Global Laozegetics: Engaging the Multiplicity of Laozi Interpretations and Translations

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Religions introduces the study of “Global Laozegetics,” which offers a novel framework for engaging the Daoist classic Laozi or Daodejing. While previous scholarship has mostly focused on debating the “original” meaning of the Laozi text, we suggest that this might not be the most important topic to research. The study of Global Laozegetics instead prioritizes investigating the 1930 Laozi translations in 94 languages and the 2185 native Chinese commentaries as the keys to understanding the text’s place in history. Even if it were possible to determine the original meaning of the text, that conception would only be relevant to a brief moment in time. It cannot explain the varied ways in which the Laozi has been understood and applied across the ages. Therefore, we propose a focus on the complex history of Laozi exegesis in all languages to determine the entirety of its transmission, transformation, and reception to more fully comprehend the impact of the text around the globe.

The foundation of this Special Issue is the October 23–24, 2021, "International Conference on Global Laozegetics" at Nankai University. Religions has expressed interest in publishing selected conference papers, and the guest editor will send a direct invitation to authors of papers that have been judged to be appropriate for consideration; however, if other interested authors would like their work to be considered, we will gladly receive them with all due attention.

Topics which might be covered include: Laozi and hermeneutics; Laozi commentaries; religious Daoist Laozi; Buddhist Laozi; Confucian Laozi; Korean Laozi; Japanese Laozi; historical transmissions of Laozi; early Laozi translations; Laozi interpretations based on any religion or philosophy in any language; popular interpretations or translations of Laozi; methods of Laozi translation; peculiarities of Laozi translations in various languages; Persian Laozi; Filipino Laozi; Thai Laozi; interpretations of key Laozi concepts in commentaries or translations; historical connections between commentaries and translations; comparisons of Laozi interpretations within and without China.

Dr. Misha Tadd
Guest Editor

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