Treatise of the Exalted One on Response and Retribution

The Tàishàng Gǎnyìng Piān is a seminal Daoist morality text that serves as a practical guide to ethics, outlining specific rules for virtuous conduct and misdeeds, along with their consequences. Dating back to the 12th century Song dynasty, it distills complex Daoist principles into accessible teachings, bridging the philosophies of Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. This edition features translations by notable scholars James Legge and Paul Carus, which introduced Chinese moral thought to the English-speaking audience and defined the concept of the "good life" in traditional Chinese culture. An essential read for those seeking to understand the moral framework of Chinese society.