The Complete Dàodéjīng

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When I began the five year process of translating and interpreting the Dàodéjīng, I did the most radical thing possible: [ital] I read the book. I didn’t depend solely on the many available commentaries, nor did I try to cobble together older translations. I wanted to see what was actually written.

To my surprise, many different ideas emerged: Dào was complete, contained everything in sacredness, move through everything, and unified all that is known and yet to be known. Heaven and earth, Lǎozǐ’s term for the world, function only through cooperation, setting the cosmic example for people working together. Dào, heaven, and earth support all life impartially and without claiming ownership over anything; this sets the basis for our virtue: we should be selfless. Selflessness also becomes the basis for the famous concept of  [ital] <wúwéi>; we should not act out of greed or corruption. This fuses Dào, heaven and earth, and people in virtue ([ital] <dàodé>). I grew curious about Lǎozǐ’s view of people. So I surveyed every kind of person mentioned in the text. I discovered that the common person is always viewed as inherently virtuous, and that the ruler and officials are advised not to be corrupt. There are many more important ideas: They are all valuable and they all fit together.

A remarkable message emerges: we are each innately worthy beings who can find fulfillment through simplicity, selflessness, and harmony with Dào. All we have to do is follow the Way.  

Each chapter includes original translations, word-by-word analysis, and detailed commentary. The book includes historical context, etymological insights, and parallel passages to elucidate a comprehensive understanding never before rendered in English. The received text in Chinese and pīnyīn, as well as a thorough glossary enable any reader to make their own interpretations. With this translation, The Complete Daodejing bridges history and mystical philosophy with practical guidance and the wisdom of the Way—with the text remaining just as potent today as it was thousands of years ago.

Drawing on his experiences as an Asian scholar, artist, and martial arts adept, Deng Ming-Dao has crafted a new translation of one of the East’s great philosophical treasures: Laozi’s DaodeJing. Complementing his insightful translation of its 81 verses, this volume includes an invaluable introduction to key concepts, line-by-line translations that illuminate the deeper meanings embedded in the Laozi’s original characters/pictograms, and commentaries following each verse. Together, the synergy between these elements provides invaluable tools to explore the text’s inherent wisdom without diminishing the mystery that allows each of us to interpret it personally.
A herculean achievement, this volume offers both an excellent introduction to the Daodejing, as well as a profound study guide for those already well versed in Taoist thought. Showcasing Laozi’s non-proselytizing wisdom on humans’ innate goodness and the benefits of altruism, simplicity, and our belonging within the natural world that sustains us—this book could not have come at a better time.
—Peter Wayne, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health, and author of Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi

Deng Ming-Dao’s book lives up to its title. The Complete Daodejing contains an authoritative account of the background, history, language, style, concepts, as well as the translation challenges of one of the world’s best-loved spiritual texts. For years I have read the Daodejing but always in English. Aware of scholarly works based on the original Chinese, I have never been able to sustain my interest in digging deeper. The Complete Daodejing has changed that for me. The book is informative without being academic and answers questions I was not even aware were relevant to understanding the messages in the original text. I believe many readers will share my experience.
—Francis Pring-Mill, author of In Harmony with the Tao: A Guided Journey into the Tao Te Ching and Hidden In Plain Sight: Themes in the Tao Te Ching

Whenever I hear that a new translation of the Daodejing is being published, I can’t help but wonder, do we really need another one? Deng Ming-Dao’s The Complete Daodejing answers the question admirably. His translation and commentary are the result of a lifelong devotion to the subject and offer a deep dive into the language of the text and the historical context in which it was written. Deng reads the overall message of the Daodejing in much the same way I do, as an antidote for individuals and societies that have lost their alignment with the Dao, the natural course of things. As he writes in the introduction, “In Laozi’s view, troubles arise because the powerful, rich, exploitative, and corrupt choose not to blend with the Dao but instead go against it.” The period in which the Daodejing was written was a tumultuous one, much like our own, and so its teachings feel timely and relevant to our present day. In addition to the excellent translation and commentary, several appendixes explore how the Daodejing’s purported author, Laozi has been viewed through the lens of Daoism and Chinese culture more broadly, and an extensive glossary provides new and old readers alike with an excellent resource for further study. A truly monumental work and an excellent addition to anyone’s bookshelf.
Deng Ming-Dao’s The Complete Daodejing is the result of a lifelong devotion to the subject which provides a deep dive into the language and historical context of this classic. A truly monumental work.
—Gregory Ripley, author of An Introduction to Daoism and The Hundred Remedies of the Tao