Dao De Jing: The United Version

By Laozi and Yang Peng

This new translation of the Chinese classic and foundation text of Daoism integrates the manuscript discoveries of the last 30 years, introducing a fundamentally different view of the nature of the Dao. Michael Puett, the Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Chair of the Committee on the Study of Religion at Harvard University, calls this translation "an excellent translation of one of the most important texts from the Chinese philosophical tradition," and goes on to state:  "Building upon the crucial body of scholarship that has developed in China over the past several decades, Yang Peng succeeds in providing a translation that is both precise and readable.  A wonderful achievement!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wapner & Brent Books
• Release date: Oct 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781581771589

Laozi

Laozi was a Chinese philosopher and author commonly understood to have lived in the 6th century BC, although the time of his life is much disputed, and he has become as much a legend as a historical figure. Traditionally credited as the author of The Book of Tao, also known as The Tao Te Ching and The Tao and Its Characteristics, he is regarded as the father of Taoism and one of the most universally influential figures in Chinese culture.

Book preview

DAO DE JING

DAO DE JING

THE UNITED VERSION

LAOZI

A NEW TRANSLATION BY

YANG PENG

© 2016 Yang Peng

All rights reserved. Except for short passages for purposes of review, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published by Wapner & Brent Books

PO Box 12, Woodstock, NY 12498

Wapner & Brent Books is a publishing project of the Institute for Publishing Arts, Inc., 120 Station Hill Road, Barrytown, NY 12507, a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization [501(c)(3)].

Cover and interior design by Susan Quasha

ISBN: 978-1-58177-159-6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016908901

Manufactured in the United States of America

To Tian who produces the Dao

To the Dao which produces all things

To all who support me

To all whom I love

CONTENTS

Preface

Dao De Jing: The United Version

About the Author (Laozi)

About the Translator (Yang Peng)

PREFACE

In July 2003, my book A Detailed Explanation of Laozi: Research on Laozi’s Philosophy of Governance ) was published in China. It is now in its fourth printing.

In September 2014, I came to the United States as a research scholar at Harvard University Asia Center to conduct research on Chinese religion and philosophy, and I encountered English versions of the Dao De Jing for the first time. I have since browsed more than forty-six different English-language translations, and I have carefully researched eighteen of the more authoritative versions.

What I found is that some of the most important mainland Chinese scholarship with respect to research on the Dao De Jing during recent decades has not been incorporated into most of the current English versions, and so I began thinking about composing a completely new translation that would include the latest research. I began this translation project in March of 2015 with the encouragement of Arthur Kleinman and with the help of four American editors: Jacob Lamont Wood, Nancy Hearst, Sam Truitt, and Ron Brent. We completed the work within a year.

The common problems of current English translations of the Dao De Jing are enumerated below.

(Dao)

(Dao(Dao) as the Way. This is inappropriate for the following reasons.

In Chapter 25 of the Dao De Jing, (Dao(Great) to describe the original source and the natural order of the universe. Chapter 25 expresses the relationship between language and reality in Laozi’s philosophy of language. Names or words have no essence on their own; rather, they are guides pointing to reality.

(Dao(Dao) has no essence on its own, thus we should not attempt to give it an essentialist meaning: for example, the Way or Way-making.

(Dao(daolu(shuodao(daoli), meaning principle or reason. Which usage may be said to fall

Reviews for Dao De Jing

[benkline · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful version of the Dao De Jing (Tao te Ching). Yang Peng's translation of Daoism (Taoism) is very smart, to the point, and a wonderful new way of looking at it, as compared to the previous versions/translations that I have read. This definitely feels the most authentic and correct version that I've read.

The book itself is done well, with a nice forward, and two versions of the Dao de Jing in the book (English and in it's original form).

[bluepigeon-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am not extremely familiar with Daoism or the founding text, Dao De Jing. The United Version, offered here in translation by Yang Peng, has a very informative preface that explains the differences in the known texts and interpretations, the shortcomings of the English translations, and the need for a "united" new translation. The book has the English translation as well as the Chinese text, which is no doubt useful for those who are bilingual. The translation in English reads well. The philosophy is more and more revealing and meaningful as one learns more about Chinese religious and philosophical traditions and history, but even without a deep understanding of ancient China and where Laozi is coming from, there is a lot to ponder and appreciate in this small book. The production value of the book is excellent, the font is very pleasing to read and the book is the perfect size for frequent reference and pondering. All in all, a very valuable addition to the philosophy library.