Tao te ching

dudeismdude · February 20, 2012, 07:07:12 PM

I read Dude de ching and really couldn't get into it.

I downloaded Ron Hogan's take on the Tao te ching and found it very good-it makes reading about the tao enjoyable and easy.

At my site (type dudeismdude in Google for link) under the wisdom link on the bottom right you can read some of Hogan's work.

RevJason83 · February 20, 2012, 11:03:12 PM

If I hadn't read the Tao Te Ching before I read the Dude De Ching I probably would have had trouble getting into it as well. You might enjoy it more now since you've the read the original unmodified, unDudified if you will, Tao te Ching.

The Tao Te Ching is a great, and honestly it's good to read different translations and modifications of it because each person's variation is a bit different adding more insight into the Tao. Plus it's important to remember that in the Chinese writing system each symbol covers not just letters, but words and phrases, making multiple translations all the more valuable for the reasons mentioned above.

meekon5 · February 21, 2012, 06:39:04 AM

I have problems with the Dude De Ching being too Lebowskiist (to involved in the aspect of Dudeism that just covers saying "Dude there's a beverage here!" too much).

I always go with the Jane English version of the Tao Te Ching (the print version) because it is a beautiful mixture of original Chinese calligraphy, wonderful pictures, and a very easy translation of the text to English.

I also recommend this app (by spiral cloud) to any android users its a very good version of the Tao Te Ching.

Should also mention:

Quote from: meekon5 on October 26, 2011, 05:35:02 AM

I've known that most of my life (you're all insane it was never me).

Actually can I add the work of Michel Foucault (I recommended Madness and Civilization - A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason), Descartes (I think therefore I am), the Tao Of Physics (check out the PDF Library & Learning Center, Compiling Data For Life On The Self Determined Path), and of course the vast majority of Buddhist and Taoist literature....

For some good links to pdf's of Taoist literature.

groovypucks · April 12, 2012, 12:47:57 PM

I have the droid version, It's nice to have and grab a quick read when sitting on the throne.

Leopoldrose · January 02, 2013, 11:17:17 AM

Quote from: dudeismdude on February 20, 2012, 07:07:12 PM
I read Dude de ching and really couldn't get into it.

I downloaded Ron Hogan's take on the Tao te ching and found it very good-it makes reading about the tao enjoyable and easy.

At my site (type dudeismdude in Google for link) under the wisdom link on the bottom right you can read some of Hogan's work.

I agree. Love Ron Hogans version.

BikerDude · January 02, 2013, 12:05:17 PM

How bout the Du Drin King.
A lot less exhausting.

forumdude · January 02, 2013, 12:38:19 PM

Hogan's version is great. I've had some contact with him via email - want to do an interview. Anybody have any ideas for questions?

The Dude De Ching is just an exercise in showing how The Big Lebowski has Taoist elements. It shouldn't be taken as a replacement for the true Tao Te Ching.

Personally I think the Dao De Jing By Ames and Hall is the most impressive interpretation. The Historical and Philosophical analysis is mind blowing. It really cuts through the morass of poetry and provides a very logical psychological explanation for what it's all about.

I don't know why, but the printed version doesn't speak to me the way the audiobook version does. I'm listening to it for the third time now and sometimes I have to stop just to catch my breath. It's that amazing.

Leopoldrose · January 02, 2013, 02:20:39 PM

Quote from: forumdude on January 02, 2013, 12:38:19 PM
Hogan's version is great. I've had some contact with him via email - want to do an interview. Anybody have any ideas for questions?

The Dude De Ching is just an exercise in showing how The Big Lebowski has Taoist elements. It shouldn't be taken as a replacement for the true Tao Te Ching.

Personally I think the Dao De Jing By Ames and Hall is the most impressive interpretation. The Historical and Philosophical analysis is mind blowing. It really cuts through the morass of poetry and provides a very logical psychological explanation for what it's all about.

I don't know why, but the printed version doesn't speak to me the way the audiobook version does. I'm listening to it for the third time now and sometimes I have to stop just to catch my breath. It's that amazing.

I will grab a copy today. Thanks for the recommendation forumdude.

Shagbeard · December 21, 2013, 04:29:25 PM

I came across this one that seems fairly good
tao-te-king dot org

Synth · December 23, 2013, 08:30:22 PM

I've bumped in the same problem, man. I'll take a look at that version, thanks.

Grandmaster Cid · March 31, 2014, 02:43:23 AM

Hi, new to the forums! Just rewatched The Big Lebowski and stumbled into the Dude De Ching when I googled "holy shit the big lebowski is amazing". I'm not too into the Dude De Ching (can't appreciate it yet) but the Tao Te Ching at the bottom blows my mind, I love it a whole lot.

Does anyone know which translation it is?

Yeti · March 31, 2014, 04:50:18 AM

I just read the Dude De Ching and I'm not a fan either. I found myself finally skipping over the Dude verses to get to the originals. I don't want to dump on a serious effort that was undertaken by a lot of Dudes here, it just doesn't work for me. It probably works well for others.

My recommended path to Dudeist enlightenment is to study the Dao De Jing, then watch the movie, but don't concentrate and look for literal connections between the two works as you watch the movie. Just sit back with a beverage and/or a jay and let the movie flow with your taoism studies lingering in the back of your head. The connection will come and you'll find yourself falling down the Dudeism rabbit hole as far as your brain will let you fall.

meekon5 · March 31, 2014, 12:29:28 PM

Quote from: BikerDude on January 02, 2013, 12:05:17 PM
How bout the Du Drin King.
A lot less exhausting.

Ha ha, I just got that one!

milnie · March 31, 2014, 04:50:35 PM

Quote from: BikerDude on January 02, 2013, 12:05:17 PM
How bout the Du Drin King.
A lot less exhausting.

But I'm still left dazed and confused after a session ;)

The Daryl · September 22, 2014, 06:40:36 PM

Here's a link with a lot of different versions in English:

http://terebess.hu/english/tao/_index.html

I agree Hogan's is awesome. I wish it would have been around 20 years ago when I was trying to explain, in "plain" English, what the fuck I was talking about... It's actually the one I always recommend to folks that are curious.

Ames and Hall version isn't in there, but I've read a bit of it. To me it uses too many fancy words; reads like stereo instructions. I'm college educated and all, and could understand it, but flow to me, means flow even in communication. Just my opinion, man.

I do think the Dude De Ching is more enjoyable if you are already familiar with the text. I mean I've been reading various translations since I was a teenager, so I was able to dig in and enjoy the parody right away. For someone's first foray I would totally recommend Hogan's. After catching the drift, go back to the Dude De Ching and enjoy...

One thing that I find most surprising about this slim volume... It's been "translated" a metric shitload of times, but many of the translators don't even speak or read Chinese. They just take someone else's version and make it their own. I find it interesting, because it's like a world wide, history spanning, game of telephone (Remember that game where you start with a phrase, whisper it through 20 people and see what the end phrase becomes?). That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's a thing worth noting. It keeps it as a living text in a way, since vernacular evolves.

Anyways hope some of you dudes can enjoy the link