Reading List

Laozi’s Daode jing 

The Daode jing (Tao Te Ching), also known as the Laozi (Lao Tzu), is one of the early classics of Chinese thought and is a core text for all traditions of Daoism. One important way to approach the Laozi is through our own direct response to the text. It is written in a way that stimulates personal reflection and its observations and insights can help us question our views and perceptions. This is particularly important for developing the openness and curiosity that supports a daoist approach to cultivation. Another approach is to consider how other readers, commentators and interpreters have understood the text in different times and cultures. For this reason it is interesting to read a range of different translations. There are many worthwhile versions available and the ones listed below are just a selection. Here are some of their distinguishing features:

• The translation of Giafu Feng and Jane English is one of the earliest publications to offer an accessible interpretation of the Laozi and as Giafu was one of Shi Jing’s first teachers this version has a particular significance for the Association.
• The translation by Addiss and Lombardo is distinctive in its terse simplicity, reflecting the succinct language and poetry of the Chinese text.
• Henricks’ Te-Tao Ching is based on an excavated version of the text and his translation closely reflects the original Chinese phrasing. For this reason it is one that works well when reading the Chinese and English alongside each other. The Chinese text provided in the book varies at times from the standard received versions of the Laozi but these differences are all clearly noted.
• Red Pine’s translation is also influenced by alternative versions and readings of the Chinese text. In a number of passages he interprets in ways that are not so common in other English versions making this a valuable contribution. Even more noteworthy is his selected translation of Chinese commentaries for each chapter. These include the writings of many individuals and thus offer insights into the various ways that Chinese readers have understood the text.

Zhuangzi

The second core text, the Zhuangzi, along with Laozi, is a key text of early daoist thought. The writings use parables, anecdotes, allegory and paradox to illustrate the daoist view of our true nature.

The Zhuangzi is a more extensive text and has been translated both in its complete form and as the seven ‘Inner Chapters’ of the original work, considered to be the heart of the text.

Liezi

The Liezi is the third core text of daoist philosophy. It is usually considered to be more accessible than the Zhuangzi, as it conveys its meaning with stories of ‘real’ people in everyday situations.

The stories seem to have a timeless quality and are easy to relate to, even today. These texts contain a lot of information which reflects the daoist view and the practice of tranquil sitting.

Tranquil Sitting (Jingzuo)

The following section includes important texts that support our view of cultivation and cover the subtle aspects of Tranquil Sitting.

The Secret of The Golden Flower

There are various translations available of The Secret of The Golden Flower. Committed practitioners should consider reading and comparing Wilhelm and Jung’s translation, with Cleary’s.

This free translation, by Walther Sell and Junyong Wang is a very important work to read in comparison to the Wilhelm and Cleary translations. We feel that in places, it better reflects the inner meaning of the text from the the viewpoint of the Association: http://thesecretofthegoldenflower.com/index.html

Daoyin

The following books provide descriptions and illustrations of the Daoyin movements that support the cultivation practices.

Other texts that support the daoist View