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Author: Li Deshan
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Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Provides full annotations and translations of the Wenzi. The Wenzi belongs to the successors of the Taoist school but holds unique views on the Taoist concept of "purity and inaction." When elaborating on Laozi's ideas, it consistently emphasizes the practical application of governance and state-building. The Wenzi, also known as the Tongxuan Zhenjing after the Tang Dynasty, is an important Taoist work. Since it was written later than the Tao Te Ching, it comprehensively inherits the philosophical thoughts of the Tao Te Ching in areas such as cosmology, metaphysics, epistemology, dialectics, as well as in politics, military strategy, ethics, aesthetics, literature, and health preservation. It advocates for people to follow the principle of "governing without action" and further emphasizes that the "way of humanity" should emulate the "way of heaven," urging rulers not to act arbitrarily but to maintain purity and inaction. Like the Tao Te Ching, it believes that "acting without action leads to no disorder," and that one should not allow personal biases or preferences to hinder the Dao. The Wenzi teaches that those who practice inaction should not precede things but should instead follow their natural course. If the principle of inaction is implemented, then the world will be at peace. This Translation and Annotation of the Wenzi is based on Du Daojian's Zuiyi of the Tongxuan Zhenjing from the Four Treasures of the Complete Essentials, with references to other versions.