The Plain Explanation and Annotations of the Tao Te Ching

Author: Jiang Xizhang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-02-01
Features: The Colloquial Explanation of the Tao Te Ching is the earliest colloquial annotated version of the Tao Te Ching to date, written in 1919 during the Republican era. At that time, World War I had just subsided, and the May Fourth New Culture Movement had begun. The author witnessed the devastation caused by war ("the flames of war had scorched the land, leaving the people in agony") and could not bear to remain silent. Thus, he wrote this book, hoping to "promote the teachings of morality, extinguish war and killing, reverse the course of the world, and save the people's hearts." This book is the words of a benevolent person—every word is filled with tears! The May Fourth Movement was a time of intense collision between Eastern and Western cultures. This book carries forward the essence of traditional Chinese culture while connecting to the true core of major world cultural systems, focusing on the integration of Eastern and Western cultures. Therefore, it has been decided to organize and present it to fellow scholars who are dedicated to Chinese studies.