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Traditions/Taoism
religion / philosophy

Taoism

Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi, inner alchemy, immortals, ritual Taoism, the Way, and Chinese religious context.

China6th century BCE onward3 readable texts2 indexed sources
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Readable texts

Tao Te Ching

TaoismAccepted Scripture

The Tao Te Ching is indexed across all 81 chapters for Tao, nameless origin, non-action, sage rule, water, reversal, simplicity, power, heaven and earth, and the Way's relation to governance and inner life.

Classical Chinese· Classical Chinese composition traditionally associated with Laozi; represented by an 1891 English translation

Zhuangzi

TaoismScholarly Reconstruction

Herbert A. Giles's public-domain Zhuangzi translation for Taoist, mystical, ethical, and paradox comparison.

Classical Chinese· Warring States / Han compilation; 1889 public-domain English edition

Taoist Teachings from the Book of Lieh Tzu

TaoismAccepted Scripture

The Book of Lieh Tzu is the third great Taoist classic beside the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi: parables and anecdotes on the Tao, cosmogony, dreams and reality, destiny, and effortless skill. Giles's 1912 selection covers seven of the eight books, omitting the hedonist Yang Chu book as un-Taoist.

Classical Chinese· core material c. 3rd century BCE, received text c. 4th century CE; Giles translation 1912
Source inventory

Texts and source families

2 compare-ready

Tao Te Ching

philosophical scriptureclassical Chinese source represented by an 1891 English translationClassical Chinese
Indexed nowCompare ready

Project Gutenberg public-domain James Legge English translation loaded

Full 81-chapter Tao Te Ching indexed for Tao, nameless origin, non-action, sage rule, water, reversal, simplicity, power, heaven and earth, and governance.

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Zhuangzi

philosophical textWarring States / HanClassical Chinese
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public-domain Giles translation loaded

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Questions this area should answer
  • How does the Dao compare with Logos?
  • What is philosophical versus religious Taoism?
  • How does alchemy appear in Taoist sources?