Synopses & Reviews
Philosophical and compelling, Yuan Dao is a stunning accomplishment of Daoist literature-- now available for the first time in English
Written around 140 b.c., and presented to a young Chinese Emperor by a beloved uncle--a philosopher, scholar, and patron of the arts--Yuan Dao distills and explains in one remarkable work the first several hundred years of Daoist thought. Drawing from and expanding upon the popular Tao-Te Ching and Chuang-tzu texts, this singular work was written to show the inclusionary aspects of Daoism, that one should appreciate the contribution all things make to the well-being of the whole; Yuan Dao was also created as advice to a ruler, on the beauty of uniting a disparate people under one government without destroying their individuality.
Presented here by two of the world's foremost translators of Chinese classics, this unique edition is the only English-language translation in print and features the Chinese text on facing pages. Insightful and fascinating, here is a glimpse into the early Han Dynasty, and into a way of thinking that has been, and continues to be, characteristically Chinese.
Synopsis
Philosophical, practical, and compelling, "Yuan Dao" is a stunning work of Daoist philosophy -- now available for the first time in English.
Written around 140 B.C. and presented to a young Chinese emperor by his beloved uncle -- a philosopher, scholar, and patron of the arts -- "Yuan Dao" distills and explains in one remarkable volume the first several hundred years of Daoist thought. Drawing from the popular Tao-Te Ching and Zhuangzi texts, this singular work is both educational (teaching a young man to appreciate the contribution all things make to the well-being of the whole) and political (advising a ruler on the beauty of uniting a disparate people under one government without losing their individuality).
Insightful and fascinating, "Yuan Dao" is a glimpse into the early Han Dynasty and into a way of thinking that has been, and continues to be, characteristically Chinese.