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Laozi's Tao Te Ching

Hong Zeng

4.5

Based on 19 ratings

, see reviews

Hong Zeng

The Tao Te Ching is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism, and strongly influenced Legalism, Confucianism and Chan Buddhism, which when first introduced into China was interpreted through the use of Taoist concepts. Many Chinese artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers and gardeners, have been greatly influenced by Tao Te Ching. Its influence spread widely outside East Asia, and is among the most translated works in world literature, only next to Bible.

The passages in Tao Te Ching are ambiguous, with topics ranging from advice for rulers and profound religious experience of cosmic origin of Tao and its application in all realms of life. The book has 81 chapters ,this course teaches the first half: the Book of Tao. The central values of Tao Te Ching are the ineffability of Tao, the privileging of the female attributes, the force of Yinsuch as softness, yielding, humility, resilience and non-action effecting all actions. The returning movement as the movement of Tao, the interchangeability of the opposites, political rule with least interference, philosophical and religious experience of vacuity and power of nothingness.

The Tao Te Ching has been translated into Western languages over 250 times, its cryptic and poetic language is a famous puzzle which everyone would like to resolve.

In learning the course, print out the PDF of Analects text in the introduction chapter, and with it in hand, study the selected chapters in the following lectures (because there is no subtitle of the text in the video). For each lecture, I will explain word by word the meaning of the classical Chinese text, and then I will explain to you the philosophical implication of these texts, often comparing it with other schools of Chinese philosophies. Finally I will lead you to read the text twice so that you can recite and memorize them.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the enigmatic and profound text which has been the second most translated in the west, next only to bible.
Learn the core values of taoism.

Learn modern and classical chinese

Understand the enigmatic and profound text which has been the second most translated in the west, next only to bible.
Learn the core values of taoism.
Learn modern and classical chinese

Syllabus

Introduction

The lecture is course introduction, with the English-Chinese version of Tao Te Ching, and Chinese-pinyin version of Tao Te Ching attached in the resource section. Please print out for later study of following lectures, as they don't have subtitle of the text in the talking head videos.

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Provides a fundamental understanding of Taoism, one of the central philosophical traditions of China

Taught by Hong Zeng, an expert in the field of Chinese Philosophy

Utilizes a hands-on approach, guiding learners through the text with word-by-word analysis and philosophical implications

Suitable for learners interested in Eastern philosophy, Taoism, or the study of ancient Chinese texts

Provides a historical and cultural context for the Tao Te Ching, enhancing the understanding of its significance

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Reviews summary

In-depth philosophical study of tao te ching

According to learners, this course offers a deep and scholarly dive into Laozi's Tao Te Ching, providing invaluable word-by-word analysis of the classical Chinese text. Students consistently praise the instructor's profound knowledge and passion, along with the enlightening philosophical implications and comparisons to other Chinese philosophies. While the course is highly regarded for its academic rigor and detailed explanations, some learners find the presentation style dry and note that the reliance on a separate PDF for the text, rather than integrated on-screen text, can be cumbersome and disruptive to the learning flow. Despite this, it's considered a highly rewarding experience for those serious about studying Taoism.

Course adopts a rigorous, academic approach to the material.

"The course also feels very academic, which is fine, but it might not appeal to those looking for a more casual approach to spirituality."

"Truly wonderful. The scholarly approach to each chapter is commendable."

"It definitely requires focus and a willingness to engage with the material."

Offers thorough word-by-word and philosophical breakdown of the text.

"I appreciated the word-by-word analysis of the classical Chinese text, which made complex concepts accessible."

"The deep dives into the philosophical implications are what make this course stand out."

"The detailed explanations of each chapter are invaluable. I particularly enjoyed the insights into the 'non-action' concept."

Instructor's profound knowledge and passion are consistently praised.

"The instructor's depth of knowledge and passion for the Tao Te Ching truly shines through."

"It's clear the instructor is an expert. This isn't just a translation; it's a guide to interpretation."

"Phenomenal! The instructor's passion and detailed analysis of each character and phrase are unparalleled."

Basic visual presentation, primarily talking-head videos.

"The content is rich, but the presentation is a bit dry. For a course on such an important text, I expected more visual aids."

"The instructor knows their stuff, but the production quality could be better... it's essentially a series of narrated lectures over a static background."

"While the instructor is knowledgeable, the lectures are just talking head videos without the text on screen."

Needing a separate PDF for text is a consistent inconvenience.

"I wish there were more visual aids or on-screen text, as relying solely on the PDF for the text was sometimes cumbersome..."

"Constantly switching between the video and the PDF was disruptive. I had to pause constantly to check the PDF, which broke the flow entirely."

"The primary challenge was the format – needing to refer to a separate PDF for the text being discussed. It's manageable but could be improved."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Laozi's Tao Te Ching with these activities:

Review the fundamental concepts of Taoism

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Reviewing the fundamental concepts of Taoism will provide you with a strong foundation for understanding the teachings of the Tao Te Ching.

Browse courses on Ancient Chinese Philosophy

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Read the introduction to the Tao Te Ching
Summarize the key concepts of Taoism
Identify the main themes of the Tao Te Ching

Follow guided tutorials on Taoist philosophy

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Following guided tutorials on Taoist philosophy will provide you with a deeper understanding of the philosophical concepts that underpin the Tao Te Ching.

Browse courses on Chinese Philosophy

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Find a reputable online tutorial
Follow the tutorial instructions
Apply the concepts you learn to your own life

Seek out a mentor who can guide you in your study of Taoism

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Finding a mentor who can guide you in your study of Taoism will provide you with personalized support and insights.

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Attend events and workshops related to Taoism
Network with other students and practitioners of Taoism
Reach out to potential mentors and inquire about their willingness to guide you

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Laozi's Tao Te Ching will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Laozi's Tao Te Ching.

Chinese Ideas of Life and Death

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This massive two-volume work is the most comprehensive and authoritative history of Chinese philosophy available. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn about the rich and diverse tradition of Chinese thought.

Chinese Ideas of Life and Death: Faith, Myth and...

Hardcover

$$$$

Zhuangzi: Basic Writings

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Alongside the Tao Te Ching, the Zhuangzi is considered a cornerstone of Taoist philosophy. This collection of anecdotes, parables, and dialogues explores key Taoist themes with wit and imagination, offering a more expansive and often humorous perspective than the concise Tao Te Ching. Burton Watson's translation is widely respected for its clarity.

Zhuangzi: Basic Writings (Translations from the...

Kindle Edition

Mindfulness in Plain English

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Is widely considered a classic and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in mindfulness meditation. It provides clear, straightforward instructions and demystifies the practice, making it accessible regardless of religious background. It's particularly useful for beginners seeking a practical guide to establishing a meditation routine and understanding common challenges. This book is highly recommended for foundational knowledge.

Laozi's Tao Te Ching

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

In-depth philosophical study of tao te ching

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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