[FN#292] A.  ‘Those of Confucianists and Taoists.’

[FN#293] Confucianists are not of exactly the same opinion as Taoists respecting the creation.  The Great Path here mentioned refers exclusively to Taoism.

[FN#294] The Great Path of Emptiness, Hu Wu Ta Tao, is the technical name for the Taoist conception of the Absolute.  It is something existent in an undeveloped state before the creation of the phenomenal universe.  According to Tao Teh King, it is ’self-existent, unchangeable, all-pervading, and the mother of all things.  It is unnamable, but it is sometimes called the Path or the Great.’  It is also called the Emptiness, as it is entirely devoid of relative activities.

[FN#295] Confucianism mainly treats of ethical problems, but Taoism is noted for its metaphysical speculation.

Now I (shall) raise, in brief, a few questions to point out their weaknesses.  If everything in the universe, as they say, came out of the Great Path of Emptiness, that Great Path itself should be the cause of (not only) of wisdom, (but) of folly, (not only) of life, (but) of death.  It ought to be the source of prosperity (as well as) of adversity, of fortune (as well as) of misfortune.  If this origin exist (as it is supposed) to all eternity, it must be possible neither to remove follies, villainies, calamities, and wars, nor to promote wisdom, good, happiness, and welfare.  Of what use (then) are the teachings of Lao Tsz and Chwang Tsz?[FN#296] The Path, besides, should have reared the tiger and the wolf, given birth to Kieh[FN#297] and Cheu,[FN#298] caused the premature deaths of Yen[FN#299] and Jan,[FN#300] and placed I[FN#301] and Tsi[FN#302] in their most lamentable condition.  How could it be called a noble (path)?

[FN#296] One of the greatest Taoist philosophers, and the author of the book entitled after his name.  He flourished 339-327 B.C.

[FN#297] The last Emperor of the Hia dynasty, notorious for his vices.  His reign was 1818-1767 B.C.

[FN#298] The last Emperor of the Yin dynasty, one of the worst despots.  His reign was 1154-1122 B.C.

[FN#299] Yen Hwui (Gan-kai, 541-483 B.C.), a most beloved disciple of Confucius, known as a wise and virtuous scholar.

[FN#300] Jan Poh Niu (Zen-pak-giu, 521- . . .  B.C.), a prominent disciple, of Confucius, distinguished for his virtues.

[FN#301] Poh I (Haku-i), the elder brother of Tsi, who distinguished himself by his faith and wisdom at the downfall of the Yin dynasty.

[FN#302] Shuh Tsi (Shiku Sei), the brother of I, with whom he shared the same fate.