Comparison between "Laozi" in silk script and "Tao Te Ching"

"Laozi" in silk script is the least tampered version of "Laozi" seen by later generations. It can be a good help We re-understand the various copies of "Laozi" or "Tao Te Ching" handed down from generation to generation.

As to whether there is insufficient evidence that the silk book "Laozi" is extremely advanced compared with the "Tao Te Ching", that is, whether it is isolated evidence, the following three points are available for reference:

1. Time advancement: Archaeological discoveries have proven that the silk book "Laozi" was buried about 2170 years ago, which is earlier than the oldest known "Tao Te Ching" (Heshang Public Edition) 50 years, and archeology has also proven that the copying time of the first and second copies of "Laozi" in the silk book is earlier than the burial time, and the copying time is still different from the production time of the mother copy. It is roughly estimated that the first copy of the silk book "Laozi" Appeared at least 100 years before the Tao Te Ching. Comparing the silk book "Laozi", it can be seen that in the "Tao Te Ching" to avoid the names of the five emperors Liu Bang, Liu Heng, Liu Qi, Liu Yi and Liu Fu, the "Bang" in the full text was changed to "Guo" and "Heng" to "Chan" and "Qi" were changed to "Kai", "勶" was changed to "Che", and "Fu" was changed to "Bu", resulting in a total of 100 major changes in the book.

2. This is not an isolated evidence: Although the silk books A and B of "Laozi" were unearthed at the same time, they are obviously different in terms of fonts, copying forms, and copying times. Although there are differences between them , but the ideas, content, and themes belong to the same system, which is very different from the "Tao Te Ching". They were collected in the same book box at the same time, which at least shows that they are no longer isolated evidence in the burial period, but it may be difficult for the tomb owner to Choose their kinship with the original "Laozi".

3. Self-proof is fundamental: It has been found that due to hundreds of changes to the original text of more than 300 sentences, the "Tao Te Ching" handed down to this day has caused extremely significant changes. The loss of inheritance means that the remaining thoughts and wisdom are only a handful of the original work. Not only has the great scientific achievements of the original work in the field of natural science been completely destroyed, but the theme in the field of social science is also completely contradictory, such as the original meaning of "inaction" ( "Nothing" is not "nothing") and the fallacy of "not arguing" (if arguing is not not arguing).

Reference materials: For details, please refer to the 30-episode series "A Different Lao Tzu" and the 8-episode series "What is Tao" written and directed by Mr. Xiao Gang.

The version description of the silk book "Laozi"

Due to the influence of the past, when the silk book "Laozi" was unearthed, both copies A and B were partially incomplete. In order to facilitate the understanding and learning of the majority of readers, this word The version revised by Mr. Xiao Gang shall prevail. This version uses the "Laozi A" and "Laozi B" compiled by the Changsha Mawangdui Silk Collection Group to compile the silk book "Laozi" into a revised edition. The principles of the combined revision are as follows:

1. Follow the In accordance with the custom of inheriting, the "Tao" chapter is placed before the "De" chapter and merged into one article; 2. Basically follows the 81-chapter structure of the "Tao Te Ching", please note: "Laozi" and "Tao Te Ching" in silk scripts are in Chapter 1. Chapters 22, 23, 24, and after Chapter 67 are different in chapter division, and individual chapters are also divided into paragraphs.

3. The same parts of copies A and B can be used; 4. If copy A is saved but copy B is lost, or copy B is saved but copy A is lost, use the same parts; 5. Both copies A and B are kept, The parts that are different from each other are mainly based on version A, and in some places, version B is used according to understanding; 6. If neither version A nor version B exists, refer to the "A version of Laozi" and "The B version of Laozi" by the Changsha Mawangdui Silk Collection Group ” and various copies of the Tao Te Ching. This edition of the silk book "Laozi" is a revised edition of the silk books A and B of the "Laozi". It has the regret of historical limitations and is inevitably not limited by the author's personal level. It is only for your reference. If you want to quote, please indicate "Xiao Gang's silk book "Laozi" revised edition" to show that you are responsible for the text. In the future, if errors are found, adjustments will be made at any time.