Summarizes the history, doctrine, and practices of an ancient Chinese religion based on the harmonious interaction of Yin and Yang

"Ursula K. Le Guin, a student of the Tao Te Ching for more than fifty years, offers her own thoughtful rendering of the Taoist scripture. She has consulted the literal translations and worked with the scholar J. P. Seaton to develop a version that lets the ancient text speak in a fresh way to modern people, while remaining faithful to the original Chinese. This rendition reveals the Tao Te Ching's immediate relevance and power, its depth and refreshing humor, illustrating better than ever before why it has been so loved for more than 2,500 years. Included are Le Guin's own personal commentary and notes along with two audio CDs of the text read by the author, with original music composed and performed by Todd Barton."--Publisher's website.

Taoists and non-Taoists alike consider Lao-Tzu's Treatise on the Response of the Tao, written by the twelfth-century sage Li Ying-Chang, an essential guide to living. Presenting foundational teaching and practices of the Action and Karma school of Taoism, it is replete with stories illustrating the teachings and an introductory essay that discusses the more esoteric meanings of the passages. Told with clarity and depth, these seminal Taoist teachings offer guidance on leading a balanced, healthy life. Sponsored by the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism

No one can understand China or be an intelligent citizen of the world without some knowledge of the Lao Tzu, also called the Tao-te ching (The Classic of the Way and Its Virtue), for it has modified Chinese life and thought throughout history and has become an integral part of world literature. Therefore any new light on it, however little, should prove to be helpful. There have been many translations of this little classic, some of them excellent. Most translators have treated it as an isolated document. Many have taken it as religious literature. A few have related it to ancient Chinese philosophy. But none has viewed it in the light of the entire history of Chinese thought. Furthermore, no translator has consulted extensively the many commentaries regarding the text, much less the thought. Finally, no translator has written a complete commentary from the perspective of the total history of Chinese philosophy. Besides, a comprehensive and critical account of the recent debates on Lao Tzu the man and Lao Tzu the book is long overdue. The present work is a humble attempt to fill these gaps. This 1963 work is organized as follows: I. The Philosophy of Tao 1. Historical Background and the Taoist Reaction 2. The Meaning of Tao 3. The Emphasis on Man and Virtue 4. Weakness and Simplicity 5. Unorthodox Techniques 6. Lao Tzu and Confucius Compared 7. Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu Compared 8. Influences on Neo-Taoism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism 9. The Taoist Religion 10. Taoism in Chinese Life II. Lao Tzu, the Man 1. Traditional Accounts 2. Lao Tzu’s Birthplace and Names 3. Lao Tzu’s Occupation 4. Confucius’ visit to Lao Tzu 5. Lao Lai Tzu and Lao P’eng 6. The Grand Historian 7. Summary and Conclusion III. Lao Tzu, the Book 1. Reactions Against Tradition 2. Arguments About Contemporary References 3. Arguments About Style 4. Arguments About Terminology 5. Arguments About Ideas 7. Titles and Structure 8. Commentaries 9. Translations The Lao Tzu (Tao-te ching)

Examines the traditional and modern Western interpretations of the Tao-te-ching, and its author, Lao-tzu.

Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text, probably from around the 6th century BC. While the authorship is still debated, most of the text is attributed to Lao-Tzu ("Old Master"), who was a court record keeper during the Zhou Dynasty. The text is considered an essential element of Taoist philosophy as well as having significant influences on Chinese religions, including Buddhism. This is a classic translation of the book by James Legge. Visit www.ArcManor.com for other, similar books.

Explores the teachings of Lao Tzu, the philosopher believed to be the inspiring force behind the seminal Taoist work, through a collection of eighty-one inspirational passages that speak to the balance of earth and heaven.

'Of ways you may speak, but not the Perennial Way; By names you may name, but not the Perennial Name.' The best-loved of all the classical books of China and the most universally popular, the Daodejing or Classic of the Way and Life-Force is a work that defies definition. It encapsulates the main tenets of Daoism, and upholds a way of being as well as a philosophy and a religion. The dominant image is of the Way, the mysterious path through the whole cosmos modelled on the great Silver River or Milky Way that traverses the heavens. A life-giving stream, the Way gives rise to all things and holds them in her motherly embrace. It enables the individual, and society as a whole, to harmonize the disparate demands of daily life and achieve a more profound level of understanding. This new translation draws on the latest archaeological finds and brings out the word play and poetry of the original. Simple commentary accompanies the text, and the introduction provides further historical and interpretative context. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

The book Lao Tzu (aka Tao Te Ching ) is a book originated in the sixth century BCE in China. Unlike most writings of that time, it embodies an intgrated work of philosophy. Furthermore, it encompasses themes on religion, political science, social science and traditional thoughts(e.g. I Ching) before Lao Tzu. All the original Taoism created by Lao Tzu are manifested in a simple book of about five thousand Chinese characters. From a modern prospective his profound thought is expressed in compressed expressions. Even Confucius, like numerous Chinese, treated sayings of Lao Tzu as adages. Hardly any punctilious Chinese intellectual, including antagonists of this book, could argue successfully that the whole text does not deserved to be painstakingly examined. For example, the famous aphorism “A journey of one thousand miles started out from one single step” was initially in this book. This translation and introduction of Tao Te Ching was aimed to be both philosophically and linguistically closest to the original Tao of Taoism. The Chinese version of this English book will shortly be published by People’s Press as well. Sir Karl Popper, the author of Open Society and Its Enemies, has strongly recommended the translator of this version. When the first attempt on translation was made in 1985 Sir Alfred J. Ayer commented “Your work on Lao Tzu promises to be very interesting”.