Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet, READ

[Clover]

I would advise anyone wanting to learn of Taoism, or a Taoist wanting to expand his knowledge, to read the Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet. Tao of Pooh first btw. They are very wise, not as wise as the TTC of course, but they can really explain things to you, easily, and no matter how old you are.

 

[Master Vigil]

I really do enjoy reading the Tao of Pooh, much more than the Te of Piglet (which is probably why I haven't read the latter in a LONG time. I might like it more now). It truly is a good way to get a better grip of what P'u and Te embody for western audiences. Although, most of the eastern readers I have discussed it with, find Mr. Hoff's explanation a bit skewed. I suppose it's a cultural difference.

 

[Clover]

I really do enjoy reading the Tao of Pooh, much more than the Te of Piglet (which is probably why I haven't read the latter in a LONG time. I might like it more now). It truly is a good way to get a better grip of what P'u and Te embody for western audiences. Although, most of the eastern readers I have discussed it with, find Mr. Hoff's explanation a bit skewed. I suppose it's a cultural difference.

Well, he really tries to make it where Taoism isn't just a eastern thing.

I have heard Te is not near as good as Tao, I have read most of Tao, but I am reading some of Te now.

 

[dragonflygrrrrl]

I would like to read the Tao of Pooh at some point.

 

[Alceste]

I haven't read it, but I've heard from some die-hard Taoists that it's a terrible representation of Taoism. I suppose I should reserve judgment until I've had a boo, but to be honest I can't see how the TTC and Zhuang-zi could possibly be improved upon by any Western commentary.

 

[Clover]

I haven't read it, but I've heard from some die-hard Taoists that it's a terrible representation of Taoism. I suppose I should reserve judgment until I've had a boo, but to be honest I can't see how the TTC and Zhuang-zi could possibly be improved upon by any Western commentary.

Regionalism is adorable :drool:.

Read it, it's actually pretty good, but that's just my Western opinoin.

~Edit~ Also, it isn't a improvement, it's just a different way of reading about Taoism, to call it a improvement is a lie, because the author himself stated it was just his way of explaining it.

 

[Humanistheart]

I own the Tao of Pooh. It's good. What's the Te of piglet though?

 

[Alceste]

Regionalism is adorable :drool:.

Read it, it's actually pretty good, but that's just my Western opinoin.

~Edit~ Also, it isn't a improvement, it's just a different way of reading about Taoism, to call it a improvement is a lie, because the author himself stated it was just his way of explaining it.

I'm thinking in terms of ways of thinking, not regions, when I say "Western", and I say it only after having read several dozen commentaries on the TTC and the ZZ, and after having practiced tai chi for several years under the tutelage of a Chinese Taoist.

Anyway, it's probably lying around here somewhere, so if I can find it I'll have a boo. I tried once before when I was about 10 (riffling through dad's library), but I couldn't get into it.

In the mean time, I recommend Seven Taoist Masters (Eva Wong) and Scholar Warrior by Deng Ming-Dao.

 

[Clover]

I'm thinking in terms of ways of thinking, not regions, when I say "Western", and I say it only after having read several dozen commentaries on the TTC and the ZZ, and after having practiced tai chi for several years under the tutelage of a Chinese Taoist.

Anyway, it's probably lying around here somewhere, so if I can find it I'll have a boo. I tried once before when I was about 10 (riffling through dad's library), but I couldn't get into it.

In the mean time, I recommend Seven Taoist Masters (Eva Wong) and Scholar Warrior by Deng Ming-Dao.

I'll check them out, but I am going to finish Te first.

 

[ChrisP]

Tis a good read. Am lucky enough to have seen enough of eastern thought to have a base understanding of their perspective, though certainly not claim to understand everything of any finer detail and regional differences...

The issue for me in comparing the ta te ching and tao of Pooh is one of cultural perspective but the content of both discuss a concept common across all human philosophical and religious musings. How life works...

There is one issue in examining and comparison which to me makes it impossible to compare them. They were written to address "How life works" for 2 complete different cultures with about 2200-3800 years* between them. It is amazing to me how much of a difference basic things and certain aspects of a way of life gets taken for granted within it's own culture such as, diet; style and form of governance; resources available to the culture; technology available to the culture etc. This is true, even in a comparison of contempary cultures. IMO these things contribute to all kinds of things about our cultural perspectives to which we have a blind spot. Learning another culture is quite revealing about your formative culture as well and I'd reccomend moving alone to another country for a time to anyone!

Anyway... rambling ramble over.

(*depends on whether you care and if you do, who you believe)

 

[Master Vigil]

I went to the library a few weeks ago and picked up the Te of Piglet again, and I couldn't even get past the first two chapters. I felt Ben Hoff was being way too egotistical and arrogant for a book on Taoism. So I took it back. My opinion... read the Tao of Pooh and stick with the classics.

 

[katiafish]

Hmm, I think if before the thought has vaguely entered my vision, now I should definitely bring it to conclusion and read the Tao of Pooh.. I only recently stopped carrying my handwritten note book with TTC around with me....

 

[Metalic Wings]

I haven't read it, but I've heard from some die-hard Taoists that it's a terrible representation of Taoism. I suppose I should reserve judgment until I've had a boo, but to be honest I can't see how the TTC and Zhuang-zi could possibly be improved upon by any Western commentary.

I've read both. Although my opinion of Te of Piglet wasn't very high I really enjoyed the Tao of Pooh. I am obviously of a very Western mindset (something I hope to remedy) but I felt more than trying to be a direct interpretation of Taoism, the book tried to make the idea of Taoism conceivable to Western minds through a medium most Americans know (and love, I hope <3). It made me take a second look at Winnie-the-Pooh.

 

[Smoke]

I read them both in late '92 or early '93. (I remember because it was when I lived on Hudson Street the first time.) I don't remember much about either one, but I remember that I liked The Tao of Pooh better than The Te of Piglet.