Tao Te Ching (Skylight Illuminations) [Paperback]

Lao Tzu (Author), Derek Lin (Author), Lama Surya Das (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2006 | Series: Skylight Illuminations

Reportedly written by a sage named Lao Tzu over 2,500 years ago, the Tao Te Ching is one of the most succinct--and yet among the most profound--spiritual texts ever written. Short enough to read in an afternoon, subtle enough to study for a lifetime, the Tao Te Ching distills into razor-sharp poetry centuries of spiritual inquiry into the Tao--the "Way" of the natural world around us that reveals the ultimate organizing principle of the universe.

Derek Lin's insightful commentary, along with his new translation from the original Chinese--a translation that sets a whole new standard for accuracy--will inspire your spiritual journey and enrich your everyday life. It highlights the Tao Te Ching's insights on simplicity, balance, and learning from the paradoxical truths you can see all around you: finding strength through flexibility (because bamboo bends, it is tough to break); achieving goals by transcending obstacles (water simply flows around rocks on its way to the sea); believing that small changes bring powerful results (a sapling, in time, grows into a towering tree).

Now you can experience the wisdom and power of Lao Tzu's words even if you have no previous knowledge of the Tao Te Ching. SkyLight Illuminations provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that describes helpful historical background, explains the Tao Te Ching's poetic imagery, and elucidates the ancient Taoist wisdom that will speak to your life today and energize your spiritual quest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Hits the mark! A native speaker of both Chinese and English, Lin adeptly bridges the gap between translation and interpretation ... applying [2,500-year-old teachings] to our modern world. Don’t miss this book if you want ancient knowledge that can change life for the better today.” —Edward Monaghan, UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center “A magnificent presentation of arguably the most perfect and complete spiritual teaching ever published, the Tao Te Ching. An absolute must in any home library, no matter what tradition one follows.” —Rabbi David A. Cooper, author of God is a Verb “Lin’s unique rendering captures the spiritual wisdom, poetic grace and immense practicality of this classic text. Will illuminate your way regardless of the path you follow.” —Philip Goldberg, author of Roadsigns: On the Spiritual Path—Living at the Heart of Paradox “Derek Lin’s fine new translation is as good as any and better than many, and his commentaries help illumine the text.... [The Tao Te Ching’s] sublime little sutras have edified, instructed, encouraged, and entertained millions of people for millennia, and they continue to do so today. Like a veritable treasure trove, this masterful book of wise living and authentic being provides both spiritual sustenance and practical guidance, so necessary for us today and tomorrow.” —from the Foreword by Lama Surya Das --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Publisher

SkyLight Illuminations Offers today's spiritual seeker an enjoyable entry into the great classic texts of the world's spiritual traditions. Each classic is presented in an accessible translation, with facing pages of guided commentary from experts, offering readers the keys they need to understand the history, context and meaning of the text. The series enables readers of all backgrounds to experience and understand classic spiritual texts directly, and to make them a part of their lives.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 169 pages
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Pub; Annotated edition (August 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594732043
• ISBN-13: 978-1594732041
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Tao Te Ching
  • #32 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Taoism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

166 of 168 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in-depth and easy-to-understand translation!, July 18, 2007

By 

PCW "PCW" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tao Te Ching (Skylight Illuminations) (Paperback)

I am a native Chinese speaker. I have read the Tao Te Ching in many Chinese as well as English editions. However, it has always been difficult to match the Chinese and English versions, because many English translations have cut out much of the original material and added many of the translator's own words.

When I read this translation and matched it to the Chinese original line by line, I could see that there was an exact correspondence between the two. Nothing had been cut out or added arbitrarily. At the same time, the translator had rendered the complex and difficult ancient Chinese into simple, modern English.

As I am reading this book, I am absorbing not only the translation, but also the commentaries. The format is perfect for daily readings to help me cultivate the Tao. It really brings the teachings to life. I have introduced this book to many native Chinese speakers. Some of them find the original Tao Te Ching difficult to understand, and yet they can understand this English version easily.

I would highly recommend this book to you if you are interested in the Tao - whether you understand the original or not. You will find the clarity and simplicity of the writing most helpful as you explore this ancient Chinese wisdom.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best translations, October 12, 2006

By 

Rhonda J. Young (Crowder, OK United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tao Te Ching (Skylight Illuminations) (Paperback)

In my opinion, this is one of the best translations of the Tao Te Ching. Derek Lin's explanations of the chapters are very clear and applicable to everyday life. The most helpful feature of this publication is having the explanations/commentaries right next to the book's chapters (on the facing pages)...easy access...instead of at the very back of the book (as end notes) which disrupts the even flow of the reading. I highly recommend this book!

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Old Master's" words are resurrected, December 13, 2006

By 

Michael Domzalski (Detroit) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tao Te Ching (Skylight Illuminations) (Paperback)

I discovered the Tao about 15 years ago, however I did not understand it as well as I do now and Derek is the reason for this clarity. When I lived in Los Angeles, I attended Derek's classes at the temple where he the director of Tao studies. He would literally translate the ancient, dead text right before our eyes and bring it to back life. His book is the culmination of those weekly meetings. After translating a passage, he would explain it thoroughly and then we would discuss it. In his book he does the same thing. He offers probably the most accurate translation of this ageless oracle, then explains it in on an accompanying footnoted page, and is just waiting for the reader to discuss it with other Tao cultivators just like we would in his classes.

I have read several translations of the Tao Te Ching and was always confused by the passages because they did not seem very clear to me and this was because those books were translations of translations and were often modernized. Derek, who is fluent in both Chinese and English, provides the reader with an untainted translation which preserves the timeless words of the "Old Master", Lao Tzu. Included in this book is a brief history about Tao and the origin of the Tao Te Ching, a bonus feature that I have not found in other translations.

I highly recommend this version of the Tao Te Ching and would not be surprised if someone would attempt to write their own translation of the Tao Te Ching using Derek's book as a reference.