Huà shū 化書
The Book of Transformations
by 譚峭 (Tán Qiào) — Five-Dynasties Daoist philosopher
A foundational work of Chinese speculative philosophy — Tán Qiào’s meditation on cosmic and social transformation in six sections: Huà 化 (Transformation), Shù 術 (Art), Dé 德 (Virtue), Rén 仁 (Humaneness), Shí 食 (Food), Jiǎn 儉 (Frugality). The text fuses Daoist metaphysics with an incisive social critique, arguing that grain, ritual, and morality are all mutable forms with no absolute standing. Preserved as DZ 1044 / CT 1044 (Tài xuán bù 太玄部). (Catalog meta renders the surname as 覃 Tán; standard is 譚.)
Dating. Mid 10th century. Dynasty: 五代.
Translations and research
- Didier, John C. The Book of Transformations. Partial translation and study.
- Kohn, Livia. “Taoist Visions of the Body.” Journal of Chinese Philosophy 18 (1991): 227–252. Discusses Tán Qiào.
- Robinet, Isabelle. Taoism: Growth of a Religion. Stanford UP, 1997. Treatment of the Huà shū.
Links
- Kanseki Repository KR5d0067
- Author: 譚峭.
- ctext.org: 化書