The Taoist Classics, Volume One: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary

by Thomas Cleary

Book Overview

This collection of translated texts includes:

- Tao Te Ching: Cleary's original translations of the great classic of Taoism, accompanied by his commentary illuminating the text and its context.
- Chuang-tzu: The "Inner Teachings" of a widely influential compendium of wisdom stories, fables, and anecdotes.
- Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries: Another core text of Chinese Taoism, containing teachings also...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570629056
• ISBN13: 9781570629051
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Tao

great stuff, added to my permanent collection. Yes, I know, I'm not supposed to hold on to things, but these I will.

A bargain at twice the price

This is probably the best value in the recent Cleary Collected Volumes for someone interested in Eastern Philosophy (especially Taoism) or even philosophy in general, given how accessible it is. A better title would have been "Sourcebook in Taoist Philosophy". That's really what it is. The only major Taoist texts of particular interest to Westerners that Cleary translated but not in this volume are The Art of War(debatably more a book by a Taoist than about Taoism) and "Secret of the Golden Flower" (popularized in the West by Jung's commentary and foreword to an edition by another translator - The Secret of the Golden Flower: A Chinese Book of Life). Conveniently, "Secret of the Golden Flower" is available in theThe Taoist Classics: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary, Vol. 3, also recommended (though the selections in that volume are significantly narrower in scope than this one and you may want to review it first So in this volume you recieve Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu (most of it, somewhat abridged), and the Wen Tzu (worth the price of the set since this is the only major translation I'm aware of), The Book of leadership and Strategy (which is composed of excerpts from the Huainanzi), and Sex, Health and Long Life (a collection of 5 texts from the Mawangdui finds of 1973-74). The first 3 are the nuts and bolts of Taoism. The first two are philosophical classics. The Wen-tzu is considered a classic of Taoism and has been quite influential in Chinese thought. Its synthesis of Taoism, Confucianism and Legalism is of considerable interest as it essentially concretizes Taoism into practice. The last two books in the volume may interest those with more specific interests. As usual for Cleary, the footnotes and scholarly apparatus are fairly terrible and some of Cleary's comments in the Tao te Ching seem to say more about his brand of secular humanism than Taoism, but it doesn't matter all that much. Unlike the major Buddhist texts in another volume I reviewed, the major Taoists wrote in an extremely clear and straight-forward way, obviating the need for much of a scholarly apparatus - and making the absence of one borderline irrelevant. I have some minor caveats about the translations. The translations are fairly good but regarding the specific texts - there are superior translations avaliable for most of them. I'd say The Book of Chuang Tzu (Penguin Classics) is significantly superior since the Chuang Tzu here is abridged. At times Cleary seems to gloss the rampant humor in Chuang Tzu, too. His translation is somewhat overly literal and a tad awkward. I tend to prefer other translations of the Tao Te Ching but this one is quite good. There's a Huainanzi translation entitled The Huainanzi: A Guide to the Theory and Practice of Government in Early Han China (Translations from the Asian Classics) coming out at the end of the month(Major, Queen, Meyer, Roth) which is likely quite superior, but I haven't had the chance to read a copy. At $70 and a

Study and cultivate your life with this guidance

A very rewarding book which I have studied and enjoyed for years now! With a useful commentary and introduction, this volume provides *the* most useful original sources for Tao philosophy: The Tao Te Ching, the Chuang-tzu and the Wen-tzu (plus 2 other books)in one volume. These books are spiritual food and clarifying guidance to those who study them. Studying these , and making extensive notes all over my copy has certainly influenced, changed, and guided me in positive ways. As I read I also receive insights into Tao practices. For those who are open to a Taoist viewpoint I can highly recommend this volume. The books all have their particular style and appeal, and they give profound insights into human nature, society, the natural world and the processes of life. Slowly but surely altering your outlook and values, and guiding you on your way. However the insights gained here are not just for intellectual stimulation. Couple your study with Chi Gong (or similar practices) and meditation, and you may be drawn into a process which changes and renews you within. (NB: To add warmth, simplicity and humour to your impressions of Taoism, I also highly recommend viewing the cartoon DVD's and books on Laozi and Zhuangzi by Taiwanese cartoonist Tsai Chih Chung).

taoist classics volume 1

anything by thomas cleary is 5 star.one of my favorite writers on eastern thought and spirituallity!

Sensitive, contemporary feel

Many translations of the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu are merely stylized evocations of religious philosophy. However, Cleary's profound understanding of the texts and his translatory genius in itself is an affirmation of the Taoist doctrine: strive for simplicity and you shall reach profundity. This is a translation which can be applied to everyday situations and yet does not shirk from metaphysics.