Tao Te Ching on Enlightened People

Saint Laozi describes how enlightened beings carry themselves.

How do enlightened individuals carry themselves? I used Saint Laozi's annotations to help me with the translation of Tao Te Ching, verse 56.

Enlightened people - -- The Chapter about the Value of Tao, 56

People who truly understand Tao find it hard to put it into words. But those who talk about it to get attention do not really know it.

Truly wise people curb their tongues as they see no need to argue. They also close the doors to unhelpful emotions or thoughts that can throw them off balance. In addition, they do not try to stand out or make themselves look better than others. Instead, they find ways to resolve their troubles or worries. They blend in with those around them and make everyone feel like they belong. This feeling of deep connection and togetherness is called mystical oneness.

This makes it hard to get to know them since they have no selfish desires. At the same time, keeping a distance from them is hard because their kindness makes people want to be around them. Rewards don't change what they do because they just want to help others. Since they have a transcendent perspective on life, no harm can affect them. They are not tempted by high status because they care little for fame and power. Low status does not bring them down because they already hold something incredibly valuable inside. These individuals are the most dignified in the world.

悟道的人--道貴章第五十六

知者不言。言者不知。塞其兌。閉其門。挫其銳。解其紛。和其光。同其塵。是謂玄同。故不可得而親。亦不可得而疏。不可得而利。亦不可得而害。不可得而貴。亦不可得而賤。故為天下貴。

Here is the video of verse 56 about enlightened beings.

Here is Saint Laozi's annotations:

Truly enlightened individuals have their minds and hearts in sync with Tao, though they often find it hard to put this into words. This is why Shakyamuni Buddha said: "When there is nothing to teach, that is a teaching in itself." In the same way, Bodhidharma once mentioned: "I had come from the West and never preached a single word. Instead, I showed how to practice in the mind. If you want to find the Buddha's teachings through words, you would need more water than there is in Dongting Lake just for the ink to write them all down." This shows the wondrous nature of Tao. But some people talk about it to draw attention to themselves and show off their insights to many people. Their behaviors can be strange, and they often show their pride. Indeed, these individuals do not truly understand Tao. That is why the enlightened curb their tongues, as there is no need to argue. They then close the doors to the seven emotions (joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, love, hate, and desire) and six desires (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought). By doing this, they can tame any tendencies toward arrogance and pride. This is how they free themselves from troubles and worries. (Source)

真正悟道的人，心與道合，可是卻難以用言語表達，就像釋迦佛所說：「無法可說，是名說法。」達摩祖師所說：「達摩東來一字無，全憑心意用工夫，若要紙上尋佛法，筆尖醮乾洞庭湖。」可見「道」是如何的微妙了。可是偏有一些好於炫耀自己的人，喜歡在大庭廣眾之前高談闊論，行為乖張，高傲自取，其實這種人，反而是不知「道」的人。所以有道的人，他首先塞住了他的口舌紛爭。關閉他的七情 ( 喜、怒、哀、樂、愛、惡、慾 ) 六慾 ( 色、聲、香、味、觸、法 ) 之門。折挫自己鋒芒又高傲的銳氣。這一切才是解脫紛擾煩惱的方法。