As if Xi Lao

Author: Lu Jinchuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: As the ancients said, "The dragon appears only at the head and disappears at the tail." The Great Way is formless, and the great philosophers have no image. Yet, even in the subtle and manifest aspects of the mystery, those who are alert are the true interpreters of the Tao Te Ching! This lecture on the scripture seems to begin with the author's basic explanations of the name of the Tao Te Ching, its main ideas, background, compilation, and various aspects of Laozi. Afterward, he selects key passages from the scripture and engages in discussions, analyses, and explorations with the scholars, finally summarizing the findings. The book can be divided into two parts: one is the author's narrative lectures, and the other is the discussions and explorations of the scholars. The parts without a named speaker are by the author, while the discussions among the scholars are identified by names: the author's words are prefixed with "Master," and the scholars' words, due to the abundance of names, are prefixed with "Student." The lectures listed in the book, such as "Laozi's Rules of Creation," "Laozi's Perspective on Interaction," and "Laozi's Laws of Propagation," all analyze the scripture of Laozi through the philosophy of the Three Principles of the Taiji. Conversely, the philosophy of the Three Principles of the Taiji is also used to interpret and explore the teachings of Laozi.