Tao Te Ching
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Book Overview
The Tao Teh King (Tao Te Ching) forms the fundamental core of modern Taoist philosophy and has informed the beliefs and mode of life of the people of China for 2500 years. For all those who seek peace, contentment, harmony and balance in life, the Tao Teh King is an indispensable resource. Lao Tse's words speak directly to the heart with simple, direct and profound wisdom addressing the core principles of the art of living well.The translation and commentary presented here was completed between 1921 and 1923 and serialized in the periodical magazine The Theosophical Quarterly. The society responsible for the periodical was dissolved some fifteen years later, leaving this translation to lay dormant these many years. It is reproduced verbatim, but with an adjustment in formatting-providing the translation itself, in whole, prior to the commentary-the addition of a foreword, and of additional notes.Charles Johnston's article on the Religion of China, reproduced in this volume, demonstrates the depth of his understanding not only of Ancient China and its religious life, but of its place in the larger context of human religious thought. This wider contextual grasp lends itself to a much more expansive commentary upon the Tao Teh King than we commonly find, as Johnston is able to draw many parallels to other world-teachings, some of which the student may be more intimately familiar.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1537196472
ISBN13:9781537196473
Release Date:August 2016
Publisher:CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Length:78 Pages
Weight:0.34 lbs.
Dimensions:9.0" x 0.2" x 6.0"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
This is the best translation I’ve found by Stephen Mitchell. Love this book
Published by Calberkeley11 , 1 month ago
I like how this book is translated (Stephen Mitchell) and laid out. Have so many copies and give them away
Peg Streep’s translation is bad.
Published by Luka , 1 month ago
Peg Streep’s translation is bad.
Buy it!
Published by A.K. , 1 year ago
Great book- a classic & influential text
A must-read of Taoism
Published by Joey , 1 year ago
Great book!
A Timeless Masterwork
Published by Alex , 4 years ago
When I saw a less than four star rating for this book, I was flabbergasted! How can one rate a world classic so poorly?
Perhaps it's the nature of the book itself. The Tao Te Ching (or Deodejing) is 81 chapters of wisdom, political, spiritual, and advice sayings. Without understanding any of the philosophical background assumptions, the book is difficult to understand and can seem like nonsense at times. The Tao Te Ching is also unique in encouraging reflection and meditation on it's sayings by virtue of it's delicate balance between clarity and ambiguity.
All of this can turn those new to the text away. But if you really want to understand the book, you will find it richly rewarding! Properly understood, the wisdom contained therein is helpful, profound, and a good starting point for exploring other ideas in Taoist, Buddhist, and Indian philosophy.
It's also a calming and beautifully written book, given a competent translation. Most translations are fine, but I definitely recommend Red Pine's, Minford's, Addis and Lombardo's, or any one of ones listed on this site that isn't Stephen Mitchell. Mitchell's translation is not horrible, he just adds too much to the text for my tastes.
As for a good introduction to the Tao Te Ching, Tao: The Watercourse Way is the best I've found. In any case, however, this book deserves five stars. There are great reasons why it is considered such an essential text in so many countries!
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