Customer Reviews

The Shambhala Dictionary of Taoism

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This dictionary explains the basic doctrines and terminology of the ancient Chinese philosophy in a clear and understandable manner. It does not cover the entire range of Taoist concepts as it is intended for the general reader.

The literal meaning of each entry is given when it differs from the definition of the entry title. In more than 300 entries, from Chai to Y? Yen, the book unlocks the meaning of concepts and terms that are nowadays encountered with increasing frequency in the media, sciences, psychology and health professions.

The Wade-Giles system of transcription is used instead of Pinyin and there are conversion charts from the Pinyin to the Wade-Giles system and vice versa. The book includes illustrations and concludes with a bibliography.

From the time I first discovered this little book in the public library, it has been my constant companion. Although a Taoist sage or scholar may not find it useful, to a beginning student it will be indispensable. Most works on Taoism are reminiscent of a Russian novel: lots of strange names that the reader has a hard time remembering and keeping straight. With this book you can actually do it. There's an entry for just about any name or term that you're likely to encounter, and the cross-references are superb. Some readers may be put off by the author's preference for the Wade-Giles transliteration, rather than the official Pinyin. But once you've become familiar with the former, the latter will be easier to learn. I wouldn't hesitate recommending this book, even though, in time, the student will probably outgrow it. J. Thacker

This work serves as a decent introductory dictionary to Taoist terminology, but is not nearly as comprehensive as it could be. I would have preferred the use of pinyin romanization instead of the old Wade-Giles/Yale systems, and would also have liked to have seen the Chinese characters included (unlikely to happen in a text meant for the general public, though) as well as the actual diagrams which are mentioned and not shown (the "taijitu", for example). For beginners this is a good work. For those who already have a fair knowledge of the subject, it's not really necessary. Not a bad effort, though.