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Summary: This is the Instruction Manual for life as a Human.
Review: The plain truth is here laid out for the reader but as with all Taoist teachings, 'The words are simple but few can follow them.' This work should be read and re-read by any and all who seek the truth, don't bother putting it on a shelf.
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Summary: The best translation available
Review: The teachings of the Tao Teh Ching has possibly influenced Chinese philosophy more than any other teachings in history, at very least equalling The Analects. While there are probably more translations of this book than there are of the "Bible", this is certainly the best I have read or heard of (translation of the Tao Teh Ching, not the Bible).On a more personal level, if this was only a translation of the Tao Teh Ching it would be more than worth the price. But as it is it includes the Hua Hu Ching, a "book" that is rarely translated with any level of quality, this collection has immense value and should be a "must read" for anyone willing to examine reality with even a half-open mind. Out of the thousands of books I've read on philosophy, religion, ethics, logic, and reason, these two "books" have influenced me the more than any other, and will surely continue to do so. Many of the sayings have a "deja vu" quality as they are so often found in martial arts movies like "The Karate Kid" and Bruce Lee films, which makes finding them in the context of how they were originally meant that much more enjoyable. From dealing with beauty and uglyness in inter-personal relationships, kindness and cruelty, good and evil, pain and pleasure, the Tao Teh Ching and Hua Hu Ching will shed an uncomparible amount of light on every day life. A perfect begining to a life of clarity and happiness, allowing yourself to live every moment to the fullest and helping all forms of life you come in contact with to do the same. The first steps to a better life could surely not be written by a better person than Master Ni. A must read...and read...and read...
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Summary: Reflects understanding
Review: This review speaks to the Hua Hu Ching portion of the book. For the record, I have only read the first 30 chapters of the HHC, but Chinese is my first language so I think I may have some insight into the matter of translation. The fact is, if these writings were given a literal word for word translation it would be quite confusing to the English reader, so some explanation is necessary. In fact, many who know the Chinese language does not understand the original text. So as far as the complaints that it is not poetic or that it's wordy and cumbersome, isn't that just being occupied with the words? The essence of the phrase "the tao that can be told is not the true Tao" (wish I had a nickel for every time that's been quoted as an admonition) doesn't mean poetic expressions, expressions that are more beautiful or ones that make you feel better is any more true, it isn't about any of that. The tao is not about an emotional state either, that it cannot be expressed through words doesn't mean you would be more concerned or preoccupied about how it isn't satisfactorily expressed through words. This is the same with all translations, and even with the original language itself. AT BEST you enjoy the beauty of an English translation, not the original text. To do that you really have to know the Chinese language, frankly it is just far too different from English. Having said that, here are some quotes so you can judge for yourself: "An integral universal being knows that nothing which can be put into words is the integral truth. He does not ask people to follow, his only interest is to serve. He does not indulge in worry, but simply does his work."-23 "Kind prince, there are two kinds of disciples who follow the Universal Integral Way. One kind understands it intellectually and is able to speak about it well, while the other actually lives it with his whole being."-30 "The subtle cosmic body of the Universal One cannot be seen in any beautiful form, because to the Universal One there is nothing which can be considered as form.
"Kind Prince, as soon as the Universal One is mentioned people immediately formulate images in their imaginations. Then they try to make reality conform to their imaginary concepts. The Universal One is truly imageless, yet in the attempt to make it conform to an image, people distort its reality and separate themselves from it."-6 So as far as the content itself, I would simply say it reflects understanding, and the above would be a sample of that. If you are really more interested in a beautiful expression, this is probably not the translation for you.
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