{"product_id":"the-daode-jing-a-guide-guides-to-sacred-texts-9780190689827","title":"The Daode Jing A Guide Guides to Sacred Texts","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Daode jing (Book of the Dao and Its Virtue) is an essential work in both traditional Chinese culture and world philosophy. The oldest text of philosophical Daoism, and widely venerated among religious Daoist practitioners, it was composed around the middle of the 4th century BCE. Ascribed to a thinker named Laozi, a contemporary of Confucius, the work is based on a set of aphorisms designed to help local lords improve their techniques of government. The most translated book after the Bible, the Daode jing appears in numerous variants and remains highly relevant in the modern world. This guide provides an overview of the text, presenting its historical unfolding, its major concepts, and its contemporary use. It also gives some indication of its essence by citing relevant passages and linking them to the religious practices of traditional Daoism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ethe volume provides accessible and altogether reliable insights in the Daoist tradition and thereby documents one aspect the Dàodéjīng's persuasive power * Barbara Hendrischke, Religious Studies Review *\u003cbr\u003eKohn's Daode jing has a minimum of specialist jargon, and is written in an approachable style that will make it perfect for anyone interested in Chinese philosophy, religion, medicine, arts, or martial arts. Readers of the Yijing, the Book of Changes, will find this volume helpful for better understanding the breadth of the Yi's cultural roots. * Contemplating the I Ching *\u003cbr\u003eThe volume is a succinct one, the main text consists only of 116 pages: but those pages are busy with instructive narrative, data, and illustrations; it is thus a recommended text for all students of comparative and Asian religions. * Lehel Balogh, Hokkaido University, Religious Studies Review *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction  PART I: THE TEXT  Chapter 1: Times and Authorship The Axial Age The Warring States Confucianism Yin-Yang Cosmology Laozi The Laozi Legend Divinization  Chapter 2: Textual Development Language Texts in Tombs Guodian Mawangdui Heshang gong Standardization Wang Bi    Chapter 3: General Principles Dao Cosmic Unfolding Natural Dynamics Self-Being Virtue Images and Metaphors  Chapter 4: Social Application Nonaction Social Reality Sufficiency Humility and Simplicity Clarity and Stillness Sagehood     PART II: TRADITIONAL EXPANSIONS  Chapter 5: Communities and Politics Primitivism Self-Cultivation Longevity Techniques Inward Training The Jixia Academy Syncretism and Huang-Lao Masters of Methods   Chapter 6: Devotional Activation Early Recitation The Celestial Masters Immortality Meditation Ritual Veneration Ordination Integrated Practice  Chapter 7: Commentary Exegeses The Nature of Commentaries Ideal Rulership Personal Self-Cultivation Original Nonbeing Western Ascension Mystical Attainment  Chapter 8: Later Developments Twofold Mystery Imperial Attention Song Huizong Internal Alchemy Daode jing Readings Clarity and Stillness The Qingjing jing  PART III: MODERN RECEPTION  Chapter 9: China Today Religious Veneration  Academic Study Intellectual Engagement Politics and Education Ecology Cognitive Therapy Self-Help   Chapter 10: In the World Eastern Transmission Early Western Reception Seeing Dao Philosophical Adaptation Popular Understanding Multiple Readings   Chapter 11: English Translations Types of Translations Literal Translations Historical Scholarship Philosophical Readings Poetic Versions Social Applications Self-Help Manuals Whimsical Renditions   Chapter 12: Western Adaptations Daoist Leadership Doing Business Ecology The Tao of . . . Literary Allegories Songs of Dao","brand":"Oxford University Press Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49524557021527,"sku":"9780190689827","price":32.98,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780190689827.jpg?v=1731857247","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-daode-jing-a-guide-guides-to-sacred-texts-9780190689827","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}