First int'l forum on Dao De Jing

[sean]

Via Xinhuanet

 

China to host first int'l forum on Dao De Jing

 

BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- For the first time in 50 years, China will organize a state-level forum on Dao De Jing, a classic Taoist text.

 

Dao De Jing, also translated as Tao Te Ching or the Classic of the Way and Virtue, was written by Lao Zi about 2,500 years ago, around the time that Buddha was expounding the Dharma in India and Pythagoras was teaching in Greece.

 

One of the most influential Chinese books of all time, it has been translated into more than 30 foreign languages.

 

More than 300 delegates from 19 countries and regions will attend the six-day forum which will be held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and in Hong Kong from April 22,according to the Taoist Association of China, one of the sponsors of the forum.

 

"Dao De Jing is not only the central text of Taoism, but also a precious spiritual and cultural treasure of the Chinese nation," said Qi Xiaofei, vice president of the China Religious Culture Communication Association.

 

"The harmonious philosophy of Dao De Jing transcends history, religion and national boundaries. A classic text, it nevertheless resonates with the aspirations of the contemporary world," Qi said.

 

There are more than 5,000 Taoist temples on the Chinese mainland.

[gendao]

So, back to basics here...but what is everyone's interpretation of the opening line:

 

道可道, 非常道

dao ke dao, fei chang dao

 

Full comprehension and translation can be a very tricky task, indeed...

[Mal]

interpretation of the opening line:

 

Loved the link, almost didn't click it, lucky

 

I'm thinking about this statement at the moment.

 

"Chinese is a pictorial language, every time it is read it is a translation, unlike English."

[Flynn]

I knew it had been interpreted and translated many different ways, but that is a bit overwhelming!

[clearclouds]

 

道可道, 非常道

dao ke dao, fei chang dao

 

 

 

Dao consists of usual Dao and Unusual Dao.

[林愛偉]

Via Xinhuanet

 

China to host first int'l forum on Dao De Jing

 

BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- For the first time in 50 years, China will organize a state-level forum on Dao De Jing, a classic Taoist text.

 

Dao De Jing, also translated as Tao Te Ching or the Classic of the Way and Virtue, was written by Lao Zi about 2,500 years ago, around the time that Buddha was expounding the Dharma in India and Pythagoras was teaching in Greece.

 

One of the most influential Chinese books of all time, it has been translated into more than 30 foreign languages.

 

More than 300 delegates from 19 countries and regions will attend the six-day forum which will be held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and in Hong Kong from April 22,according to the Taoist Association of China, one of the sponsors of the forum.

 

"Dao De Jing is not only the central text of Taoism, but also a precious spiritual and cultural treasure of the Chinese nation," said Qi Xiaofei, vice president of the China Religious Culture Communication Association.

 

"The harmonious philosophy of Dao De Jing transcends history, religion and national boundaries. A classic text, it nevertheless resonates with the aspirations of the contemporary world," Qi said.

 

There are more than 5,000 Taoist temples on the Chinese mainland.

 

Anything for face... such hypocrites they are. Over 5,000 Daoist temples in China, but they are, Daoism, the most unsupported religion in China. They are poorer than the Buddhist temples and Christian temples. Unless the area, city the temple is in, is big tourist city, then the temple may get a makeover and some money.

 

They'll take any cultural thing and sell it, display it to make more people cream over China. Its nice to see them supporting things of their culture...finally, but they are only taking the things of popularity and milking it for money, and reputation.

 

Peace,

Lin