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Some identify Tao (道) with Ṛta (ऋत) and with Logos (λόγος). And perhaps most interesting is the first chapter of the Gospel of John, which identifies Christ wit

Some identify Tao (道) with Ṛta (ऋत) and with Logos (λόγος). And perhaps most interesting is the first chapter of the Gospel of John, which identifies Christ with the Logos (Incarnate) (though one can be forgiven for missing this because translations into most languages result in seemingly inscrutable constructions like "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."; "Word" is horribly anemic in comparison to "Logos"). Given this equivalence, this could result in interesting dialogue between, say, Catholics, Hindus, and Taoists. (The pagan Greeks were already in dialogue with early Christians, of course, hence the use of the extremely Greek word in question in the New Testament.)

cjameskeller 3y ago
Using this translation as a reference: http://mountainman.com.au/tao_1_9.html http://mountainman.com.au/tao_1_9.html, there are a few places that really stand out. Section 1 can be understood in terms of the incomprehensible "Logos" which is before both the "logoi" (in Latin, "ratio"; that is, "reasons") in things, as well as before the human "logos"; the rational mind by which we can understand those things. Section 4 has parallels to many Biblical passages (Isaiah 40:4, John 4:14, etc) and speaks of the Tao as being like an "offspring" or "preface" to God. Likewise, Sections 7-9, 13 & 14, 16, 22, 27, and many others have strong parallels to Biblical passages. Section 42 speaks of the Tao begetting One, the One begetting Two, the Two begetting Three, and the Three begetting all else. This is definitely not exactly the Trinity, but the cosmology here (and see the Taijitu Shuo) is suggestive... Section 78 says that only one who takes up the shame and sins of the world is fit to be its ruler. Anywhere one can find concepts or themes that "rhyme", I find there to be something real and weighty.

cjameskeller 3y ago

Using this translation as a reference: http://mountainman.com.au/tao_1_9.html http://mountainman.com.au/tao_1_9.html, there are a few places that really stand out. Section 1 can be understood in terms of the incomprehensible "Logos" which is before both the "logoi" (in Latin, "ratio"; that is, "reasons") in things, as well as before the human "logos"; the rational mind by which we can understand those things. Section 4 has parallels to many Biblical passages (Isaiah 40:4, John 4:14, etc) and speaks of the Tao as being like an "offspring" or "preface" to God. Likewise, Sections 7-9, 13 & 14, 16, 22, 27, and many others have strong parallels to Biblical passages. Section 42 speaks of the Tao begetting One, the One begetting Two, the Two begetting Three, and the Three begetting all else. This is definitely not exactly the Trinity, but the cosmology here (and see the Taijitu Shuo) is suggestive... Section 78 says that only one who takes up the shame and sins of the world is fit to be its ruler. Anywhere one can find concepts or themes that "rhyme", I find there to be something real and weighty.