Buddhism and other Eastern religions teach following the middle way in most aspects of our lives. This teaching is said to have been taught by the Buddha himself in one of his earlier Sutras called Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta where he outlines the Middle Way and first describes the Four Noble Truths. Eastern philosophers are not big on extreme views of all or none:
- The practice of non-extremism: a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification;
- The middle ground between certain metaphysical views (for example, that things ultimately either do or do not exist);[43]
- An explanation of Nirvana (perfect enlightenment), a state wherein it becomes clear that all dualities apparent in the world are delusory;
- Another term for emptiness, the ultimate nature of all phenomena (in the Mahayana branch), a lack of inherent existence, which avoids the extremes of permanence and nihilism or inherent existence and nothingness.
In the west we have a similar view found in the saying of exercising “moderation in all things.”
Yin and Yang Conflicting with the Middle Way
I personally am confused about the Yin Yang symbol. To me, it appears extreme in its duel nature of black and white. Some, however, feel the wavy line which divides the black from the white is actually the path of the middle way. One reason I question this concept is because Taoist beliefs about its origins and symbolism. As I understand it, in Taoist philosophy all creation began with a singularity prior to division and the yin yang symbol is representative of the first division of this primal singularity. After this, it was divided again, and later another time. So where creation began with 1, it was decided into 2, then 4, then 8 then 16, 32 and 64.
Beyond 64 the Taoist don’t really represent concepts with symbols, however, the 64 divisions are shown in symbolic artwork in the form of a Mandala. The various mandalas form a whole category of religious artwork which are fascinating to see and ponder the interesting colors and variations in style.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that I’m confused a bit of how the black and white extremes of Yin and Yang fit into a doctrine of the Middle Way, the overall concept is one that sets well with me and feels natural to both my intellect and my lifestyle habits. After all, Grey is my last name and the color grey is the middle between black and white!
