Customer Reviews

Early Daoist Scriptures (Taoist Classics, 1)

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I have sat through 2 lectures of Prof. Bokenkamp and found that his knowledge of Eastern thought has followed through in this book. Though not for a person looking for an introduction into Taoist thought, this book is informative in the fact that it has content I have not found in other books. Also, the book is written more for a western audience, which isnt necessarily bad, but Prof. Bokenkamp has taken some liberties with the English language that may have been better kept in Chinese context. For those with a background in Taoism, I recommend this book. Others might want to try the Tao Te Ching first to gain insight into what Taoism is about.

These scriptures were translated for scholars that study and teach Daoist history. I would say this isn't a book for the layman, or those regular consumers that want East Asian theory philosophy stuff.... Stephen Bokenkamp, Livia Kohn, Stephen Little are all university grade texts.

This is a collection of Taoist canon books from the early Mao shan, Showing the Spiritualistic roots of the Taoist religion before it was sanitized by those who could not trance or perform as the founders did. It is easy to say and think that everyone is the same but some have improved themselves so much we say they are myths. History is a joy when you can see the ideas of the best minds that lived and the poetry of their lives expressed in these texts. I enjoyed the Purple texts especially as a map to the higher mind.
To those of you who study the Source enjoy, I did.

This is a very good book and has A LOT of material for a deep study of Daoism as a religion. Will be very useful for those who take this beautiful and ancient Path seriously.

Can be complicated and difficult to read, so take your time. You won't regret it.

The temporary relativity is difficult to overcome in works as this one. I celebrate and appreciate the patience of the translator.