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The 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.
This work investigates the historical origins, philosophical core, and enduring cultural influence of the Daode Jing within both Chinese tradition and global thought. Livia Kohn, a scholar of Daoist studies, utilizes historical analysis and textual examination to contextualize the aphorisms attributed to Laozi. The text argues that the Daode Jing functions as both a political manual for governance and a foundational spiritual framework for religious Daoism.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this guide as a balanced introduction that bridges the gap between academic historical inquiry and religious application. Readers frequently note the clarity of the prose, which makes complex philosophical concepts accessible to those new to Daoist studies.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
2019-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190689838
ISBN-13:
9780190689834
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