Notes Summary and Analysis

Following the translated text, Mitchell provides notes on each of the 81 chapters.

1. The Chinese poet Po-Chü-i calls Lao-tzu a "blabbermouth." Mitchell observes that for Buddhists, words are "fingers pointing to the moon" — and sometimes obscuring it. Masters must be meticulous. A monk and Ma-tsu dialog about the latter's teaching, "Mind is Buddha." Those unattached to all things should experience the great Tao. Legend says that this book is a response out of "grandmotherly kindness," to a border guard who wants to understand the art of living. Alternative renderings show the tension between expressible tao and eternal Tao, and Mitchell gives examples of mystery, darkness, and light.

2. Mitchell meditates on the Master's effortless "appropriate responses," acting out the Tao's script and comments on ways of teaching without words and her teachings lasting forever in quality, rather than time and space...