Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries

Laozi, Thomas F. Cleary

Shambhala, 1991 - Philosophy - 184 pages

Lao-tzu, the legendary sage of ancient China, is traditionally considered to be the author of the Tao Te Ching, one of the most popular classics of world literature. Now Lao-tzu's further teachings on the Tao, or Way, are presented here in the first English translation of the Chinese text known as the Wen-tzu. Although previously ignored by Western scholars, the Wen-tzu has long been revered by the Chinese as one of the great classics of ancient Taoism. In it, Lao-tzu shows that the cultivation of simplicity and spontaneity is essential to both the enlightened individual and the wise leader. This timeless work will appeal to a broad audience of contemporary readers who have come to consider Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching a classic on the art of living.

About the author

Thomas Cleary is the translator of "Opening the Dragon Gate" by Chen Kaiguo and Zhen Shunchao and "The Story of Chinese Zen" by Nan Huai-Chin, as well as "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi, "The Japanese Art of War," and dozens of other titles on martial philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism, religion, and philosophy. He was born in 1949 and lives in Oakland, CA.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries; Shambhala dragon editions
• Editors: Laozi, Thomas F. Cleary
• Translated by: Thomas F. Cleary
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Shambhala, 1991
• Original from: the University of Virginia
• Digitized: Oct 21, 2008
• ISBN: 0877738629, 9780877738626
• Length: 184 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / Eastern; Philosophy / Taoist; Religion / Taoism