deva), descended to Earth to philosophize and guide the Chinese.

For all that, on "Buddhist Radio" (Alan Watts - KPFK 90.7 FM, 8:00 am, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026) Alan Watts explained Zen in 18-minutes.

His brief talk lays bare the root of every misconception. Moreover, Buddha's Wisdom (in the video displayed above) does much to add context and clarify. Zen can be grasped.

 

KPFK Public Radio - Online Archives Archive

Watts says the problem with understanding Zen is that unless one were raised Japanese -- very punctilious, rigid, formal, ritualistic, deadly afraid of a faux pas, losing face, or doing things incorrectly -- one will not be able to appreciate what Zen (Taoism) offers as relief.

Zen promotes spontaneity, naturalness, flow, being at ease, comfort, and relaxing into a kind of "just being" present and mindful (of the moment) without so much thinking (premeditation).

• FREE THURSDAYS: Zen Meditation Community, LA

• Buddha's Wisdom, Feb. 2026; cartoonist Brad Warner, Angel City Zen, 4/15/24; Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Hel (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Hypocrisy, poetry, iconoclasm in Zen

Wild Ways: Zen Poems of Ikkyu

Japanese Zen Buddhist priest Ikkyū (一休宗純, Ikkyū Sōjun) was an iconoclast with an "enlightenment certificate" (inkajo). He was born in 1394 and died in 1481. He was an eccentric, iconoclastic, "crazy wisdom" Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, poet, musician, alcoholic, and womanizer.

He had an impact on the infusion of Japanese art and literature with Zen attitudes and ideals [1]. He is perhaps best known for his radical approach to Zen, which included breaking Buddhist monastic precepts and his stance against celibacy [2, Note 1].

• worldhistorybook.com
  
• Monastic Disciplinary Code
• Zen Masters: Ikkyu, Hakiun, Ryokan: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet (by John Stevens)
• Buddhism in Japan
• Zen Buddhism

Biography

In 1394, Ikkyū was born in a small suburb of Kyoto, Japan. It is generally held that he was the illegitimate child of Emperor Go-Komatsu and a low-ranking court noblewoman [1]. His mother was forced to flee to Saga, where Ikkyū was raised by servants.

At the age of 5, Ikkyū was separated from his mother and placed in a Rinzai Zen temple in Kyoto, Japan called Ankoku-ji, as an acolyte [1, 5].

The temple masters taught Chinese culture and language as part of the curriculum, a method termed Gozan Zen. He was given the name "Shuken" and learned about Chinese poetry, art, and literature. More

The 5 most famous Chinese poems

(Skritter) The only Chinese poem [poet] we need to know

(Learn Chinese Now) The 5 Most Famous Chinese Poems of All Time (Explained in English)

Li Bai (Chinese 李白, Pinyin Lǐ Bái) (circa 701-762), who is also known by his courtesy name of Taibai (太白), was a Chinese poet acclaimed as one of the best and most important poets of the Tang dynasty, even the whole of Chinese poetry.

He and his friends such as Du Fu (712–770) were among the prominent figures in the flourishing of Chinese poetry of the Tang dynasty, often called the "Golden Age of Chinese Poetry." The expression "Three Wonders" denotes

1. Li Bai's poetry,
2. Pei Min's swordplay, and
3. Zhang Xu's calligraphy [1].

Around 1,000 poems attributed to Li are extant. His poems have been collected into the most important Tang dynasty collection, Heyue yingling ji [2], compiled in 753 by Yin Fan.

Thirty-four of Li Bai's poems are included in the anthology Three Hundred Tang Poems, which was first published in the 18th century [3].

Around the same time, translations of his poems began to appear in Europe. In Ezra Pound's famous work Cathay (1915), Li Bai's poems enjoy the lion's share (11 out of 19) [4]. Li Bai's poems became models for celebrating the pleasures of... More

• Skritter; Learn Chinese Now; CC Liu, Crystal Quintero, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

Power of Buddhist women and nuns

U.S. Theravada Ayya Tathaaloka

Can women attain Buddhist enlightenment (bodhi) in our present patriarchy? - YES!

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Can women awaken? - Yes, they can!

WOMEN IN BUDDHISM is a topic that can be approached from varied perspectives, including historically, archeologically, anthropologically, theologically, and from the view of modern feminism.

Topical interests include the theological [study of the divine or "god" (theos, dios, deus, devas)] status of women, the treatment of women in Buddhist societies in the home and in public, the history of women in Buddhism, and a comparison of the experiences of women across different schools of Buddhism.

As in other religions, the experiences of Buddhist women have varied considerably.

Western feminist Vajrayana

Scholars such as Bernard Faure and Miranda E. Shaw are in agreement that Buddhist Studies is in its infancy in terms of addressing gender issues. In 1994, Shaw gave an overview of the situation:

"In the case of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, some progress has been made in the areas of women in Early Buddhism, monasticism, and Mahayana Buddhism. Two articles have seriously broached the subject of women in Indian Tantric Buddhism, while somewhat more attention has been paid to Tibetan nuns and lay yoginis [1]. More

First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening

Researcher Susan Murcott has 4.6 out of 5 stars (58 reviews) for First Buddhist Women, a readable, contemporary translation of and commentary on the "enlightenment verses" (bodhi-gathas) of the first female disciples of the Buddha.

This book explores Buddhism’s relatively liberal attitude towards women since its founding nearly 2,600 years ago, through the study of the Therigatham, the earliest known collection of women’s religious poetry.

A Journey Into Peace (by nun Lodro Palmo)

Through commentary and storytelling, author Susan Murcott traces the journey of the wives, mothers, teachers, courtesan, prostitutes, and wanderers who became leaders in the Buddhist community, roles that even today are rarely filled by women in other patriarchal societies and religions.

 

Their poetic verse (about their moment of awakening) beautifully expresses their quest for spiritual attainment and their struggles in society. More: First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening

• eBook: A Journey Into Peace: Timeless Tales of Zen Buddhism: 60 Illustrated Short Stories to Melt Anxiety, Find Keys to Happiness: Begin Your Journey to Inner Peace, Stop Negative Thoughts, Calm Overthinking (by Buddhist nun Lodro Palmo)

• Tsoknyi Nuns, excerpt from Blessings; Better Buddhist (AI mispronouncing names of many enlightened Early Buddhist nuns); Susan Murcott; Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

Befriending Emotions: Joy Retreat (10/25)

• VIDEO: Guided Meditation with Mingyur Rinpoche

Are personal emotions and vibes infectious? - What is Buddhist meditation?

Befriending Emotions: A Special Retreat for Joy of Living Students with Tergar Guides

• ATTEND ONLINE

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche studied

"We don't need to look outside of the present moment to find inner peace and contentment; when experienced with awareness, everything becomes a source of joy." — Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

At the heart of the Tergar meditation tradition lies the retreat experience, which embodies an immersive, experiential approach to learning.

This Joy of Living retreat offers a unique opportunity to create a dedicated personal practice container, while also connecting you with a global community of meditators.

WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?

My bot is training me on how to feel emotions

Gain practical tools to befriend difficult emotions, leading to greater inner peace and compassion for self and others. Participating in these retreats is essential for completing the necessary homework and progressing through the levels of the Joy of Living program. By fully engaging in the retreat experience, one can deepen one's understanding and one's meditation practice in ways that simply can't be achieved through intellectual study alone.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Silly, robots can't feel (yet).

In this program, participants will:

• learn about the core principles of doing a retreat
• receive live teachings from Tergar Guides on awareness, compassion, and wisdom 
• get familiar with meditation techniques to help recognize innate awareness, love and compassion, and wisdom
• learn how to integrate the teachings in daily life

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM?

• Live teachings with Tergar guides
• Group meditation practice
• Self-guided practice
• Gentle movement practice
• Q&A with Tergar guides

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:

• This program is open to everyone. 

Optional Personal Retreat Format:

Can I let my ChatGPT bot sit and feel for me?

Some participants may wish to use this retreat as part of a self-guided personal retreat, with a focus on extended daily meditation. For those aiming to complete six or more hours of sitting practice per day, the guided sessions will form part of this total, and one will add one's own independent sitting practice between, before, or after sessions to meet retreat hour goals. During these self-guided periods, one will be on one's own and responsible for structuring practice time.

• Can I get access to a recording of this event?

Recordings of teaching sessions will be posted within one week after the end of the last session and will be available for two months.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Date/Time: October 25-26, 2025. Please note that this retreat will start an hour earlier than usual. Please see full schedule. View local times
• Registration will close one hour before the event. Full refunds will be given for cancellation requests up to one hour in advance of the event.
• Who can attend this event? This program is open to everyone [who has completed the Joy of Living Level 1].
• Translation from English will be offered into Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, and Russian.

• Befriending Emotions: A Special Retreat for Joy of Living Students with Tergar Guides - Tergar Events
• Save the Dates: 2025 Events with Mingyur Rinpoche — Tergar Meditation Community
• Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (Tergar Meditation Community, Oct. 14, 2025); Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen B., Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly