The Difference Between Tao and Path

Xuefeng

January 3, 2022

Two extraordinary aspects of Chinese culture that set it apart from others are its written characters and landscape paintings. Chinese characters are undoubtedly of divine origin, as they embody the essence of Tao and reveal its mysteries. Similarly, Chinese landscape paintings are ethereal and transcendental, created by individuals with celestial qualities. Appreciating such paintings is like traveling through time and space to enter an idyllic paradise—a breathtaking realm beyond the mundane world.

Let us explore the profound meanings hidden in Chinese characters to understand the difference between Tao and road.

Tao (道) The character 道 consists of the radical 辶, which signifies movement or walking, and the component 首, which means “head.” The structure of the character suggests a person walking while carrying a “head”—but this “head” does not represent one's own mind; rather, it signifies the mind of a supreme leader. Who is the supreme leader of the universe? Naturally, it is the Greatest Creator! Thus, Tao signifies walking in accordance with the Greatest Creator’s will or following the Greatest Creator’s guidance. To walk in the Tao means to align one’s actions with the Greatest Creator’s intentions.

The challenge lies in identifying where this "supreme leader" resides. For most people, this is difficult to comprehend. Therefore, the concept can be simplified: walking in alignment with the revelations found in nature—the myriad phenomena of all things—is also considered walking in the Tao. If one’s spiritual perception is dull and they cannot perceive these revelations, the idea can be further simplified: following the guidance of the Greatest Creator’s messengers is essentially walking in the Tao.

Road (路) The character 路 is a combination of 足, which represents walking, and 各, which means "each" or "individual." Together, 路 conveys the idea of “each walking their own path.” Essentially, a path represents an individual’s journey, independent of external guidance or direction. It implies that one follows their inner desires and walks the path they personally believe to be right. If someone does not act or speak according to their inner will, they are not truly walking their own road.

Summary If a person does not act or speak according to the Greatest Creator’s will, they are not walking in the Tao. If one does not act or speak in alignment with their inner will, they are not truly walking their own path.

As a result, we find that most people in the world are neither walking in the Tao nor following their own path—they are merely drifting with the wind.

Why is the Tao of the Greatest Creator the supreme Tao for life, and the path of Lifechanyuan the most blessed path?

Because the Tao of the Greatest Creator is the righteous Tao, the ultimate Tao, and the path of Lifechanyuan is the path of blessings—the heavenly path.