Thomas Cleary - Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries: Further Teachings of Lao-tzu

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lao-tzu, the legendary sage of ancient China, is traditionally considered to be the author of the Tao Te Ching,one of the most popular classics of world literature. Now Lao-tzus further teachings on the Tao, or Way, are presented here in the first English translation of the Chinese text known as the Wen-tzu.Although previously ignored by Western scholars, the Wen-tzuhas long been revered by the Chinese as one of the great classics of ancient Taoism. In it, Lao-tzu shows that the cultivation of simplicity and spontaneity is essential to both the enlightened individual and the wise leader. This timeless work will appeal to a broad audience of contemporary readers who have come to consider Lao-tzus Tao Te Chinga classic on the art of living.

THOMAS CLEARY holds a PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University and a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. He is the translator of over fifty volumes of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Islamic texts from Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Pali, and Arabic.

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Wen-tzu

Understanding the Mysteries

Lao-tzu

Translated by Thomas Cleary

S HAMBHALA

Boston & London

2013

Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Horticultural Hall

300 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02115

www.shambhala.com

1991 by Thomas Cleary

Cover art: Dragons Painted in Inkby Chen Rong. Painting on silk, Song dynasty. Reproduced by permission of the Commercial Press (Hong Kong) Limited from The Art of the Dragon.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wen tzu. English.

Wen-tzu: understanding the mysteries/by Lao Tzu. translated by Thomas Cleary.

p. cm.(Shambhala dragon editions)

Originally published: Further teachings of Lao-tzu, c1991.

eISBN 978-0-8348-2694-6

ISBN 978-0-87773-862-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)

I. Cleary, Thomas F., 1949 . II. Title. III. Series.

[BL1900.W462E5 1991]	92-53700
181.114dc20	CIP

Contents

The Wen-tzu, also known by the honorific title Understanding the Mysteries, is one of the great sourcebooks of Taoism, written more than two thousand years ago. Following the tradition of Lao-tzu, Chuang-tzu, and the Huainan Masters, the Wen-tzucovers the whole range of classical Taoist thought and practice. Long neglected by all but initiates, with this English translation the work is now available in a Western language for the first time.

The Wen-tzupresents a view of Taoism that is quite different from that projected by Western scholars and more in accord with Taoist conceptions. Its compilation is attributed to a disciple of Lao-tzu, reputed author of the classic