Confucius, Buddha, Lao-Tzu (Laozi, Tao)
They take turns dipping their fingers into the vinegar and tasting it.
1- Confucius gets sour taste
2- Buddha gets bitter taste
3- Lao-Tzu (Laozi) smiles.
Judging by the expressions on the faces of the two men, the vinegar that represents the essence of life does not taste very pleasant.
However, when Taoist harmony is experienced, what others perceive as negative can become positive.
From the Taoist perspective, sourness or bitterness consists of interference with the laws of nature and failure to appreciate what one has. Life itself is sweet when understood and enjoyed.
1- (Confucius) The present and the past, the kingdom of man and the kingdom of the universe (heaven), are not in harmony; therefore, the emperor, the son of heaven who stands between the two kingdoms, must strictly adhere to rituals and ceremonies.
2- (Buddha) Worldly desires and attachments lead to suffering, the world is full of illusions and traps, which gives pain. To find peace, one must transcend the world of dust and reach Nirvana (without wind). However, China, with its optimistic attitude, is like the wind on the path to Nirvana for Buddhists, so it gives a bitter taste.
3- (Laozi) There is a natural harmony between the world and nature. In the book Tao Te Ching, it is said that “The world is essentially a reflection of heaven and is governed by the laws of heaven, not by the laws determined by man. These laws are affected not only by the rotation of the planets, but also by the sounds of the birds in the forest and the fish in the sea.
As people interfere with the natural balance, life becomes sour. Man must learn to live in the dust cloud. According to Laozi, everything that works in heaven and earth is Tao, the Way.
The Way of the Universe cannot be described in words.
Taoism is a simple form of appreciation, learning from what the day brings, and moving on no matter what. Such a life brings serenity and happiness.