Customer Reviews

The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching

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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.

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...

Over-reliance in many spiritual texts on enigmatic wording does not inherently promote understanding of what cannot be directly spoken. This book is perhaps slightly less poetic - and certainly less cryptic - than most translations of the Tao Te Ching. And it is a welcome tradeoff for it's well-conveyed manner. (I have not read other translations of the Hua Hu Ching for comparison, so I will not comment on that part of the book.)

With plain, direct, and gentle wording he gracefully illuminates. Yet, it is so worded such that each passage still leaves a silence at the end of it, offering the reader the space to dwell on that which cannot be put into words.

I do not have an elaborate in-depth comparison of this work to other Tao Teh Ching translations. I merely have my own perspective with this one.

When I purchased the book, I read several other translations at the book store and chose this version simply because it was easier to understand and thus more useful to me.

I've owned my copy of the book for about 5 years. I read the TTC in its entirety right away when I purchased it. Over the years, through my journey of life, I have returned to the book particularly during transitions or times of distress. Regardless of the situation, each time I drew new and insightful meaning from its passages

I purchased the book with the intent of it being a guide and I feel that it has been just that.
No other book has ever been so valuable to me.

On the Tao Te Ching portion of the book: This elucidation by Ni is supposed to represent the Southern Internal Alchemy school's view on the Tao Te Ching. This version is not as poetic or beautiful as some others, but is clear and effective in delivering its message, without confusing the reader too much.
On the Hua Hu Ching portion of the book: I do not like this portion of the book. The message may be valuable, but the format is in that of a conversation between Laozi and a prince, and is old fashioned in language so it is confusing and harder to understand. This is just my opinion, and some of my friends enjoyed this format, and maybe you will too, but I prefer Brian Walker's version, which is based on this very translation, but is instead a sort of poetic summary, condensing each chapter to its essential lessons.

Of all the translations of the Tao Te Ching out there, this is the one that I relate to the most. Some try to be poetic, some clever, while Master Ni's translation remains simple and profound. By simplicity I do not mean minimalism, as his translation may contain more words. By simplicity I mean clarity and fidelity to the ideas. I have read this translation a few times and will again, many more. Love. Peace. Balense11.

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.

During eleven years of study and practice in self-cultivation I have read many many books. If I were told that I could only choose one book to keep and refer to the rest of my life, this would be the book.

The greatest truths are simple and easy to understand. Many books complicate simplicity. This book is the opposite. So clear that the mind can receive the wisdom here when we are open to receive it.

Whether you will enjoy this version of Lao Tzu's work depends a great deal on whether you are looking for a translation or an interpretation of that work. It may also depend on your reaction to the author's assertions regarding the influence of the Hua Hu Ching text.

As a translation, I can't recommend it. Like other "interpretations" of the same writer, it is difficult to figure out where Lao Tzu ends and Ni begins. There are clearer, more direct translators - David Hinton comes to mind - that do a better job of stepping aside and letting the original text have its say.

As for the controversy regarding the Hua Hu Ching text, the author presents one version of its history; other sources present quite different versions. I found the text to be quite different in content and form - especially the later chapters - from what I understand to be Lao Tzu and am skeptical about the assertion that this it informed the formation of Mahayana Buddhism.