Zen Vs Freud

Did you know that in our history of civilization. There has not once been a holy war in the Far East. Our guest speaker Dr. Arthur Sokoloff, used his latest book, Zen meets Freud, to talk to us about the three religions in the Far East. As well as a little history of our own religious past. The basis of our western and European civilization, values, philosophy and democracy is based upon the Greek. Pretty much the rest of the globe (60%) doesn't care for our way of life. In the Arab culture, it is taught that there is no tax on lying.

Geographically speaking, everything east of India is considered the Far East. Everyone there has at least three or more religions, Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. The reason there has never been a holy war is because none of these beliefs conflict. No jealous Gods, no biblical crusades, just a way of life. Most of these beliefs were founded around the same period of time of 500 B.C.

The first of these is Taoism, Tao meaning Force. The founder of this way of life was Lao Tzu. The story of Lao Tzu is that he wandered out to the western border of his state, riding his water buffalo. He searched for a place to live a simple life, close to nature and without trouble. With him, he carried his ideas. No one ever heard of him again. But before he could cross the border, officials made him write down his ideas: "Live a simple life, be free, be yourself, and be close to nature. Do these things and you will be wise and happy." These words have been kept in a little book called Tao Te Ching.

Second is Confucianism. Confuses, was an advisor from Europe and considered to be the most important man who lived in China from 500B.C. to 1911 A.D. Currently 95% of Japan's religion is Confucianism. Confucianism was considered the way they governed the entire East. Confucianism is humanism, a philosophy or attitude that is concerned with human beings, their achievements and interests, rather than with the abstract beings and problems of theology. In Confucianism, the man is the center of the universe: man cannot live alone, but with other human beings. For human beings, the ultimate goal is individual happiness. The necessary condition to achieve happiness is through peace. To obtain peace, Confucius discovered human relations consisting of the five relationships which are based on love and duties. Respect, Honor, Loyalty, Love, and Family

The last religion