The Daode Jing and its tradition

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

1-2000

Abstract

The Daodejing, commonly translated the "Classic of the Way and Virtue," must be ranked as one of the most important classics in world literature. It also poses a strong challenge to interpreters, past and present, in China and beyond. Known also as the Laozi, on account of its reputed author, the DaodeJing is the foundational classic of Daoism, taken broadly to include all forms of Daoist thought and practice. In as much as Daoism forms a pillar of Chinese culture, the influence of the DaodeJing is pervasive. The sheer number of commentaries devoted to the classic - some 700, according to one count, of which about 350 are extant (W. T. Chan 1963, 77) - is itself a telling indication of its enduring popularity and hermeneutical openness.

Discipline

Asian Studies | Philosophy

Research Areas

Integrative Research Areas

Publication

Daoism Handbook

Volume

14

Editor

Livia Kohn

First Page

1

Last Page

29

ISBN

9789004112087

Identifier

10.1163/9789004391840_002

Publisher

Brill

City or Country

Leiden

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004391840_002

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