Tao Te Ching: Original Text and A Modern Interpretation by Yuan Zhiming English Translation by Daniel Baida Su and Chen Shangyu Among hundreds of English translation and thousands of Chinese interpretation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Yuan Zhiming offers a unique perspective - seeing Lao Tzu from the vintage point of the ancient Hebrew Bible. This is a dawning moment in the history of Lao Tzu interpretation. Historically, there have always been huge differences from one interpretation to another, each tinted with individual interpreter's specific world view, mostly from the view point of Confucianism, Buddhism, Legalism, Militarism, Yin and Yang, Neo-Confucianism, Marxism, and so on. Only in the light of the Bible, the mysterious and profound Tao becomes visible, touchable, explicit, and understandable. Yuan Zhiming describes his enlightenment: "When I enter into Tao, experiencing the magnificent and miraculous divinity through the life of Jesus, there seems a ray of brilliant light illuminating Lao Tzu, enabling me to recognize the inner meaning behind each of Lao Tzu's word." Yuan Zhiming firmly believes that there must be a spiritual source which links the ancient Hebrew civilization with the ancient Chinese civilization, and with all other ancient civilizations. This source is unquestionably originated from the One who sets all nations on one planet (Earth) and that One is Logos - Tao. Tao is universal. The universal Tao will illuminate all heart in the East and the West.
Tao Te Ching
Original Text and A Modern InterpretationBy Yuan ZhimingAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Yuan Zhiming
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-9109-5Contents
Chapter 1......................12Chapter 2......................15Chapter 3......................17Chapter 4......................19Chapter 5......................21Chapter 6......................23Chapter 7......................24Chapter 8......................25Chapter 9......................27Chapter 10.....................29Chapter 11.....................31Chapter 12.....................33Chapter 13.....................34Chapter 14.....................36Chapter 15.....................38Chapter 16.....................40Chapter 17.....................43Chapter 18.....................45Chapter 19.....................46Chapter 20.....................48Chapter 21.....................51Chapter 22.....................53Chapter 23.....................56Chapter 24.....................58Chapter 25.....................59Chapter 26.....................61Chapter 27.....................63Chapter 28.....................65Chapter 29.....................67Chapter 30.....................69Chapter 31.....................71Chapter 32.....................73Chapter 33.....................75Chapter 34.....................77Chapter 35.....................79Chapter 36.....................80Chapter 37.....................82Chapter 38.....................84Chapter 39.....................87Chapter 40.....................90Chapter 41.....................91Chapter 42.....................94Chapter 43.....................97Chapter 44.....................98Chapter 45.....................99Chapter 46.....................101Chapter 47.....................102Chapter 48.....................103Chapter 49.....................105Chapter 50.....................107Chapter 51.....................109Chapter 52.....................111Chapter 53.....................113Chapter 54.....................115Chapter 55.....................117Chapter 56.....................119Chapter 57.....................121Chapter 58.....................123Chapter 59.....................125Chapter 60.....................127Chapter 61.....................129Chapter 62.....................131Chapter 63.....................134Chapter 64.....................136Chapter 65.....................139Chapter 66.....................141Chapter 67.....................143Chapter 68.....................145Chapter 69.....................146Chapter 70.....................148Chapter 71.....................150Chapter 72.....................151Chapter 73.....................153Chapter 74.....................155Chapter 75.....................157Chapter 76.....................159Chapter 77.....................161Chapter 78.....................163Chapter 79.....................165Chapter 80.....................167Chapter 81.....................169Index..........................171
Chapter One
1 Tao can be spoken of, but is not the Tao of whom we commonly speak; A name can be given, but not a common name. 2 He can be called non-being, because he preceded Heaven and earth; He can be called pre-being, because he gave birth to all that is.
3 Therefore, since he is non-being, his wonders can be meditated upon; Since he is being, his track can be seen.
4 Non-being and being are merely two terms for the one source. That the two are one is a mystery.
5 Mystery upon mystery-the gateway to all wonders!
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Chapter Two
1 If everyone knows beauty as beautiful, there is already ugliness; If everyone knows kindness as kind, there is already evil. Being and non-being beget each other; The difficult and the easy complement each other; The long and the short contrast with each other; The high and the low point to each other; The voice and its echo resound with each other; Before and after follow each other. 3 Therefore, the Holy One acts without effort and teaches without speaking.
4 All things rise from him, yet he claims no sovereignty; He multiplies all yet claims no possession; He benefits all yet expects no return; He accomplishes all yet claims no credit;
5 He claims no credit yet endures forever.
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Chapter Three
1 Do not honor the virtuous, lest people contend. 2 Do not value hard-to-find treasures, lest people want to steal.
3 Do not evoke evil desires, lest people become restless.
4 Therefore, the Holy One rules by humbling people's hearts, Filling their stomachs, Subduing their will, And strengthening their bones.
5 He makes them seek no knowledge and have no desire; Then, even the wise must curb their behavior.
6 Make no effort, and there will be no lack of order.
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Chapter Four
1 The power of the invisible Tao is inexhaustible; Deep like an abyss, he appears as the progenitor of all things. 2 Abandon self-righteousness. Be free from temptations. Come to the light. Accept that by nature you are dust. The being then may be dimly visible in the distance.
3 I do not know whose child he is, For he is before all visible gods.
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Chapter Five
1 Heaven and earth have no regard for benevolence; They view all creatures as straw dogs offered to God. Nor does the Holy One have regard for benevolence; He likewise views common people as straw dogs. 2 The space between Heaven and earth-is it not like a bellows? Still and inexhaustible- The more it moves, the more wind it creates.
3 Many words lead to failure; It is better to be restrained.
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Chapter Six
1 The unfathomable God is immortal. This gave birth to all mysteries. 2 From the gate of this motherly being come Heaven and earth. Everlasting and dwelling in mystery,
3 She is what she seems not. She gives and is not exhausted.
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CH7[ 1 Heaven and earth endure. They endure because they are not selfish or self-preserving; Therefore, they live long.
2 Likewise, the Holy One thinks of himself last and comes first; He disregards himself and finds himself enduring.
3 Is not all of this because he is fulfilled in his selflessness?
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CH8[ 1 The highest good is like water, Nourishing all things and not contending with them;
2 Dwelling in loathsome places and thus coming close to Tao;
3 Dwelling among the lowly; Great-hearted; Loving in relationships; Sincere in speech; Establishing order in government; Demonstrating ability in undertakings; Perfect in its timing.
4 Only where there is no contention can there be flawlessness.
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CH9[ 1 Better to stop pouring than to keep on overflowing.
2 Forge a blade with a thousand blows; Its sharpness still will not last long.
3 Gold and jade may fill your house, But how long can they be kept?
4 Pride in wealth and rank will bring you only curses.
5 To retire after winning success and establishing a reputation is the way of Heaven.
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CH10[ 1 Who can unite his heart with Tao to achieve a seamless union?
2 Who can overcome his flesh to be meek and gentle as an infant?
3 Who can purify his heart to be clear like a mirror?
4 In loving the ruled and ruling the...
