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無爲

[Pronunciations]

Meanings

  • Literally, not-acting or "not doing. " In Daoist literature, it is a description of the way that the enlightened person functions in the world. Depending upon the context, wu-wei can be translated as "acting without expectation;" "participating without taking arbitrary control;" "helping things develop without meddling;" "knowing when to stop;" "going with the flow," etc. In Buddhism, wu-wei has been used as a translation of the Sanskrit asaṃskṛta, which means "unconditioned" or "uncreated," i. e. , that which is not arisen on the basis of causes and conditions, or that which is unconnected with the relationship of cause and effect. (Charles Muller)
  • Also in: DDB

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    [Other words containing this character]

    無爲之益   無爲而治   爲無爲   

    [Dictionary References]

    Hanyu dacidian CD-Rom

    Gakken kanwa jiten (Digital Version)

    Dai kango rin p. 1583

    Dai kanwa jiten vol. 7, p. 7335

    Entry created: 1995-07-15

    Updated: 2005-10-22