Synopses & Reviews
Volume 2 of sacred writings of mystical Chinese religion reveal Tao, the way the key to living an obstacle-free life. Based on wu-wei, taking no unnatural action, it would make individual existence like the flow of water with no obstacles to impede. Famed Sinologist here offers standard English version of major Taoist writings.
Synopsis
These two volumes contain the complete James Legge translation of the sacred writings of the great mystical religion that for millennia has counterbalanced the official Confucianism of the Chinese state. Together with the Confucian canon, these writings have been avidly studied by generations of Chinese scholars and literary men and their place in the formation of Chinese civilization is central.
First published as volume xxxix and xl of Max Muller's Sacred Books of the East series, these volumes contain the complete texts of the Tao Te Ching attributed to Lao Tzu; the writings of Chuang Tzu; and several shorter works; the T'ai Shang or Tractate of Actions and Their Retributions, the Ch'ing Chang Ching or Classic of Purity, the Yin Fu Ching of Classic of the Harmony of the Seen and Unseen, the Yu Shu Ching or Classic of the Pivot of jade, and the Hsia Yung Ching or Classic of the Directory for a Day. Many of these lesser documents are to be found in translation only in this collection.
Professor Legge, who held the chair in Chinese language and literature at Oxford for 20 years, introduces the collection with a discussion of differences among Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, the authorship of the Tao Te Ching, the real meaning of Tao in Chinese thought, and other backgrounds.
Orientalists and students of religion have long recognized this collection as indispensable. But laymen will find that the Tao Te Ching is not only profound but provocative and stimulating and that the parables and tales in the work of Chuang Tzu are delightful reading."
Synopsis
Volume 2 of sacred writings reveal Tao, the way the key to living an obstacle-free life. Based on wu-wei, taking no unnatural action, it would make individual existence like the flow of water.
Table of Contents
THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-?ZE.
PART II.
XXVIII. xi. "Kih Lo, or Perfect Enjoyment"
XIX. xii. "Tâ Shang, or the Full Understanding of Life"
XX. xiii. "Shan Mû, or the Tree on the Mountain"
XXI. xiv. Thien ?ze-fang
XXII. xv. "Kih Pei Yû, or Knowledge Rambling in the North"
PART III.
XXIII. i. Kang-sang Khû
XXIV. ii. Hsü Wû-kwei
XXV. iii. ?eh-yang
XXVI. iv. "Wâi Wû, or What comes from Without"
XXVII. v. "Yü Yen, or Metaphorical Language"
XXVIII. vi. "Zang Wang, or Kings who have wished to resign the Throne"
XXIX. vii. "Tâo Kih, or the Robber Kih"
XXX. viii. "Yüeh Kih, or Delight in the Sword-fight"
XXXI. ix. "Yü-fû, or the Old Fisherman"
XXXII. x. Lieh Yü-khâu
XXXIII. xi. "Thien Hsiâ, or Historical Phases of Tâoist Teaching"
THE THÂI-SHANG TRACTATE OF ACTIONS AND THEIR RETRIBUTIONS
Translation of the Tractate
I. "Khing Kang King, or the Classic of Purity"
II. "Yin Fû King, or Classic of the Harmony of the Seen and the Unseen"
III. "Yü Shû King, or Classic of the Pivot of Jade"
IV. "Zah Yung King, or Classic of the Directory for a Day"
V. Analyses by Lin Hsî-kung of several of the Books of Kwang-zze
VI. "List of Narratives, Apologues, and Stories in the Writings of Kwang-zze"
VII. The Stone Tablet in the Temple of Lâo-zze. By Hsieh Tâo-hang of the Sui dynasty
VIII. Record for the Sacrificial Hall of Kwang-zze. By Sû Shih
"INDEX TO VOLS. XXXIX, XL"
Transliteration of Oriental Alphabets adopted for the Translations of the Sacred Books of the East