Tao refers to the origin and ontology of all things in the universe, as well as principles and laws. Tao is a state of chaos, emptiness, emptiness, tranquility, harmony, and goodness. At the same time, Tao is a kind of power that dominates everything and has its own laws and regulations. People should follow these laws. If they go forward, they will be lucky, and if they go against them, they will be unlucky. Tao is a kind of energy, which is eternal and unchanging, and is always in danger. It transforms all things and is contained in all things at the same time. Therefore, all things, including the sun, moon, stars, saints and ordinary people, are basically the same, they are all Tao.
But Tao has two forms: existence and non-being. There is, that is, the material world that can be seen, perceived and known by people. Including heaven, earth, people and all phenomena and existence. Yes, that is the destiny taught by Taoists and the body taught by Buddha. Nothingness is energy that cannot be seen and cannot be captured by the senses. It is the nature of Taoism and the Dharmakaya of Buddhism. Although the two have different states, their essence is the same, just as Laozi said in the first chapter of the Tao Te Ching: The two have the same origin but different names. Being and non-being are essentially the same, which is what Buddhism says is that form is emptiness.
What I want to say is that we think we live in a certain material world, but don’t we know that this material world appears and is created only by the mind. In fact, the essence of this existence is nothingness, emptiness, or in a certain sense, an illusion.
The three realms of those who have attained the Tao:
1. Enlightenment
Enlightenment can be achieved by having a mind that has nothing to dwell on and no worries. Let your heart gain complete freedom, no longer set rules and regulations for yourself, no longer draw the earth as a prison, and no longer protect yourself with stubbornness and prejudice. Don’t be attached to anything, don’t worry about anything, and don’t care about anything in particular. Focus on the present moment, don't think about the last second, and don't worry about the next second. Live in this second wholeheartedly.
To put it in a small way, a person's life, and in a big way, the whole world is not that long. The process of existence is actually only this moment, and only this moment is real. Living in this moment is, in a sense, a kind of enlightenment.
2. Keep the precepts
Many people think that once they are enlightened, they can do whatever they want. In fact, this is not the case. After enlightenment, they should keep the precepts and cultivate good fortune. Enlightened people are peaceful, humble, tolerant, compassionate, just, and kind, and thus have two more important things, luck and magnanimity. However, being born as a human being with the naked eye cannot completely avoid the world. After all, we still have to eat, drink, poop and sleep, after all we still have to eat the fireworks of the world, after all we still have our emotions and desires. Therefore, it is inevitable that sometimes anger arises from the heart, and sometimes evil arises from the side of courage.
3. The unity of heaven and man
This realm is actually beyond our reach. Whether it is enlightenment or attainment, it is nothing but a mirror. Because as long as you are in the human world, you cannot escape the influence of worldly laws. Therefore, strive to be a good person and make your behavior conform to the way of heaven as much as possible. It can also be said to be a kind of golden mean. It has its own mind without dwelling on it, and it is neither attached to the realization of the Tao nor to the attainment of the Tao.
After all, we are born as human beings and have missions and responsibilities. Therefore, it is understandable to gain energy and wisdom through enlightenment so that we can live a wonderful and complete life. If through win-win cooperation, more people, even all sentient beings, can benefit and live wonderfully and perfectly, that would be an even greater merit.