Drawing of Laozi, 1920s. (Public domain) The Tao Te Ching, or Daodejing in pinyin, is such a fantastic book to begin with! It’s at least 2500 years old, is a foundational text of Taoism, and has been influential in every major religious school in China, including Confucianism and the various incarnations of Chinese Buddhism.
Any verifiable facts about its author Lao Tzu (Loazi) have been lost to history.
The title refers to the fact that there are really two books here: The Tao Ching, which is the first half of the text (chapters 1-37) and the Te Ching (chapters 38-81). If this is your first experience with the Tao Te Ching, don’t worry. The 81 chapters are brief collections of verses.
Any verifiable facts about its author Lao Tzu (Loazi) have been lost to history.
The title refers to the fact that there are really two books here: The Tao Ching, which is the first half of the text (chapters 1-37) and the Te Ching (chapters 38-81). If this is your first experience with the Tao Te Ching, don’t worry. The 81 chapters are brief collections of verses.
Many of us are familiar with the translation of “Tao” as “the Way,” and this is usable if we keep in mind that we are referring to much more than just a path but the all-encompassing, mysterious process of the universe. “Te” means virtue. Ching means something like “important book.” So Classic Texts of the Way and Virtue might be a passable translation of the title.
I recommend that we read Derek Lin’s translation. It’s a nice balance of accuracy and fluidity. You can find it free here: http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm. If you are moved to go deeper, his annotated book is available for around $11 online.
I recommend that we read Derek Lin’s translation. It’s a nice balance of accuracy and fluidity. You can find it free here: http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm. If you are moved to go deeper, his annotated book is available for around $11 online.
A close second recommendation would be Stephen Mitchell’s version, which is not a translation but an interpretation. It is truly beautiful and has been a great comfort to me over the last two dozen years. Comparing translations can be helpful in understanding a text. I also find I learn a lot about myself through my reactions to different versions. Mitchell’s Tao Te Ching has been posted online in a few different places. Only Lin’s translation will be “required reading.” You can find Mitchell’s here:
http://www.with.org/tao_te_ching_en.pdf.
I look forward to the ongoing discussion on the Facebook group page and to our eventual meeting on August 1st.
http://www.with.org/tao_te_ching_en.pdf.
I look forward to the ongoing discussion on the Facebook group page and to our eventual meeting on August 1st.
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