The Tao of Pooh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Tao of Pooh | |
 |
|
| Author | Benjamin Hoff |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Dutton Books |
| Publication date | 1982 |
| ISBN | 0-525-24458-1 |
The Tao of Pooh is a book written by Benjamin Hoff. The book is an introduction to Taoism, using the fictional character of Winnie the Pooh. Hoff also wrote The Te of Piglet, a companion book.
Hoff uses Winnie the Pooh and the other characters from A. A. Milne's stories to explain the basic principles of philosophical Taoism. Winnie the Pooh, for example, represents the principles of Wu Wei, or Wei Wu Wei. The book also includes translated excerpts from various Taoist texts, from authors such as Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi.
The beginning of the book starts with a story about the three vinegar tasters, which is an actual painting concerning Lao Zi, Buddha, and Confucius over a vat of vinegar. Then the story unfolds backing up this analogy.
The book was on the New York Times bestseller list for 49 weeks and is used as required reading in some college courses.[1][2][3][4]
Hoff wrote the book at night and on weekends while working as a tree pruner in the Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Mid and Far East Literature (ENGL. 332)". Marywood University. http://www.marywood.edu/english/hoffmanmidfarsyll.stm. Retrieved on 2008-06-12.
- ^ "Asian Studies 190 - Tao Reasoning". California State University, Long Beach. http://www.csulb.edu/~wweinste/ast190.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-12.
- ^ "Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 001.005" (PDF). University of Nevada, Reno. Spring 2008. http://www.unr.edu/philosophy/pdf/s101dl_sp.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-12.
- ^ a b Leigh Brown, Patricia (1992-11-29), Peace Is a Bookshelf Away, New York Times, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE2D91431F93AA15752C1A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all, retrieved on 2008-06-12
[edit] External links
 |
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: The Tao of Pooh |
