The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching

by Lao Tzu, Hua-Ching Ni (Translator)

Written around 500 B.C., the Tao Teh Ching is one of the most frequently translated and most cherished works in the world. The Complete Works of Lao Tzu by Hua-Ching Ni is a remarkable elucidation of the famed Tao Teh Ching, the core of Taoist philosophy and a bridge to the subtle truth as well as a practical guideline for natural and harmonious living. Poetic and beautifully realized, this volume contains one of the only written translations of the Hua Hu Ching.

Genres: Philosophy, Taoism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Classics, China

233 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Lao Tzu (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade-Giles: Laosi; also Laozi, Lao Tse, Lao Tu, Lao-Tsu, Laotze, Laosi, Lao Zi, Laocius, Lao Ce, and other variations) was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (pronounced as "Daoism"). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of the Taoist religion, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or "One of the Three Pure Ones". Laozi translated literally from Chinese means "old master" or "old one", and is generally considered honorific.

According to Chinese tradition, Laozi lived in the 6th century BCE. Historians variously contend that Laozi is a synthesis of multiple historical figures, that he is a mythical figure, or that he actually lived in the 5th-4th century BCE, concurrent with the Hundred Schools of Thought and Warring States Period. As a result of being a a central figure in Chinese culture, both nobility and common people claim Lao Tzu in their lineage.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best books ive read!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming from a non-scholar, who knows little about the Chinese language, the Tao Teh Ching translation seemed good for me. The Hua Hu Ching was a bit harder for me to appreciate. It seemed repetative. Also, after hearing the history of the Hua Hu Ching, for some reason I doubted the authenticity of the text. Of course, if a text were inauthentic, but still effective, I wouldn't mind, but I did not feel that Hua Hu Ching offered anything to me that the Tao Teh Ching didn't already have. I feel that if one is pursuing Daoism, start with Tao Teh Ching, and if you are still intrigued, check out the Book of Zhuangzi. I feel the Book of Zhuangzi is excellent.

[Jessie Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing. you can truly find yourself somewhere in this book. it definitely lightens the soul.

[Richard Newton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am usually a bit wary of ancient books on eastern mysticism, religion or wisdom - this is simply because as a reader reading in English I usually find the translations unsatisfactory. They can be literal translations which are usually unintelligible without the cultural background or interpretations where you are left at the mercy of the interpreter who has to veer well away from the original to make it understandable.

I was recommended this by a Chinese friend who said it was a good balance of translation and interpretation.

The physical book consists of 2 books. The first is a well known book and on its own would have got 3 stars from me. Short verses, sometimes with simple wisdom - on other times making more complex points. The second book is a lesser known text, which claims to have been handed down orally. I found this much less interesting or insightful. As it's actually the bulk of the physical book overall it gets 2 stars.

There are nice passages in here, and I can't say I learnt nothing, but generally I found it dull and repetitive. But then I might just be not on my way to enlightenment through the great universal way. Probably only for the seriously interested and not the occasional dabbler like me.

[Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like it for several reasons.

I have read many translations of the Tao Teh Ching, so I have a lot to compare the first half of this volume to. I know nothing of the original language, so I can make no assessment of the accuracy, but I can compare it to other translations. Based on that, I can say that I found this one to be clunky and unappealing. It was difficult and unpleasant to read.

I have never read any translation of the Hua Hu Ching before, but I read this one concurrently with Hua Hu Ching: The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu so that is my only point of reference. I was unhappy with Ni for not providing some introduction giving us something about his translation philosophy and how he chose to deal with certain words. (He did provide a brief mention of his approach to male vs female references, and I am glad for that.) The trouble is that while I was reading, there were all these odd phrases that I reasonably guess are not direct translations from the Chinese, but philosophically chosen English equivalents. But since he never tells us what the Chinese original of these phrases is, I can not compare his translation of this text to other translations of other texts I am familiar with. I don't know if the Hua Hu Ching is talking about the same thing as other texts. Heck, I can't even always tell when the word "tao" is the original behind a particular English phrase or word, so I can't even compare it to the Tao Teh Ching as I know it from other translations.

Also, I wish he had at least mentioned the confusing history of the text and the likely possibility that it was a fraud to begin with. Somehow, it felt like I was being conned. "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about!" I am sure that as a taoist reading this text just as taoist teaching is great--it does not matter if it is ancient or modern, Chinese or Mayan. If it is a reliable text for teaching taoist philosophy, then great! But for someone like me who wants to read it as an ancient text, with some connection to the Tao Teh Ching which I really like, then this volume is pretty much worthless.

And why is this text so very different than Hua Hu Ching: The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu? This is long, wordy, dialog prose; the other is concise verse. Rather suspicious.

For a cynical take on the Hua Hu Ching itself, read this short article: http://taoism.net/tao/hua-hu-ching/

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This appears to be a literate version of Lau Tzu's work. There is a brief introduction that puts his work into context; however, I would have preferred a bit more detail on his life and the context in which he lived and wrote.

A couple brief excerpts to give a sense of his thought:

"Tao, the path of subtle truth,
cannot be conveyed with words.
That which can be conveyed with words
is merely a relative conception."

Or:

"The virtue of the universe is wholeness.
It regards all things as equal.
The virtue of the sage is wholeness.
He too regards all things as equal."

A fascinating look into the thinking of Lao Tzu.

[Shannon Braybrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is in my top 5! It had a profound effect on my last 10 years of life. I tend to return back to it when life gets complicated. It is quite a difficult read and I have now found a great audio version that just puts me at ease. I don't think you could read this book and fully understand everything quickly. It takes time. All I can really say about it is that it will resonate with you if you need it. I love it. The Complete Works of Lao Tzu is really beautiful.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

[J.B. Riebel]

I think of this book as a philosophical diary of an ancient Chinese scholar. Many of the statements are both simple and profound at the same time.

[Ankita · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good work. Quite helpful if you are spiritual person or have decided to be one.

[virgil ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. So thankful for master Ni introductions and perspective. One of the things that stands out is he lets you read the translation without commentary in every chapter.
The Hay By Ching was a special treat to read. After his introduction of the book and his perspective he just lets you lose in the deep and insightful story. What has been lost in writing has been handed down for generations orally. What a treat to read. So insightful to reveal the spiritual journey from an enlightened master. To read spiritual attainment can be had while living in the world and not withdrawing from society was enhartning. Reading about the chaotic times being repeatedly mentioned drove home that this was meant for us in the future now.
Amazing and insightful. As one of my teachers put it, guard hung Ni is a spiritual teacher and these are books to keep going back to as reference points in our lives!

[Mohamed Badri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Tao Teh Ching was superb , it was taken straight from the scriptures and translated brilliantly by the author, the Hua Hu Ching was a bit awful in my opinion , as the author wrote “it was from his own understanding and what was passed on by generation after generation ” probably due to no existing scriptures left.

[Marisa Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first half “Tao teh ching” and i absolutely fell in love. After reading this in writing about him for my philosophy final paper. Very eye opening and could be used in this day in age with so much technology

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended reading for all on a spiritual journey! Such ancient and well rounded teachings of Taoism.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 to 3. I apparently need more practice.

[Howard Derkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

can,y say have not read ,,your site is for morons!!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, but maybe not exact, translation of the Tao de Ching & the Hua Hu Ching. Very inspiring.

[Ahmad]

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[Taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of important lessons in this book regardless of your belief system.

[David Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is an experience I found to be both relaxing and intriguing, as I contemplated the principles of Taoism and my own customary worldview. Taoist philosophy poses a difficult challenge to many traditional ways of thinking, but its implications also offer a sense of comfort and peace.

The first part of this volume, the Tao Teh Ching, is older, shorter, and historically more likely to have been written by the actual Lao Tzu/Laozi. It consists mainly of short declarations about the Tao, variations on a few themes such as the forces of yin and yang, the illusory nature of all dualistic oppositions, and the ultimate futility of attempting to define the Tao with language. It contains many beautiful passages, and I found it to be a great reassurance.

The second book, the Hua Hu Ching, is much longer and denser. It takes the form of a dialogue between Lao Tzu and a disciple, and expounds on many of the same topics as the Tao Teh Ching, with some advice as to how to go about following its precepts. It also includes lengthy discussions of what I can only call Taoist cosmology/eschatology, and an interesting detour into a discussion of correct sexual practices.

I recommend a careful reading of both books, as it is easy to mistake Taoism for incomprehensible or meaningless generalities. There is something deeply meaningful about the insights of the Tao Teh Ching.

[Russell Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, Taoism is about maturity. Even if you're a Christian or Jewish or Muslim, I don't believe you're betraying your faith by reading the Tao Teh Ching, any more than learning Isaac Newton's laws of physics, or Einsteins's theories. The Tao Teh Ching is just "The Way of Things" or "The Way and Virtue", which is how it's sometimes translated. It's wisdom that's difficult to dispute as much as Benjamin Franklin's words of wisdom.

As a westerner, this book is my favorite edition -- I've read partly several translations. I don't know Chinese, so I can't say if it's an accurate translation. Nevertheless, the word usage is more appealing to me, easier to read and quote. It's not confusing and the cadence is pleasant. Purists might disagree with me, but I like this version and recommend it to native English speakers.

[Edgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your basic Taoism writings by the founder himself, Laozi. There are several translations of the Tao Teh Ching, but I don't think any of them capture the essence of what was written as well as this Translation and Elucidation by Hua Ching Ni, who himself is also Chinese and familiar with its oral traditions. Although an additional Taoist text, The Hua Hu Ching, is included, some scholars believe it was not written by Laozi because they can't find history of him writing it. Nonetheless, these texts are great to meditate upon the nature of Tao.

[Christian Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic look at Taoism from the Master himself.

[Phong Ho · Rating 2 out of 5]

just reading tao teh ching...about 14 chapters in.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loving this so far. I've wanted to read it for ages, and it's so interesting.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the Tao Teh Ching a long time ago, but I never read Hua Hu Ching. I loved Tao Teh Ching, though. I'm excited to see what Hua Hu Ching has to say about life!

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though oftentimes vague, the Tao Teh Ching offers up some sharp wisdom.

[Jaret Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book.

[Firmanwardhani]

its a good book that inform to us about philosophy life

[Neil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bum fodder.