Middle Way Essentials Edition

Author: Fu Yunlong, Cai Xiqin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Although the exact year of the compilation of The Doctrine of the Mean is uncertain, it has been one of the most important classics of the Confucian school, especially of Neo-Confucianism (Daoxue), since the Song Dynasty. To understand, study, and disseminate the essence of Confucianism, one cannot but take this book seriously. However, for a long time, there have been few foreign language translations of The Doctrine of the Mean, which has brought inconvenience to scholars and readers who use foreign languages to study Chinese philosophy and culture, and has limited the spread of traditional Chinese culture. Many scholars who use foreign languages and friends who read and pursue knowledge abroad have lamented that China pays too little attention to the foreign language translation of its cultural achievements. They often compare India with China, saying that many cultural heritages of the Indian nation have foreign language translations, especially English ones, while Chinese classic heritage has few foreign language translations, especially English ones. However, the number of foreign language translations of Chinese classic heritage is scarce, and when a few are encountered, they are mostly translated by foreigners. This cannot but make one feel ashamed of the ancients, fail the later generations, and also be unfair to others.