Laozi Translation Notes: The Translation Notes Series of the Hundred Schools of Thought

Author: Feng Dafu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The text of the Tao Te Ching is concise yet profound, often praised as philosophical poetry and renowned for being difficult to read. Its philosophical arguments are expressed in a poetic style, with distinctive phrasing and a dynamic flow. The text often creates twists and turns in the absence of explicit words, making it resemble the saying "poetry has no definitive interpretation." As a result, people interpret it differently, each holding their own views. Moreover, the text has been passed down for a long time, accumulating numerous discrepancies, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Additionally, many words carry multiple meanings, and without prior understanding of their nuances, it becomes even harder to grasp the true essence of ancient wisdom. Thus, interpreters are rare. Since Han Fei's Commentary on the Laozi and Elucidation of the Laozi, the number of commentators on the Laozi throughout history has nearly matched that of Confucian Analects. However, due to differing political climates in each era, the Laozi was revered in early Han for its Huang-Lao philosophy, emphasizing "non-action" governance. Later in the Han Dynasty, people sought the "mysterious emptiness" of the Laozi. During the Wei-Jin period, the (mysterious wind) was widely promoted, leading to increasingly esoteric discussions about the "mystery within mystery" of the Laozi.
Moving forward, the nature of Laozi's philosophy—whether idealistic or materialistic—has been debated, with different interpretations emerging in each generation, leaving no definitive conclusion to this day. Today, some initially held materialistic views but later argued for idealism regarding Laozi; others claim that Laozi's metaphysics is mixed; some describe him as a mystical intuitionist; and others have even dissected and reinterpreted the entire Laozi text. Setting aside all debates, by directly exploring the essence of the original text, we find that its inquiry into the origins of the universe and its guidance on the complexities of human life reveals the great principle that "humans follow the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature" in Chapter 25. Understanding this principle and applying it to practical problems makes the entire text far less daunting.
Laozi consistently teaches that one must understand the laws of development and change in all things. Recognizing these laws and acting in accordance with them aligns with the "Way," ensuring one avoids danger and remains unharmed throughout life. Otherwise, failing to follow the Way leads to ruin, and the consequences are self-imposed. This is the central theme of the entire text and something one must keep in mind while reading it.